East Pittsburgh

Historically rich East Pittsburgh grew into a town with businesses and boomed in population when George Westinghouse built the innovative Electric & Manufacturing Co. in 1894. The community prides itself on the stately George Westinghouse Bridge with art-deco reliefs. “East Pittsburgh is very close to the North Versailles area, and there are some little special things about it like the bridge,” says Sara Leitera, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway. Located half an hour from downtown Pittsburgh, residents can enjoy a compact suburban feel secluded from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Located on Turtle Creek, East Pittsburgh is only 0.4 square miles in size and a dense suburb with loose grid-style streets. Homes in the area oftentimes have on-street parking and high walkability. Front yards are shallow with many houses spaced close together. Cottage homes, with Tudor details like prominent chimneys and steep angles, may cost $51,000 to $97,000. Victorian homes with angular profiles and pastel exteriors, some of which date back to the 1900s, may range between $81,000 to $110,000. Clean-cut brick American Foursquares with wide front porches may be priced at $70,000 to $119,000. “East Pittsburgh has very affordable housing,” Leitera says. In East Pittsburgh, the median home value is $53,400, more cost-effective than nearby North Versailles with a median of $86,400.

Students in East Pittsburgh can attend the public Woodland Hills School District, which earns a B rating according to Niche. Schools include Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy, Dickson Preparatory Steam Academy and Woodland Hills Senior High School. On Niche, the elementary school earns a C-plus, the middle school has a C grade and the high school earns a B-minus. Students in East Pittsburgh may follow the same innovative path as Westinghouse since it’s the only district in that state with a K-12 robotics program, due to a partnership with Vex Robotics.

To spend time outdoors, head to a couple of recreation spaces in the area. Head to Brinton park for playgrounds, swing sets, a basketball court and a small picnic pavilion. At Grand View Golf Club, get a birdies and bogeys on an 18-hole course with views of the Monongahela River.

East Pittsburgh is located close to one of Pittsburgh’s most popular attractions. Kennywood, a beloved amusement park built in 1899, is only about 6 miles away. The park features modern steel and older wooden rollercoasters, a log water ride and a drop tower. The Phantom Fright Nights in celebration of Halloween have themed haunted houses and people in frightening monster or “blood-covered” costumes to scare even the most courageous rollercoaster riders.

For retail and restaurants, East Pittsburgh residents can access a small selection in the community. For a local convenience store, you can head to Sherry's Family Market to pick up groceries, snacks and cold cuts from the deli. At Fusion 20, patrons can expect a bright, minimalistic interior with vegan hoagies and jerk chicken. The restaurant specializes in fusing multiple cuisines for a unique take on American food. Meanwhile, Hollywood Show Bar, a dimly lit joint with a pool table, serves draft beers, the Brutus Burger, a pound of meat, and chili cheese fries.

East Pittsburgh is about 11 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. For weekend trips to the big city, visit Market Square for a festival or Point State Park for views of the three rivers. Take a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus at one of the stops throughout the borough. In the historic East Pittsburgh, residents enjoy a slower-paced suburban life with access to the city.

Written By

Anna Anderson

Photography Contributed By

Chris Pirone

Video By

Anthony Pesa