Young Gay Guy Relocating to Pittsburgh (Philadelphia, Lawrenceville: best neighborhoods, neighborhoods, universities)

[tgorcz]

Hi all - I've read this forum with a lot of interest. It looks like I'll be relocating to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia within the next 1 1/2 months for a wonderful job opportunity. While I have visited your city and enjoyed the two times I've been there, I'm still nervous about this possible change and whether I'll truly enjoy living there.

Also, being a 29 y/o single gay guy, I want to make sure there are still opportunities to meet other young gay professionals, whether it be for friends or dating.

I love coffee shops, laid-back bar scenes, opportunities for intellectual pursuits, shopping, eating at cool restaurants, just to name a few things. Volume isn't important to me - I just need to know that these places are out there somewhere.

I'd definitely live in the city and could also use some advice on best neighborhoods that might jive with my interests above.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions! I truly appreciate your help.

[MakeItBrown]

Definately look for a place in the South Side. Lots of bars, cafes, shops, diverse groups of people.

However, stay out of the South Hills area. It is mainly rich snobby white people.

[aveojohn]

Shadyside is a good area for you.

[BrianTH]

There are plenty of gay-friendly neighborhoods in the City . . . ones I have seen mentioned frequently here would include the Mexican War Streets, South Side, and pretty much all the more popular and/or bohemian neighborhoods in the East End (e.g., Shadyside, Squirrel Hill/Point Breeze, Regent Square/Park Place, Friendship, and Lawrenceville).

I think all of those could be good choices, but off hand it seems to me from your description of your interests that something in the East End would be a good idea--the nicer parts are basically like an overgrown university town, and there are tons of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, shops, and so forth in the different neighborhoods. I would also suggest the East End tends to be relatively laid-back and intellectual among Pittsburgh's more popular urban areas (thanks in part to the concentration of universities in the area).

[lifepgh2op]

You are welcome anywhere. Just because people may be white and have money doesn't mean they're snobby and it certainly doesn't limit them to just the South Hills.