University of Pittsburgh

Shadyside

Neighborhood Temp Image
Walnut St. in Shadyside.

Shadyside’s not as “funky” as Bloomfield, or as “hip” as Lawrenceville, but it has tree-lined streets, nice apartments, and a variety of other perks.

Shadyside is centrally located, close to Oakland, Bloomfield, Squirrel Hill, and East Liberty. Within a very short walk from my apartment I have access to: Whole Foods, Borders, Trader Joe’s, a premium wine and liquor distributor, coffee shops, and a real Japanese market.

From upscale to casual, on Ellsworth alone you’ll find all kinds of good bars and restaurants. My personal favorite is the Elbow Room, which is cheap and comfortable. Try the meatloaf sandwich—trust me.

Rents vary, but so does the quality. Most apartments are quite nice, but prices are commensurate. I pay $750/month for a two-floor, two-bedroom apartment, but it has a working fireplace, a porch, and new appliances, and I live on a nice, quiet street. Most of Shadyside is permit parking only, so you’ll have to deal with that if you have a car. I’ve lived here for a year now without a car and I do just fine.

Your results may vary, but I generally think it’s a nice place for students looking for a (generally) safe and quiet neighborhood.

J. James Bono
Department of English

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Health and Wellness

Housing

Average rents graduate students pay:

  • Studio: $560, avg. utilities: $35
  • 1BR: $650, avg. utilities: $80
  • 2BR: $915, avg. utilities: $90

Transportation

Bus routes between Shadyside and Oakland:

  • 71C, 71D, 500