Leaving Pittsburgh (final thoughts) (California, Bloomfield: gated, living in, floor)

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by Maast

Well, I will be leaving Pittsburgh for good in a few days as I graduate from university. I wanted to give my final impressions of the city as I leave and head back to NJ. Things I liked and things I didn't like.


Things I liked:

• The many views of the city Agreed
• The bridges Agreed
• Oakland is a pleasant neighborhood Mostly agreed. South Oakland could be cleaned up a little
• Kebab places Agreed
• Some of the museums Agreed
• Not many rednecks seemingly Agreed, but leave Allegheny County and/or the exburbs in surrounding counties and you'll find plenty.
• Nice churches and a diversity of churches (e.g. Eastern Orthodox) Agree. Pittsburgh has some very cool churches you won't find in other cities.
• City seems to be pretty tolerant to other races and religions. Agreed
• City is growing and developing continuously, hi-tech is increasing. Agreed

Things I didn't like:

• The transportation system Agreed
• Not a lot of diversity (e.g. very few latinos) If you're just looking at skin color, sure, but if you look at the different ethnicities of whites in the area, Pittsburgh easily has one of the most diverse White populations in the country.
• Food in general is so-so Disagree, besides leaving back fresh sea food when I go to the beach, I've never dreaded coming home to Pittsburgh food. The food scene here is improving quickly too.
• Downtown is pretty dead, not much to do This has become less of a problem over the past few years.
• Airport is declining and expensive to fly from Agreed
• Not very good food selection in the supermarkets - never liked Giant Eagle Disagree
• Can't get a decent bagel or pizza Disagree
• Not many events Disagree, pick up a Thursday Post Gazette or the City Paper
• You get a bit bored of the city after a while

I won't complain about the weather because we get the exact same weather in NJ!

My responses are in bold. Good luck in your future and with the weather, I've found NJ to be warmer in the summer and less snowy in the winter than Pittsburgh.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

This shouldn't be one the list because air travel is ridiculous no matter the US city. The cost & time isn't even worth the hassle in most cases. Many people are choosing to drive instead.

I agree with you. I would not fly unless I was going to the West coast or leaving the continent. Flying from Pittsburgh to any of the BosWash cities is a waste of money IMO.

[DaisyDaisy]

Originally Posted by TheYO

Slightly off-topic: Does anyone know of anywhere aside from the Settlers Ridge Market District that sells Rick Bayless Frontera Products (specifically the seasoning sauces like mole)? Macy's Downtown used to have them, but they don't carry any of the products anymore. Every time I'm out that way I stock up, but it'd be nice to find them in the city. They are delicious and make quick, easy meals.

I've gotten Frontera salsa at Whole Foods and/or the Co-op. Even if they don't carry the seasoning sauces they can sometimes special order since they sell the brand. Both stores offer case discounts.

OP, interesting thread you started. Thanks and best of luck.

[Antequera]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I agree with you. I would not fly unless I was going to the West coast or leaving the continent. Flying from Pittsburgh to any of the BosWash cities is a waste of money IMO.

That's why I like the East Coast. You want to get to DC or Boston for example? You have so many options: rail, bus, plane, all with competitive prices.

[pghdude28]

OP, is the "roll out of bed" look prominent in NJ? It's defined by going out in public with messy bed hair, clothing worn in bed, and usually carrying plastic Walmart bags. Just curious, because it's very prevelant around Pittsburgh. I'm not sure if you can possibly miss it, unless you never ventured off campus.

[Antequera]

Originally Posted by pghdude28

OP, is the "roll out of bed" look prominent in NJ? It's defined by going out in public with messy bed hair, clothing worn in bed, and usually carrying plastic Walmart bags. Just curious, because it's very prevelant around Pittsburgh. I'm not sure if you can possibly miss it, unless you never ventured off campus.

Well, I'm sure there are people like that in NJ. The "roll out of bed" look seems popular at university campuses in the States haha

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by Maast

Well, I'm sure there are people like that in NJ. The "roll out of bed" look seems popular at university campuses in the States haha

It's certainly popular in the college town I live in.

[Antequera]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

It's certainly popular in the college town I live in.

I personally hate that "look". Fix yourself up, comb your hair, put some cologne, put some clean/ironed clothes - look professional. I must say though in the States, the best dressers are in Manhattan. It seems in rural america people usually just wear shorts, hoodie sweater, sneakers, and a baseball cap.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by Maast

I personally ...

You can't leave without telling us where those good kebab places are

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by tabinekotaro

Agreed. For a lot of things I buy, Whole Foods is actually cheaper than Giant Eagle. For the things that are more expensive, the quality of produce at GE is not nearly as nice.

Market District is pretty nice, but it's still not as nice as (and more expensive than) an average Wegmans, which it's clearly a copy of. Seriously, when Binghamton NY has a better "regular" grocery store than Pittsburgh, that's pretty pathetic.

Comparing Binghamton anything to Pittsburgh is a joke. Including the grocery store options. Wow, they have a Wegmans, who cares? The strip district alone destroys that place.

It's also funny that you would make a cherry picked comparison with the Market District in Shadyside, which is the oldest and crappiest of all the GE Market Districts.