Impressions of Pittsburgh after a first-time visit (York: relocate, job)

[PIT]

Last week, the Pittsburgh Business Time reported the Salvation Army building was being offered for sale and they were to move from their current location. Sorry but I am not sure where they plan to move.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Geeo

I'm sorry, my mistake. I was thinking of the Catholic church at the corner of Stanwix and the Boulevard. Iy must be the Red Cross that's next door. The Salvation Army building you saw is the headquarters, and I've never seen a line of homeless people outside, unless their services are accessed from the Third Avenue side of the building. But really, I'm sure the homeless are more frightened of the students than the other way around.

That building did look to me to be a residence building of some kind, like one for the homeless with jobs, not a nightly shelter. Sadly, homeless people do have a lot to be frightened by, you are right.

[globalburgh]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

The area immediately around Johnson and Wales in Charlotte is not safe for a young lady walking alone at night.

Quite true and that is just one consideration that can help make attending a school in a city a positive experience. The newbies (freshmen class) tend to learn a tough lesson because they don't know all the ins and outs to being safe. Getting mugged in NYC used to be considered a rite of passage for newcomers.

I don't mean to suggest that being a victim of a crime is inevitable. On the contrary, people who know the neighborhood have the information a new arrival needs to be safe.

As for the homeless in that area, keeping that neighborhood relatively safe is in the interest of the homeless receiving services there. But you should research the crime statistics just the same.

If I can offer one take-home: Don't let the presence of homeless be a reason for not attending the school.

[Geeo]

As far as I know, the only "transitional" housing downtown is at Wood Street Commons on Wood Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. I could be wrong, but I don't think the Salvation Army building houses anybody. I've never been aware of that down there.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Geeo

As far as I know, the only "transitional" housing downtown is at Wood Street Commons on Wood Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. I could be wrong, but I don't think the Salvation Army building houses anybody. I've never been aware of that down there.

Well then, that explains WHY we saw so many homeless on 4th! The other residental hall for the Art Institute we toured was right at 4th and Smithfield. The RA's there did say not to go out in the area at night alone. In fact, they said, "travel in big groups". Between the two housing locations this one appeared preferrable because Smithfield was a busier location. The other hall down on 2nd Ave near the 1st Ave train station seemed more isolated.

[Merge]

In all of my years living in the city, I've never been aware of violent or property crimes committed BY homeless people. They are too concerned with living day-to-day to assault students, who are generally younger and have much more energy. On the other hand, I'm fully aware that the homeless are OFTEN the victims of crime for sport. They are the most vulnerable citizens in our society.

[Geeo]

The new residence hall near the First Avenue Station just opened and should be really nice because it's brand new. But I don't think Wood Street Commons is a homeless shelter. It's primarily for men just getting back on their feet through social service organizations that refer them.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Geeo

The new residence hall near the First Avenue Station just opened and should be really nice because it's brand new. But I don't think Wood Street Commons is a homeless shelter. It's primarily for men just getting back on their feet through social service organizations that refer them.

This is all good info - thank you Geeo

There is a third residence hall scheduled to open in the next year which we were not able to tour on Smithfield near 1st. That one seemed to me to be the preferrable of the 3 locations. I really like how you can walk across the Smithfield bridge to be in an area of shops and places to eat.

[fleetiebelle]

My son is currently talking to AI students online to gather as much info as possible, especially as regards the safety issues.

Like with any urban campus, it pays to be safe. There have been a lot of muggings around the student areas near Pitt and CMU, and many of the robbers have admitted that it's because students are easy targets. They walk alone at night, sometimes on the phone or with headphones jammed in their ears so that they're not paying attention to their surroundings. They leave doors and windows unlocked, and often carry around valuables. If your son is safe and cautious, he shouldn't have any trouble.

[Geeo]

Wow, I wasn't aware that they were opening a third residence hall. Point Park University is working on a big expansion in that same part of downtown, so it looks like it will be crawliing with students down there!