"Steel City Rehab" on HGTV (Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel: new house, buying)

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by BrassTacksGal

The problem is the weather. If people can live anywhere they won't move north to a city that is cloudy for 6 or 8 months. There are too many southern towns where the weather is much better!

Depends on what you consider "better." I prefer cloudy, cool weather over weeks and weeks of non-stop heat and humidity, but that's just me.

[PGH423]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

When people ask where I'm from, I say "Pittsburgh." My wife says "Virginia by way of California but I've been in Pittsburgh for a long time."

If people ask specifics of where I live or where I grew up, I'm happy to give those details.

I just wanted to clarify that they aren't from FC for a few reasons:

I've been friends with Kris (husband from Steel City Rehab) for 20+ years. He is very down to earth. He went from being on ESPN as a pro bike rider to being a late 20's bus boy at a restaurant on Carson St. He's humble about his success and willing to admit his failures - which is why he's a good fit for this type of show.

People on FB are hating on the show saying "these people from Fox Chapel are coming into the city, flipping and taking money out of the city" which is ridiculous. They are paying more in transfer taxes to the city per year than the complainers are paying to the city in all forms of taxes combined. Plus they aren't FROM FC, they very recently moved there after living in various other parts of Pgh, Allegheny County, Northern PA, Eastern PA, etc.

Why would it be taking money out of the city? Wouldn't improving city houses be good for the city? I don't get the argument.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

When people ask where I'm from, I say "Pittsburgh." My wife says "Virginia by way of California but I've been in Pittsburgh for a long time."

If people ask specifics of where I live or where I grew up, I'm happy to give those details.

I just wanted to clarify that they aren't from FC for a few reasons:

I've been friends with Kris (husband from Steel City Rehab) for 20+ years. He is very down to earth. He went from being on ESPN as a pro bike rider to being a late 20's bus boy at a restaurant on Carson St. He's humble about his success and willing to admit his failures - which is why he's a good fit for this type of show.

People on FB are hating on the show saying "these people from Fox Chapel are coming into the city, flipping and taking money out of the city" which is ridiculous. They are paying more in transfer taxes to the city per year than the complainers are paying to the city in all forms of taxes combined. Plus they aren't FROM FC, they very recently moved there after living in various other parts of Pgh, Allegheny County, Northern PA, Eastern PA, etc.

Would any of that change if they were born and raised in Fox Chapel?

[dbsteel]

Originally Posted by RogersParkTransplant

Personally, I don't want to live anywhere that doesn't have four seasons. I'm neutral about the impact of this show in particular, but I can see where Pittsburgh is attractive for people who want the "old world" feel of New England or parts of the mid-Atlantic, but can't justify paying Boston/NYC/DC prices. The south is nice too, but it's not an either/or, and plenty of people would pick Pittsburgh over certain cities that have nice weather but less of a "city" feel.

It's true that Pittsburgh isn't "booming" like certain cities south of the Mason-Dixon line, but I'm skeptical about 'boom' towns. Slow, sustainable change is better, and I'm comfortable with the rate at which Pittsburgh is making its comeback. (I think that's easier said living on the North side than in the East end, but still -- Pittsburgh is very affordable compared to the acela corridor and will remain so for a while.)

Slow and steady is the way to go.


People rave about Austin like its heaven on earth, but as someone who lived there, it was becoming a big generic mess. Unless you like construction everywhere you drive in a 40 mile circle that is. That is, if you aren't stuck in a traffic jam.

[selltheburgh]

Originally Posted by PGH423

Why would it be taking money out of the city? Wouldn't improving city houses be good for the city? I don't get the argument.

I don't either.

[selltheburgh]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

Would any of that change if they were born and raised in Fox Chapel?

Maybe? That might mean that there is more room for risk and/or error because of family financial backing. That makes it less of an exciting ups and downs type of a situational story. People who come from money use their (parent's) money to make more money all of the time.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

I don't either.

I disagree with bashing them for it, but the logic is probably that if they lived in the city then they would contribute income and property tax on their presumably high incomes, reside in a nice home (improving property values in the city by some small amount), and also probably patronize more city-based businesses.

People complaining about that need to evaluate the big picture, though. You can't let good be the enemy of perfect.

[PGH423]

Originally Posted by ferraris

I disagree with bashing them for it, but the logic is probably that if they lived in the city then they would contribute income and property tax on their presumably high incomes, reside in a nice home (improving property values in the city by some small amount), and also probably patronize more city-based businesses.

People complaining about that need to evaluate the big picture, though. You can't let good be the enemy of perfect.

Exactly - If you want some kind of proposal that only people living in the city can flip houses (or can invest in the city), it obviously wouldn't be legal. But even if it was, the overall impact would be terrible.

[selltheburgh]

Originally Posted by ferraris

I disagree with bashing them for it, but the logic is probably that if they lived in the city then they would contribute income and property tax on their presumably high incomes, reside in a nice home (improving property values in the city by some small amount), and also probably patronize more city-based businesses.

People complaining about that need to evaluate the big picture, though. You can't let good be the enemy of perfect.

True. Also, the issue of moving mid school year means that you have no chance with the school lottery system. With 3 kids, something easy and good makes the most sense.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by PGH423

Exactly - If you want some kind of proposal that only people living in the city can flip houses (or can invest in the city), it obviously wouldn't be legal. But even if it was, the overall impact would be terrible.

Exactly.

Only in da 'burgh would folks be concerned with where the people are from.