Burgh Info/Newcomer Guide: (Pittsburgh, York: fit in, for sale, 2014)

[WoodsMike]

Our farm-to-table restaurant choices here are very overrated. Salt of the Earth - disappointingly overrated (unless duck ham is your thing...) Dinette - overrated (unless flatbread that tastes like cardboard is your thing...) 6 Penn is decent but PGH's health food and restaurant options are limited compared to other cities.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by WoodsMike

Our farm-to-table restaurant choices here are very overrated. Salt of the Earth - disappointingly overrated (unless duck ham is your thing...) Dinette - overrated (unless flatbread that tastes like cardboard is your thing...) 6 Penn is decent but PGH's health food and restaurant options are limited compared to other cities.

While I've only lived within this beautiful city for a year-and-a-half I'm under the impression that this place used to really suck on just about every quality-of-life front as recently as one generation ago, so if we've gone from sub-par to "average" on some fronts that still seems like a massive improvement in the minds of most residents. Even in my humble opinion the overall road quality here has improved slightly in just the past two years, and I see many paving projects occurring as I type this.

I'm by no means a "foodie" (I'll defer to people like you and BrianTH for that designation), but when I do have a bit of discretionary income and spare time I have found there to be a more than sufficient array of great dining options in our fair city.

Also, if our "health food options" here are sorely lacking one need only look at the general populace for the reason why such ventures aren't very successful here. With all due respect while I really love most aspects of living here I've never seen such a dense concentration of smokers and/or obese individuals in my life---not exactly the types who are going to splurge on organic apple butter or whole-grain pita bread.

[BrianTH]

I wouldn't describe myself as a fully-fledged foodie, but I do like to try interesting new dishes, and I think it is undeniable that Pittsburgh's restaurant scene has gotten infinitely better by that measure over the last 20 years, and at an accelerating pace. That doesn't mean every new restaurant, and certainly not every dish they offer, is going to be a winner, but at this point I have a very long backlog of places and/or dishes I want to at least try.

[greenerpastures79]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

With all due respect while I really love most aspects of living here I've never seen such a dense concentration of smokers and/or obese individuals in my life---not exactly the types who are going to splurge on organic apple butter or whole-grain pita bread.

you haven't been to Houston, have you.

[greenerpastures79]

Originally Posted by ex-burgher

I have never heard Pittsburghers described as rude! But maybe they don't flash that fake smile like they do in Texas. As for crime - don't have time to look up detailed stats but Texas has some of the worst crime in the nation. Pittsburgh is a city known for low crime. I can see the weather and traffic argument but not the others.

I agree..everything i've been reading on Pittsburgh tells me that there is far less crime there than there is here in houston, or dallas, or (especially) san antonio. Austin probably has far less crime than houston and san antonio, but there are still some parts of it i'd avoid (but not many). Pittsburgh, surely, has some places to avoid (like most american cities), but i've noted far less of those spots than in comparable-sized cities in texas. Plus, there's a lot of "fake smiles" here in houston, compared to up north (very little up there). I'd rather take genuineness than fake, because when you get a smile (with the former), you can bet it comes from the heart.

[Texas_Penn]

My family and I moved here at the beginning of the month from Houston, TX to Leechburg. I'm 19, and about to start college at Penn State New Kensington. I have a few questions...
First, for anyone thats been to that campus, how is it? Do you like it? Are teachers good?
Also, is there any special way to make friends here? Back in Houston, I could walk into the donut shop and someone would start a conversation with me. Here, I haven't really been able to find any friends. I really would like to find someone to hang out with during the summer.
Lastly, how are small, part-time jobs in Leechburg and Freeport? I haven't had a chance to go out job searching yet, but I just wanted to know good places, the best way to find a job, etc etc.
And other information that seems useful about the Leechburg/Freeport area would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

[sskink]

Originally Posted by WoodsMike

Our farm-to-table restaurant choices here are very overrated. Salt of the Earth - disappointingly overrated (unless duck ham is your thing...) Dinette - overrated (unless flatbread that tastes like cardboard is your thing...) 6 Penn is decent but PGH's health food and restaurant options are limited compared to other cities.

You may not like duck ham, but I'm 100% positive there were seven other entree options whatever night you showed up. And whatever foodie cred you may think you have is destroyed on your Dinette comment.

That said, I suggest you try Spoon, Legume, Root 174, Cure or other options.

[Berzz]

I'm hoping a pittsburgh native can help my family. I'm looking for a safe, nice suburb that would be an easy route to Duquesne University.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Berzz

I'm hoping a pittsburgh native can help my family. I'm looking for a safe, nice suburb that would be an easy route to Duquesne University.

You should start a thread on that topic to get the most response. I'm a newcomer myself and am still geographically challenged.

[tazzled]

Originally Posted by Berzz

I'm hoping a pittsburgh native can help my family. I'm looking for a safe, nice suburb that would be an easy route to Duquesne University.

Somewhere in the South Hills? You could then just take the T into downtown and walk to Duquesne. Maybe Dormont?