Can you tell me about Pittsburgh (Washington, Economy: for sale, house, unemployment)

[Gaylord_Focker]

Economy? Weather? Looks fairly affordable for a northern city. TIA.

[str8]

Weather: snows a bunch between December and March, sucks to drive with all the hills all over the city. At times, it can rain, snow, be windy and sunny all in the same day.

Economy: sucks just like elsewhere but the cost of living is very affordable which is about the only plus of living here. Everything else revolves around the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins which is a pretty pathetic way to live. Been living here for 8 years, can't wait to move back down south VA or NC in a year or two.

[zman63]

Originally Posted by str8

Weather: snows a bunch between December and March, sucks to drive with all the hills all over the city. At times, it can rain, snow, be windy and sunny all in the same day.

Economy: sucks just like elsewhere but the cost of living is very affordable which is about the only plus of living here. Everything else revolves around the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins which is a pretty pathetic way to live. Been living here for 8 years, can't wait to move back down south VA or NC in a year or two.

The weather isn't bad. Lots of cloudy and rainy days. Humidity can be uncomfortable.

I would use two words to describe the economy. Limited and inbred. Whats limited about the economy is there are a lot of dead end jobs in pittsburgh. Also the wages are much lower than cities its size and cost of living. The inbred economy is that the most educated, qualified and progressive people dont typically get the job. Lots of jobs only have the requirement to know somebody, know a friend of a friend or have some family connection to the job you are applying for. It is is a city made up of mainly white babyboomers that are conservative and hate change. They will sit in their job until they cannot get up in the morning. Then you have the educated college students that up and leave after school. 30 and 40 somethings are in the minority because there is a lack of economic opportunity here.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Yikes. Thanks guys. I was thinking about moving up there from Texas. I've been reading that Pittsburgh was the opposite of many of the declining Northern cities. Looks beautiful, with a lot of great neighborhoods and again, seems to have a diverse economy.

[StayLucky]

I don't think this is a very fair portrayal of Pittsburgh's economy. I'm not a resident yet (relocating next month), but those two posters definitely made things seem much worse than you'll hear from the majority of the regular posters here. FWIW, unemployment in the Pittsburgh metro is lower than the national average, and while wages are indeed lower than most major metropolitan areas, housing costs (especially if you buy) are significantly lower than most major metropolitan areas, so it sort of offsets, despite what I understand to be a little bit of recent appreciation in the market.

Pittsburgh is most definitely a beautiful city. The views from Grandview Ave. in Mount Washington can't be beaten, nor can the view coming in from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, especially at night. Lots of great neighborhoods to explore, and lots of friendly people too, at least from my experiences visiting.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by Steven P.

I don't think this is a very fair portrayal of Pittsburgh's economy. I'm not a resident yet (relocating next month), but those two posters definitely made things seem much worse than you'll hear from the majority of the regular posters here. FWIW, unemployment in the Pittsburgh metro is lower than the national average, and while wages are indeed lower than most major metropolitan areas, housing costs (especially if you buy) are significantly lower than most major metropolitan areas, so it sort of offsets, despite what I understand to be a little bit of recent appreciation in the market.

Pittsburgh is most definitely a beautiful city. The views from Grandview Ave. in Mount Washington can't be beaten, nor can the view coming in from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, especially at night. Lots of great neighborhoods to explore, and lots of friendly people too, at least from my experiences visiting.

Great. Are you moving with kids, etc?

[BarqCider]

People tend to voice their dissatisfaction online more than those who are content and ir happy. You need to read all and then determine how it is according to you. I myself enjoy Pittsburgh as is and yet find myself trying to adapt to urban or at lesst soon to be, urban living vs my suburban life.

[zman63]

Originally Posted by Steven P.

I don't think this is a very fair portrayal of Pittsburgh's economy. I'm not a resident yet (relocating next month), but those two posters definitely made things seem much worse than you'll hear from the majority of the regular posters here. FWIW, unemployment in the Pittsburgh metro is lower than the national average, and while wages are indeed lower than most major metropolitan areas, housing costs (especially if you buy) are significantly lower than most major metropolitan areas, so it sort of offsets, despite what I understand to be a little bit of recent appreciation in the market.

Pittsburgh is most definitely a beautiful city. The views from Grandview Ave. in Mount Washington can't be beaten, nor can the view coming in from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, especially at night. Lots of great neighborhoods to explore, and lots of friendly people too, at least from my experiences visiting.

As a young professional I gave my best assessment to the poster. I too came in with rose colored glasses. Asking myself back then how could anybody leave this city? It does show well, but the culture is status quo with no change and is very political. There was a poster in another thread that described the city as one where "they recognize the need to grow the city, but the people here want to continue the status quo of how things are done." Good luck trying to start your own business or come here pushing new ideas. The old dogs that run the show love to gang up on and rip people like that to shreds.

Pittsburgh metro is lower than the national average, because people aren't beating down the door to come here. Plus, gasoline, food, and utilities cost the same everywhere.

I hope both of you can make it work here. Just remember you were warned. In five years you most likely will be writing the same post to somebody else.

[jjd76539]

There is a few differences between living in TX and PA. Taxes are definitely higher and i am thinking there is still vehicle inspections "you cant run a car with bailing wire holding it together.. I used to live outside of Pittsburgh and I have not been back since 1990. And I want to move back but I am a little nervous about it all.Fixing my house to go up for sale to move up to a place where I got to find new Dr's and deal with my family that has not seen me since the 90s .They have no idea how disabled I am now.. It is life it is all a gamble sometimes you win sometimes you lose.. Do I think you would like it in PA yes I do it has many things to offer. I always enjoyed my time in PA.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by zman63

The weather isn't bad. Lots of cloudy and rainy days. Humidity can be uncomfortable.

I would use two words to describe the economy. Limited and inbred. Whats limited about the economy is there are a lot of dead end jobs in pittsburgh. Also the wages are much lower than cities its size and cost of living. The inbred economy is that the most educated, qualified and progressive people dont typically get the job. Lots of jobs only have the requirement to know somebody, know a friend of a friend or have some family connection to the job you are applying for. It is is a city made up of mainly white babyboomers that are conservative and hate change. They will sit in their job until they cannot get up in the morning. Then you have the educated college students that up and leave after school. 30 and 40 somethings are in the minority because there is a lack of economic opportunity here.

This is a rather outdated view. Do you ever go to Downtown on a workday? I've never seen so many people down there on a normal workday in the 20's and 30's as I do now. The anti change mentality is clearly going away if the county elected Fitzgerald and the city elected Peduto in the primary.