City neighborhoods

MORNINGSIDE/STANTON HEIGHTS
These neighboring communities along the Allegheny River are yin and yang. Morningside is flat and narrow, filled with neat homes lined up on postage-stamp lots, while Stanton Heights lies over the crest of a ridge 600 feet from the river, with curvy streets that echo the terrain and sweeping views of the city below. Morningside brims with holiday cheer as residents light up for Christmas like none other. Folks slow-cruise the streets admiring elaborate decorations and the community group holds a decorating contest to cheer ’em on. Up on the hills are neighborhood treasures such as historic Allegheny Cemetery and Mildreds’ Daughters urban farm, which grows organic, heirloom fruits and vegetables.

• Pro: Holiday lights year ‘round!
• Con: You need a car.
• Median home value: $166,250
• Taxes: $2,178*
• For rent: 2 BR $1,500 and up.
• Date Night:
• • Bulldog Pub
  • “Big Dog” platter to share $12
  • 2 dinner Caesar salads (blackened steak and ahi tuna) $24
  • 2 Flying Dog beers $12
  • Total $48

#keepingitreal

NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A VIEW
The best — and most expensive — views of Pittsburgh are from Mount Washington’s Grandview Avenue. But it took a lot of outta tahners buying homes there to appreciate what we’ve got. On Grandview, you fall asleep with twinkling stars mingling with the skyline lights and wake up with the city at your feet. Restaurants range from the BYOB La Tavola Italiana & Pizzeria to cozy old Bigham Tavern to some pricey cliff-hangers with their own spectacular views. If you can’t afford a million-dollar Grandview, the South Side Slopes, Troy Hill, Fineview and the Lower Hill just might be your ticket. You also can live along the river, but that’s another story.

• Pro: The view is never the same twice.
• Con: Slippery winter slopes.
• Median home value: 2 BR, 1 bath w/ view $200,000 and up.
• Taxes: $2,178*
• For rent: 2 bedroom on Grandview Avenue $1,700
• Date night:
• • Duquesne Incline rides for two $10
  • Overlook photos and souvenirs $10
  • Altius Restaurant
  • Chocolate cheesecake and lemon tart $20
  • 2 glasses of Burgess Merlot $24
  • Total $69
• #romanticinterlude

SHADYSIDE
You can’t pack much more action into a square mile than this. There are four great business districts: Walnut Street, Ellsworth Avenue, Highland Avenue and Centre Avenue — and UPMC Shadyside Hospital. Historic mansions along Fifth Avenue’s Millionaire’s Row melt into tree-lined streets that house families and students. Public green space includes Mellon Park. You don’t need a car, but if you have one, good luck parking it.

• Pro: Charming streets.
• Con: It costs a king’s ransom.
• Median home value: $332,500 (up 5.9 percent in the past year).
• Taxes: $2,178*
• For rent: 2 BR $1,500 and up.
• strong>Date night:
• • Palantia Tapas de Espania:
  • Quesos y embutidos (cheese and meat) plate $18
  • Patatas bravas to share $6
  • Bottle of sangria $23
  • Total $47
• #tapasamor

DEUTSCHTOWN
Gritty, historic and colorful, this once down-and-out piece of the North Side sits between Allegheny Commons Park and Interstate 279 like bratwurst on a bun. East Ohio Street’s revitalization came thanks to neighborhood groups and new businesses such as Priory Fine Pastries and Bistro to Go as well as historic Isaly’s and The Park House. A few blocks away, James Street Gastropub, the Children’s Museum and the National Aviary attract visitors from around the world. Special events such as the Deutschtown Music Festival and Pumpkinfest draw multigenerational crowds as does a Friday farmers market on the Commons. Historic Allegheny Center Alliance Church has daily programming and five weekend services. In the summer, everyone cools off in the public pool across from Giant Eagle on Cedar Avenue.

• Pro: Location, location, location.
• Con: Needs a supermarket upgrade.
• Median home value: $137,450
• Taxes: $2,736*
• For rent: 1 BR $900
• Date night:
• • Banjo Club Night at the Elks
  • Concession snacks $25
  • Pabst Blue Ribbon beer $2
  • Yuengling beer $1.50
  • Total $28.50
• #dixiecheerandpolkas

BROOKLINE
Its community motto — “Character, Charm, Convenience” — is all true. Sitting pretty in the South Hills, Brookline’s many big homes on well-kept streets make this the city’s second-largest neighborhood. A $5.3 -million Brookline Boulevard renovation included wider sidewalks, bike racks and more parking. You can’t get bored or hungry, with 14 grocers, 20 restaurants, a library, parks and even live theater. Grab a java jolt at Cafe de Noir before eating your way down the boulevard at Pitaland, Las Palmas Carniceria and Party Cake Shop.

• Pro: Lots of good food.
• Con: “Where’s Brookline?”
• Median home value: $99,400 (up 2.5 percent in the past year).
• Taxes: $2,178*
• For rent: 2 BR $750 and up.
• Date night: Park the car, bring $50 and stroll the Boulevard tasting everything and talking to the shop owners.
• #bestsaturdayever