Atwood Street noisy, yet full of good food, parties

Home to a variety of ethnic restaurants and convenience stores like India Garden, Spice… Home to a variety of ethnic restaurants and convenience stores like India Garden, Spice Cafe, Mad Mex and Bombay Mart, as well as local favorites like Antoon’s Pizza and Dave and Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream, Atwood Street is a popular destination for college students looking for affordable housing close to campus.

Pitt senior Mike Callahan said he likes living on Atwood because, “it was more of a central hub for what’s going on on campus” than the apartment he rented by the Boulevard of the Allies last year.

Senior Megan Solek agreed. “I lived here last year too. [Atwood is] convenient, and it’s closer to where I need to be.”

Still, the popularity of the street with college students combined with the number of businesses that attract them can lead to some drawbacks for those who live on Atwood rather than just party there.

“What’s it like living on Atwood?” junior Sam Goldbronn asked. “One word: noise.”

Goldbronn described the street as “basically just a whole bunch of drunk people and noise,” but said that he likes Atwood because “it’s very lively and has its own personality.”

In terms of safety, most students feel safe at their apartments and don’t consider it a serious issue.

“To be honest, I think it’s safer than some [streets], but someone got mugged behind my building, so I don’t know,” Callahan said. “I’ve seen some Schwarzenegger movies, though, so I’m good.”

Students also reported being happy with their landlords and the affordability of renting on Atwood.

“I found the place where I’m currently living because I had a friend who lived there last year. I’d seen her place, and it was really well kept and she told me the landlord was great, so it worked out well,” Callahan said.

Goldbronn agreed, saying, “my landlord was a little iffy at first because he wasn’t turning on the heat, and it was starting to get into winter. It got really cold in here, and we have no control over it, but it’s fine now, and he’s reliable and responsible.”

“I was looking all over and this was just my favorite apartment,” junior Sarah Mostow said. “My landlord is fantastic, and I love being on Atwood, but I’ve seen a lot of apartments worse than mine.”

The student population also benefits area businesses as Evan Wood, manager at Dave and Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream, said. “The times of the year really affect business, not just as a result of the weather, but because as it starts getting nice while school’s still in, it gets busy.”

With worldly cuisine, a hookah bar, Starbucks and cheap late-night pizza within stumbling distance, Atwood is not just a place to party; it’s a place to live.