Welcome to Pittsburgh..... I guess ??? (Portland, Monroe: how much, new home, buying)

[BrianTH]

For what it is worth, I also think this has been a great thread and thus I am glad it got started. As many of us haved noted, the initial frustration of trying to navigate the city is a pretty universal experience, and I think prospective residents are well-served by knowing they should expect that experience, and also by knowing that eventually it does in fact pass.

[aveojohn]

Make certain you report your plate stolen!

[sketchbooks]

Hey, welcome to Greenfield.

We moved here from Portland in 2002, so I can understand your frustration. Murray and Beechwood will make you crazy. Shady's a little better. Going through the park, as many people have pointed out, is the best way to the middle of town.

When the weather is good this neighborhood is a pleasant mile's walk or so from Squirrel Hill and Oakland (via the park: take the trails) and Southside (via the Eliza Furnace trail off of 2nd Avenue: the new bike bridge next to the Hot Metal bridge is the best thing to happen since I got here)

The only drawback to a GPS is that it will try to put you on the parkway. As I'm sure you've noticed by now, there are times when you don't want to be anywhere near the parkway. For example, if I'm going to or from downtown, I almost always take 2nd Avenue (drive down greenfield avenue, go under the trestle and turn right)

As far as the stolen plate goes, if it's any consolation that's the first time I've ever heard of such a thing happening.

[juliempdx]

Originally Posted by sketchbooks

Hey, welcome to Greenfield.

We moved here from Portland in 2002, so I can understand your frustration. Murray and Beechwood will make you crazy. Shady's a little better. Going through the park, as many people have pointed out, is the best way to the middle of town.

When the weather is good this neighborhood is a pleasant mile's walk or so from Squirrel Hill and Oakland (via the park: take the trails) and Southside (via the Eliza Furnace trail off of 2nd Avenue: the new bike bridge next to the Hot Metal bridge is the best thing to happen since I got here)

The only drawback to a GPS is that it will try to put you on the parkway. As I'm sure you've noticed by now, there are times when you don't want to be anywhere near the parkway. For example, if I'm going to or from downtown, I almost always take 2nd Avenue (drive down greenfield avenue, go under the trestle and turn right)

As far as the stolen plate goes, if it's any consolation that's the first time I've ever heard of such a thing happening.

I've pretty much noticed you don't need the parkway at all unless you need to go several miles, which is totally different from Portland if you need to go to Beaverton, etc. I haven't ran out and bought a GPS yet. Do you miss Portland?

[sketchbooks]

I miss:
my friends in Portland, left turn lanes, an actual beltway, parking strips big enough to put a garden in (you can find those in parts of Pittsburgh, but not Greenfield), indoor public pools, independently owned bookstores/coffeehouses/etc, DIY/entrepreneurial culture in general, Tri-Met, being able to buy wine *with* my groceries, non-smoky restaurants, real mountains, backyard chickens, and the coast.
I don't miss:
being forbidden to pump one's own gas, Portland's public schools, house prices, people who loudly claim to be uber-tolerant and progressive but who hate kids and see poor people as an environmental blight, no sunlight for nine months, electric stoves, people who will politely hang out in your blind spot for miles instead of actually passing you, and the smell of paper mills.

Getting back to the thread topic, though, after learning to drive in Portland I kept on getting on the parkway to get to "the way around the city" until it finally sank in that THERE IS NO 205 HERE! It took about a year to develop new driving patterns.

[cymmiller]

Up front I want to say I don't live in PGH but we may in the future. This thread has really been helpful for me, I live in a town that has a grid system, light traffic, flat terain and a downtown the size of a postage stamp that I don't have to go into but twice a year max. Having a good idea of what to expect helps me prepare and THAT helps me cope. Having seen a thread like this before you moved probably would have helped you not feel so ambushed or overwhelmed. Having said that, I also want to say it makes me a little excited. As PGH will be sooooo different from where I know it makes it like an adventure (on days when I'm not in a big hurry) expolring all the nooks and cranies of the city will make it fell more like my own.

Just keep in mind, it's only temporary. When you move back home you can look back, laugh and tell your stories to your friends... "The people were really nice and the historic homes were beautiful, but the street system was laid out by drunks!"

I hope it settles down for you, good luck!

[Awesomo.2000]

Our street systems laid out by our topography which is very interesting. But yes, they probably were drunk too.

[Chihlidog]

I realize that this is an older thread, but I had to chime in here. I am new to these boards, I didnt even know they existed until today but I am a native Pittsburgher, born and raised. I spent some time in the suburbs as a kid/teenager but on my own I have always lived in the city itself.

Squirrel Hill is often touted as one of the city's safest neighborhoods, and it is. However, it does suffer from some "quality of life" crimes such as vandalism, petty theft, etc. It is by no means horrible but things do occur there. As someone already mentioned because it is a fairly affluent neighborhood, some criminals try to take advantage of that and occasionally burglaries take place.

All that to say, dont let it shake you. Sometimes things happen but you are as safe as almost anywhere and in that neighborhood I certainly wouldnt be concerned about your personal safety.

As far as driving...well what can I really say? I wont pretend it is easy to navigate in this city. I grew up here, I know most neighborhoods pretty well, etc. Were I a transplant, I would probably be frustrated as well. You'll get to know it, just try not to let it get you frustrated in the meantime. We have lots of one-ways and rush hours tend to be hectic especially in Sq Hill, Shadyside and Oakland.

I wanted to reccomend two things. First, the City published a police blotter. You'll need to sign up on www.citizenobserver.com

Sq. Hill/Greenfield is a part of Zone 4.

Also, if you wish, PM me and I will give you the phone number for our Crime Prevention Officer. I dont want to post it publicly. He is great to work with and really cares about the zone.

Pittsburgh is a great city, and you will generally find that the typical Pittsburgher is indeed quite friendly, even if some of us dont like to go the speed limit on residential roads *wink* (And no, I dont beep, but if its a WIDE residential road, I have been known to pass someone going slowly if I have the chance)

Welcome to Pittsburgh, I hope things are better for you since your last post.

[Pitts64]

It must be frustrating not knowing this place. I've lived here my whole 50 years. There is so much to see and do here that we haven't left on a vacation in years.

I hope things work out for you.

[WantToMoveAway]

I lived in the South Hills for almost 2 years. By the time I learned where to go - sort of - we moved again. It will take a while but you'll like it once you figure it out. Mapquest is horrible for Pittsburgh. Try the maps on Yahoo.