Pittsburgh: Dream or Nightmare? (Thompson: low crime, houses, job market)

[Fiddlehead]

Now Pittsburgh seems like a fine city, but there seem to be some thorns among the roses. In my research over the last few weeks, I have gathered the following about the burgh that might interest certain recent Louisiana and Aussie posters or others...

The area has among the highest number of coal-fired powerplants in the U.S.,toxin-filled fishes in the three rivers, metal slag in the parks, dilapidated bridges, nuclear-style winters, flash floods and "skipping" twisters in summer, a trash problem, a zombie problem, and a Toby Keith problem, a fixation with a famous architect's ecoterrorism on a nearby creek (running a creek through your house is like dunking the Holy Mother in urine in my book),young slumlords-in-the-making snapping up $11000 houses (for cash!), a lamprey-like property tax policy, upside-down mountains, Disney rides for public transport, a university with the country's largest phallic symbol, and an iconic sandwich invented by a hungover fratboy. If that sounds like your idea of a dream, you must be Hunter S. Thompson!

Dirty, dangerous, creepy, twangy, parasitic, backward, lewd, and gross!..........beware!!.........Unless you kinda like those sorts of things...

[Impala26]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Dirty, dangerous, creepy, twangy, parasitic, backward, lewd, and gross!..........beware!!.........Unless you kinda like those sorts of things...

I think I can speak for most Pittsburghers when I say, "oh we do, we do."

Also that had to be one of the funniest, if not mostly true, summaries of this city I've read in a long time.

[Benzman66]

Agreed!

[alleghenyangel]

I would say Pittsburgh is a little bit sweet dream and a little bit beautiful nightmare, as Beyonce might say.

I find that most of the ugly/weird things about Pittsburgh also account for most of its charm and uniqueness. The desolate industrial landscapes, the abandoned buildings, rusty bridges, etc. What could be more cool?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

If that sounds like your idea of a dream, you must be Hunter S. Thompson!

Haha...there is a lot in there for some damn good writing! Hunter, if you were only still with us!!

[+Daimon]

You could also mention the fairly low crime rate, the cool architecture of downtown, the diversity of the different neighborhoods, the Strip, the beautiful scenic ares surrounding the city, the way above-average job market and the super-low cost of living, etc etc. And which bridges are "dilapidated", anyway?

I think before suggesting to people that they should not move here, you should have some first-hand knowledge of the city.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by +Daimon

I think before suggesting to people that they should not move here, you should have some first-hand knowledge of the city.

I'm pretty sure the intended tone of the original post was not in fact negative.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm pretty sure the intended tone of the original post was not in fact negative.

Yep....based on the posts of what was said here....very funny, and a satire piece. Those of us who've been reading mosts posts on the board, would get most of them - kind of like watching 'Simpsons', the more you follow popular culture, or in this case, the more you follow this Pittsburgh Forum, the more you get

[AaronClark]

Nice post! Agreed. That's why I love this place!

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I would say Pittsburgh is a little bit sweet dream and a little bit beautiful nightmare, as Beyonce might say.

I find that most of the ugly/weird things about Pittsburgh also account for most of its charm and uniqueness. The desolate industrial landscapes, the abandoned buildings, rusty bridges, etc. What could be more cool?

Sounds like you have the right attitude.

Are you saying that Pittsburgh is "bootylicious?"

Now, I cannot recall the poster, but someone a while back described San Francisco as the beauty queen before the adoring crowds, with Pittsburgh as the dark-eyed hottie who rides her Harley down to the river to smoke a joint. That outstanding post stuck with me. I, for one, am not looking for perfection. Instead, give me a place with a bit of God-given sex appeal,an interesting history including a few drop kicks by life for humility, a wicked sense of humor, and a kind heart. I can deal with the rest, and I might even enjoy helping to file down some rough spots.