"As World Economies Turn Up, Pittsburgh's Falls" (Post-Gazette article) (Alexandria: real estate, unemployment rate)

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by steindle

Yeah, recent history suggests that almost EVERYONE wants to move to a place where you need to drive everywhere. See: Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Nashville, Atlanta, et al.

Thankfully most American cities, including Sunbelt ones, are now increasing density nearer to their cores and investing in more transit-oriented developments. Nevertheless while I could conceivably live car-free in Pittsburgh (pending the severity of the upcoming PAT cuts) I think it would be nearly impossible to live that way in most Sunbelt metro areas, including Northern Virginia (outside the Beltway/I-495).

Originally Posted by XRiteMA98

Driving everywhere is an American thing I can't possibly understand. In Europe people walk and have bikes. Every little physical activity helps us stay thin. Did you notice there no fat mail man in this country?

Today I drove (ironically) around more of the county to explore my new surroundings. I went through smaller older boroughs here like Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Sharpsburg, and Aspinwall, and I was blown away by how quaint, friendly, and walkable these places were. Aspinwall in particular had to be one of the nicest small towns I've EVER been to---tan brick side streets, a charming Downtown business district, sidewalks, shade trees, and glorious older homes, 95% of which were in excellent condition. Sharpsburg was more weathered and gritty, but I'd still live there in a heartbeat. Dormont and Mt. Lebanon both made me drool as well. I don't understand how or why places like this are declining while soulless autocentric places in the outer suburbs/exurbs are exploding in growth. It's like everyone wants as much space around them as possible to wall themselves off from society whereas in older and more established areas people always have been and still are interested in getting to know those who live beside them.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

I don't understand how or why places like this are declining while soulless autocentric places in the outer suburbs/exurbs are exploding in growth. It's like everyone wants as much space around them as possible to wall themselves off from society whereas in older and more established areas people always have been and still are interested in getting to know those who live beside them.

Yep, it befuddles me as well. The outer exurbs absorb at least 80% of the positive population growth of the region, outside of downtown and a few other popular city neighborhoods. This spells doom for the already inefficient road network that is going to have to have to support 100% of these new people.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by airwave09

Yep, it befuddles me as well. The outer exurbs absorb at least 80% of the positive population growth of the region, outside of downtown and a few other popular city neighborhoods. This spells doom for the already inefficient road network that is going to have to have to support 100% of these new people.

...at the same time as PAT will be imploding. Great!

[Craziaskowboi]

Don't be afraid to explore some of the suburbs. Even the sprawl here is manageable compared to most major cities, and there are some good things out in the rest of the county. You don't have to do it every day, and besides, you have a fuel-efficient car already, so if you're seriously worried about your "carbon footprint," then you really wouldn't be making too big of one regardless.

[XRiteMA98]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

Thankfully most American cities, including Sunbelt ones, are now increasing density nearer to their cores and investing in more transit-oriented developments. Nevertheless while I could conceivably live car-free in Pittsburgh (pending the severity of the upcoming PAT cuts) I think it would be nearly impossible to live that way in most Sunbelt metro areas, including Northern Virginia (outside the Beltway/I-495).



Today I drove (ironically) around more of the county to explore my new surroundings. I went through smaller older boroughs here like Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, Sharpsburg, and Aspinwall, and I was blown away by how quaint, friendly, and walkable these places were. Aspinwall in particular had to be one of the nicest small towns I've EVER been to---tan brick side streets, a charming Downtown business district, sidewalks, shade trees, and glorious older homes, 95% of which were in excellent condition. Sharpsburg was more weathered and gritty, but I'd still live there in a heartbeat. Dormont and Mt. Lebanon both made me drool as well. I don't understand how or why places like this are declining while soulless autocentric places in the outer suburbs/exurbs are exploding in growth. It's like everyone wants as much space around them as possible to wall themselves off from society whereas in older and more established areas people always have been and still are interested in getting to know those who live beside them.

Mt. Lebanon is not declining. Quite the contrary. Drive a bit more on 19S, past South Hills village mall. Upper st. clair is very nice, Bethel is nice too.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by iwonderwhy2124

It's pretty simple; Pittsburgh did not experience an horrific detraction like other cities did during the economic crisis because there was no boom here. And, now that things are starting to turn around, other areas will experience a boom again and things will continue to stagnate here.

I think this is the probable explanation. Pittsburgh simply stays steadier than many other cities, that's all.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by XRiteMA98

Mt. Lebanon is not declining. Quite the contrary. Drive a bit more on 19S, past South Hills village mall. Upper st. clair is very nice, Bethel is nice too.

Mt. Lebanon:
1990 Population: 33,362
2000 Population: 33,017

Well, to be fair maybe Mt. Lebanon is "holding its own."

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

Mt. Lebanon:
1990 Population: 33,362
2000 Population: 33,017

Well, to be fair maybe Mt. Lebanon is "holding its own."

I'd say that's fair since it is a very stable suburb that started out as a trolley suburb in the 1920's.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by XRiteMA98

Driving everywhere is an American thing I can't possibly understand. In Europe people walk and have bikes. Every little physical activity helps us stay thin. Did you notice there no fat mail man in this country?

You should have seen the guy who delivered my mail most of the time I lived in Squirrel Hill. Not thin.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

Mt. Lebanon:
1990 Population: 33,362
2000 Population: 33,017

Well, to be fair maybe Mt. Lebanon is "holding its own."

It's worth remembering that the birth rate in the Pittsburgh area has fallen dramatically over the last 20 years, which explains why many suburbs are in zero-growth mode. If there aren't as many new kids to replace the old kids, then that's a drag on suburban population growth.