307,484 (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington: real estate, dorms, purchase)

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Denton56

That article says Pittsburgh will become a hipster haven. I'm not sure that everyone thinks that's a good thing.
It also says that Detroit will be one of the hot cities. I'm not sure how accurate this article is.

There's a lot of interesting stuff happening in Detroit. Especially in the arts. I don't have a crystal ball, but creative types often lead the way in revitalization of a neighborhood, city, etc. Also, let's not forget the whole "Rust Belt Chic" trend. Another article that indicates growth in Pittsburgh Best Places to Buy in 2012 | Zillow Blog utm_source=email&utm_medium=email &utm_campaign=emm-0612_JuneBuzzRoundup-bestplaces

[SPSGuy]

what is it with people and hipsters? Hipsters are just yet another term for "young 20 something" Thats all. The 60s had hippies, the 70s had those rock and rollers and the disco douches, the 80s had the hair metal kids, the 90s had grunge kids, now we got the wire frame beard kids. Who cares.

Retaining young people is a good thing. They may be hipsters now, but in 10 years they will be children having, cubical enslaved, tax paying citizens adding to the benefit of Pittsburgh. Be attractive to "Hipsters". A art, music, and culture scene for young people is good.

[FreightTrainRunning]

Whenever anyone on here rants about hipsters I just picture a grandpa Simpson-like character waving his cane at all the darn kids on his lawn. They're young people having fun in the city, not sure how that could be a bad thing.

[BrianTH]

Yeah, let kids be kids.

By the way, am I wrong that as of this writing, none of the major Pittsburgh media outlets has covered this story? I know there is other stuff going on, but you would think this would be pretty big news.

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Microhousing has a place, particularly on the slopes of the city, where new development rules essentially forbid dense building now (to make sure no Mount-Washington monstrosities happen again with skyscrapers on the hillsides).

What?! I happen to like the Mt. Washington skyscapers, and hope another one that's in the pipeline gets built very soon (1 Grandview). Don't jinx this awesome development when its already having enough trouble with financing already!

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by airwave09

What?! I happen to like the Mt. Washington skyscapers, and hope another one that's in the pipeline gets built very soon (1 Grandview). Don't jinx this awesome development when its already having enough trouble with financing already!

Agreed. Hilly cities build hillside residential towers.

As for the population figure of 307k... I think we've determined the Census Bureau's municipal population estimates this year are worthless due to their rather lame methodology. However, I have no doubt in my mind that the 55 sq mile City at the core of this region is in fact gaining population.

[SPSGuy]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Yeah, let kids be kids.

By the way, am I wrong that as of this writing, none of the major Pittsburgh media outlets has covered this story? I know there is other stuff going on, but you would think this would be pretty big news.

I hate Pittsburgh media outlets, well all local media outlets. It is all about gruesome news, murders, who did horrible things to their children, etc.

They never cover news on construction projects that could change the area, or anything positive. Especially WTAE. They choose news stories that get them more clicks on the internet rather then importance of the area. Take a look at the FB page. They posted about the one new Skyscraper that could be built if Oxford found a tenant and 5 people responded. They post about a crime and 100 hillbillies that somehow have the internet come out of the woodwork to rant and rave about the horrible city. It gets them ratings though.

[SPSGuy]

Does anybody have any idea about the history of the Census Bureau's accuracy on their estimates between the actual census counts that occur every 10 years?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by airwave09

What?! I happen to like the Mt. Washington skyscapers, and hope another one that's in the pipeline gets built very soon (1 Grandview). Don't jinx this awesome development when its already having enough trouble with financing already!

If you look at the Pittsburgh zoning code, most of the hillsides now have their own zoning type (called hillside actually) which prevents any large residential from being built and obscuring the hills. Obviously some existing areas were grandfathered in, like the South Side slopes, but you couldn't build a large structure on Arlington Avenue, or the undeveloped streets in Perry South or Elliott, without the city making special exceptions (and probably greasing some palms).

[pman]

Originally Posted by eschaton

In 2010 Central Lawrenceville only had 5% of its parcels vacant, which is one of the lowest rates in the city, and the lowest for non-middle class neighborhood, IIRC.

and yet there's still room, there are indeed far emptier places in the city. I look forward to seeing the clemente museum surrounded by something other than blight. the strip, of course, is almost a blank slate. does anyone know the current population of the hill? driving down centre ave feels like you took a wrong turn and ended up in west virginia.
speaking of abandoned homes (there are many)..the one that bugs me is the one right across from the children's hospital. really? (the other one that bugged me is finally getting renovated, across from agh)

hipsters-I think the term has jumped the shark and lost its original meaning and definitely just means young people now.