W
hat frightens you this Halloween in Pittsburgh?
- Streets without sidewalks—an unsettling sight.
- A homeowners’ association that can hike fees at will—nightmarish.
- Neighbors airing their absurd views on Nextdoor—chilling.
- One resident reminiscing about “the good old days” until “all the transgenders and illegals showed up”—yikes.
- Your favorite café turned vape shop, and the trend continues—help!
To ease your nerves, here are my top haunted‑house flicks—finally a topic I know well. (I once critiqued films for the Trib; I miss it—anyone else?)
**Dark Water (Japan, 2002)**
A leak in the ceiling becomes a metaphor for a mind unraveling—avoid the U.S. remake.
**Tumbbad (India, 2018)**
A chilling tale of greed, obsession, and folklore, set in a scorching, subterranean tomb—no songs or dances.
**House (Japan, 1977)**
One dwelling that captures Japan’s haunted psyche—from ancient demons to the scars of atomic war.
**The Old Dark House (U.S., 1932)**
Like a reverse Rocky Horror, stranded travelers crash into a dusty Welsh manor.
**House on Haunted Hill (U.S., 1959)**
Spend the night with Vincent Price, tuxedoed guests, ghosts, a gorilla hand, murder weapons, and a $10,000 prize—what could go wrong?
**The House of the Devil (U.S., 2009)**
I once lived there in Shadyside; the dishes never got done.
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### Real‑estate highlights
**1312 Boyle St., Mexican War Streets – $499,000**
A house crowned by a giant sea turtle mural. Dream of living beneath oceanic blues without leaving the North Side? This spot’s got you. Jeremy Raymer’s art—acquired taste, but iconic.
**River View, 300 Liberty Ave. – $1,439/month**
Downtown Pittsburgh, once painted as a post‑apocalyptic nightmare, now boasts a 94.8% occupancy rate and strides in homelessness reduction. A thriving residential hub.
**112 E. Amanda Ave., Mt. Oliver – $1,000–$1,500/month**
Half yellow‑brick, half new siding—an eclectic mix. The area survived the Greige‑Bomb; nearby Puerto Rico flavors add character.
**Terminal 21, 615 1st Ave., Downtown – $1,149–$1,814/month**
A quirky name for a spooky season, yet the place is solid. The adaptive reuse project’s title, a synonym for death, adds a twist.
**3178 McClure Ave., Marshall‑Shadeland – $255,000**
Once a reporter on the North Side, I’ve heard little good about this neighborhood. Yet, the three‑bedroom storefronts above offer potential. Trouble is rarely far, but it’s not hard to find.
**3565 Gerber Ave., Brighton Heights – $234,000**
Writing copy for listings feels thankless. This one even boasts a “bonus enclosed Pittsburgh potty adds convenience”—a phrase that would make algorithms squirm. Only deep‑rooted Pittsburgh lore could craft such syntax.
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This piece ran from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, 2025.
