how pretentious is the east end (Pittsburgh, Highland Park: apartments, rentals, condo)

[BrianTH]

CMU students aren't too bad--the school is more characterized by tech and art geeks than status-oriented types in my experience.

[Hopes]

I don't even think it's really the college students. It's the local rich kids who really have the attitudes in that area of town.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I don't even think it's really the college students. It's the local rich kids who really have the attitudes in that area of town.

That is true. A lot of it is trust fund kids from suburbs like Fox Chapel, Sewickley and Upper St. Clair who may have graduated and are now over there bragging over Belgians about how they are now setting the world on fire.(thanks to daddy, of course) But remember, everybody is born with an equal chance in the good ol' USA. Yeah right.

[alleghenyangel]

I live in Shadyside and it is too, too pretentious, almost insufferably so. The people, I mean. I agree with all of the comments here. The other day I was behind a newer Bentley at the Wendy's drive-thru, and on Ellsworth there are signs that say "Fashion is Art," "Dining is Art," etc., etc. The community seems to think it's a lot more important than it really is. No wonder South Side and Lawrenceville are now the cool neighborhoods...they are still down to earth.

The problem is, when I first moved to Pittsburgh, I was basically told that the only places to live were Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. I think a lot of people moving to Pittsburgh are given this advice, and I think that's wrong. Not everyone is cut out to be a yuppie, or wants to be one.

[raubre]

I don't live in the East End (yet). Right now I live in East Pittsburgh and would like to move to that area. From my personal experiences, I don't have a problem with people who live there. Most people I know that work in the area have been really friendly. From what I understand, the East End is actually more friendly because the people who live and work there are more progressive and open-minded that they are willing to carry on a converstaion if you initiate it.

I'm not saying that I just talk to anybody off the street, but sometimes if you're in line at a store, you do start talking to fellow customers, and they seem to be friendly. Of course, I get along with everybody

[scottrpriester]

The signs on Ellsworth and the sights you see in Shadyside are there for a reason, it is a community all about great taste, fantastic dinning, and higher end shopping. If it's not for you, don't go there or live there. Rent/housing is definitely higher than most places in the city, but I guarantee you, landlords and real estate agents have no problem moving their properties.

I miss living there, mostly the "village like" set up of the neighborhood. We always walked to dinner, no matter what the weather. I loved taking in all the different cultures from the students and professors. My wife and I are probably looked at by others as well to do so we don't notice a whole lot of that, other than some of the more well known residents of the neighborhood. You see more students out and about than anything, and I've never run across students who have any kind of heir about them, quite the opposite actually. With all the crimes against students this year at Pitt and CMU I generally notice students staying together in groups keeping to themselves.

Shadyside is one of a kind and there is a lot for everyone to enjoy.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

The problem is, when I first moved to Pittsburgh, I was basically told that the only places to live were Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. I think a lot of people moving to Pittsburgh are given this advice, and I think that's wrong. Not everyone is cut out to be a yuppie, or wants to be one.

I agree. We really need to make it clear to people who are looking for neighborhoods near Oakland.

Shadyside and Squirrel Hill might be great neighborhoods, but they most certainly are not for everyone.

[alleghenyangel]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

it is a community all about great taste, fantastic dinning, and higher end shopping. If it's not for you, don't go there or live there.

I don't have a problem with art and dining and shopping. "Shopping is art"? Give me a break. lol. I just think it's ridiculous how stuffy it all is. I mean, seriously, a Bentley at the Wendy's drive thru. Think about how funny that is. It wouldn't surprise me if some of the people in Shadyside made a grand gesture about going to the toilet. "Pooping is art."

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

The signs on Ellsworth and the sights you see in Shadyside are there for a reason, it is a community all about great taste, fantastic dinning, and higher end shopping.

You just defined pretentious.

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

If it's not for you, don't go there or live there.

You MUST have missed her second paragraph. She moved there because it is the area that was recommended to her when she came from out of town. (BIG SURPRISE!)

If you didn't miss her second paragraph, it's kind of rude for you to say "if it's not for you, don't live there." She was basically stuck there for the term of her lease because of a badly given recommendation.

It's great you like it there, but it's not for everyone. Alleghenyangel has every right to share her experience with moving there.

Your post sounds like you're trying to shut her up. What IF you were the person who recommended Shadyside to her? I'm not saying that you were the person, I'm just pointing out that it's possible you could recommend Shadyside to someone and they could end up feeling the way Alleghenangel feels. Would you say, "If you don't like it, don't live there" after they told you how they feel? I hope not. If you recommend an area regularly on City-Data, you should assume that you might have possibly been responsible for someone moving to Shadyside when they complain about the neighborhood after living there. (That applies to all of us here concerning any neighborhood.)

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

Shadyside is one of a kind and there is a lot for everyone to enjoy.

You're wrong. It's not for everyone. There isn't something for everyone. Everyone is a huge word to use for any location.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I mean, seriously, a Bentley at the Wendy's drive thru. Think about how funny that is.

It's hillarious! A PERFECT example!