Former Pittsburghers who consider a move back to Pittsburgh a possibility (Washington: skyscrapers, relocating)

[Johnland]

I'm curious to see if there are any other former Pittsburghers living elsewhere who would consider moving back to Pittsburgh. I currently live in Tampa. I've been here for about 16 years. I like it here. It's a growing city and it's great to see new residential projects bursting all over the place. I've been with the same company all these years and have no compelling to leave it.

And yet, whenever I go back to Pittsburgh on visits, I look at the city and it is just so much more urban and interesting than Tampa. I've toured some of the new condo's in downtown - Carlyle and Piatt. Both stunning and gorgeous, but admittedly over my price range. I've done a house tour of Friendship and loved those big, roomy Victorians and the urban character of the neighborhood.

The economy there concerns me. I know that has been debated and there are camps on both sides of the issue. One saying things are turning around for certain sectors and others who are packing their bags for more economically robust metro's in the South or West. I am in finance/accounting.

But still, as a city, I am drawn to it.

So, are there any other people in the same boat as me?

[guylocke]

I've toured some of the new condo's in downtown - Carlyle and Piatt. Both stunning and gorgeous, but admittedly over my price range. I've done a house tour of Friendship and loved those big, roomy Victorians and the urban character of the neighborhood.

I am so jealous!! I haven't been in them, yet. Are they truly that nice??? I've heard so many good things about them.

I am in finance/accounting.

You'd have no problem finding work.

But still, as a city, I am drawn to it.
So, are there any other people in the same boat as me?

Yes, quite a lot. You definitely aren't the only person from Florida who has wanted to come back, or at least who has thought about it. I spent all summer in St. Petersburg/Tampa and truthfully, I didn't care for it very much. I thought it was fairly dull, but it is a very pretty area. I was very ready to get out of Florida, but I can't take that kind of heat, so a lot of it is based on personal preference. There are people picking up and leaving, too. Some people just don't like it here and want out, like any city. Other people I know who come visit love it and start looking for a job right away. I myself am leaving next year but it has nothing to do about not finding work or disliking Pittsburgh, cause I love it. I am young and I just want to be adventurous and see something else for a while. :P

[Katiana]

My brother moved back about 10 yrs ago, also from Fla. It was a personal thing. He works in HR; it took about a year for him to find a job. But everybody's situation is different. His son, in finance, actually found a job in Pittsburgh while living in Colorado, last year.

[burghgirl]

Yes, I think there are a lot of former Pittsburghers who would love to move back, including me and my family. It's funny, I was actually thinking of starting a thread like this, because I too was curious about this subject. I know exactly what you mean about coming back to visit and being drawn to the city. It is so pretty and unique, with all the different neighborhoods (and not just different "housing developments"), cultural venues, outdoor recreation, and I think Mt. Washington is my favorite place in the world.

But like you, we too are worried about the economy there. From reading a lot of these posts, though, it sounds like if you work hard at getting a job in the Burgh, you will eventually succeed but it may take a lot of time and patience. Of course a lot depends on your particular career field/experience/education and how it matches up to what employers are looking for in Pittsburgh. It seems like healthcare and IT are two of more in-demand fields.

We've been in Ohio for 13 years, and our plan is do a full job search next spring/summer. Of course if something comes up before then, we'll be happy to take it!

Also: Johnland, I'm curious...do you have a family/children? I think that plays a part in the decision. I have two (aged 8 and 11), and I know if we are going to get back to Pittsburgh, I'd much rather do it sooner than later. High school would be a difficult time to move children, I would think.

[guylocke]

But like you, we too are worried about the economy there.

Don't confuse economy with jobs, they aren't necessarily the same thing. Pittsburgh's economy is actually fairly robust right now. There is a crazy amount of development going on and still planned, more than there's been for many years, possibly decades. The retail segment of the area is doing phenomenally well, and this during a time when retail is sucking real bad everywhere. The restaurant business is doing really amazing, too, IHOP and Sonics are both riding the wave with many stores planned for the area.

The downtown revitalization/renaissance is going on full speed ahead and the demand for housing in the city is quite strong.
This is all a testament to the local economy. Office leasing downtown is also on a sharp rise. This stuff wouldn't be happening if the economy sucked, trust me.
All of this, along with our powerhouses industries of technology, financing, academia, robotics, artificial intelligence, biological/chemical/nuclear engineering, IT, and healthcare, and the economy is heading in a very positive direction. Pittsburgh itself has had millions of dollars in surplus for three years running. It's a start, and a damn good one. Anyone who doesn't believe so is living in the past.

That being said, the job market in Pittsburgh is tight, no doubt about it. Unless you are in one of the industries pre-mentioned, you might not be able to just come on over and get scooped up. I've heard plenty of stories of people finding work instantly and other stories of people looking for work for a year and beyond. I believe it is extremely situational, too. You have to be motivated, driven, and smart. It's most definitely not impossible. I've mentioned this fact, too. Young people graduating from Pittsburgh schools are staying at a rate that hasn't been seen in a very long time. We currently have a graduate-attachment rate higher than the national average. I don't have statistics, but I am assuming these young people are finding work if they are staying, does that seem to make sense?

[guylocke]

Here is a nice little article you may like to read from an entrepreneur out of Arizona who was transfered here five years ago. It's just his story and opinion, it's not based on stats or numbers. But it's a nice read, might help you!

Puts & Calls: Lose those blues, Pittsburgh

[Johnland]

Originally Posted by boylocke

I am so jealous!! I haven't been in them, yet. Are they truly that nice??? I've heard so many good things about them. :P

Oh yeah. The Carlyle was still all torn up in June when I was there. But let me tell you, those units have giant, old fashioned office windows that just take in the rich, superb architecture of the surrounding buildings. That particular building, the former Pittsburgh National Bank, I believe, is in the heart of the old financial district of Pittsburgh. The early 20th skyscrapers in that district were built with an effort to convey a rich, artistic essence. The facades used terra cotta tiles, granite, brick, limestone, you name it. The views alone sold me. And actually, compared to prices here in Tampa, per square foot, they were reasonably priced.

:P[/quote] Yes, quite a lot. You definitely aren't the only person from Florida who has wanted to come back, or at least who has thought about it. :P[/quote]

I do know there are tons of Pittsburghers here in the Tampa metro area. At work, there's a good half dozen that I know of. Part of the reason Tampa's populatin is growing is due to thousands of Pittsburghers have moved here!

[guylocke]

Part of the reason Tampa's populatin is growing is due to thousands of Pittsburghers have moved here!

LOL, I think that might be more accurate if you said "Part of the reason Tampa's population has grown" past tense.
:P
We didn't lose that many people last year that we're affecting Tampa's population!!

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Johnland

I'm curious to see if there are any other former Pittsburghers living elsewhere who would consider moving back to Pittsburgh. I currently live in Tampa. I've been here for about 16 years. I like it here. It's a growing city and it's great to see new residential projects bursting all over the place. I've been with the same company all these years and have no compelling to leave it.

And yet, whenever I go back to Pittsburgh on visits, I look at the city and it is just so much more urban and interesting than Tampa. I've toured some of the new condo's in downtown - Carlyle and Piatt. Both stunning and gorgeous, but admittedly over my price range. I've done a house tour of Friendship and loved those big, roomy Victorians and the urban character of the neighborhood.

The economy there concerns me. I know that has been debated and there are camps on both sides of the issue. One saying things are turning around for certain sectors and others who are packing their bags for more economically robust metro's in the South or West. I am in finance/accounting.

But still, as a city, I am drawn to it.

So, are there any other people in the same boat as me?

Oh, sure -- tons! We might do it and if we did it would be after retirement so no worrying about jobs.

There's a guy who blogs and he calls this phenomena Pittsburgh Diaspora... we all left for lots of reasons but still manage to call Pittsburgh home.

[Katiana]

Oh, sure -- tons! We might do it and if we did it would be after retirement so no worrying about jobs.

Last fall, when in Pgh (best time of year), my DH said "I do not EVER want to look for another job again!" End of discussion about relocating ANYWHERE until retirement.