One of our most popular rental destinations is the Shadyside neighborhood in Pittsburgh's East End. Often, our potential renters tell us they are interested in Shadyside because the neighborhood was recommended by friends who have lived in or know the Pittsburgh area. Although they know they want to live in Shadyside, new renters often have not seen for themselves what makes the neighborhood so appealing. Because of this, I'd like to provide a few details of why I think Shadyside is a great spot for our renters.
- Restaurants: Shadyside offers one of the most diverse restaurant districts in the city. Within a few blocks, you can dine on cuisine with origins in Peru (La Feria), Mexico (Mad Mex), Japan (Sushi Too, Soba, and Umi), Thailand (Kanok), the Mediterranean (Casbah), China (China Palace, Tasty Chinese), Italy (Girasole), and France (Brasserie 33). However, if you are like my father, you probably seek out "good, old-fashioned, American cuisine." Fortunately, Shadyside also offers distinguished establishments of this type (Buffalo Blues, Pamela's, Pittsburgh Deli Company, and Harris Grill). If you expand your range by a few blocks, you can also find two incredible Ethiopian restaurants (Tana and Abay) and a pretty good Caribbean place (Royal Caribbean). Of course, there is also a freaky postmodern breakfast joint (the Waffle Shop), and a rotating cuisine lunch stand that should help broaden our collective grasp on world politics (Conflict Kitchen). At most places, the menus are extensive, and several of the establishments have vegetarian/vegan options. With so many accessible choices, it's easy for renters to explore different international fares every night of the week!
- Shopping: The Walnut Street shopping district has a nice mix of big box chain stores and quirky independent retailers. Flagship stores that draw shoppers to the area include Apple, Williams Sonoma, Banana Republic, and the Gap. You can buy specialty baked goods at Prantl's and find laugh-out-loud funny or sentimental cards for all occasions at Kards Unlimited. There are also several coffee shops on Walnut, so you can take a break from shopping to recharge on caffeine and people watch. Not far from Walnut Street is a newer East End shopping development, which includes Whole Foods Market, Target, Trader Joes, Giant Eagle, Anthropologie, Trek Bicycles, and Gamestop. In short, there are tons of options within easy walking distance.
- Arts/Entertainment: On the corner of Fifth and Shady Avenues is the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, which enriches the community with a variety of musical/theatrical performances, visual installations, and educational experiences. If you really like to "get your art on," there are several smaller galleries, such as Aspire and Mendelson, sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Shadyside hosts an annual arts festival in which artists and vendors from all over the map come to peddle wares and make connections with local buyers. Additionally, the neighborhood hosts a big concert each summer, known as the "Walnut Street Jam." Here, spectators get the chance to enjoy high-profile national musical acts for free. Granted, the acts are not always contemporary (The Spin Doctors and Concrete Blonde have been recent headliners), but they're usually pretty good. However, if you're looking for newer music and not 1990s MTV has-beens, there is a great venue at the intersection of Baum and North Highland, the Shadow Lounge.
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