Positive Pittsburgh - A Collection (Sandy: real estate, how much, job market)

[guylocke]

Littered across these forums are links and discussions on why Pittsburgh is great or why Pittsburgh isn't. I myself wrote an ode to the city which has been pushed down the forum out of sight with little reaction (maybe no one wanted to read something so long, but you should). This thread is for collecting everything like links/pictures/quotes or anything else that shows a Positive Pittsburgh into one place. There is so much research out there that debunks so many of the "doom and gloom" myths that Pittsburghers cling to. All I ask is that you take a few minutes to actually visit the links that people post and read them. All of my links are short reads. I have a few great ones that I think very few people have cared to click. I also know there are tons of links that could show the negative aspects of Pittsburgh. They have a right to be heard, but please respect this thread and keep them to yourself. Start another thread "Negative Pittsburgh" if you're so inclined. Also, try to only use resources that is less than a couple years old. I'll go first.

This is a great article that dissects all the number crunching and really shows in an appropriate way how the job growth in Pittsburgh truly rates:
http://www.popcitymedia.com/features...%20cities.aspx

This is a MUST READ brilliant article on why sun-belt cities are growing and why Pittsburgh doesn't play by their rules (or vice versa)
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05198/538678.stm

This article is about the unjustified negative mindset of Pittsburghers and the comments by an Arizona native who details some general points about the city and its growth and economy:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05086/477864.stm

This article puts into perspective the declining population of Pittsburgh, acknowledging it, and yet debunking the myth that the young population is still the culprit:
http://www.post-gazette.com/forum/co...dchris05p1.asp

This article is about *drum role please* THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE STAYING IN PITTSBURGH!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_448668.html

These two articles show some of the exciting development and growth that is happening as I type this! It's being hailed as the beginning of the next Pittsburgh Renaissance, and is just the beginning:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...3Doff%26sa%3DN
&
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07091/773880-85.stm

[gettingold]

I've said long ago that I suspected that many of the people who post here and attack the "haters" of Pittsburgh (LOL) have to be getting paid for their efforts, because nobody would spend the majority of every single day in front of their computer screen gushing over an old mill town free-of-charge. So, I took it upon myself and made a few phone calls. It turns out there is an actual public relations program in Pittsburgh, which targets internet forums, groups, and chatrooms!! The woman I spoke with on the phone was named Sandy. She was very nice, perhaps you know her. Have a nice day at work, folks. Your cover has been blown.

[ontheroad]

It is quite remarkable that with only "1" post you already "suspected" and "said" all in the past tense. I'd sure like your soothsaying capabilities.

Originally Posted by gettingold

I've said long ago that I suspected that many of the people who post here and attack the "haters" of Pittsburgh (LOL) have to be getting paid for their efforts, because nobody would spend the majority of every single day in front of their computer screen gushing over an old mill town free-of-charge. So, I took it upon myself and made a few phone calls. It turns out there is an actual public relations program in Pittsburgh, which targets internet forums, groups, and chatrooms!! The woman I spoke with on the phone was named Sandy. She was very nice, perhaps you know her. Have a nice day at work, folks. Your cover has been blown.

[JoeP]

gettingold indeed. 2 posts and yes you are gettingold.... contrary to what you state many discuss the good and bad of Pgh, but you that is irrelevant to you.

[guylocke]

Basic psychology would explain why "haters" of Pittsburgh would even be on a Pittsburgh forum. Basic psychology would show that anyone who made the time and effort to type to us and be "haters" actually has quite a yearning for some aspect of Pittsburgh. One little example: Someone moves away and changes their entire lives and realizes they made a mistake, miss Pittsburgh, and now it's too late. They will become resentful to themselves, guilty, and convince themselves that they love it where they and that Pittsburgh "sucks" and "im gonna go hate on it."

The people who genuinely don't miss Pittsburgh at all and move in a heartbeat will become completely indifferent. When hate turns to indifference, then you know someone truly will never look back. Hate requires so much effort that so many other emotions are behind it and they must be thinking of Pittsburgh quite a lot to express all of those efforts of our forum. When you have no care at all towards something and never think about it, good or bad— that is a true insult.

This thread isn’t for this discussion, though!! I see no links!! This is Positively Pittsburgh!

[subdivisions]

Originally Posted by gettingold

I've said long ago that I suspected that many of the people who post here and attack the "haters" of Pittsburgh (LOL) have to be getting paid for their efforts, because nobody would spend the majority of every single day in front of their computer screen gushing over an old mill town free-of-charge. So, I took it upon myself and made a few phone calls. It turns out there is an actual public relations program in Pittsburgh, which targets internet forums, groups, and chatrooms!! The woman I spoke with on the phone was named Sandy. She was very nice, perhaps you know her. Have a nice day at work, folks. Your cover has been blown.

Well, some people here might be working for the mysterious "Sandy", but Drover and I are working for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Don't you remember that you exposed us a few months back? We meet with him every Monday at his office so he can tell us what kinds of things we should say on City-Data forum over the next week.

P.S. How much do you "Sandy" people get paid to make up stuff about about Pittsburgh? Is is a salary thing or do you get paid by the post? Maybe we should compare compensation packages sometime...

[bboy36win]

Originally Posted by subdivisions

Well, some people here might be working for the mysterious "Sandy", but Drover and I are working for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Don't you remember that you exposed us a few months back? We meet with him every Monday at his office so he can tell us what kinds of things we should say on City-Data forum over the next week.

P.S. How much do you "Sandy" people get paid to make up stuff about about Pittsburgh? Is is a salary thing or do you get paid by the post? Maybe we should compare compensation packages sometime...

And I was hired not to promote Pittsburgh, but to feign interest in the city, asking questions about the job market, real estate, traffic, etc.

Yep, he's definitely on to us.

[guylocke]

Good lord, at LEAST read this one little link. It's such an interesting take on city growth. It's a really quick, good read.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05198/538678.stm

[ontheroad]

Note please that "gettinggold" is now not a member!

[Smoker]

ontheroad

Nice catch!

boylocke

Great way to see things as that's very true. Thanks.