Pittsburgh, for those who haven't been here. (pics)

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Well, as they say in Montana, and the West of Ireland, and probably many other places, you can't eat the scenery. If you saw your livelihood go down the drain in the steel bust, or saw your kids move away to exotic locations out west or south, you might get sour too. So, other factors are probably involved.

Pride of place is an interesting phenomenon. In San Franscisco or Paris, for instance, it borders on fanaticism. People have a somewhat inflated view of the city's greatness. Other cities have a lower self-esteem, that is equally off-mark.

Then again, folks are always restless and a bit disatisfied. That, in itself, is both a good and a bad thing. The funny thing is not too many people travel enough to see different places and learn what they truly like and dislike.

If Pittsburgh is anything like Scranton (and essentially Pittsburgh IS a city just like Scranton, only with five times the population) then the #1 reason why young people are told to leave the city is to chase higher salaries and "earn what you're worth" in other cities. I feel as if people don't really realize that a $35,000 salary affords you a comfortable lifestyle in the city of Pittsburgh while I'm struggling to survive on a $42,000 salary in the SUBURBS of Washington, DC. I still don't think the quality-of-life I'd enjoy in the city of DC on a $70,000 salary could match the quality-of-life I'd enjoy in the city of Pittsburgh on a $40,000 salary. I was repeatedly told to leave Scranton by many people, and now that I HAVE left I'm thinking "what's so good about this place that I've moved to when I can't even afford to enjoy anything in it?"

[Fiddlehead]

Well, one thing the folks did do, is encourage you to try some place else. Now that you have seen that area, it is likely you will not feel so dissatisfied if your salary in PA is less than world class. I had an employee who was very obsessed with salary at an early age, and he ended up with a job in the Seattle area. Yes, the pay was better, but his personal life was not. Also, he ended up in a largely administrative job he does not like. I think early in your career, the opportunity to develop skills and contacts is just as important as salary. I would consider the first ten years of your career a series of investments in yourself that bear fruit for years afterwards. So, you have to think of the whole package, I suppose.

I would flip-flop a bit and say that while you cannot eat scenery, living in place you find visually appealing and that meets your recreational needs is a dividend you can enjoy every day. So, not worthless, so long as you can find a decent job,etc.

[aveojohn]

Originally Posted by Herodotus

Among bigger cities, DC still has a ton of rows.

and the North Side, but we still have many thousands left, though nowhere near what the big four (DC, NY, Philly, and Baltimore) have.

Most of these where probably in a sad state of disrepair, unfixable and unrentable.

[Sunkissed29]

Thank you so much for those great pics. I have never been to Pittsburgh but will be visiting hopefully in spring. You did a fantastic job showing the different skylines and neighborhoods..