The 100% Truth About Good Ol Pittsburgh (Plum, Washington: fit in, foreclosure, low crime)

[callmetricia]

Okay this might get me in some trouble but I am going to be honest.I was born here, lived here for 14 years, I'm mixed ( lived on both sides of the tracks), young business person,honest and lived other places. I'm sick of all the lies, you have the right to know the truth so here it is. I know EVERYTHING about this city ( but the street names on foot, that I can't help you with.)

1. If your moving to Pittsburgh because of nightlife and diversity. YOU AREN’T GOING TO FIND IT HERE. Beware of the people who believe that having an Irish/Scottish event is diverse. Newsflash :It’s not! They are slowly trying to change it but old racist people need to die off ( but unfortunately their children are still here!) Also, the nightlife ends at 2 am in most clubs and Downtown shuts down at 6 p.m. ( often times 4 p.m.) And there is great chance your car will be towed ( any time of the day and you are subject to a ticket while your still in your car.)

2. It is really racist here. Now, I am not saying that the blacks here will become your favorite people ( believe me I’m not) but there are a lot of white herion, addicts that will kill you for a dollar ( but because they are white, here they are overlooked). Most of the black addicts won’t even come around you and if they do yell and they’ll leave. BUT the white ones will beat you up and rob you. Mircle Mile in Monroeville IS NOT the plae you want to be after dark. Trust me! I used to live there and beware Plum. What about everyone else you ask? Well darlings sorry. It's really just white and black.There are some Asians ( including East Indians) but they keep to themselves and, if you see alot , we have the largest Hindu temple on the East Coast. There are some Latinos and almost all are Mexican.Most of the mixing is in Oakland and, most people are students.

3. The whiter the area doesn’t mean the safer, it really just means the whiter. Also beware the people who try to convince you that because it’s white its safe. It’s a lie. We have mixed race crimes here but everyone likes to point fingers. The blame game is on a whole new level here. Luckily, we have a lot of people White, Black, Red , Green and in between who are changing this.

4. We have a young and energetic Mayor. Luke is fantastic to be honest. I’ve met him and he is amazing and very insightful. The bad thing is, the people here DO NOT like change. They are living in the steelmill era until there is no more. They are nuts.

5. Business cost are low BUT you hardly anyone will know you’re here. Your revenue WON’T exceed your start-up cost , so your not pulling in that much. Young Business people from Pittsburgh have gone to NYC and other major cities and have attempted to bring the spirt down here but they forgot, we’d have to kick the negative spirt out of here. Pittsburgh is not a small city but don’t try telling native Pittsburghers that. You minus well spit on a terrible towel.

6. While I am on the subject. PEOPLE LOVE THE STEELERS. Hell I love them! If you have another team. You will be the only one unless your bringing a freind with you. By no means necessary are you to diss the Steelers in public. People have died over that– really.

7. We have some of the most amazing resturants, flea markets and outside shopping districts in the nation. BUT you’d have to ask to get to know. This place sucks for advertising ( and don’t try to help them because most feel it’s a. better only a few people know ( to keep it segregated no lie and b. because the only thing ads are good for is PITT and UPMC. <– more on them later.)
I’ll help you.
The best place to get groceries is the Strip District but like Pittsburgh there is no where to park EVER. You will get towed so don’t try any funny stuff and the public transportation here is bogus. Sorry but it’s true. Next to them is Whole Foods ( located in Shadyside/East Liberty which is up and coming) then it’s Giant Eagle which offers you money back on fuel perks! Yay!

Restaurants vary. Most are found in Shadyside, Squirrel hill ( Predominately Jewish neighborhood and, you've got to try the Kosher bakery), Downtown,Mount Washington ( amazing and highly expensive restaurants along the mountain.) The Strip District and The Southside. Oh and Oakland is good for cheap eats. The kicker you say? They are all located by each other. This litte hub is what keeps Pittsburgh alive I promise you. These are the most diverse, intellectual and artistic of all Pittsburgh. [SIZE=5]Unfortunately, after those areas not much is left and, unless you have a car it’s really just fast-food you can get anywhere.
[/SIZE][SIZE=4]Flea markets are spread through the city, there are no large ones unless you count the Regatta and, should you do that. You’d have to count the fact that the Regatta is NOT a flea market. Sometimes the Strip has the feel
8.Pittsburgh Public Schools are often times crap.

*The best schools aren’t in the city but on the outside. The best I’ve came across that is public has to be Mc Keesport High, Plum and Gateway. East Allegheny has come up a lot as well. Most kids go to Private schools and Winchester Thruston or Ellis is your best bet if you r willing to shell out a couple grand a year , so that Jr. can compete with the toddlers at Dalton. There are other small private schools like C.L.A. ( Cornerstone Leadership Academy ),Wilson Christian and etc. Most of the Private schools here are faith based .

9. There are tons of old buildings here and historical monuments. They are fantastic and remain ver lovely. A lot of the Churches are still running today. Pittsburgh is a mostly Catholic city. In the cities with the oldest churches tend to be more lovely and clean ( but like I said it’s all in the "hub".)

10. UPMC owns everything. PNC, UPMC and PITT will become very famaliar to you. They own everything practically . From some of the best healthcare to 90% of the hospitals and PNC owns 75% of Downtown Pittsburgh if not more. They are a giant and they will make you sick.

So here’s what to remember the most
1. It’s a largely racist town that is fueled off stereotypes.
I.e. if you’re a minority whatever thing you can think of that’s you and if your white , they assume your racist too. This is not everyone but a large amount. It's really ashame. A good way to weed out these people is, they always say something racist and once they see it bothered you they'll say " I'm not racist but..." they are, run like hell, change your numbers and make new friends.

2. Most of the people here are in fact old. No matter what any young pioneer tries to tell you.

3. The "Hub" is where you want to live , if you want to live in the city and if not stay the hell away from the outskirts . Also, stay away from Oakland unless you’re a student ( and if you’re a student) stay away from South Oakland.

4. Pittsburgh has AMAZING universities, for low tuition that are highly accredited. Namely, PITT, CMU and Point Park University. They are amazing and world famous. Pitt for the Medical geeks, PPU for the art freaks and CMU for those in between , that’s meant with love. Had it not of been for these institutions this place would be barren!

5. The subway doesn’t run around the entire area just select parts of the city and no it’s not easy to read.

6. The people who have only great things to say about Pittsburgh have :
A. Never lived somewhere else or been somewhere else.
B. Are in an industry that requires population growth and, need you to move here ( I stress the word need).
C. They fit into every stereotype about Pittsburgh people.
So yea take everything they say with a grain of salt. Or better yet DON’T TAKE IT AT ALL.

7. Everyone has equal chance of stabbing you for your wallet and heroin addicts in the "good areas" will do it faster.

8. Anyone who only has something negative to say, just needs to move or might be having a bad day. There are good things to but it comes with a price.

Low cost - Low wages
[/SIZE]There is a low-employment rate because your competing with people 12 score your senior who refuse to quit or someone relative who they won’t fire.

8. There ARE amazing people here , who are innovate and talented but they rarely ( if ever) get recognized.

9.There are TONS of attractions like Phipps Conservatory and the Museums ( plus the old buildings). The good and bad are mixed , as in one corner good street the nest =bad.)

10. Pittsburgh has serious issues with child molestation, housing foreclosure and serious racism , but lucky for you, there are hundreds of people from all different races, religions and etc... coming together to change that :-).
Oh and F.Y.I. During St. Patrick day, Everyone is Irish ( and few really are) play along. Also, Little Italy aka Bloomfield is the best for Italian food. These people are the real deal !

[returnedYinzer]

some of what you are saying is true, some is not. First, you are saying that people who say good things have not lived in other places. Honey, I lived in 5 different cities. Please don't speak for me.

Pittsburgh does not have any more problems with child molestation then anywhere else. Quit thinking the news is your source for everythign. Also, Pittsburgh has been hit with foreclosure much, and I mean MUCH less then other cities. I don't know where you came with that.

Also, yes there are some people still in that "bring back the steel mill mentality", being a proffessional though, that has changed largely. The engineering and medical technology is outstanding here.

Our nightlife and diversity is not comparable to N.Y., Chicago, or L.A. What do you expect of a mid-size city? Seriously. Comparable to other mid-size cities it is just fine. In most cities nightlife is over at 2 am except in vegas and the big cities. Also in most cities downtowns shut down at 6 in the main business districts. (where the skyscrapers are). The nightlife is off to the edges of the downtown areas in most cities such as the South side, and Strip District.

For a mid-size city, you should be happy to have a subway.

Your conversation about heroin addicts and people stabbing you is just unreal, and makes me question if you ever really lived anywhere else, or even visited anywhere else.

[Katiana]

I agree with a lot of what both the previous posters said. I was visiting yesterday with my nephew who moved to Pgh from Colorado. He says he is considered an oddity b/c he is from somewhere else. His perception is that almost everyone there is from Pittsburgh, that people leave but few move in from somewhere else.

Pittsburgh has a relatively low crime rate. I have no idea if that holds for heroin, etc.

[suzeeq521]

While the OP may have some truth in it, it was mixed in with so much misinformation and crap, I could barely read it.

I knew it was going to be crap when they claimed to know "everything" about Pittsburgh. Except of course, the street names when traveling on foot. What a silly claim - no one knows "everything" about any city.

My second clue that it was crap was claiming Luke was wonderful. He is as old-school, status quo as a politician can come.

Of course the night life ends at 2 AM. Under state law, clubs & bars have to close at that time. State law, meaning the city has no say in it. And it ends at that time in Philly too.

Like I said, maybe there is some good stuff in there, but there is too much crap for me to dig through and find it.

I'm not even going to get into the nonsense about the heroin addicts. Yes, there are addicts - heroin & crack. But this poster seems to have no grasp of how the drug culture is or exactly what the problem is. It almost seems as though they had one bad run-in with a junkie and that is all they know of it.

[bboy36win]

Originally Posted by suzeeq521

While the OP may have some truth in it, it was mixed in with so much misinformation and crap, I could barely read it.

For me, it was the poor punctuation and grammar that made it so hard to read.

[returnedYinzer]

I never understand the racism argument either. Ever been to Philly, Boston, anywhere in the south or L.A.? Did you ever figure out that is everywhere?

[goodgirl49]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I agree with a lot of what both the previous posters said. I was visiting yesterday with my nephew who moved to Pgh from Colorado. He says he is considered an oddity b/c he is from somewhere else. His perception is that almost everyone there is from Pittsburgh, that people leave but few move in from somewhere else.

Pittsburgh has a relatively low crime rate. I have no idea if that holds for heroin, etc.

This was my son's perception too. I think that when he attended the Art Institute he was the only student from CA. The students generally came from PA, OH, WV, Buffalo area and around Detroit. This didn't really bother him, as he was looking to expand his horizons.

[callmetricia]

some of what you are saying is true, some is not. First, you are saying that people who say good things have not lived in other places. Honey, I lived in 5 different cities. Please don't speak for me.

<b> Hey, I'm not speaking for you. I didn't say that you said it. </b>
Pittsburgh does not have any more problems with child molestation then anywhere else. Quit thinking the news is your source for everythign. Also, Pittsburgh has been hit with foreclosure much, and I mean MUCH less then other cities. I don't know where you came with that.
<b> maybe my friend who is a social worker? hmmm maybe that. google it. Also, just because it is MUCH lower doesn't mean it don't exist. What should I give someone false hopes? I'm not saying this placed is damned but your taking it to the extreme!</b>
Also, yes there are some people still in that "bring back the steel mill mentality", being a proffessional though, that has changed largely. The engineering and medical technology is outstanding here.
<b> and that's great BUT that's it! There are more people here then just those who major in that field.</b>
Our nightlife and diversity is not comparable to N.Y., Chicago, or L.A. What do you expect of a mid-size city? Seriously. Comparable to other mid-size cities it is just fine. In most cities nightlife is over at 2 am except in vegas and the big cities. Also in most cities downtowns shut down at 6 in the main business districts. (where the skyscrapers are). The nightlife is off to the edges of the downtown areas in most cities such as the South side, and Strip District.

For a mid-size city, you should be happy to have a subway.

Your conversation about heroin addicts and people stabbing you is just unreal, and makes me question if you ever really lived anywhere else, or even visited anywhere else.
<b> Wonder if you wish, I could name my streets if that would please you. It's a mid-size city yes but that IS NOT small. A small city with a subway , that's something I'd be shocked to see but here it's only right. I ALSO WASN'T EVEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT! Stop making excuses. You jump down my back and miss everything good I said! Don't like what I hate to say, that's fine but this is my opinion AND I've lived 8 places, including 3 different countries. Thanks. </b>

[callmetricia]

Just like a bunch of people from Pittsburgh. Disagree if you want but the record shows , young people are moving out of here in record numbers. As for your thoughts and "feelings" whatever... think it's crap if you wish. I could care less. I can't wait to leave this place.


P.S. If you think it's just me, read the back post. I'm not the only one.

[callmetricia]

Originally Posted by suzeeq521

While the OP may have some truth in it, it was mixed in with so much misinformation and crap, I could barely read it.

I knew it was going to be crap when they claimed to know "everything" about Pittsburgh. Except of course, the street names when traveling on foot. What a silly claim - no one knows "everything" about any city.

My second clue that it was crap was claiming Luke was wonderful. He is as old-school, status quo as a politician can come.

Of course the night life ends at 2 AM. Under state law, clubs & bars have to close at that time. State law, meaning the city has no say in it. And it ends at that time in Philly too.

Like I said, maybe there is some good stuff in there, but there is too much crap for me to dig through and find it.

I'm not even going to get into the nonsense about the heroin addicts. Yes, there are addicts - heroin & crack. But this poster seems to have no grasp of how the drug culture is or exactly what the problem is. It almost seems as though they had one bad run-in with a junkie and that is all they know of it.

1. Luke is wonderful because I've met him. I don't just assume he is nice because of his PR. I've talked to him and he is a visionary. Have you? I doubt it.

2. Everything was a metaphor. No one knows everything , I mean come on look at you!

3. Actually, I just got back from Philly, clubs and bars didn't close until 3-4 am. Where were you going?

4. You've seen one junkie, you've seen them all.

Thanks for the props though