What pieces of the puzzle does Pittsburgh lack to be a great city? (Philadelphia: air pollution, transportation)

[ex-burgher]

My complaint about Pittsburgh is the aging infrastructure which has not kept pace with what this city should be. I don't just mean the functionality of roads and bridges but rather aesthetics. Even in nice neighborhoods, you have sidewalks falling apart with weeds growing in the cracks. Add to this the rampant litter everywhere, it creates an impression of an uncared for city. I grew up here, so I became used to it, but my kids all comment on it when we visit - in particular the bits of paper, garbage and cigarette buts everywhere. One of the worst areas we see this is Oakland. I know it's a student neighborhood, but I've seen many student neighborhoods that are maintained.

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by ex-burgher

My complaint about Pittsburgh is the aging infrastructure which has not kept pace with what this city should be. I don't just mean the functionality of roads and bridges but rather aesthetics. Even in nice neighborhoods, you have sidewalks falling apart with weeds growing in the cracks. Add to this the rampant litter everywhere, it creates an impression of an uncared for city. I grew up here, so I became used to it, but my kids all comment on it when we visit - in particular the bits of paper, garbage and cigarette buts everywhere. One of the worst areas we see this is Oakland. I know it's a student neighborhood, but I've seen many student neighborhoods that are maintained.

Where did you move to that is so tidy?

[lprmesia]

What pieces of the puzzle does Pittsburgh lack to be a great city?

We need more absurd real estate prices. I mean, we're not as expensive as San Francisco, New York, Seattle, or Boston. How could we ever be cool as those cities without the real estate prices to match?

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by ex-burgher

My complaint about Pittsburgh is the aging infrastructure which has not kept pace with what this city should be. I don't just mean the functionality of roads and bridges but rather aesthetics. Even in nice neighborhoods, you have sidewalks falling apart with weeds growing in the cracks. Add to this the rampant litter everywhere, it creates an impression of an uncared for city. I grew up here, so I became used to it, but my kids all comment on it when we visit - in particular the bits of paper, garbage and cigarette buts everywhere. One of the worst areas we see this is Oakland. I know it's a student neighborhood, but I've seen many student neighborhoods that are maintained.

I agree with this. Sidewalks are terrible in many areas & litter has to be among the worst in US cities; luckily the spring & summer green growth manages to hide much of it.

[bradjl2009]

I do agree a lot of sidewalks in the city aren't kept in the best condition. This is something I've never really thought about though so hopefully the next time I visit a city I'll remember and try to look at how their sidewalks compare.

[ex-burgher]

Originally Posted by xdv8

Where did you move to that is so tidy?

Since leaving, I've lived in Columbus, Boston, Dallas, and now Charlotte. Litter is worse in Pittsburgh than all of these places.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I agree with this. Sidewalks are terrible in many areas & litter has to be among the worst in US cities; luckily the spring & summer green growth manages to hide much of it.

Is Pennsylvania unique in that a property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of their property? I ask because I truly don't know. Sidewalks here tend to vary in condition massively even within the same block of nicer residential areas.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Is Pennsylvania unique in that a property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of their property? I ask because I truly don't know. Sidewalks here tend to vary in condition massively even within the same block of nicer residential areas.

I don't know Pennsylvania is unique, but I'm certain homeowner responsibility is a big part of the reason sidewalks in Pittsburgh residential neighborhoods are so bad. I don't know where everyone seeing all this litter, though. There's certainly no more litter in Pittsburgh than there is in Boston.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by gladhands

I don't know Pennsylvania is unique, but I'm certain homeowner responsibility is a big part of the reason sidewalks in Pittsburgh residential neighborhoods are so bad. I don't know where everyone seeing all this litter, though. There's certainly no more litter in Pittsburgh than there is in Boston.

I was commenting to my fiancée last night how much worse the litter is here in Lawerenceville than it was in Shadyside. Just like the sidewalk thing, I think it varies greatly from block to block. Areas with lots of construction seem to be the worst, with a lot of debris from junk food wrappers and fast food bags. The people who sleep in other parts of town at night don't really have a lot of regard, it seems, or else they've got open top dumpsters that the wind messes up.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by ex-burgher

Since leaving, I've lived in Columbus, Boston, Dallas, and now Charlotte. Litter is worse in Pittsburgh than all of these places.

Don't worry. You'll soon find some people on here willing to make excuses for the types of people who litter.