Bellevue, a small suburb just north of the city, has undergone a bit of a renaissance over the last decade. With a slew of new restaurants and a crop of new residents flocking to the borough, it’s become a popular destination for buyers who are looking for a place to call home for years to come.

Homes in the one-square-mile borough have risen steadily in value over the last decade while escaping the boom-and-bust some hot markets experience.

The median home price in Bellevue is $151,800, compared to $171,400 for Allegheny County as a whole — enticing figures for homebuyers on a budget. New homes on the market have a median listing price of around $250,000 according to Realtor.com, which is similar to the county’s median listing price overall.

Compared to neighboring communities in the North Hills, though, Bellevue remains a bargain. The median home price in Ben Avon, which has a similar walkable feel and a stock of historical homes, is $350,000, while Ross is $289,000.

BAYNE PARK

When Paul and Hannah Gerbeschacht were looking for a home for their family, they quickly narrowed their search to Bellevue. Previously living in the city neighborhood of Friendship, they wanted a similar vibe.

“We loved the walkable aspects of that neighborhood but were completely priced out of buying a family home,” says Hannah. “We considered Millvale but decided against it quickly due to flood risks — and wanting to be in the Northgate School District.”

BELLEVUE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH

Not all new homebuyers are new to Bellevue. After renting for several years, David and Nikki Coleman knew they wanted to keep their three kids in the town they’d fallen in love with. Nikki says she first fell in love with the name, which means “beautiful view,” but quickly realized the community was perfect for her family in many ways.

“I love walking my babies to the park. I love being able to walk places and I feel safe here,” says Nikki. “Halloween is so nice, too. It reminds me of my childhood.”

They bought a 120-year-old home with original woodwork and tons of charm within walking distance of the park and business district along Lincoln Avenue.

Local Realtor Jeremy Thieroff sells in the Bellevue community, but also he lives here. He was drawn by the walkable community, the still-affordable prices and the chance to get involved. He helps put on the yearly Rhythm & Brews festival each August, which draws crowds from across the region.

The borough’s proximity to Downtown and other suburbs and its walkable shopping district are why the community is popular with buyers. “It’s a great place to get started. There’s impetus to help the neighborhood improve because it is an investment,” Thieroff says. He has seen more young families and young child-free professionals moving to town with the intention to stay.

TAVERN PIZZA AND SCOOPS

A few major changes have put Bellevue on the map, says Susan Stabnau of Bona Fide Bellevue, a nonprofit community development corporation that aims to bring growth, business and beauty to the borough. “Changing from a dry town to one that allowed alcohol sales [in 2015] made Bellevue more interesting to a broader audience,” she says. “The opening of 565 Live Speakeasy and Stage, Lincoln Avenue Brewery, Revival on Lincoln, and 202 Hometown Tacos drew in foodies, craft beer, and music lovers like we’ve not had before.” The town attracts more each year — the latest eatery to open at this writing is Indian Masala House. The tables outside of Scoops in Bellevue, which opened in 2018, are packed nightly.

Stabnau also credits the Bellevue Farmers Market with bringing folks together. The market takes place at the park in the center of town, which also offers a library, skate park and new playground.

T&M HARDWARE AND RENTAL

Thieroff adds that the town is a great place for renters, too, and says local officials are trying to put protections in place to make sure there is space for everyone.

“We can’t block people out,” he says. “That’s gentrification. We are putting more homes on the market for people who will live here a while.”

1867
Incorporated

8,095
Population

Did You Know?
Bellevue used to have an incline, in the late 1800s, that traveled to tiny Davis Island in the Ohio River.