One thing that really is Pittsburgh's fault (Philadelphia, Allentown: living, price)

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

This urban vs. rural/liberal vs. conservative argument is played out in most states---not just PA. Even in notably "red" states (i.e. Texas) most of the city propers (i.e. Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio) are either solidly blue or at least lean blue while suburbs/exurbs and rural areas trend more conservative. In Texas more people live in the suburbs/exurbs and rural areas than in the core cities. That's no different here. Pittsburgh's city proper (especially here in the East End) seems to be a limousine liberal's paradise with hybrid vehicles, Obama bumper stickers, Human Rights Campaign (=) stickers, rainbow flags, etc. abounding whereas just venturing out to Cranberry Township or even to a place like Findlay Township (within our county) turns the table nearly 180 degrees in the opposite direction. I mean, there's a reason why the people of Cranberry Township keep electing an anti-gay bigot to our state legislature, is there not? It's not because he's handsome.

Even within the rural "T" of PA you have larger cities like Scranton, Erie, and Allentown that are die-hard Democratic. There are a myriad of reasons to suggest why urbanites lean left. They're exposed to more diversity and, therefore, tend to be more sympathetic towards minority-related causes championed by Democrats and ignored by Republicans. Working-class urbanites are largely union adherents, and they reliably vote Democratic because they view Republicans as being "union busters". Cities are becoming increasingly expensive places, and it requires greater levels of wealth (and typically correspondingly higher levels of educational attainment) to afford them. Educated higher-income people tend to vote Democratic. We saw this even with our recent mayoral primary where most liberal, younger, and educated people went crazy for Peduto while Wagner, who was admittedly conservative, carried "grayer" neighborhoods dominated by those with limited educational attainment.

I see you've found a new bone to pick with Cranberry.

And like Carl said, Pittsburgh has rather few characteristically liberal enclaves outside the East End.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I see you've found a new bone to pick with Cranberry.

And like Carl said, Pittsburgh has rather few characteristically liberal enclaves outside the East End.

Give Aspinwall, Dormont, Edgewood and Millvale some time. And don't be surprised if Sewickley eventually follows.

[Neckbeard89]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Give Aspinwall, Dormont, Edgewood and Millvale some time. And don't be surprised if Sewickley eventually follows.

if that means the liberals are white flighting their way out of the city, good stuff. then maybe we can switch out one of these boutique children's clothing stores into a Sheetz

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Give Aspinwall, Dormont, Edgewood and Millvale some time. And don't be surprised if Sewickley eventually follows.

I agree with this. In many respects I feel as if Aspinwall, Edgewood, and the non-city parts of Regent Square have already become natural extensions of the "limousine liberal East End". Millvale will likely be the recipient of a lot of younger liberal people priced out of an increasingly expensive Lawrenceville. I wonder where those being priced out of Millvale once it welcomes an influx of Lawrencevillians will go. Etna? Troy Hill?

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Neckbeard89

if that means the liberals are white flighting their way out of the city, good stuff. then maybe we can switch out one of these boutique children's clothing stores into a Sheetz

Contrary to popular belief not all of we liberals in the East End are enamored with having a fro-yo place, hot yoga studio, artisan mini-cupcake bakery, store that exclusively sells metrosexual attire to 5-year-old boys, and a place to get psychotherapy for your pet poodle on every other corner while gas stations, laundromats, and other essentials are scarce and overcrowded. Whenever I try to get gas (ya know...to get to WORK...which it seems like many East Enders don't do) at GetGo I cringe and hope I don't get hit while trying to avoid playing bumper cars in their parking lot. My own Polish Hill has a vegan hangout coffeeshop, records store, and comic book store, yet if you want to grab a slice of pizza or do a load of laundry you need to drive elsewhere. I'm guessing the lack of laundromats in this part of town explains why so many people in the "hipster belt" smell funny?

My partner and I drive to the Cheswick Sheetz every couple of months just because the city still doesn't have one.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I agree with this. In many respects I feel as if Aspinwall, Edgewood, and the non-city parts of Regent Square have already become natural extensions of the "limousine liberal East End". Millvale will likely be the recipient of a lot of younger liberal people priced out of an increasingly expensive Lawrenceville. I wonder where those being priced out of Millvale once it welcomes an influx of Lawrencevillians will go. Etna? Troy Hill?

Having liberals =/= characteristically liberal, though I do agree Regent Square qualifies.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Having liberals =/= characteristically liberal, though I do agree Regent Square qualifies.

But but, having a few liberals means everyone in the East End is an ultra far left liberal. Believe me because I'm an expert that has lived here less than 5 years.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

But but, having a few liberals means everyone in the East End is an ultra far left liberal. Believe me because I'm an expert that has lived here less than 5 years.

I remember when I first moved to Pittsburgh, I totally saw a Rick Santorum bumper sticker in Shadyside.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

But but, having a few liberals means everyone in the East End is an ultra far left liberal. Believe me because I'm an expert that has lived here less than 5 years.

So you honestly don't find the East End to be overwhelmingly liberal?

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Have you noticed the incredible amount of dead animals on the roads?

I counted seven on the way from here to Chambersburg last month.

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

My partner and I drive to the Cheswick Sheetz every couple of months just because the city still doesn't have one.

Why?