Impressions of Pittsburgh after a first-time visit (travel, housing)

[Seaharbour]

Hey O'Neil...I always thought so well of Churchill, but I am not considering that area cause of the schools as well, do you know of any "other" schools besides the one you had mentioned here in your other post? Churchhill is very pretty and affordable!

Thanks for the link btw too!

[tallylady46]

I am so glad you liked Pittsburgh! I only started to know more about the city when my daughter started to attend WVU about 70 miles south of the city. Although my husband lived his teen years further north (Clearfield), he never really went to Pittsburgh that much, but he likes it too. I love visiting the city when I'm there. Sure, some parts are rundown, but the overall feel of the city is awesome!

[MissShona]

Originally Posted by tallylady46

I am so glad you liked Pittsburgh! I only started to know more about the city when my daughter started to attend WVU about 70 miles south of the city. Although my husband lived his teen years further north (Clearfield), he never really went to Pittsburgh that much, but he likes it too. I love visiting the city when I'm there. Sure, some parts are rundown, but the overall feel of the city is awesome!

Whoo-hoo...WVU!

I've never heard of Clearfield. Small town?

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

I was also surprised to see as many homeless people as I did, especially under interstate overpasses. I wonder at the logic of homeless people who would stay in such a cruel winter environment. Anyone able to explain this one to me?

I don't understand your misunderstanding, the only logic homeless people use is trying to find a place to stay at night. The logic would be an underpass keeps them away from the elements. I live in the city, however, I spend little to no time downtown, and one thing I've always thought is the opposite of you, and that is that I feel I don't see alot of homeless around.

[Katiana]

Maybe there are a lot compared to Charlotte, where the OP is from. You'd think just the opposite, since it's warmer in Charlotte.

[MissShona]

Originally Posted by vwscottie

I don't understand your misunderstanding, the only logic homeless people use is trying to find a place to stay at night. The logic would be an underpass keeps them away from the elements. I live in the city, however, I spend little to no time downtown, and one thing I've always thought is the opposite of you, and that is that I feel I don't see alot of homeless around.

I also agree that compared to other metro areas I've spent time in (Cleveland, Washington D.C., New York, Detroit, and Miami) Pittsburgh has less (in some cases far less) homeless people roaming around. But also, many homeless people in America have mental illnesses (especially the ones who tend to roam the street in the elements and not find their way to a shelter) with no means to get proper treatment.

Years ago (when my father still lived in Pittsburgh), my Dad was working a construction job downtown in the midst of winter. It was really, really cold. They used to see this homeless man who would come by and chat with them and tell jokes and what not. One of the workers noticed that the homeless man's coat seemed a bit threadbare, so he figured he would bring him a hand-me-down from home. When the guy brought it to him, he got very offended (almost hostile) to them. Calling them "pigs" and "evil spies". Stopped coming around after that.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Maybe there are a lot compared to Charlotte, where the OP is from. You'd think just the opposite, since it's warmer in Charlotte.

Thank you pittnurse, that is exactly what I was thinking. It just seems logical to me that colder climates would have fewer homeless people, that's all.

For instance, San Diego has a HUGE homeless population, which makes sense to me considering how warm it is there year round (compared to many other such large cities). I was just surprised to see so many sleeping outside in such unpleasant weather in Pittsburgh. It was nice to see a city volunteer with a walkie talkie talking to the different men we saw and radioing to try to get them picked up to go to a shelter.

[Seaharbour]

When I lived in Pgh, I remember seeing alot of homeless people, in the city...under the underpasses, on downtown streets..I even got yelled at by one, cause i had no money to give him..I would of given him something too, if i had it....I didn't..that was in Oakland about 15 years ago or so....I hate to say this..but there are ALOT of homeless people there, but if your poor, where you going to get money for a ticket out of there? Or if your not mentally well, your going to do what you want and not think bout what is best for your well being...

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Thank you pittnurse, that is exactly what I was thinking. It just seems logical to me that colder climates would have fewer homeless people, that's all.

For instance, San Diego has a HUGE homeless population, which makes sense to me considering how warm it is there year round (compared to many other such large cities). I was just surprised to see so many sleeping outside in such unpleasant weather in Pittsburgh. It was nice to see a city volunteer with a walkie talkie talking to the different men we saw and radioing to try to get them picked up to go to a shelter.

If they are homeless, where do you expect to see them? Homelessness knows know boundries.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by vwscottie

If they are homeless, where do you expect to see them? Homelessness knows know boundries.

You are missing my point - homelessness for most of the homeless tends to be a way of life, not a temporary setback. If I were homeless on a pretty permanent basis, I would look to hitch a ride south, that's all. I would not endure a whole winter anywhere like Pittsburgh. It just seems crazy to me to sit around all day being homeless in cold weather when I could travel and be homeless in more pleasant climates.