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I am wondering how senior friendly Pittsburgh is and whether any areas would be easier for them to get around?
On a slightly unrelated subject, I know that some areas of PA are doing doing fraqing and was also wondering whether any of that could effect Pittsburgh water?
WOW! You really did a lot. What a great overview of Pittsburgh in a weekend. That was very impressive. Glad you enjoyed your trip and hope you can make it back here. Please let your friends know that Pittsburgh isn't some smoke filled hole as so many STILL view it.
I agree with you on the driving. Pittsburgh may have city drivers, but they are very calm compared to the east.
I vouch for that, the eastern side of the state going into NJ, the people are kind of unfriendly the only ones that were not seemed to be the transplants from the western side of the state or they had family they visit in Western PA, so many people have commented on how nice Western PA people are and more considerate I guess that is why so many is interested in this area, some have even had the comment to say everyone's too nice over there they must be hiding something and yuse talk funny, this included my former wife, it drove her nuts when you can spot a Western PA person by the way they talk, I have met several people and we would act like we knew each other for years and my wife would ask how long have you known that person and I would reply never met them before and she is getting upset saying why are you acting like that with them like that then, I just said we just do we get excited meeting other western PA people and talking it is what we do, she could not understand it and I could not explain it to her, her son liked it he thought it was neat how everyone from western PA is warm and friendly, I told him if he ever moved to Pittsburgh to work he will have a few friends to hang out with in 2 days, heck after a week he had a dozen when he went to PITT at Titusville and had a blast but should have studied more, I think he will be moving to Pittsburgh eventually he likes it too much and the Steelers is his team along with the Penquins.
I am wondering how senior friendly Pittsburgh is and whether any areas would be easier for them to get around?
On a slightly unrelated subject, I know that some areas of PA are doing doing fraqing and was also wondering whether any of that could effect Pittsburgh water?
Pittsburgh water is City water the most common problem they have is the old water mains breaking not much different than other parts of the country
having the same problem, but only time will tell what the results will be.
How Senior friendly is it Western PA is one of the top choices to retire to because of the low cost of living, lower taxes, and programs available to seniors and the elderly plus things to do and some of the smaller communities sometimes are even better because it is easier to walk to the stores and doctors or able to get a ride to their appointments just all depends what you want to do what you like having close by and where you want to live and what your finances are like, that's about it, some has checked into Pittsburgh but liked Butler, Clarion or some of the other smaller towns around Pittsburgh so research it and visit if you can some has even bought themselves a small house in the smaller towns because it was quieter and easier to get where they need to go, there is options for everyone to live here.
Last edited by PA_Native71; 07-11-2011 at 09:49 PM..
So our trip is over and we're off to Nj again tomorrow. My husband and I spent Thurs-Saturday in PIttsburgh. We actually crammed in a lot during these past three days:
PLaces we went:
Point State Park
Kennywood AMusement Par - Sky rocket was fun
National Aviary - I love birds
RIvers Casino - lost $50
East Carson area
Square Market
Duquesne Incline - actually thought it was a bit scary going up the incline
Allegheny Cemetery - wonderful
Pittsburgh Institute of MOrtuary Science
(husband interested in that school)
HOffbrauhaus
Neighborhoods visited:
Squirrel HIll
Shady Side
Lawrenceville
North Side
South Side
ALlegheny
Point Breeze
Crafton
Green Tree
Braddock
Robinson
Down Town
Mexican War Streets
Strip District
West Mifflin
Cultural District
Edgewood
BLoomfield
We ate at:
Whole Foods
Loving Hut 2x Awesome vegan food
Buca
Bistro to Go
Golden Corral - That one actually made me a bit ill
We didn't get to see Frick Museume or the other museums, but maybe next time.
Overall, we thought Pittsburgh was a very friendly place. I was actually surprised when people would smile and say hi or good morning. I"m so used to the rudeness in northern NJ. It was easy to strike up conversations with people and it was nice to see different people than the ones back home.
Driving seemed a lot calmer than the aggression back home. I found route 376 to be a bit congested and maybe it was because of the holiday. I was a bit confused with all the bridges and sometimes the GPS would go crazy and keep telling me to recalculate because I would miss exits.
I can't believe how few people I saw in the downtown today so it was a nice change of pace. NYC unfortunately never sleeps and neither does northern NJ so there is ALWAYS traffic and boatloads of people.
I did see a lot of signs that said blue belt, purple belt, red belt, etc.. What do those mean? Also, what is that glass cathedral looking structure in the downtown area? PPG PLaza... IS that all offices? That is an amazing building.
I would definitely put PIttsburgh high on my list of places to consider for relocation.
When I go home I"ll try and upload some of the pics I took on the phone and camera. Got some great ones. Thanks PIttsburgh!
the belts simply means this: youy better know where you are going or you will need to use them to find your way home but seriously if you want to know more about the area friend these guys: Dave & Dave - TV Show - Pittsburgh, PA | Facebook they have explored everything including the belt system plus the next time you come to western PA you should put together your own Hollywood tour of Pittsburgh, that is crazy when you realize how many movies was shot here, heck the new Batman movie starts shooting in Pittsburgh at the end of this month and is scheduled to shoot for approximately a month, and there is so many more areas in a 50 mile radius to explore too. Well hope to see you in or around Pittsburgh soon and glad you loved it.
Pittsburgh water is City water the most common problem they have is the old water mains breaking not much different than other parts of the country
having the same problem, but only time will tell what the results will be.
How Senior friendly is it Western PA is one of the top choices to retire to because of the low cost of living, lower taxes, and programs available to seniors and the elderly plus things to do and some of the smaller communities sometimes are even better because it is easier to walk to the stores and doctors or able to get a ride to their appointments just all depends what you want to do what you like having close by and where you want to live and what your finances are like, that's about it, some has checked into Pittsburgh but liked Butler, Clarion or some of the other smaller towns around Pittsburgh so research it and visit if you can some has even bought themselves a small house in the smaller towns because it was quieter and easier to get where they need to go, there is options for everyone to live here.
I am orginally from Ohio, currently living in San Jose, and can't decide where to retire. From all I have read, Pittsburgh has a lot going for it but Ohio is familiar (including the reasons I left). The west coast has changed into a place I don't recognize so we really want to retire to someplace familiar. When I meet people from Ohio or PA I know where their roots are even before they tell me. There is just something about them, the down to earth - help your neighbor kind of soul that I miss.
ABC aired its 20/20 program on fraqing last Sunday so I began to think about how that would effect the ground water in the nearby areas. A guy I do volunteer work with at our local library is from Indiana, PA and he says a lot of farmers are leasing gas wells for free gas and income but I don't know enough about gas wells or fraqing. Pitts. has old pipes? Have you seen some of the news reports about the results of San Francisco's failure to maintian their old pipes? Yikes! (also need to check out the national gasline site for pipe locations)
I have several friends who are now in their 80's and see how difficult it is for them to buy groceries and get to medical appointments which gets me thinking about not wanting to have ask anyone for help if I get to their age. Some cities are now realizing that by using their school buses durning off hours they can provide transportation from senior centers to shopping and other useful ideas which don't drain tax dollars but provide huge benefits. Today, I am in good health and ride my bike often but I know my body won't hold up forever so I want to live in a place were I can be independent. We are not poor, but not rich either, so we need to be wise about our spending also. Pittsburgh property taxes, from what I have read, are really high because of school board spending. Is that now changing?
After living in the Bay area, I know I like the mental stimulation of living in a city which is why Pittsburgh, with its colleges and community, appeals to me. Thank you for your suggestions about Clarion and Butler, I will take a look at them. Best of luck to you.
Well also check out Titusville, Grove City, if you want quieter smaller towns check out Parker, Foxburg, Emlenton, Chicora, Bruin, Butler County has numerous little communities and beautiful small towns Slippery rock is another unknown little gem is Slipper Rock, PA northern Butler county you can be at Niagara Falls in a couple of hours or Cleveland, Pittsburgh is only a lil over an hour from Pittsburgh, and some of the big city amenities with it's small town feel, and to give you an idea of some of the deals to be had here is a place from Parker 304 N Ash Ave, Parker PA 16049 Home for Sale - Yahoo! Real Estate (http://realestate.yahoo.com/Pennsylvania/Parker/304-n-ash-ave:379e6b506eff6645509361e6369e4;_ylt=Av.LL2fMlXi wh8k6.UOXbIZn47Qs - broken link) this is unusual for even this area but prices are quite reasonable if you look you can find a nice place and if it gets to much for you later on you have options of different high rises or retirement homes at different financial levels some of the nursing homes are real nice and you are within reasonable distance of some of the best hospitals in the country in Pittsburgh but with in 45 minutes of you you have 4-5 different hospitals but before that you have wide range of shopping options and other activities even a bike path that goes for miles on the rails to trails and historical places all over the place that is what is nice about the Parker/Foxburg/Emlenton and the Allegheny river goes by all three towns most of Parker is on a bluff above the River and there is the Parker strip along the river.
My suggestion is take a week and come to western PA to look at the area stay away from Oil City it is a drug den, Franklin is not to bad, but basically come and look and see how you feel about the area, oh there is some benfits too there is no tax on clothes or groceries(only on luxury items like certain lingerie and sweets and snack foods) and senior citizens gets a tax refund and other programs, and if you want to head for some fun in florida you can catch a plane at Pittsburgh and be there in a few hours, and if you are worried about knowing nobody do not worry you will be making friends in no time and you actually will know your neighbors.
Ok good luck and have fun on your search
After living in the Bay area, I know I like the mental stimulation of living in a city which is why Pittsburgh, with its colleges and community, appeals to me. Thank you for your suggestions about Clarion and Butler, I will take a look at them. Best of luck to you.
You may want to check out Greensburg area too.
It was actually ranked as one of the best places to retire.
Unfortunately will have to give up on Pittsburgh for now because husband or I can't even find any leads for good jobs. Sigh* I hate being stuck in NJ.
I understand your frustration, as I am in a similar situation. I would dearly love to relocate to Pittsburgh. Their selection of homes is excellent.
However, I would have to sell my own house and quit a good paying job that I've had for 6 years now. Selling a house is difficult where I live and also so is findng a job in another city. For the two things to coincide perfectly is impossible these days.
Guess I'll just have to be content with visiting a few times a year. Thank goodness for Megabus and their low fares from Philly to Pittburgh.
I am wondering how senior friendly Pittsburgh is and whether any areas would be easier for them to get around?
On a slightly unrelated subject, I know that some areas of PA are doing doing fraqing and was also wondering whether any of that could effect Pittsburgh water?
YES FRACKING WILL EFFECT AND HARM OUR WATER. Our already highly contaminated water.
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