In 2009...Pittsburgh has nothing to offer people aged 18-45 (home, camping)

[bethany12]

First time I have ever heard the term student ghetto, but understand it. You can even see that in small college towns around PA.
I still don't see the trend turning anywhere in the near future where families will be moving in to the city, instead of out of it. Seems to be the way of the Rust Belt cities.

[alleghenyangel]

Originally Posted by IheartRobots

I've been to these "less fashionable" parts of the city. No one wants to be urban pioneers in these areas because they are unsafe, have crime, have low quality schools or no schools, no shopping areas, and are surrounded by urban decay.

There are a lot of unfashionable areas in the city which are in decent overall condition, with plenty of affordable housing stock that just needs some TLC. Spring Garden and Spring Hill, for example, have very low crime. The schools may not be the greatest but there is the Pittsburgh Promise program, from what I understand, that actually gives kids scholarships for going to Pittsburgh schools.

And from what I understand, because my folks grew up in the suburbs, it's easy to live and work there and not even have to go into metro Pittsburgh at all.

Then you miss the whole point of living in the city -- beautiful architecture, an urban environment, diversity, city lights, and the overall romantic beauty and charm that is to be found in an old American city. There is nothing of that kind -- that can influence the development of an interesting person -- to be found in mundane suburbia.

These areas are so disconnected from the main hubs of the city, that no one with any real education or income would want to live there.

They are much more connected to the city than the suburbs, and have a much more interesting historical heritage. Personally, I can't think of any reason a person of reasonable intelligence and imagination, especially if income was limited, would not find much of interest and possibility in these downtrodden neighborhoods.

In order for these parts of the city to be fashionable, it's almost as if they would have to be completely torn down and remodeled which definetely would not make the current batch of residents in these areas happy at all.

I disagree completely! There is such a thing as renovation. Historic homes do not need to be razed in order to improve a neighborhood. We just need residents with enough income to support renovation of the existing properties -- or simply residents who care to maintain what they own!

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by bethany12

I still don't see the trend turning anywhere in the near future where families will be moving in to the city, instead of out of it. Seems to be the way of the Rust Belt cities.

Based on American Community Survey data, I think families are in fact moving into the City these days. But we'll see what the 2010 Census says.

[engineerman66]

Originally Posted by IheartRobots

In order for these parts of the city to be fashionable, it's almost as if they would have to be completely torn down and remodeled which definetely would not make the current batch of residents in these areas happy at all. and there really is no way these areas can be "revitalized" without residents being displaced through gentrification.

They did this in the hill district right by Mellon arena. Did it make the area a better place to walk and/or live? Did it encourage others to move in? Time will tell. They did this in my hometown of Aliquippa as well. They booted everyone out of the projects beside my house and tore them down. They bred violence. Now the land is being sold to a private developer to build new houses.

[alleghenyangel]

From everything I've read the Hill District was a much more vibrant neighborhood in the 1950s-60s prior to the razing of everything for the big dome. Obviously, now, it's the ghetto.

Also, a large portion of downtown Pittsburgh was leveled in the '50s to make way for that big park at the point and Gateway Center, etc., which is probably the most dead part of downtown these days.

[goodgirl49]

Originally Posted by engineerman66

They did this in the hill district right by Mellon arena. Did it make the area a better place to walk and/or live? Did it encourage others to move in? Time will tell. They did this in my hometown of Aliquippa as well. They booted everyone out of the projects beside my house and tore them down. They bred violence. Now the land is being sold to a private developer to build new houses.

You are from Aliquippa? So was I, but I left there in 1974. Whereabouts did your family live?

[engineerman66]

Originally Posted by goodgirl49

You are from Aliquippa? So was I, but I left there in 1974. Whereabouts did your family live?

Jenny st which is about 3/4 of the way up Monaca road coming from Franklin ave. My family has been there since mid 1985 though I was very small at that time.

[JacksPgh]

PITTSBURGH | Rundown - Page 341 - SkyscraperPage Forum

A year ago, many Pittsburgh apartment landlords put up a "no vacancy" sign.

That's when the city was ranked No. 1 for the highest occupancy rate in apartments nationwide by M/PF Research, a Texas firm that tracks rental markets.

The signs are not as common today, but apartment owners still have few vacancies. And Pittsburgh, for the second year, was ranked No. 1 with the highest rental occupancy rate among big cities nationwide as of June 30.

Moderator cut: shortened, copyright protection

[goodgirl49]

Originally Posted by engineerman66

Jenny st which is about 3/4 of the way up Monaca road coming from Franklin ave. My family has been there since mid 1985 though I was very small at that time.

Yes, I have a general ideal where that is. I believe it is in Hopewell Township. I lived in New Sheffield by the Sheffield Lanes, but that was way before your time. I graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1966.

[WILWRadio]

People should try making their own fun. Why do you always have to rely upon what the establishment serves up as "fun" or entertainment?

To the OP and others that share his belief:

Even when I was a kid, my friends and I would always find something to do whether it be outside or inside. We'd create our games or find ways to entertain ourselves without the need for some generic toy or entertainment facility. Granted we'd use them from time to time but we did not have to rely upon them if they were not available at a given time. Give me a house and a modest yard and a good hiking trail in close proximity and I can keep myself entertained indefinitely.

What I am saying is that you may need to use your imagination to create an environment or object that can entertain you if you have grown weary of the culture and entertainment that the city has to offer.