Impressions of Pittsburgh after a first-time visit (Media, Denver: lofts, condo)

[lovesMountains]

My family and I just returned late last night from a long weekend in Pittsburgh. I am sure we only saw a fraction of all there is to see, but we tried to squeeze as much in as possible. My 18-year-old is considering attending the Art Institute in Pittsburgh next year, thus the reason for our visit.

First of all, I found Pittsburgh to be a city much richer in history and gorgeous architecture than I had expected. This was a pleasant surprise! I marveled over all the historical churches and buildings that have been protected and maintained on street after street. I also liked how walkable the downtown area was. And what fun to discover the inclines - such unique and interesting features for us tourists. And the cobblestone streets!!! How cool was that??

I was only laughed at once, when I ordered "sweet tea" at dinner, lol. But then I remembered where I was and laughed at myself! Seriously, everyone we met was very friendly and helpful - unlike other northeastern cities we have visited. However, we noticed a common trait among them - all we met seemed to be stuck in a time warp concerning what a neat place they live in! Some seemed to still see the Pittsburgh of old - you know, the way it was when steel was still king? We heard stories of how black the sky used to always be and how dirty things always seemed. To those of us who didn't live thru that we just saw a nice city with pretty clean streets! I think Pittsburghers (?) may not realize what they've got right under their feet.

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? Also, would you say the downtown area is really part of Pittsburgh or is it kind of a separate entity? Let me explain, in Charlotte our uptown is the very center of Charlotte life - to live in uptown is very desirable (and pretty expensive). The closer into uptown you live the more prestigious neighborhoods you will find. Is it like that in Pittsburgh at all? I would appreciate any and all thoughts

[ScranBarre]

I'm glad that you enjoyed your visit to Pittsburgh. My father and I first visited in the mid-1990s to see a Pirates game at the old Three Rivers Stadium, and I fell in love with the city as well.

To address your inquiry about downtown, being not too familiar with Charlotte I will have to assume some things. It sounds to me as if Downtown Charlotte is strictly a corporate/commerce center where people just work before it rolls up its doors for the evenings. It sounds like Uptown Charlotte is where everyone retreats to in the evenings for nightlife, restaurants, shopping, and fun. (Kind of like the contrast between the Financial District of Manhattan and Greenwich Village).

If this is the case, then I can only speak based upon my last visit, which was several years ago in that yes, Downtown Pittsburgh was very much a 9-5 corporate area with little to do after dark and on the weekends. When we visited the last time, many businesses were closed on the weekend, which was a total bummer. I know cities are very dynamic and ever-changing, so I'm sure the locals can correct me if I'm mistaken, but I still get the cyber-vibe that Downtown Pittsburgh is very similar to Downtown Charlotte in terms of being just a place to work---that's it. The hip and happenin' parts of Pittsburgh seem to be the South Shore, Shadyside, and Squirrel Hill. The South Shore seems to be coming back with a lot of young professionals (yuppies) and bohemian types with a more lively nightlife scene while Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, to the east of downtown, tend to be more residential in nature with small downtown areas with chic boutiques, coffee houses, sidewalk cafes, etc.

I know there are various residential projects being planned downtown, so perhaps adding more 24/7 foot traffic will help to reinvigorate the social scene there in the coming years. For what it's worth though I'd give Pittsburgh the edge in quality-of-life hands-down over Charlotte. While the declining population in Pittsburgh has lead to problems with rising taxes and crumbling infrastructure, Charlotte seems to be growing too quickly for its own good, and I've heard nothing but horror stories about how much of a difficult time they're having with keeping pace with new schools, rising crime, traffic congestion on roads that are too narrow, etc.

[O'Neil]

Downtown Pittsburgh is definitely 9-5, but they are building a lot of lofts and trying to stimulate the residential population. If you got 300k, you can get a nice condo in what used to be Lazarus department store. There are things going on downtown in the evenings as far as theater and events like that. Just outside the city in stattion square and the south side have more of the night life going on.

Funny I stumbled across your post, it caught my eye that you mentioned the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I've worked for Education Management which owns all 35 + of the Art Institutes across the country (one in Charlotte too) since I moved back to Pittsburgh in 2002. Pittsburgh is our headquarters and AIP is our flagship school. It is truly amazing some of the things the kids at that school produce in the Media Arts school. The Culinary school there is top-notch as well.

[PIT]

Not a "trait" but a fact; Pittsburgh is a neat place and I a sure those you spoke to were not sharing common genes rather an appreciation for Pittsburgh's authenticity. The stories regarding its steel heritage and the stories therein are fact.

Regarding the homeless, the only logical explanation would be that the shelters for the homeless and the organizations that provide food for the homeless are located primarily on the north and south shores. The downtown provides a central point with access to both of these place combined with access to over 200,000 people on any given weekday and shopper, theatre goers, sport fans etc on the weekend. Beyond that I wish I had an explanation and solution for homelessness.

[guylocke]

Just outside the city in stattion square and the south side have more of the night life going on.

Shadyside and the Strip District are hopping in the evenings as well.

I've worked for Education Management which owns all 35 + of the Art Institutes across the country (one in Charlotte too) since I moved back to Pittsburgh in 2002. Pittsburgh is our headquarters and AIP is our flagship school.

Wait, are you saying the AI across the country are headquartered in Pittsburgh and that the Pittsburgh AI is the flagship school? Or did I read that wrong.

There's a lot to do for gay people actually DOWNTOWN after dark.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by guylocke

Shadyside and the Strip District are hopping in the evenings as well.

Wait, are you saying the AI across the country are headquartered in Pittsburgh and that the Pittsburgh AI is the flagship school? Or did I read that wrong.

There's a lot to do for gay people actually DOWNTOWN after dark.

You didn't read him wrong - AI of Pittsburgh is THE flapship school. All the other Art Institutes are "satellites" patterned after it. But Pittsburgh has the most prestige

I want to publically thank you, guylocke, for your fantastic show of support and the great info you shared with me on direct message over the past few months. You have really represented your city well - and this site is lucky to have you! Thanks again

[guylocke]

AI of Pittsburgh is THE flapship school. All the other Art Institutes are "satellites" patterned after it. But Pittsburgh has the most prestige

How did I not know that?? That is something you would think I would know!! Geeze, no wonder your son picked Pittsburgh. And here, I thought he was just interested cause he thought it sounded like a cool city to be in. LOL.

I want to publically thank you, guylocke, for your fantastic show of support and the great info you shared with me on direct message over the past few months. You have really represented your city well - and this site is lucky to have you! Thanks again

My pleasure!! Keep in touch. Write me anytime, I'll get back to ya.

[Katiana]

I think part of the reason people talk about the "old" Pittsburgh is that there were a lot of good jobs there, then. When my dad, b. 1914, first started working at US Steel as an engineer, some of the other engineers had not even graduated from high school, let alone the steelworkers. It will never be the same again. There are a lot of people in their 40s and older who remember those days rather fondly.

Is the Art Institue of Denver part of the Art Institute network?

[guylocke]

Is the Art Institue of Denver part of the Art Institute network?

Yes but isn't it called the Art Institute of Colorado?

[O'Neil]

Yup. you can see all the locations here: Art Institutes: Campus Locations