The Old Burgh Love it or leave (Pittsburgh, Erie: new home, neighborhoods)

[Buzz858]

I don't get it if you don't like a place get the hell out of it. Don't sit in front of a computer and tear it down. It is some body elses home and I guess they like it because there is a lot of people in Pittsburgh.
I moved out of Pittsburgh in 1956 and now live in New England I Love it here and have for over 50 years. But it isn't perfect nothing is. So you find what makes you happy in this life and that's all you can do.
Go Red Sox

[BVH]

I believe I already covered this in THIS Thread: //www.city-data.com/forum/pitts...sburgh-17.html(apparently, I am a prophet, too...)

Originally Posted by BVH

When will this thread just DIE? I mean, seriously... Don't worry though, the second it does, there'll just be another one JUST like it!

My point is that there is good and bad in EVERY city. Period.

I think the whole hate it/love it argument can be summed up like this: If you love it in Pittsburgh, great, stay; If you don't, then LEAVE, nobody is stopping you. I happen to still love Pittsburgh, even with all of it's shortcomings.

Perhaps now we can now get back to HELPFUL topics for folks that either live here or are interested in moving here?

[PghREA]

That is basically what I posted to a "bash Pittsburgh" poster about 6 months ago and I got a nasty warning from the administration. If someone has no love for the Burgh, why even read the forum.

[pitt_transplant]

Not everyone has the luxury of being able to afford to move.

[BVH]

Again, to my earlier point:

What is the nescessity of another new thread on the topic?!?!?!?!?

I would think that those of you that hate Pittsburgh so much would be far too happy that you're leaving to spend all the time bashing it to death like you do. MOVE ON!

[vwscottie]

Originally Posted by formerburgher

Well, that's exactly what I'm doing after my divorce is finalized and I've got the funds to get the hell out. I don't wanna bash the area (although I could for hours), but I don't have any problem with anyone who comes here to vent and possibly find others who share their opinion. Some folks need to wake up and realize Pittsburgh isn't for everyone. Also from reading a lot of the posts here, there's quite a few of you who see everything about this area through rose-colored glasses. I try to see the good in everything, but cm'on. You guys are in a hole in this city.

I can not see how someone can feel that way about a city that is so diverse and so beautiful. I don't feel like I'm in a hole at all, I work for a very well known national company that is proud to say that Pittsburgh is one of its biggest and best markets.

I think life is what you make of it here and anywhere. My fiance and I are living in a dream home, in a terrific neighborhood. We couldn't ask for more. Sure Pittsburgh has it's problems like any other corner of the world, and I don't ignore them, but I've never been happier and living in this city has alot to do with it.

[simmer]

Originally Posted by Buzz858

I don't get it if you don't like a place get the hell out of it. Don't sit in front of a computer and tear it down. It is some body elses home and I guess they like it because there is a lot of people in Pittsburgh.
I moved out of Pittsburgh in 1956 and now live in New England I Love it here and have for over 50 years. But it isn't perfect nothing is. So you find what makes you happy in this life and that's all you can do.
Go Red Sox

I also moved out of PIttsburgh about 10 years ago. I however did not become a band wagon fan. Red SOx!?!?! Im not sure if you understand this or not but you are not allowed to change affiliation to sports teams just because your hometown sports team stinks and your new homes sports team is good. It is against the law set forth by the sports gods to change affiliation. You were born in Pittsburgh so you must continue to be a Pirates fan for life. You cannot become a front runner. That actually lowers your credibility.

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by formerburgher

1. No matter how you spin it, the weather is hellish.
2. People in the area are extremely resistant to change.
3. Progress is painfully slow because of the archaic union mentality.
4. Religion is too pervasive here, particularly Catholicism.
5. As a single guy, I find most of the women in the area to be rather abrasive and masculine.
6. There are more alcoholics here than anywhere else I've ever been. It's truly an epidemic, and it's not funny. It's sad. It's not cool to binge drink and then hop in the driver's seat. This happens everywhere to an extent, but around here I see it a lot more.
7. I enjoy watching the Steelers, but it's not my life. Sadly, it is for many of the people here. And I find that disturbing.
8. Pittsburgh has much more going on aside from football. I wish the three news channels felt the same way. I don't even watch the news anymore. If I cared that much about the Steelers, I'd simply watch espn.
9. Pittsburgh's location and topography make it so unique it's not even funny. It's a beautiful city with so much potential. Too bad so many locals are so stupid and bone-headed that they don't even realize it. It breaks my heart to see some intelligent, well-meaning soul try to do something to promote change in the area only to be scorned for their efforts by yinzers.
10. Urban sprawl is not progressive. New neighborhoods by Ryan and Maronda and strip malls aren't my definition of progress. But until the brain-drained Yinzer nation leaves the real Pittsburgh (or dies off), we aren't going to see too much positive change in the form of urban re-development.

In closing, I like Pittsburgh but man there's some big problems here. I don't want to see it turn into a ghost town, but that's what it's becoming. Until something happens here to draw people in from other areas, the city won't grow. The problem isn't the city itself...It's the people and their goofy small-minded way of thinking. Once that changes, the city will truly blossom. But we need more than the Steelers and a casino to get people to come here.

Aside from a few points, I agree with your comments. You have pointed out several of Pittsburgh's most pervasive problems.

The thing I take issue to at this point is the simple truth that if someone wanted to come up with a list of Pittsburgh's biggest problems, it would be simple to compile that exact list you’ve created by running a quick search of the forum. Your list is not exactly informative, since many people have already discussed these issues at length. I understand the need to vent sometimes, but everyone needs to understand that no matter what you are complaining about, no matter how many people agree with you, no one likes the people who can’t do anything but constantly complain about things.

The issues you have described are real, but if you think you can’t compile a list just as impressive about ANY other city in the world, you’re crazy. And believe me, if you start bitching to everyone around you about all the problems your city has, no matter where you are, you will dig yourself into a hole and be miserable. It’s your choice! I live in the same city you're complaining about, notice the same problems as you, and I LOVE it here!

[vwscottie]

I wish all of you that complain about the weather would spend a winter in Erie and then tell me how bad the weather is here.

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by vwscottie

I wish all of you that complain about the weather would spend a winter in Erie and then tell me how bad the weather is here.

I think the reason I get so frustrated with people complaining about weather is that it is just one of those things that make you sound so weak. I was taught that the only thing that can bring happiness is your mind. My father always told me that a strong person would be happy even locked up in a cage the rest of their life.

I think because of that methodology, I've always considered it a sign of weakness to complain about weather, be it comparatively good or bad.