Why do you love Pittsburgh? (Penn: loft, home, school)

[peanut33]

Thanks everyone for your great responses! It is a little sad that there are SO many more posts on the "what you don't like" forum, but a lot of it is off-topic. I would like to see this one continue to grow!

[BrianTH]

For what it is worth, I think part of the reason the other thread has more responses is that other people are chiming in to discuss some of the mentioned negatives in more detail (not necessarily to completely dispute them, but perhaps placing them in perspective or context).

[Canarian]

Well I've been looking online for various forums where I can talk to some people about Pittsburgh.

I am a Canadian citizen and thinking about moving to Pittsburgh to live with my boyfriend. I met him overseas while studying in Europe. We've been together for 3 yrs now and trying to work out a way to live together.

I've been down to Pittsburgh on several occasions. Even stayed there for the summer last yr (3 months). I studied arts, so my major issue is needing to be in a place where I can socialize with like minded people. I didn't really get to experience a whole lot of that while being there. For me culture and the arts is an essential. Just because I'm not naive enough to believe that love is enough to keep anyone going. Without trying to sound too snobby, I would like to know what you can provide as far as information/opinions in regards to Pittsburgh's arts/culture. I've also lived in cities my whole life, therefore it's difficult for me to imagine living in a place like Pittsburgh. I know there's a downtown part (which is quite nice i have to admit-Mt. Washington is impressive)....but it's mostly rural regions and suburbs. I usually adapt to new surroundings fairly easily, but for some reason I couldn't quite warm up to Pitt entirely.

Any feedback would be welcome. I'm hoping you guys might be able to persuade me....Thanks

[Canarian]

Originally Posted by wordzgirl

Okay, since I posted about what I don't like about the 'burgh, here's some things about it I love.

1. The beautiful hills.
2. Shopping in the Strip District.
3. Lots of great Indian, Italian, and Thai Restaurants. While Charleston certainly has some awesome restaurants, the little towns outside of Charleston are mostly full of chains.
4. The zoo, Science Center, and Idlewild.
5. Summertime and fall in Pittsburgh, with awesome leaf colors.
6. Nice, friendly, unpretentious people.



4.

Well I've been looking online for various forums where I can talk to some people about Pittsburgh.

I am a Canadian citizen and thinking about moving to Pittsburgh to live with my boyfriend. I met him overseas while studying in Europe. We've been together for 3 yrs now and trying to work out a way to live together.

I've been down to Pittsburgh on several occasions. Even stayed there for the summer last yr (3 months). I studied arts, so my major issue is needing to be in a place where I can socialize with like minded people. I didn't really get to experience a whole lot of that while being there. For me culture and the arts is an essential. Just because I'm not naive enough to believe that love is enough to keep anyone going. Without trying to sound too snobby, I would like to know what you can provide as far as information/opinions in regards to Pittsburgh's arts/culture. I've also lived in cities my whole life, therefore it's difficult for me to imagine living in a place like Pittsburgh. I know there's a downtown part (which is quite nice i have to admit-Mt. Washington is impressive)....but it's mostly rural regions and suburbs. I usually adapt to new surroundings fairly easily, but for some reason I couldn't quite warm up to Pitt entirely.

Any feedback would be welcome. I'm hoping you guys might be able to persuade me....Thanks

[dugdogmaster]

Originally Posted by Canarian

Well I've been looking online for various forums where I can talk to some people about Pittsburgh.

I am a Canadian citizen and thinking about moving to Pittsburgh to live with my boyfriend. I met him overseas while studying in Europe. We've been together for 3 yrs now and trying to work out a way to live together.

I've been down to Pittsburgh on several occasions. Even stayed there for the summer last yr (3 months). I studied arts, so my major issue is needing to be in a place where I can socialize with like minded people. I didn't really get to experience a whole lot of that while being there. For me culture and the arts is an essential. Just because I'm not naive enough to believe that love is enough to keep anyone going. Without trying to sound too snobby, I would like to know what you can provide as far as information/opinions in regards to Pittsburgh's arts/culture. I've also lived in cities my whole life, therefore it's difficult for me to imagine living in a place like Pittsburgh. I know there's a downtown part (which is quite nice i have to admit-Mt. Washington is impressive)....but it's mostly rural regions and suburbs. I usually adapt to new surroundings fairly easily, but for some reason I couldn't quite warm up to Pitt entirely.

Any feedback would be welcome. I'm hoping you guys might be able to persuade me....Thanks

I'm not sure I quite follow this. Yes, Pittsburgh has it's rural regions and suburbs. Every city around the world does. It may seem more rural to you because Pittsburgh itself is a small city, both in population and land mass. Another reason it may seem more rural to you is all of the hills and greenery, a lot of cities don't have the foliage Pittsburgh does.

To your other point, about Pittsburgh's arts and culture, it's practically second-to-none. Some may disagree, some will agree with me. I could attach tons of links in regards to the arts and culture in Pittsburgh, but I would suggest just going through this sticky thread
http://www.city-data.com/forum/pitts...mer-guide.html

[Katiana]

Well I've been looking online for various forums where I can talk to some people about Pittsburgh.

I am a Canadian citizen and thinking about moving to Pittsburgh to live with my boyfriend. I met him overseas while studying in Europe. We've been together for 3 yrs now and trying to work out a way to live together.

I've been down to Pittsburgh on several occasions. Even stayed there for the summer last yr (3 months). I studied arts, so my major issue is needing to be in a place where I can socialize with like minded people. I didn't really get to experience a whole lot of that while being there. For me culture and the arts is an essential. Just because I'm not naive enough to believe that love is enough to keep anyone going. Without trying to sound too snobby, I would like to know what you can provide as far as information/opinions in regards to Pittsburgh's arts/culture. I've also lived in cities my whole life, therefore it's difficult for me to imagine living in a place like Pittsburgh. I know there's a downtown part (which is quite nice i have to admit-Mt. Washington is impressive)....but it's mostly rural regions and suburbs. I usually adapt to new surroundings fairly easily, but for some reason I couldn't quite warm up to Pitt entirely.

Any feedback would be welcome. I'm hoping you guys might be able to persuade me....Thanks

I'd say the above probably belongs on a different thread. Perhaps start your own, something like "Help me warm up to Pittsburgh". Otherwise, this could turn into a flame war. This thread is supposed to be about what people love about Pittsburgh. Not trying to be mean, just saying.

Back on topic: I do love the falls there. Beautiful trees, lots of fall decorations, weather is probably the best of the enitire year there.

[Canarian]

Thanks for the tip

[ExPit]

Pittsburgh is a city, don't let the greenery or the easy access to suburbs and beyond fool you. It's not New York, it's not Chicago, probably not even Philadelphia, but it's not Erie or Syracuse either.

When you say "Arts", what do you mean? Carnegie Mellon is probably in the top three or four acting, drama universities in the country, Duquesne is one of the best music schools, especially for jazz, you'll find. As far as the visual arts, I can't really speak to that, but if you're looking for Greenwich Village you won't find it there; besides the best artists are usually from the most unlikely places. The Beatles from Liverpool, a city as un-artsy as Pittsburgh, and Andy Warhol, if the visual/conceptual arts are your thing, is from the old, gritty Pittsburgh neighborhood of Lawrenceville, and I'd argue its not despite its un-artsy nature, but because of it.

[Canarian]

I actually have no problem with hills and greenery, being originally from B.C. myself.
But yes I agree that Pittsburgh is a small city in comparison to most, and I believe that is what I was trying to imply.

Thanks again

[Canarian]

I don't deny that Pittsburgh is a city. It's quite a majestic one in fact, though small in size. Eerie I've seen and I understand the comparison. Like I said I'm not trying to be stuck up. I'm just looking to get to know the place and people a lil better.

I meant all forms of arts. I personally am trained in visual arts and design. But my concern is being able to have access to a diversity of arts. I've been to the Warhol museum....I just haven't had the chance to experience anything else yet. And want people's thoughts or personal experiences related to the arts..
I've started my own thread. So if anyone else has anything to add I hope you'll respond there, so I no longer intrude on this thread.