Wondering if Pittsburgh is right for me

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by sallyransom

Reston Runner, you seem to be very knowledgeable about the areas. My question is about work and living. I'm debating on relocating to PA and working in Pittsburgh or somewhere in between Pittsburgh and Monroeville...Areas I've considered are Squirrel Hill and Murrysville for work. Can you give more insight as to which areas are less desirable for living? You have mentioned Lincoln but I want the whole scoop! It would also be nice to know what the more upscale communities are as I'm in the health and wellness field and would like to offer my services to those most likely to use them. Not to say that people in lower scale areas aren't familiar with health and wellness but you know what I mean. Thanks in advance!

Thanks very much for the confidence in my abilities, but I actually just moved to Pittsburgh myself (from your neck of the woods in Fairfax, VA, actually) two weeks ago.

Squirrel Hill and Murrysville are two very divergent living environments. Murrysville has one main commercial corridor, Route 22, which has heavy traffic and is lined by strip malls, fast-food restaurants, etc. (think U.S. Route 50 in Fairfax---outside of Old Town---as a decent comparison). Around this corridor are mostly subdivisions, ranging in age generally from the 1970s to the 2000s. I'd say the vast majority of the population is Caucasian, college-educated, and upper-middle-class. Murysville is your typical suburban environment, and it may feel very similar to NoVA in many respects.

Squirrel Hill is a neighborhood within the city proper of Pittsburgh. Personally I love Squirrel Hill. My favorite pizzeria, Mineo's, is located here, and most of the homes are absolutely gorgeous. As was already mentioned you are very convenient to Monroeville, Downtown, or The Waterfront (major local shopping area with Dave & Buster's, Target, Lowe's, Macy's, AMC/Loews Theater, etc.) You are convenient to both Frick Park and Schenley Park.

If you are offering health and wellness services targeting an upper-middle-class demographic (yoga, perhaps? meditation? tai-chi? massage therapy? hypnosis? spa treatments?) then I can see your business being viable in either location. It all depends upon what sort of environment you prefer. If you want newer suburbia, then choose Murrysville. Squirrel Hill is if you want a walkable, historic, "in-town" location. You can probably get more house (and land) for your money in Murrysville. I don't think you can go wrong with either location. Personally I'm biased in favor of Squirrel Hill because I'm a big proponent of reinvesting in Pittsburgh, and the continued growth of places like Murrysville just means one more family has bypassed the city; however, the final decision is ultimately yours to make.

[varmintblaster]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

I just moved here, unemployed may I add, from Virginia two weeks ago, and I already have a full-time job helping to launch a new business venture. I had no fewer than a half-dozen interviews either completed or on the horizon when I accepted my current position, and I had more leads available.

Gotta give you some credit for diving in to make a change in your life.

But, you should not make it sound like you hit the jackpot by scoring a low-paying delivery driver job for a family-owned small business. btw - what is the benefit package?

You have alot of enthusiam. Save your pennies and open up your own business if you truly want to get ahead in this world.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

Gotta give you some credit for diving in to make a change in your life.

Thanks. I always criticized others who live in places they abhorred for year after year without taking any corrective actions, and I felt like a hypocrite. This "new life" is MY life---not the life I pursued errantly so someone else could live vicariously through me.

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

But, you should not make it sound like you hit the jackpot by scoring a low-paying delivery driver job for a family-owned small business. btw - what is the benefit package?

I did hit the jackpot. I love my neighborhood. I love my city. I love the people here. I get paid to bring smiles to the countenances of those who need them the most. What can honestly be more rewarding than that? Any reason you are inquiring about the benefits?

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

You have alot of enthusiam. Save your pennies and open up your own business if you truly want to get ahead in this world.

I am trying to learn the "ins" and "outs" of this business so someday in the future I could potentially bring this franchise to Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

[Denton56]

You're going to move again? To your home town where you won't/can't go visit for Christmas? Wow! I am surprised that you would even consider that!

[sallyransom]

Thanks leftygl! Love the information. I had heard that Sq Hill was one of the nicer areas but its never been broken down in such detail as you have done here. It sounds pretty good to me. Thanks again.

[shadysider412]

not liking dayton far from means you wont like pittsburgh. i am quite familiar with dayton springfield beaver creek fairfield wilmington xenia etc in that corner of ohio and to me everything in sw ohio is a wasteland. pittsburgh is a vast upgrade on sw ohio

[macdee425]

Wow, those were some great responses. I will provide a little more information about us. My graduate degree will be in social work. I currently work as a medical social worker in a hospital. My husband isn't near retirement age. We have one high school-aged child who attends a school for the performing arts and the other two are in elementary school. As far as diversity, it sounds similar to Dayton but there aren't many jobs here and there is no downtown. It's full of businesses and no shopping or night life/cultural activities.

I appreciate all of your responses and hope to receive more. It makes a difference for sure. We plan on vacationing in the area in July after I graduate. Thanks again.

Shadysider, what did you mean when you said "not liking dayton far from means you wont like pittsburgh."? I think you're endorsing Pittsburgh over Dayton.

[Blackbeauty212]

Given the detail you've provided, I don't think you'll have it hard in the Burgh at all....seems to be a good fit....but still come and visit and see what you like before moving...

[BrianTH]

For a city with a real Downtown, top-shelf cultural amenities, and so on, Pittsburgh is also relatively affordable, with a full range of options (everything from urban to semi-urban to suburban to rural) at most price points. If that sounds appealing, then I definitely think it is worth exploring more.

On a sidenote: I remember reading a study which found that a lot of people who actually won the lottery ended up miserable, sometimes destitute as well. In that sense, finding a job you like, that can support the lifestyle you want, in a place you enjoy living, and so on, could be more like "winning the lottery" in the metaphorical sense than actually winning the lottery!