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I'm unsure if the OP needs to be in the city, a la Cambridge-Boston, or just within a 20-mile commute.
My brother has lived outside of Pittsburgh for four years; I've visited at Christmas in 2007 and 2008, and guess what: NO SNOW on the ground for those 2-day visits. I don't think Pittsburgh gets loads of snow. Plus, I envy their housing prices. Pres. Obama, upon finally learning more about it and visiting while campaigning as President (if I recall), called it a "handsome city," one reason he chose it for the recent summit (I think). Their Children's Museum just won a fancy award, according to today's Post-Gazette. And it's won a most livable city in the past.
It's a city I would consider leaving Boston for. Nice sports stadiums, and a new arena next year for the Penguins. I'm certainly not saying it's better than Boston and New England (it can't be), but I work too many hours to enjoy our amenities and daytrips.
Snows less in Pitt than Boston on average, but it still snows, maybe half or two thirds the typical total for a winter in Boston. The other way in which Pittsburgh's winters might be a little less harsh is that they are slightly shorter than Boston's, maybe a week or a week and a half shorter on each end of winter. A little bit of a difference, but not huge. Average winter temperatures are similar for these two cities.
Snows less in Pitt than Boston on average, but it still snows, maybe half or two thirds the typical total for a winter in Boston. The other way in which Pittsburgh's winters might be a little less harsh is that they are slightly shorter than Boston's, maybe a week or a week and a half shorter on each end of winter. A little bit of a difference, but not huge. Average winter temperatures are similar for these two cities.
Most climatological data show 43" +/- of snow for Pittsburgh, 42" +/- for Boston.
The real difference is the means by which the two cities get their snow.
Pittsburgh gets her snow primarily from lake effect and Alberta Clippers. Boston gets her snow by way of coastal storms (Nor'easters)which tend to dump large amounts in less time.
Pittsburgh gets substantially fewer sunny days than Boston.
Thanks for the info, Mr. Josh. I didn't realize that the lake effect was felt quite as far south as Pittsburgh. All the more reason that the OP probably doesn't want Pittsburgh--as nice as a city as it may have become in many ways--if finding milder winters than Boston's is important.
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