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Bluff

Bluff

Neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Allegheny County 15219

$170,032 Average Value
$155 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

An area with many names offers the best of Pittsburgh

Bluff, Uptown, Hill District, Soho – the narrow neighborhood next to the Monongahela River has had many names, but all residents know it for its location next door to some of Pittsburgh’s best amenities. “The community is a unique, up-and-coming, opportune location between two important business districts, Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland,” says Brittany McDonald, Executive Director of Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh. “In addition, the Uptown community has a unique art scene and is the home to several renowned local artists.” Uptown’s century-old townhomes are a short walk from PPG Paints Arena, Market Square, and multiple large universities and hospitals, which serve as the area’s top employers. Most locals here prefer to walk instead of drive – according to Walk Score, Bluff is one of Pittsburgh’s most walkable neighborhoods with a score of 77.

The Bluff neighborhood is full of murals and sits just south of PPG Paints Arena.
The Bluff neighborhood is full of murals and sits just south of PPG Paints Arena.
Residents of Bluff enjoy great food and drinks at Moonlit Burgers.
Residents of Bluff enjoy great food and drinks at Moonlit Burgers.
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Uptown and Downtown’s best attractions within a few blocks

Uptown and its neighboring communities are known for their attractions and entertainment hubs. “The location of this community is unique in that it is close to the central business district, Downtown Pittsburgh, close to Oakland,” McDonald says. “It is also right across the bridge from Pittsburgh's Southside neighborhood which has a dense business and entertainment district.” PPG Paints Arena, located along Fifth Avenue, is home to the Pittsburgh Penguins and serves as a live music venue. In Downtown, Market Square on Market Street and Forbes Avenue is one of the biggest retail markets in the city and hosts dozens of retail shops and a weekly farmers market. Downtown also has cultural attractions like the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts and Benedum Center for the Performing Arts along Penn Avenue. When it is time for a meal out, locals can head to Moonlit Burgers Uptown on Forbes Avenue for smash burgers and cocktails, then walk to Fifth Avenue for Reuben sandwiches at Souper Bowl or wings at Pizza Milano. Bluff is dotted with small markets for everyday food shopping, like Quick Schwartz Supermarket on Fifth Avenue or Salem’s Market on Centre Avenue.

Market Square is just outside the Bluff neighborhood and is full out outdoor activities.
Market Square is just outside the Bluff neighborhood and is full out outdoor activities.
UPMC Mercy Hospital and Medical Center is connected to Duquesne University in Bluff.
UPMC Mercy Hospital and Medical Center is connected to Duquesne University in Bluff.
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Uptown townhomes have stood for over 100 years

Many Uptown residents live in townhouses with burgundy facades and intricate porticos. These distinctive properties have been in Pittsburgh since the turn of the 20th century. Townhomes are situated on busy urban streets that have sidewalks for easy neighborhood strolls and on-street parking. Occasionally, townhomes will have shallow front yards that owners decorate with Hosta bushes and small garden beds. Townhomes can sell for between $200,000 to $500,000, a steep increase from 2022 when properties were estimated at around $150,000.

City townhouses line the back streets of the Bluff neighborhood.
City townhouses line the back streets of the Bluff neighborhood.
Townhouses line the blocks of the back streets in Bluff.
Townhouses line the blocks of the back streets in Bluff.
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Scenic strolls along the Monongahela River

Uptown includes part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, a scenic pathway on the Monongahela River. Along Tustin Street, parents can bring their kids to the Tustin Tot Lot, a pocket park with a playground, swing set and accompanying community garden. Bluff locals are also a short walk away from the whimsical Fireside Park on Second Avenue, known for its unique sculptures and swirling paths, as well as Kennard Playground, an open green space on Kirkpatrick Street with baseball fields and tennis and basketball courts.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail boasts a beautiful view of downtown from its trail system.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail boasts a beautiful view of downtown from its trail system.
Runners enjoy the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Southside Flats.
Runners enjoy the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Southside Flats.
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One of Pittsburgh’s most walk-friendly neighborhoods

Uptown is only a mile away from downtown, and while locals can drive this distance, most prefer to walk. 67% of residents walk or bike to work -- the highest percentage in the city. Residents who drive have fast access to Interstate 376. Anyone without a car can take advantage of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s bus routes or the subway lines that go through the Steel Plaza Station off Ross Street. For residents who work in healthcare, UPMC Mercy is within the Bluff neighborhood, and two other UPMC system hospitals are within 2 miles.

Bluff is home of Duquesne University.
Bluff is home of Duquesne University.
Students of Duquesne University like to meet up and study after class.
Students of Duquesne University like to meet up and study after class.
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Science and Technology Academy prioritizes STEM education

The Pittsburgh Public School District serves students Bluff. The neighborhood’s youngest children may attend Weil PreK-5, which Niche gives a C-minus score. Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 prepares older students for careers in theater and visual arts and has a B-plus score on Niche. The Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy also serves students between the sixth and twelfth grades. Niche gives the school an A-minus score and named it the best magnet high school in Pittsburgh for its STEM courses. Duquesne University occupies the western portion of Bluff, and the uptown area is within 2 miles of the University of Pittsburgh, Carlow University, Point Park University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Students walking by the Science and Technology Academy in Oakland.
Students walking by the Science and Technology Academy in Oakland.
Duquesne University takes up most of Bluff with its large urban campus.
Duquesne University takes up most of Bluff with its large urban campus.
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Delaney Murray
Written By
Delaney Murray
Photography Contributed By
Nicholas Conti
Brandon Flash Craigie
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie

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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kevin Obendorfer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Pittsburgh International

28 min drive

Bus

Blvd Of Allies & Duquesne Univ Footbridge

Bus

Blvd Of Allies & Van Braam

Bus

Forbes Ave & Van Braam St

Bus

Forbes Ave & Jumonville

Bus

Bluff St & Stevenson

Bus

Blvd Of Allies & Miltenberger

Bus

Forbes Ave & Miltenberger St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Bluff US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$240,000
Median Townhouse Price
$222,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$155
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Months of Supply
9.60
Median List Price
$239,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-15%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
231
Median Year Built
1910
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,694
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,500
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,323
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

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
4,628
Median Age
24
Population Density
22 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
3.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$32,500
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$57,671

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
69.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
49.1%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
50.2%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

79 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

81 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

77 / 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.

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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
Bluff
Kevin Obendorfer
LIFESPACE REAL ESTATE CO.
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