East Liberty Pittsburgh, PA

First settled in the 1800s, East Liberty grew and prospered in the post-Civil War era, with famous families such as Carnegie, Heinz, and Mellon making it their home. During that time, it was considered the wealthiest neighborhood in the country. Soon, theaters moved to the neighborhood, ushering in East Liberty's "theater era." Those theaters included the Bijou Dream, the Regent, the Empire, and the Sheridan Square. Businesses followed, with the National Biscuit Company, the first Sears & Roebuck Company store, and others moving to East Liberty.

World War I and the Great Depression had a huge impact on East Liberty and the neighborhood began to diminish. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, overcrowding and traffic congestion convinced many residents to leave the neighborhood for the newer, shinier suburbs. Traffic patterns changed, and stores began to close. That started to change in the late 1990s, when new leaders with a vision began to focus on East Liberty. Over the next decade, this neighborhood that was once so lively and bright bloomed once again -- this time, as the cool and trendy downtown neighborhood filled with hip restaurants and cutting-edge shops.

Residents enjoy live performances at the historic Kelly Strayhorne Theater and free events and festivals at Bakery Square throughout the year, including Sip 'n Style, an open-air fashion show and sidewalk sale, and an August beach party.

Trendy neighborhoods are scattered throughout East Liberty. Start your morning off right with the Breakfast Blast at Great Harvest Bread Co, or stop by for a sandwich at lunch. Residents rave about the artisan breads and local jams at this establishment, which also supplies grub for parties and other affairs. For lunch, Impressionz serves Carribean-inspired food such as jerk chicken with cabbage, rice and beans, and plantains. Large portions ensure plenty to eat, even when you order the small size.

Located along South Highland Avenue, Casbah's warm and charming interior makes you feel welcome the second you step inside, and the staff greets locals by name. Meals at Casbah start with warm bread served with butter and a yummy Greek yogurt spread. The chef uses locally sourced ingredients to create dishes with a Mediterranean flair. Try the orecchiette — pasta tossed in a goat cheese and sage cream sauce with chicken and dried cranberries — or the Scottish salmon. For dessert, sink your teeth into the chocolate-hazelnut bomba or the dark chocolate raspberry bread pudding.

You don't have to leave East Liberty for a fun night out. Check out Harvard & Highland, which features nightly specials such as Wednesday's free bingo night with themed drinks and Sunday's open mic comedy night. The Livermore's friendly staff, great cocktails, and hipster vibe keep people coming back. A wraparound wall of windows gives you a panoramic view of the neighborhood while you socialize or listen to live jazz. If you prefer reggae, head to the Capri Pizzeria and Bar on Friday nights. Put on your dancing shoes for Saturday night when Capri features a DJ playing hip hop, dance, soul, and R&B.

Residents find it easy to get around in East Liberty. You can walk to do most errands, and compared to much of the Pittsburgh area, it's fairly flat, which makes it conducive to bicycling as well. East Liberty has some infrastructure, such as bike-friendly roads and some bike lanes, that make cycling a viable option.

East Liberty Boulevard, Penn Avenue, Baum Boulevard, Highland Avenue, and North Euclid Avenue serve as the main roads in town. The neighborhood lies close to the major commuting arteries of Fifth Avenue and Washington Boulevard, and you can access Interstates 579 and 376 nearby. If you drive a car, you may find public parking struggles to keep up with all the new growth in the area, which continues to add new parking structures. Some free street parking exists in East Liberty, but some streets have meters. Several public lots also provide additional options.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County operates a number of bus lines that pass through East Liberty. It takes about 25 minutes to get to downtown Pittsburgh on the bus. If you need a ride, use an app to arrange one through Uber or call a local cab company for a pickup.

Residents take advantage of a few small parks in East Liberty, such as Peabody Park, East Liberty Park, and Garland Parklet, which features a lighted basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, and a playground.

Beautiful Mellon Park, south of East Liberty, sits on part of the grounds of the former Richard Beatty Mellon estate and includes the estate's walled garden. An art installation in the walled garden lights up the ground at night with 150 stars and planets that mirror the sky above. The tranquil garden opens to the larger park beyond, which includes a tennis center, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a playground. Mellon Park hosts several events throughout the year. In September, the Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh sponsors A Fair in the Park, a free craft festival and small concert, and on Sunday mornings, visit the park for the popular Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch series.

At sprawling 500-acre Highland Park, you can sit on a bench and relax in the beautiful Victorian-style Entry Garden, featuring a fountain and a reflecting pool. Pass through the garden to Reservoir Number 1 and the Reservoir Loop, a popular trail for joggers and walkers. Highland Park also features a second reservoir, bike trails, additional walking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, sand volleyball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and two playgrounds. Fees apply for using the pool. You can find the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium located in Highland Park as well. On Sunday evenings in the summer, go to the park for the Reservoir of Jazz Concert Series.

East Liberty enjoys a two percent lower cost of living than the city of Pittsburgh. Expect to pay around eight percent more than the national average for a gallon of gas, and set aside about $1,082 on average per month for rent on a one-bedroom apartment in East Liberty. A bus from East Liberty to downtown Pittsburgh costs $2.50, or you can purchase a weekly pass for $25 and unlimited rides. If you decide to go out for a beer, make sure to have at least $4 in your pocket.

You'll find just about everything in East Liberty from Home Depot and Target to small, local boutiques. The Indigo Square retail strip, which features shops such as Olive & Marlowe, selling artisanal olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

At Panache, a boutique on Penn Circle, you can shop for unique, sophisticated clothes with an emphasis on all-natural organic fabrics. Discover distinctive and affordable art, home goods, and jewelry at the Shop in East Liberty on North Highland Street. In adjacent Shadyside, you can do even more shopping at the more than 80 independent and chain retailers located there, including some carrying high-end designer merchandise.

Options abound for grocery shopping in and around East Liberty. Shop at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or Giant Eagle in town, or go to Aldi in Shadyside. Great specialty markets in the area include Global Food Market, Tokyo Japanese Food Store, and R Market, a Turkish grocery store. East Liberty hosts the oldest continuously-operating farmers market in western Pennsylvania, the Farmers Market Cooperative of East Liberty, which first opened in 1941. Visit this indoor farmers market on Saturday mornings year-round.