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Polish Hill

Polish Hill

$250,151 Average Value
$165 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale
A streetscape in Polish Hill gives a view across a valley over the Allegheny River.
A streetscape in Polish Hill gives a view across a valley over the Allegheny River.

Why live in Polish Hill, in the East End

After leaving Poland to work in Pittsburgh ’s 19th-century steel mills, immigrants settled into a sloping East End enclave that became known as Polish Hill. That heritage is still visible today, from the magnificent, dome-topped Immaculate Heart of Mary Church to the Eastern European specialties served at neighborhood restaurants. Time has also turned Polish Hill into a culturally diverse community known for housing cool local businesses, fun festivals and punk-tinted nightlife on winding, mountainous city blocks. Plus, it's a short (but steep) walk, bus trip or bike ride to many buzzy commercial and commuter hubs in the East End and downtown.

Costs of historic workers’ houses and new construction

“Polish Hill is a really cool, hip, grungy kind of neighborhood with some nice houses,” says Nathaniel Nieland, an agent with Coldwell Banker who’s served the Pittsburgh area for over 18 years. “There are a lot of tightly packed houses built together; you’re not going to get much yard with most of them. And there’s not as much off-street parking.” Many of the simple rowhouses and boxy detached homes in Polish Hill were built to house steel mill workers from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. Duplexes and small multifamily properties are also common, and you’ll find the occasional custom contemporary home, built with luxury appliances and sweeping views of the Allegheny River Valley. Move-in-ready single-family properties range from around $200,000 to the upper $600,000s, depending on renovation levels and age. Multifamily properties range from the lower $100,000s to the lower $400,000s. Houses that need a lot of work can start at around $100,000.

The yards of some Polish Hill homes are beautiful with lush gardens and white picket fences.
The yards of some Polish Hill homes are beautiful with lush gardens and white picket fences.
Updated row homes with unique color layouts are tending in Polish Hill.
Updated row homes with unique color layouts are tending in Polish Hill.
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Local restaurants and nightlife near Lawrenceville and the Strip

Proud hole-in-the-wall businesses pop up throughout Polish Hill. Some local favorites include:

  • Kaibur Coffee and Cafe, a cozy, artsy spot known for offering vegan options
  • Pleasant Dreams Records, a cool place to browse vinyl upstairs from Kaibur Coffee
  • Gooski’s, a graffiti-covered bar for post-work drinks, pierogi, pool and punk band performances
  • Rock Room, another open-late venue for Polish pub grub and edgier live music shows
“The thing about Polish Hill is it’s a little bit of an island. But, it’s between Lawrenceville and the Strip down by the river, and the Hill District is up above it,” Nieland says. “If you’re walking, you’ve got to walk up all those hills.” Trendy business districts in the Strip District and Lawrenceville are about a mile away. That’s also where you’ll go to shop at diverse specialty grocery stores or Aldi.

Kaibur Coffee in Polish Hill is a Star Wars-themed cafe with plenty of nostalgia to go around.
Kaibur Coffee in Polish Hill is a Star Wars-themed cafe with plenty of nostalgia to go around.
Gooski's Bar and Restaurant is a popular spot for a meal, drinks and punk music.
Gooski's Bar and Restaurant is a popular spot for a meal, drinks and punk music.
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Easy transit access to downtown Pittsburgh and the East End

Polish Hill is connected to the rest of Pittsburgh by a handful of access roads. Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s 54 bus winds through the neighborhood while traveling between the South Hills and the North Side. The Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway offers more direct PRT service to hubs in the East End and downtown from Herron Station. However you get there, you’re about 2 miles from downtown Pittsburgh and major East End employers like UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh.

Polish Hill is right next to the Strip District allowing for locals to find shopping and dining.
Polish Hill is right next to the Strip District allowing for locals to find shopping and dining.
Take the bus out of Polish Hill into Pittsburgh for work or entertainment.
Take the bus out of Polish Hill into Pittsburgh for work or entertainment.
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Attending Pittsburgh Public Schools

Polish Hill is served by the Pittsburgh Public School District. Kids can attend neighborhood schools assigned by address or apply to magnet programs at other PPS campuses. Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 is a neighborhood school that also offers a university preparatory magnet program.

City parks and community gardens

Polish Hill is dotted with green spaces and recreation areas of different sizes and kinds. Close to home, there’s:

  • West Penn Park, a large neighborhood park with a playground, sports facilities, a skate park and a seasonal pool
  • West Penn Recreation Center, an indoor facility with a fitness center and gymnasium
  • Wiggins Street and Harmar Street community gardens, two places with raised garden beds available for purchase
  • Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Liberty Avenue home to company dancers and fitness class attendees

Polish Hill has the West Penn Park which attracts many residents in the area.
Polish Hill has the West Penn Park which attracts many residents in the area.
BMX biking can be done at West Penn Park.
BMX biking can be done at West Penn Park.
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The Polish Hill Civic Association’s events and other festivals

The Polish Hill Civic Association organizes events to celebrate local creativity and community members. Polish Hill Arts Fest is the group’s most popular tradition. Each September, visitors can browse an artist market, buy from food vendors, listen to live bands and enjoy family-friendly games and crafts. You might also get together with the civic association to discuss local issues, clean up the neighborhood or host yard sales and charitable events throughout the year.

Julia Szymanski
Written By
Julia Szymanski
TJ Engler
Photography Contributed By
TJ Engler
Alex Finneran
Video By
Alex Finneran

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

33 min drive

Bus

Brereton St & 28th

Bus

Liberty Ave & 31st St

Bus

East Busway & Herron Station B

Bus

Bigelow Blvd & Bloomfld Brdge Fs

Bus

Bigelow Blvd & Finland St

Bus

Bigelow Blvd & Harding Way

Bus

Brereton St & 30th St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Polish Hill US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
452
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
7.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,621
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,129
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,613

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
9
Median Rent
$1,195
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,000
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$4,000
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,595
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,595
Median Condo Rent
$1,195
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,250

Demographics

Total Population
1,526
Median Age
41
Population under 18
14.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$64,382
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$88,700

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.9%
College Graduates
50.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.5%
% Population in Labor Force
77.5%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Very walkable

Walkability®

80 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

60 / 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
Polish Hill