Shadyside Commons

I’ve lived at Shadyside Commons for 2 years. There are definitely pros and cons to living here.
PROS:
1) The building is well maintained with staff who work to keep it that way daily.
2) There is an onsite gym (though it’s small) so you don’t have to pay for a gym membership.
3) Apartments come with central air, dishwashers, disposals, wall to wall carpet and laundry.
4) Both garage and lot parking are available ($ 100 for garage, $ 50 for lot).
5) Apartment issues are taken care of promptly — usually same day if not by the next.
CONS:
1) Since it’s run by a big management company, you’ll never be able to negotiate anything — rent increase, parking charges, length of lease, breaking lease, etc. Everything is set in stone and management won’t discuss changing it.
2) If you like to hear every single thing your neighbors are doing — and I do mean EVERYTHING — this is the place for you. In my 2 years I’ve heard the following:
Phone conversations
Music and TV
Incessant walking and stomping from upstairs neighbors (in heels at 630am every day, no less)
Appliances that shake your apartment
Kitchen cabinets opening and closing
Putting away silverware
Dogs barking
Etc.
As you can probably tell, the walls/​floors/​ceilings are THIN. We’re talking paper here. If you’re a light sleeper or you just like to have peace and quiet in your home, you won’t find that here.
3) It’s very close to the train tracks, so you’ll hear them going by at all hours of the night and day. I will say you get used to it and don’t really notice it at all after a month or two.
4) As Pittsburgh rent goes, it’s not cheap. You do get a decent amount of amenities and it’s in the nice section of Shadyside (walkable to Walnut), but it’s pricey.
Overall my experience here was average. Nice unit, fairly nice landlord, but definitely too much noise from neighboring apartments to make it five stars.