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Hays

Hays

$121,369 Average Value
$89 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

A woodsy, convenient Pittsburgh neighborhood called Hays

Almost all of the southeastern Pittsburgh neighborhood of Hays is made up of deeply forested hills and cliffsides along the Monongahela River Valley. That’s thanks to Hays Woods Park, an area once full of small industry towns and coal mines that recently became the second-largest park in the city. Humble residential enclaves and wild woodlands are surrounded by the busy, established commercial districts that run along the south side of the Mon. Only about 6 miles from downtown, Hays offers you the chance to live next to Pittsburgh’s largest urban forest and Homestead's busy suburban shopping center.

The Hays Eagles have become a very popular part of the community.
The Hays Eagles have become a very popular part of the community.
Take time to go eagle watching in Hays.
Take time to go eagle watching in Hays.
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Costs and kinds of homes near rural forests

“Hays is a very interesting area,” says Chris Ivory, a Realtor with Keller Williams who’s served the Pittsburgh market for 36 years. “Some parts are real rural-looking. You’d be surprised to see that this house with two or three acres is in the city of Pittsburgh.” A handful of residential streets are on the outskirts of Hays Woods Park. Most are lined by the simple National homes built in neighborhoods near coal mines and steel mills around the turn of the 20th century, but there’s also the occasional midcentury raised ranch. You can find properties in need of extensive renovation and homes in move-in-ready condition. Some houses are on larger parcels of land, but most are on urban- or suburban-sized lots. Prices range from around $50,000 to the mid-$100,000s.

Hays has homes of all styles that make up the charm of this neighborhood.
Hays has homes of all styles that make up the charm of this neighborhood.
Streets Run cuts through the heart of Hays.
Streets Run cuts through the heart of Hays.
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An enormous new Pittsburgh park and recreation along the Mon

Hays Woods Park is more than 600 acres of urban woodlands that only became an official city park in 2023. Its cliffs and rural forests were once home to coal mining operations and other industrial endeavors, so habitat restoration efforts are ongoing. Despite the ecosystem’s historic neglect, it’s still a place where you can get lost among mature trees and look out overhead for a pair of nesting bald eagles called the Hays Eagles. Trailheads are accessible in neighboring Baldwin. Hays Park is a much smaller place to let the kids run around the playground. Cyclists go to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail to pedal parallel to the Monongahela River. You can also join the summertime crowds at Sandcastle Water Park, located just east of Hays.

Hays has many trees and hills that lead down to the Monongehela River.
Hays has many trees and hills that lead down to the Monongehela River.
Many people stop in Hays to take pictures of the Hays Eagles and their nest.
Many people stop in Hays to take pictures of the Hays Eagles and their nest.
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Allderdice High School has a diverse student body and is welcoming to all Hays students.
Allderdice High School has a diverse student body and is welcoming to all Hays students.

Attending a highly rated Pittsburgh Public school

Hays is served by the Pittsburgh Public School District. PPS assigns neighborhood schools based on home address, but also allows students to apply to schools with specialized magnet programs. Pittsburgh Allderdice High School is a highly rated neighborhood school for Hays that also offers a magnet engineering program.

Driving and taking PRT to get around Pittsburgh

Commuters head down to East Carson Street or cross the Glenwood Bridge to get around Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh is about 6 miles away. The Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus makes a handful of stops on Baldwin Road between the Penn State Greater Allegheny campus and downtown.

Find a peaceful backdrop while still being near the city in Hays.
Find a peaceful backdrop while still being near the city in Hays.
PRT bus stops are in Hays ready to take you anywhere around the city.
PRT bus stops are in Hays ready to take you anywhere around the city.
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Close to The Waterfront and other business strips

Page’s, a seasonal ice cream stand on East Carson Street, is a Pittsburgh-area staple just outside of Hays. Busier business districts are also nearby. “It’s a nice area because you’re not far from the South Hills, but you’re still in the city. It’s close to The Waterfront, that’s for sure,” Ivory says. Most residents live just a few miles from The Waterfront, Homestead’s sprawling outdoor mall. Alongside dozens of specialty stores, entertainment destinations and diverse restaurants, you’ll find big-box and grocery anchors like:

  • Costco
  • Giant Eagle
  • Target
  • Lowe's
Southside Flats is on the opposite side of Hays, home to a walkable shopping, dining and nightlife district.

The Waterfront in West Homestead is a nice place for Hays residents to relax.
The Waterfront in West Homestead is a nice place for Hays residents to relax.
The Waterfront in West Homestead near Hays offers many stores like Giant Eagle and Target.
The Waterfront in West Homestead near Hays offers many stores like Giant Eagle and Target.
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Connecting with neighbors and nature through organizations

Hays Woods Park doesn’t just offer a place to get lost in nature; it’s also a place where neighbors can meet one another and give back to the local ecosystem. The Friends of Hays Woods organization hosts regular clean-ups and stewardship projects in the forest, and naturalists with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy also invite people to join them for educational talks and activities like bird banding. You might also help tend garden plots at Churchview Farm, a small organic farm up in the hills that hosts gardening workshops, summer yoga classes and reservation-only farm-to-table special dinners.

Take an adventure through Hays Woods the best kept secret in Pittsburgh located in Hays.
Take an adventure through Hays Woods the best kept secret in Pittsburgh located in Hays.
Many bikers and runners travel many miles back and forth through Hays.
Many bikers and runners travel many miles back and forth through Hays.
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Julia Szymanski
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Alan Battles
Photography Contributed By
Alan Battles
Mike Dunleavy
Video By
Mike Dunleavy

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Pittsburgh International

38 min drive

Bus

Baldwin St & Ramp St Bridge

Bus

Baldwin St & Glass Run

Bus

Baldwin St & Holy Angel School

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Hays US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
161
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,373
Significantly below the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,589
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
396
Median Age
45
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$59,999
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$76,663

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.9%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
27.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11%
% Population in Labor Force
59.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
40''

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Walk Score®

30 / 100

Not friendly

Transit Score®

10 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Hays