At Gardner Moving, your go-to South Hills moving company, we’ve helped thousands of families and businesses transition into new spaces across the Pittsburgh region. While every move is different, relocating within the South Hills of Pittsburgh brings a distinct set of characteristics that sets it apart from other areas.
Known for its suburban charm, varied elevations, and tight-knit communities, the South Hills includes neighborhoods like Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, South Fayette, Collier Township, Peters Township, and Bethel Park—all with unique logistical considerations.
The South Hills of Pittsburgh offers a wide range of residential styles and landscapes, making it one of the region’s most desirable—and logistically diverse—areas to live in.
At Gardner Moving, we’ve completed countless moves throughout neighborhoods like Mt. Lebanon, South Fayette, Upper St. Clair, and Bethel Park. What we’ve learned over the years is that moving in the South Hills isn’t one-size-fits-all. The combination of terrain, neighborhood layouts, and varying home styles adds unique layers of planning and execution that aren’t always necessary in other parts of the city.
Here’s what sets the South Hills apart—and what you should keep in mind when preparing for your move:
The hills are a defining feature of the region’s landscape. In neighborhoods like South Fayette, Scott Township, and Mt. Lebanon, many homes are built into hillsides or perched at the top of long, sloped driveways. While this makes for beautiful views and distinctive architecture, it also adds challenges when it comes to moving day.
From a moving perspective, hills affect:
Truck Access and Parking: Not all moving trucks are equipped to handle steep or sharply curved driveways. In some cases, the safest option is to park on the street and shuttle belongings up using smaller equipment.
Physical Demand: Repeatedly walking up and down steep inclines—especially while carrying furniture or heavy boxes—can be physically taxing. It slows the process and requires a crew prepared for the extra effort.
Safety Concerns: Sloped surfaces become slippery during the winter or rainy seasons, increasing the risk of accidents. Proper footwear, traction mats, and weather monitoring are critical for safety.
Load Balancing and Securement: Moving trucks parked at an angle may require additional care when loading items to prevent shifting during transport.
Our crews often bring additional tools—like ramp extenders or power stair climbers—when tackling hilly properties. Letting your moving company know about your driveway or street incline in advance helps everyone prepare for a smoother, safer move.
Many South Hills communities were designed in the early to mid-20th century, long before today’s larger personal vehicles and commercial trucks were common. Neighborhoods like Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, and parts of Castle Shannon feature narrow roads, limited off-street parking, and close-set homes—elements that complicate modern moving logistics.
Here’s what that means on moving day:
Tight Street Clearance: Roads may only allow one car to pass when vehicles are parked on both sides, making it difficult for a 26-foot box truck to maneuver. Turning around can also be nearly impossible in some cul-de-sacs or dead ends.
Limited Parking Options: Blocking the road for an extended period is not always easy or legal. In many cases, movers need to work quickly or obtain permits to avoid disrupting the flow of traffic or inconveniencing neighbors.
Tree Coverage and Overhead Obstacles: Mature neighborhoods are often filled with large, low-hanging trees and overhead wires that can interfere with high-clearance trucks or tall furniture pieces.
Sidewalk and Yard Constraints: In neighborhoods where homes are only a few feet apart, there’s often little room to set down items, stage furniture, or navigate awkward angles with bulky pieces.
At Gardner Moving, we’ve found that good communication with neighbors and planning with local municipalities (for things like parking permits or temporary no-parking signs) help keep moves in these areas on schedule and low stress.
The South Hills presents a unique blend of architectural styles, construction eras, and home layouts, all of which influence how we approach each move. It’s common for us to move someone out of a 1920s brick home in Dormont and into a newly built townhome in South Fayette on the same day.
This variety presents several logistical challenges:
Older Homes: Many older homes have narrow staircases, arched doorways, and non-standard room dimensions that weren’t designed with modern furniture in mind. Moving a sectional sofa or king-size bed into a second-floor bedroom can take creativity—and sometimes disassembly.
Plaster Walls and Delicate Finishes: Older interiors are often more fragile, requiring extra care to avoid scratches or damage. Protective coverings for floors and walls are a must.
Basements and Attics: These areas may have tight entryways or steep staircases that limit access. We’ve encountered laundry machines that had to be hoisted out because they wouldn’t fit through the door again.
Newer Builds: On the other hand, homes in developments like Newbury in South Fayette or The Highlands in South Park may feature open floor plans but include multiple floors or longer carry distances from the driveway to the door.
Some may even have home elevators or multi-garage setups that require strategic planning.
Homeowner Association (HOA) Restrictions: In some newer neighborhoods, HOA rules may dictate how and when moving trucks can park or how long they are allowed to remain on site.
Having familiarity with the region helps us plan around these details. For example, we know that certain Mt. Lebanon houses often require smaller trucks due to infrastructure limits. At the same time, newer developments in Bridgeville may allow for easier access but require navigating large cul-de-sacs.
One of the most frequent challenges we encounter involves steep driveways and roads, particularly in Upper St. Clair and South Fayette. Elevation changes may seem manageable until you’re moving heavy furniture, delicate items, or large boxes up or down them.
Carrying items uphill repeatedly can be tiring. Even with a trained crew, safety comes first. For DIY movers, it’s essential to assess their physical limitations and know when to call in help.
During the colder months, driveways and walkways may become icy. We recommend having salt, a snow shovel, and anti-slip mats available. These precautions help protect everyone involved, from movers to family members.
Let your moving company know ahead of time if your property includes steep access points. This allows us to send appropriately sized vehicles, additional staffing, and gear like ramps or stair climbers.
Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, and older parts of Dormont often feature streets that are only one lane wide when cars are parked on both sides.
Check with your local borough office to see if temporary permits are required. Some areas restrict parking for oversized vehicles or blockages beyond a certain time.
Plan your move for mid-morning or early afternoon when fewer cars are on the road. Avoid early mornings and school dismissal times, especially near schools like Hoover Elementary or Mellon Middle School in Mt. Lebanon.
Give your neighbors a heads-up about the move. A quick note or knock on the door can help avoid frustrations and make it easier to coordinate parking and street access.
If legal in your township, use traffic cones or temporary signage to block off space for the moving truck before it arrives. This small step can prevent a major headache later.
The South Hills is no stranger to sudden weather changes. One morning might start sunny and end in a thunderstorm or flurry.
We suggest packing moisture-sensitive items in plastic bins instead of cardboard. If rain or snow is likely, tarps and moving blankets are your first defense.
Start checking forecasts several days before the move and continue monitoring through the day of. Apps like AccuWeather and local news outlets like WPXI or KDKA offer the most regionally accurate data.
During winter moves, shovel snow from walkways, salt icy patches, and keep an ice scraper or snow brush handy for vehicle windows. It may sound minor, but preparation like this helps prevent accidents.
Whether you’re using professional movers or tackling the job with friends, here are some best practices we recommend based on years of experience in the South Hills.
The more we know in advance, the better we can prepare.
A little effort up front can help prevent delays and damage.
South Hills traffic patterns can vary, especially on heavily traveled roads like Washington Road or Bower Hill Road.
Understanding these South Hills characteristics before moving day allows us—and our customers—to plan for the unexpected. Whether that means requesting a smaller truck, hiring additional help for a sloped driveway, or padding your timeline for narrow streets, being proactive is key.
At Gardner Moving, we treat every South Hills move like a unique project. We don’t take a cookie-cutter approach because no two homes—or streets—are exactly alike. Our familiarity with the terrain, infrastructure, and road layouts of this part of Pittsburgh helps us anticipate potential issues and offer real-world solutions before they become problems.
Every move has unique challenges, and South Hills relocations are no exception. The key is preparation and choosing a moving team that knows the region’s ins and outs. If you’re looking for movers near you, Gardner Moving is the top choice!
At Gardner Moving, we’ve navigated the hills, weather patterns, and historic neighborhoods of the South Hills for years. Whether you’re settling into a century-old colonial in Mt. Lebanon or a new build in South Fayette, we can help make your transition efficient, safe, and stress-free.
If you’re preparing for a move in the South Hills, contact our team—we’re here to help.
