Dating scene for single male (doctor) (Pittsburgh: fit in, apartment, rental)

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Not sure if this helps, but my next door neighbor is a year or two younger than me (that puts him in his mid-late 20's) and I think in his third year of residency at Pitt. He seems to have very little issue socializing or finding dating partners at this point, although he did at first. He shared with me the main reason is that his first year of surgery was awful in terms of hours. That issue is going to exist during residency no matter where you live. He hosts parties/gatherings pretty regularly, and while many of his friends are other residents, not all of them are. There are also usually at least as many ladies as there are guys, many of them quite attractive. If you're outgoing and active, you'll do just fine as a resident in Pittsburgh.

[UKyank]

I was a single professional that came to pittsburgh & am no longer single so there's that data point.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by josh238

im very picky and grew up in a religious household so my dating experience was held back for several years. Ive casually dated for a while but have had a hard time finding someone who is smart, has the same relationship ideals as I have had, and is attractive for a long term relationship. As I age it gets harder and harder (ie they are taken). Im just saying -its not easy and I dont want to spend the next 3 to 6 years doing a residency/fellowship at a place I may be miserable at.

Are you still religious? When you have children, do you plan to raise them by your faith?

[eschaton]

If you're the average medical resident, I'm guessing you're around 29 now, right? In my experience, it's perfectly normal for people with graduate degrees to not get married until they are in the 30-35 range. I am not sure about in medicine in particular, but it's certainly true these days for people who have traditional academic degrees like Masters or PHDs.

If you're pulling from a dating pool of people who don't have an advanced degree, many people may have shacked up already by their 20s, but I cannot think the dating pool of highly educated women is really *that* poor.

[josh238]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Are you still religious? When you have children, do you plan to raise them by your faith?

I am not religious but I would like my kids to be whatever faith they are (or not)- as long as they are not supporting violent or extreme tendencies/orthodoxies.

I think religion can offer something nice in terms of structure and simple moralities that as kids can make life a bit easier or at least allow them to focus on what matters- career/academics etc.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by josh238

I am not religious but I would like my kids to be whatever faith they are (or not)- as long as they are not supporting violent or extreme tendencies/orthodoxies.

I think religion can offer something nice in terms of structure and simple moralities that as kids can make life a bit easier or at least allow them to focus on what matters- career/academics etc.

Children become whatever religious faith their parents decide to have them educated in, at least initially. Once they become adults, you don't have a say in it anyhow.

Since you aren't religious, it will be the children's mom who will prevail on this.

Are you cool with the idea of meeting, and possibly marrying women of almost all faiths? Or is your definition of "extreme" pretty broad?

[josh238]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Not sure if this helps, but my next door neighbor is a year or two younger than me (that puts him in his mid-late 20's) and I think in his third year of residency at Pitt. He seems to have very little issue socializing or finding dating partners at this point, although he did at first. He shared with me the main reason is that his first year of surgery was awful in terms of hours. That issue is going to exist during residency no matter where you live. He hosts parties/gatherings pretty regularly, and while many of his friends are other residents, not all of them are. There are also usually at least as many ladies as there are guys, many of them quite attractive. If you're outgoing and active, you'll do just fine as a resident in Pittsburgh.

Can I ask how close to the city you live?

[josh238]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Children become whatever religious faith their parents decide to have them educated in, at least initially. Once they become adults, you don't have a say in it anyhow.

Since you aren't religious, it will be the children's mom who will prevail on this.

Are you cool with the idea of meeting, and possibly marrying women of almost all faiths? Or is your definition of "extreme" pretty broad?

doesnt matter to me really, just moderation is the requirement. Be nice, be kind to all, etc etc...sent u a pm though on specifics.

[josh238]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I was a single professional that came to pittsburgh & am no longer single so there's that data point.

How was your experience dating women? did you date many or were you lucky and just came across the right one?

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by josh238

Can I ask how close to the city you live?

I live in Shadyside, which is just east of Oakland where Pitt and many of their hospitals are located. It is a city neighborhood, but not a downtown with high rises. Part of the neighborhood is very wealthy by Pittsburgh standards, that's the western portion. The eastern portion is a mix of older single family homes, some fancy some not, condos, apartments, and old homes chopped up into apartments. I live in an example of the last one of those.

The eastern part of the neighborhood where I live is a mix of grad students, young professionals, some young families, as well as some older folks. Easy walking distance to 4 grocery stores, places to buy alcohol, and quite a few bars and restaurants ranging from dives to pretty high end with valet parking.

Rent here can be anything from moderate to high. I know folks who pay under $700 a month for a 1 br and others who pay $2500+ a month for updated condos. A key here is taking the time to look and not having pets. I pay under $1000 a month for a 1 br with a den that I use as a home office. It has a decent kitchen, a brand new bathroom, central air, and off street parking. Some others around here would have you believe a place like this doesn't exist, and I will say it was hard to find as I looked for 6-8 weeks while I stayed with family after moving to town. But if you put in the work, you can live rather nicely here in a neighborhood with access to work as well as access to nightlife.

Sadly, I may be leaving this great place that I absolutely love for the eastern half of the state to work at a company in Philly. I am awaiting a job offer which should be in writing tomorrow that may be too good to refuse.