You Won't Believe What These North & South Hills Realtor Secrets Reveal About the Market—Find Out Now!

Twenty-six years ago, Bob Topich broke an unwritten rule among Pittsburgh suburbanites by leaving his native South Hills for a home in Franklin Park, located north of the city. At 65, Topich reflects on his decision with satisfaction, stating, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll take that to my grave.”

Topich’s move surprised many of his friends and family, given the deep-seated regional loyalty in Pittsburgh. “Pittsburgh is a very provincial type of city. If you’re born in the South, you stay in the South, and the same goes for the North,” he explained. For him, crossing the river felt akin to moving to Canada, a sentiment echoed by many within these divided regions.

According to Caroline Barrett Douglass, a Realtor with Realty One Group Platinum and veteran of the local real estate market for 25 years, the North and South Hills each have their distinct characteristics. The North Hills tend to feature newer homes, larger yards, and a plethora of big-box stores and national chain restaurants along McKnight Road. In contrast, the South Hills boasts historic homes, walkable neighborhoods, and a vibrant selection of breweries and boutique shops.

Traffic is another ongoing challenge for residents. Barrett Douglass noted the common joke: “Neither region wants to cross the river.” For South Hills residents, navigating the tunnels into the city can feel like a race against time, while those in the North Hills confront the notorious “McKnightmare Road.”

Despite these differences, Barrett Douglass observes similarities in the housing markets of both regions. Inventory is notably tight, especially in sought-after suburbs with strong school districts and walkable communities. Recent trends indicate a shift towards a buyer’s market in both the North and South Hills, marking a significant change since the frenzied days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Megan Grenek, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, confirms that “pricing consistently goes up” is no longer the case.

“At this point right now, it’s shifted a little bit more toward a buyer’s market with the calming and the price reductions happening,” Grenek added.

In terms of pricing, the two regions show comparable trends. Starter homes in the North Hills typically range from $300,000 to $350,000, while in the South Hills, they fall between $250,000 and $350,000. Larger or newer properties usually cost $500,000 to $900,000 in the North Hills compared to $450,000 to $900,000 in the South Hills.

The primary concern for potential buyers in both regions remains traffic. Grenek summarizes the common dilemma: “It always seems to come down to the tunnels and traveling back and forth, maybe on the Parkway. When someone has a job closer to the South Hills, they want to stay in that area. If you’re having to go through the tunnels, it’s always trafficky.”

Despite the regional divide, Topich and his family have maintained close ties to their roots in the South Hills. The Topichs frequently make the 30-minute drive back to visit friends, attend church, and participate in community events. Topich, who grew up in Brentwood and Whitehall, recounted how he and his wife, Nancy, initially sought a home in the South Hills when they were expecting their second child. However, they found their ideal home in Franklin Park, which offered ample space for their growing family and convenient access to main roads.

“Where we ended up, it’s 15 minutes to the city. It’s 25 minutes to the airport,” Topich remarked. “We couldn’t have picked a better place.”

Similarly, Krista Galla, 45, who rented in Bellevue for 11 years, is steadfast in her preference for the North Hills. After searching for their first home, she and her husband chose to settle in Ross Township. “We really love the location, how it’s a great commute for us to work,” she said, appreciating the proximity to both the city and the turnpike, which makes visiting family in Ohio easier.

While Galla occasionally visits friends in the South Hills, she remains unswayed by the appeal of the area due to the notorious traffic. “To even get off at that Banksville exit, it’s just bumper to bumper,” she noted. “The merging — it’s just too much for me at the time that I typically would have to leave to go home from work.”

Both Topich and Galla reflect the growing trend among Pittsburgh residents: a preference for the North Hills, with its spacious living and manageable commutes, despite the stereotypes that keep these neighborhoods divided. As regional markets fluctuate, the dynamics of Pittsburgh real estate continue to evolve, underscoring the importance of understanding local nuances and preferences.