$271,118Average Value$190Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Sloping industrial-era streets meet Pittsburgh's modern medical and university centers
When Pittsburghers hear "Oakland," they think, "eds and meds." Anchored as it is by Carlow University's campus and the blocks where University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals and University of Pittsburgh residential towers meet, there's no neighborhood where that reputation is more relevant than West Oakland. Away from the high-rise, high-activity blocks of Forbes and Fifth avenues, however, the neighborhood transforms into a classic Pittsburgh streetcar suburb, packed with sloping blocks of industrial-era homes that house the 21st century's medley of longtime residents, transient students and young professionals seeking proximity to the Steel City's new leaders of industry. “A lot of the older residents grew up here,” says Monica Mehaffey, the administrative assistant at Friendship Community Church who has lived in West Oakland for 15 years. “The neighborhood has changed because of the universities, so we have a sense of community you don’t find in many other places.” The changes to Pittsburgh as a whole are mirrored, and oftentimes centered, around the changes going on in West Oakland; blighted homes from the city's 20th century industrial and developmental crisis of identity stand blocks away from high-shine, modern mixed-use construction sites. Living in this ever-evolving community means living at the crux of high-energy college campuses, cutting-edge medical facilities, and the kinds of semi-city-sanctioned, do-it-ourselves community spaces that carried the neighborhood through the collapse of the steel and manufacturing industries.
A short walk away from West Oakland is Oakland, a busy business area with plenty to do.
Restaurants line the busy streets of Oakland with outdoor dining areas on the sidewalks.
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Shopping and dining on Forbes and Fifth
When talking about Forbes and Fifth avenues, most will drop the street designation; everybody knows that Forbes and Fifth are the parallel-running commercial thoroughfares and community forums that are central to life throughout Oakland. Classic Pittsburgh chains like Pamela’s Diner and Primanti Brothers stand down wide sidewalks from ramen shops, corner stores and cozy coffee shops like Redhawk Coffee. Fast casual spots like Roots Natural Kitchen and Panera fill with students between classes and UPMC badge-wearing employees on lunch breaks, while others like Viva Los Tacos advertise late hours and drink specials, especially on weekends. Gummy candy-topped shot pitchers flow at Hemingway's Cafe, a staple bar affectionately called Hem's by of-age Pitt students and alumni, but the most common color of the supersized mixed drinks ordered between rounds of trivia depends on the day of the week and which flavor is the $5.50 special. To buy most essentials, however, it's necessary to leave West Oakland. “People might pick up a few items at the CVS or Rite Aid, but for groceries a lot of people go to the South Side,” Mehaffey says. South Side destinations like Aldi, REI and Giant Eagle are across the Birmingham Bridge within 2 miles of West Oakland, as well as dozens of restaurants, bars and retailers.
Pamela's Diner in West Oakland is the place to go for a filling breakfast.
The Rite Aid Pharmacy in West Oakland is central to the neighborhood.
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Playgrounds, Schenley Park and Pittsburgh's very own Central Park
A handful of pocket parks like Dunseith Parklet and Crossroads Park place playgrounds and shady green spaces between buildings throughout West Oakland. Outside the neighborhood, students and lunch-breakers relax on benches or directly on sprawling lawns at Schenley Plaza, the grounds of the towering Cathedral of Learning, or on the rolling stretch of Flagstaff Hill, a fixture of Schenley Park just a couple miles from home. One of Pittsburgh's major destination parks, Schenley is packed with amenities that range from well-kept athletic courts to forested hiking trails down into Panther Hollow. There's a semi-legitimized park that doesn't show up on official Pittsburgh park system maps in West Oakland, known mostly to residents of Moultrie Street and people who keep up with community interest stories in Pittsburgh's local media. Over the course of a few decades, local artists and organizers have cut back poison ivy and knotweed, amassed second-hand bowling balls and stone pavers and put in countless hours to create a sculpture-and-art-filled Central Park on an abandoned hillside. Attractions range from carefully-placed mosaics honoring the musical "Rent" and John Lennon's "Imagine" to more functional elements like a forested path evoking its New York namesake's Ramble pathway and a Little Free Library built to look like the Carnegie's stately main branch.
Dunsieth Parklet is a small playground in the heart of West Oakland for local kids to play.
Schenley Park is always bustling with activity on warm days.
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Hilly residential streets and fixer uppers from $30,000
Away from the high-rise buildings along Forbes and Fifth, steep hills lined by sidewalks and street-parked cars make up West Oakland’s main residential streets. Row houses, twin homes and detached two-stories with porches built in the early 1900s make up much of the market, selling for $30,000 to $400,000 depending on rehabilitation needs. New construction is rare, but a handful of modern townhouses sell for $570,000 to $600,000. Many homes in West Oakland have been converted into multi-unit rental spaces over the years. “Developers can buy the houses in cash very quickly. It's led to more college students and renters moving in than new owners,” Mehaffey says. Despite competition from mid-rise apartment buildings on Forbes and Fifth, investors still see a market for renting full single-family homes. Between the two styles of residences, most people living in West Oakland are renting rather than buying.
A look down a street of homes in West Oakland on a sunny morning.
Many homes in West Oakland have large front staircases to get to their raised entrances.
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Events at the Pete, Oakland museums, parks and the Carnegie Library
Inside the Petersen Events Center, the Oakland Zoo roars at Pitt basketball games and crowds sing "Sweet Caroline" after graduates finish crossing the stage. Each fall, Carlow's newest class of students sets out in teams to destinations across Pittsburgh on Mercy Service Day, participating in diverse charity events and carrying on a nearly century-long tradition of aiding local communities. Beyond the many on-campus events taking place throughout the school year, West Oakland is also about a mile away from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main Branch and Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History, whose events and displays span seasons and age groups. “We’re walking distance from Schenley Plaza,” Mehaffey says. “Pittsburgh Parks and the Carnegie museums and library put on events all the time.” Programming is always changing, but walking past the plaza at the right time might reveal a dance class, a new interactive art display, a free movie screening or the Summer Reading Extravaganza. Closer to home, The Corner is a small community center within West Oakland that provides free arts programming and food distribution services through partnerships with local artists and organizations like Friendship Community Church.
The Corner Community Center in West Oakland offers many programs for the local youth.
Friendship Community Church is a small church on the outskirts of West Oakland.
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Commuter highways, Port Authority buses and (hilly) walkability
Some of UPMC's most notable hospitals are in and immediately outside of West Oakland, including UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, UPMC Montefiore and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Walkability to these and their connected university centers is a major perk to living in West Oakland, but the neighborhood's topography does pose a challenge. Although sidewalks run everywhere, the path toward Pitt's upper campus and several medical buildings is not just called "cardiac hill" because it's lined with UPMC hospitals; in West Oakland, there's no shame in pausing to take some deep breaths or do a quick pulse-check while walking to the neighborhood's higher elevation commuter destinations. Those looking for less of a workout on their commutes can access plenty of Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes along Forbes and Fifth. Downtown Pittsburgh is less than 3 miles west via the Boulevard of the Allies, making rush hour traffic a fact of life for many. Forbes and Fifth avenues get backed up during peak hours as well due to the large number of employees coming in and out of West Oakland. Pittsburgh International Airport is more than 20 miles away.
West Oakland is home to UPMC Presbyterian hospital.
Public transit is easy to access for West Oakland residents.
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Pitt magnet academics at Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12
Students start school at Pittsburgh Weil PreK-5 which earns a C from Niche and finish up at Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 University Preparatory School which earns a C-minus. Milliones is home to a college-bound magnet academic program, propelling students toward post-secondary education through curriculum and culture developed with the University of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Weil PreK-5 offers quality education for children with a strong supportive staff.
Pittsburgh Milliones serves grades 6-12 with top education and after school programs.
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College town noise in West Oakland
Due to its concentration of college students, commuter roads, university buildings and hospital helicopters, West Oakland can be a loud place. “Things are quieter in the winter, but some students will throw outdoor parties in the spring and summer. How noisy it gets depends on your neighbors,” Mehaffey says.
The famous Pitt walkway over Forbes near West Oakland.
A student near West Oakland reads a book outside of the Cathedral of Learning.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kevin Obendorfer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Southside Riverfront Park
Bike Trails
Trails
Events
Schenley Park
Kennard Playground
Schenley Plaza
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Tustin Tot Lot
Playground
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Bike Trails
Trails
Hiking
Mercy Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Central Park
Transit
Airport
Pittsburgh International
30 min drive
Bus
Darragh St & Fifth
Bus
Fifth Ave & Wyandotte St
Bus
Terrace St & Dunseith
Bus
Allequippa St & Sutherland (Petersen Ctr)
Bus
Fifth Ave & Chesterfield Rd
Bus
Terrace St & Whitridge
Bus
Allequippa St & Whitridge
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
West Oakland
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
West Oakland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Oakland, Pittsburgh sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in West Oakland, Pittsburgh over the last 12 months is $369,995, down 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Portal Place Apartments offers luxury living at the doorstep of the Oakland Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A great location makes commuting a breeze, whether it is a quick walk to one of the nearby hospitals or universities or a direct bus lines to downtown Pittsburgh.Spacious and modern one and two bedroom apartments feature fully equipped kitchens with breakfast bars, walk-in
******STUDENT RENTAL IN OAKLAND******Large 4-bedroom house, with Living Room, Equipped Eat-in Kitchen and 1 Full BathroomFurnished? No 12 Month Lease (August 20 – August 15), Available 8/20/2025Rent: $1,800 per month, plus utilities. Tenants pay electric, gas, water & sewage. Pets Allowed? No pets of any kind are permitted.Parking Available? On-street parking. City of
Newly acquired and under renovation to provide high-quality student housing!Now renting individual rooms in this amazing 6-bedroom houseRooms start at $675/month (tenants pay all utilities)2 shared full bathroomsOff-street parking for 3 carsKitchen is currently being renovated with new cabinets, countertops, and paintCarpet is being replaced with new
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kevin Obendorfer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,980
Median Age
25
Population Density
23 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
5.3%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$29,721
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$48,669
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.1%
College Graduates
36.8%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.6%
% Population in Labor Force
43.6%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
75/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
70/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
