What do Native Pittsburghers Consider Themselves? (Beaver Falls, Beaver: live, food, cities)

[ainulinale]

If you were born and raised in Pittsburgh, please vote for the region you associated yourself with. If you are not a native, but live or lived here, I still very much want your opinion, but please don't vote--tell us what you think.
I know these threads have been debated ad nauseum, but I would like to gauge the perceptions of Pittsburghers on the whole debate of whether Pittsburgh is Eastern, Midwestern, Appalachian, West Coast, whatever.

[BrianTH]

I'm not a native so won't vote, but I consider Pittsburgh Appalachian, with a caveat: the northeastern half of Appalachia is culturally distinct from the southwest half of Appalachia, so I would say "Northeastern and Appalachian" may in fact be the most accurate answer.

[guylocke]

I would say geographically speaking Pittsburgh is a northeast city, as anything left of Pennsylvania is considered The Midwest and anything south of Pennsylvania is The South. This is indisputable.

However, based upon culture and personality etc, I would say the most accurate response is also Northeastern and Appalachian.

I chose Northeastern only for the simple fact that technically, based upon region, Pittsburgh IS Northeastern. There's no getting around that until you start getting more specific and more complex in the answer.

[Pitt Chick]

DH and I agree - northeast.

[gameguy56]

Northeast, but like Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse not really, "East Coast"

[Katiana]

I've been over on the General US forum on this thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...theastern.html

Pittsburgh is the northeast. I do not believe "Appalachia" is a census bureau recongnized area, though many over there think so. Pittsburgh is sort of Appalachian, but if you've ever seen hard core Appalachia in Kentucky, you'd be appalled (at least I was). There is no comparison.

[guylocke]

Pittsburgh is the northeast. I do not believe "Appalachia" is a census bureau recongnized area.

No, it isn't. I also looked up Pittsburgh based upon the actual government recognition. According to the US government, Pittsburgh is a northeast city.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by guylocke

No, it isn't. I also looked up Pittsburgh based upon the actual government recognition. According to the US government, Pittsburgh is a northeast city.

I am a native Pittsburgher -- but my parents aren't. They were born and raised in Hyndman PA and in Cumberland MD and Hyndman. And our roots are so solidly in the mountains maybe I should just declare myself a charter member of the Pennsyl-tucky Club.... that sounds like a good sandwich... Hmmm bacon, lettuce, home-growed 'maters and....roadkill... ( I just know that's going to offend someone, but lordy -- I am laughing my butt off here....)

So my view of Pittsburgh is colored through my parent's eyes -- which is why I would say Appalachian.

[zip95]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Pittsburgh is sort of Appalachian, but if you've ever seen hard core Appalachia in Kentucky, you'd be appalled (at least I was). There is no comparison.

Sure, no comparison to Pittsburgh, but have you ever been an hour outside the city? Or to West Virginia? Things are pretty appalling there also.

They say 1 in 6 West Virginians are on food stamps. There probably aren't to many places in this country worse than that.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by zip95

Sure, no comparison to Pittsburgh, but have you ever been an hour outside the city? Or to West Virginia? Things are pretty appalling there also.

They say 1 in 6 West Virginians are on food stamps. There probably aren't to many places in this country worse than that.

I grew up about 45 min to the west out of the city in Beaver Falls. It was a happening place when I lived there. Even now, it's nothing ike the depths of Appalachica. Yes, I've been to W Va, many times. I don't think it's as bad as eastern KY either.