Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on February 4, 2025.
Disclaimer: This post contains sponsored, advertorial content. Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions. Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.
Many Pittsburgh residents dream of living in Mount Washington. This neighborhood is one of the best spots in the city for great views of the skyline, access to tourist experiences like riding on the Inclines, and, of course, great restaurants and amenities.
We were really fortunate to live in Mount Washington as renters for several years and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Although we have since moved to the North Side, we often dream about potentially one day returning.
So in this one, we thought we’d focus on what the neighborhood is like for those considering moving there, where we share some of the reasons we love Mount Washington as a place to live, and also share some other important details to keep in mind before moving in.
Please Note: The area that most call Mount Washington typically also includes the city neighborhood of Duquesne Heights near the Duquesne Incline to the west in addition to the city neighborhood of Mount Washington. For the purpose of this article, we’re calling both “Mount Washington” as the same logic applies to both neighborhoods on the hilltop.
Proximity to the Best Views in the City
Without a doubt, Mount Washington is famous in Pittsburgh for its striking views along Grandview Avenue, particularly between the two Inclines at the opposing ends of the neighborhood.
Almost every street in the neighborhood is within just a few blocks of this iconic street, meaning that no matter where you live, you are able to access the best views in a short walk- a true neighborhood perk you can only get here!
For those who like to exercise, the hilly roads of Mount Washington, particularly the mile-long stretch between the two Inclines, make for great exercise when the weather is nice, too. If you like a challenge, try a jog down and back up P J McArdle Avenue- no gym needed! (We used to do this when we lived on Mount Washington and it is quite the workout!)
Ride the Inclines to Downtown
For those who work in the city, you have the option of what is arguably the most interesting commute- riding the Inclines!
The city’s last two remaining Inclines call Mount Washington home, and the Monongahela Incline on the east side connects Shiloh Street to Station Square, while the more tourist-oriented Duquesne Incline connects the western side of Grandview to East Carson Street below (which is then a short walk from the pedestrian walkway across the Fort Pitt Bridge to Point State Park).
For those who like a leisurely walk to work with a short connection on public transit, being close to one of these Inclines could make for quite a fun commute. That said, most residents tend to commute via the Monongahela Incline on the east side, as the base of this one is just steps from the Smithfield Street Bridge- putting you in the heart of downtown in minutes.
- We are hesitant to recommend riding the Duquesne Incline for work purposes unless your office is very close to the lower station. The distance adds a bit of walking time to reach downtown via Point State Park, and the lines from tourists can become quite long on nice days, too.
A Balance of Tourism and Residential Living
Naturally, given the views and the Inclines, Mount Washington has become a bit of a hub for tourists to the city. We’d go as far as saying it is one of, if not the most popular spot for visitors outside of the stadiums on game days. While this could be a positive and a negative depending on your viewpoints, it also means that the neighborhood is home to a great selection of businesses and restaurants for visitors and locals alike.
Along Grandview Avenue, you have many higher-end restaurants overlooking the city (including Altius, Otaru, and Monterey Bay) as well as some more approachable pubs and restaurants (Grandview Saloon). Shiloh Street has many more amenities, including more restaurants (such as Gordo’s, Shiloh Gastro, and Kavsar), an ice cream shop, a cafe, the Pittsburgh-centric Love, Pittsburgh store, The Summit cocktail bar, and more that are frequented by tourists and locals alike.
But dig a little deeper, and there are more businesses throughout Mount Washington that are starting to get outside the tourist circuit, like Bigham Tavern, La Tavola, and more, often speckled throughout the area, giving you just about everything you need, all in walking distance!
Emerald View Park is a Hidden Gem
One of Pittsburgh’s best parks, Emerald View Park, can also be found circling almost the entirety of Mount Washington.
If you look at a map of the neighborhood, you may see Emerald View Park as a large green space that is technically in the Allentown neighborhood to the east. This area is quite beautiful and worth checking out, particularly for city-operated movie nights in the summer months (a favorite of ours).
But Emerald View Park at large is much larger, and wraps around Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights on the north, west, and south. One of the best ways to access the hiking trail here is to head to the Point of View Statue on Grandview Avenue, just in front of Monterey Bay, and hike down the path on the grassy side of the fence. This trail then wraps around the back of the neighborhood and has several spots where you can pop out and make your way back to your home or car.
For those who like a hilly hike while being (mostly) alone in nature, this one offers a great chance to stretch your legs, enjoy great views (particularly when the leaves are off the trees), and end just a short distance away from your starting point due to the looping nature of the park. It is a real treat to get to hike even more on Mount Washington all without leaving the neighborhood!
A Mix of Housing Options
Finally, for those looking to buy or rent in Mount Washington, the neighborhood has a wide array of housing options for all budgets, styles, and more. While this may be true in most neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, it feels especially prominent here.
For renters, many houses and apartment buildings can be found throughout the neighborhood at varying price points and amenities. While for buyers, houses range from starter homes to multi-million dollar mansions with a view (on Grandview, of course). There are many areas of the neighborhood with condos with a view, and even the semi-private neighborhood, Chatham Village, known for its Georgian Colonial Revival style architecture designed based on the Garden City Movement of the early 1900s.
Truly, Mount Washington is the kind of neighborhood that has something for everyone, and because of this, you’ll have residents ranging from temporary students all the way to decades-long residents who moved in, fell in love, and stayed for years on end.
More Things to Know About Living in Mount Washington
Of course, there are always more pros and cons to consider when living in any given neighborhood, and Mount Washington is no different. Additional things to keep in mind include:
- Many houses on Mount Washington do not have garages, and street parking can be quite limited- especially as you get closer to Grandview Avenue and the business district on Shiloh Street. Residents should also apply for a permit as many streets try and limit non-resident traffic parking during the day.
- Along those lines, some streets can be fairly narrow, and residents tend to park their cars partially on the sidewalks to increase space. This is something you may see on a street-by-street basis, and is worth keeping in mind when looking at properties. (When we lived on Mount Washington this was common on our street, but a block over it was not, for example.)
- Some houses on Mount Washington have many steps to walk up to the front of the house, which can be of special concern in the winter or for those with limited mobility. Keep in mind the snow and ice of the winter months!
- Mount Washington is a tourist hot spot, and Grandview Avenue and Shiloh Street can be quite busy at all hours of the day, including in the middle of the night. You may expect more noise than normal when close to these streets. The city has been installing traffic calming measures over time to prevent some of the more extreme issues (like cars speeding down Grandview at 3 am), but even with that the neighborhood is still popular either way.
- Over the years, particularly while we lived a block away from Grandview, we saw unique situations like car cruises, a trombone quartet play on an overlook (pictured above), people filming music videos, photo shoots, drone pilots, and a whole lot more beyond the conventional selfie with the city. For the most part it is all in good fun, of course, but every now and again it can get weird (and, perhaps the biggest issue, loud).
- The neighborhood is on a hilltop, and apart from taking the Inclines down, you will have to drive on a hill to get in/out. Much like if your house has a lot of stairs leading to the door, this is something to keep in mind during winter. That said, in our experience, the main roads were plowed fairly decently- partly because there is a salt depot at the base of Mount Washington on Route 51.
- If you are driving into the city, you’ll likely cross the Liberty Bridge or the West End Bridge, which can be prone to backups during rush hour. Heading down an alternate road to South Side and crossing via the Smithfield Street Bridge or others may be a good alternative during traffic.
Overall, Mount Washington’s reputation precedes it as one of the premier neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for visitors and locals alike. While the neighborhood’s fame is, naturally, due to the view and Inclines, there really is a lot to love for those who live there that may be overlooked by temporary visitors. So whether you’re looking for a temporary place to live or want to put down roots, Mount Washington has a lot to offer!
Do you have any extra thoughts about living in Mount Washington to share with a potential new neighbor? Comment below to share!
Are you looking to buy a house in Mount Washington and need a real estate agent? Be sure to contact our friends at The Melinda Lynch Team and tell them Discover the Burgh sent you!
