South Side Showdown: Residents vs. Partiers (Pittsburgh, Birmingham: mortgage, restaurants, prices)

[caroline2]

I think you are right, Carl. It does not look like a American-tour-package-stop version of Europe, but most of "real" Europe is crowded, narrow, and a bit run down. The only thing that makes it feel off is that while you're on Carson, you can tell that it's the one commercial street in the area. Unlike in Madrid or Amsterdam, where it would just be one in a large mass of commercial blocks.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by caroline2

I think you are right, Carl. It does not look like a American-tour-package-stop version of Europe, but most of "real" Europe is crowded, narrow, and a bit run down. The only thing that makes it feel off is that while you're on Carson, you can tell that it's the one commercial street in the area. Unlike in Madrid or Amsterdam, where it would just be one in a large mass of commercial blocks.

Yup, I agree. I guess I might be the only one that digs the narrow streets and run down vibe of the South Side. Then again most of Pittsburgh has that same run down vibe to it but for different reasons.

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I've been to dozens of cities and I've lived in Europe. The Victorian architecture, row homes, concentration of bars/coffee shops, live music and art venues, narrowness of the streets, it reminds me of Europe.

Also, Europeans don't mind a drink or two on the weekends but I'm sure they can handle it a bit better than Yinzers.

Well, at least the architecture, older houses, shops and narrow streets are general characteristics of the city of Pittsburgh as a whole. And it makes sense as I've often heard people refer to the city as European-like compared to most US cities.

Don't forget quirky old-world things like the myriad staircases and the inclines.

[TelecasterBlues]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Oh, and I think the South Side is undeniably unique in Pittsburgh. Amazing is a matter of taste.

By the way, I'm not saying things like police presence, the public bathroom situation, and so on couldn't be improved. But the basic idea of the South Side being our local Spring-Break/Mardi-Gras district is something I do think the residents need to accept.

Agreed...and the funny thing is that the South Side isn't even all that crazy. It's pretty tame compared to a lot of other places and it's not hard at all to avoid the main drag since it's isolated to Carson Street for the most part. I'd even go as far as to say that I've consistently seen far worse in Morgantown on Friday nights. I think these people are crazy for complaining and need to accept the fact that time changes both people and places...it could definately get a lot worse than what it currently is as far as behavior and crowd-types go.

The South Side is perfectly fine as is and should be left alone to continue as our drunken land of crappiness...I'm hoping that a more upscale and "mature" destination pops up on the Civic Arena site or maybe towards Lawrenceville and the Strip after that area starts to get renovated and built-up again. I think the South Side is best left for the college kiddies and Big Ben-types...no use in trying to tidy it up or change it from what it naturally is. In a way, it can act as a sort of buffer to keep juvenile activity out of other parts of the city if we do develop a more proper entertainment/nightlife district over the next decade or so.

[Geeo]

The South Side has always had a type of roudines to it. When the J&L mill was running (where South Side Works is now), the men used to hit the bars after their shifts at 7 am, 3 pm and 11 pm. One reason why there were always so many bars down there. There were always fights and loud people. But the wives would come out with their rolling pins or go into the saloons to fetch the hubby eventually. I believe it was especially rowdy on paydays, because everyone was paid in cash back then. Some of the wives used to meet their husbands at the mill gate to get the money and give them some cash to go drinking with.

[BrianTH]

The South Side reminds me a bit of some areas I saw in Glasgow and Dublin.

[Drover]

The argument goes both ways. Just as residents need to accept that Carson Street is a major nightlife destination, Carson Street patrons also need to accept that they're not in an dedicated commercial district but a mixed-use community that's really just one large commercial strip in an otherwise residential neighborhood. There is a necessary give and take. Certainly residents can't expect peace and quiet along the corridor. Just the same, they shouldn't have to put up with vandalism, litter, trespassing, people urinating in their yards, et cetera. If you can't handle noise and foot traffic and parking & traffic congestion, don't live near Carson street. Just the same, if you can't behave like a civilized human being after a few drinks, then do your drinking in private and away from civilized society.

[Impala26]

^^^ this ^^^

[jimmyev]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

If you move to Pittsburgh's version of Bourbon Street, you know what you're getting yourself into. The South Side has been party central for decades, what did they honestly expect? What are off duty cops going to do anyway, arrest someone for public intoxication?

It's the South Side and it's one of the most unique and amazing places in Pittsburgh, leave it that way.

Not for decades. Two decades ago The Flats was the party place. But people there were too rowdy, publicly drunk, urinating, packing bars past permitted occupancies. Neighbors complained. So the City of Cleveland shut it down with extreme enforcement. Twenty years later it's ghetto, Cleveland is dead, and Pittsburgh is the city to be in. We could repeat the exact same scenario here. Maybe it could lead to a rejuvenated Cleveland.

[Drover]

"The Flats look like a Scooby-Doo Ghost Town (http://tinyurl.com/cu69xe - broken link)..."