Is Pittsburgh there yet? (York, California: neighborhoods, quality of life, place to live)

[nuwaver88]

The title of this thread can mean many things. My intention about being "there" is one of accepting criticism.
Is Pittsburgh or are Pittsburghers at the point where we should no longer care if outsiders and locals rip on our city? By being "there" like NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston, or Chicago.
The above cities, like Pittsburgh, surely are not perfect and have their flaws, but are also regarded as some of most loved cities in the USA.
My point is, Pittsburgh has been getting many accolades in recent years and deservedly so. Should Pittsburghers care if outsider rips our city because we know we are "there" like the aforementioned cities?
I know that question is very vague and relative and depends on the topic, the intelligence level, and the objectivity of the person doing the criticism. Put all of that aside and let's think in general terms,
Has Pittsburgh climbed the latter far enough that we should not be so sensitive to general criticism and accept that not everyone likes Pittsburgh?.. and it does indeed have flaws, just like not everyone likes Las Vegas, probably for the opposite reasons why people dislike Pittsburgh.
I am not even suggesting or not suggesting that Pittsburgh is on a Boston or San Francsico level in respect. I will say that the less people care what outsiders think, like Sienna Miller, the more Pittsburgh can become a more cosmopolitan city rather than a provincial one.

[Tinare]

I don't know. But since you listed Chicago as one of the "there" places, it made me remember a quote from Gawker's 50 Worst States list in their write-up from Illinois that made me laugh at the time that I read it, since the author seems to not be aware of the 'burgh's inferiority complex --

"There's also the creeping inferiority complex that runs through Chicago. Chicagoans are often a little too eager to defend their city against New York or Los Angeles. Stop it, Chicago! You're trying too hard. Just do you, girl. Just do you. (Look to Pittsburgh for a lesson on how to do this beautifully.)"

The Worst 50 States in America: Day 2

[globalburgh]

I've yet to encounter a place where locals, particularly natives, don't have thin skin concerning criticism. Irrational civic pride is universal.

[BrianTH]

Yes as to outsiders.

Insiders is more problematic--the numbers are shifting, but the can't-do attitude among certain locals remains an issue, because policy makers in turn care about what they think.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by globalburgh

I've yet to encounter a place where locals, particularly natives, don't have thin skin concerning criticism. Irrational civic pride is universal.

Indeed. I'm sure Somalians would be upset if you called their country a crap hole.

I do see that Pittsburghers are very defensive of any sort of criticism, I mean look at this entire message board. Personally, it doesn't bother me as having such intense pride over a piece of soil just seems to push people farther apart.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I do see that Pittsburghers are very defensive of any sort of criticism, I mean look at this entire message board. Personally, it doesn't bother me as having such intense pride over a piece of soil just seems to push people farther apart.

Defensive of blind negativity=YES!....Constructive Criticism = NO!

[Faer]

When people learn I live in Pgh now, the response runs from curiosity to mild envy(?). For what its worth, I don't know anyone personally in California that thinks of Pittsburgh as a "hole", although a good number of them probably couldn't deal with the whole "not new" thing.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Defensive of blind negativity=YES!....Constructive Criticism = NO!

Exhibit A.

[psychomantis]

The lack of a modern freeway system, efficient mass transit, and the presence of old outdated grey laws continue to keep Pittsburgh from becoming a top-tier city. Like Brian said above, its hard to move forward to the future when so many Pittsburghers and ensuing local politicians have their heads buried in the past. Don't be afraid.... progress is a good thing!

[nuwaver88]

A lot of this sensitivity came from the fact that even when Pittsburgh was the Smoky City and was the butt of jokes, many things that give Pittsburgh high ratings today were also what made Pittsburgh a great place to live then. These are things like the arts, great neighborhoods, education. These all added to a high quality of life for those of us who were fortunate to be born and raised in Pittsburgh. Yet, these facts were always swept under the rug. For example, my parents, who both grew up in Pittsburgh's East End, would tell people that they were from Pittsburgh when they would vacation down the Jersey Shore as newlyweds in the 1950s. The reaction?: "Pittsburgh? Who would ever want to live in Pittsburgh?" They would explain that it is a nice city and they had great tree lined neighborhoods etc. Nobody believed it. All that they believed was what the comedians fed them and what the pictures in the text books of streetlights on by noon. It is kind of ironic that many East Coast types are now looking to these East End neighborhoods where my parents grew up. So, I guess the defensiveness comes from the fact that since the skies cleared, the quality of life just became more viivid, but the major elements have been here for years. People from the outside lacked objectivity, but is was more ignorance and a sign of the times. People that actually lived here knew that Pittsburgh was a bit dirty, but had qualities abounding. It was kind of "Know what you are talking about or shut up!"