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Hi! I live in Boston, just finished nursing school, and I'm considering moving to Pittsburgh. A Pittsburgh hospital is having a job fair out here in a few weeks. So far, all I know about I know about Pittsburgh is that it has mountains, affordable housing, no more steel mills, a shrinking population (related to the collapse of steel), an Ikea, some racial problems, and a lot of universities.
I'm black, Hubby's white. How is the job market outside of the medical field? What would be safe places to live? How is public transportation (we don't drive)? How are the supermarkets? Am I insane to want to move there when I won't move to Cleveland?
Humanoid would live anywhere but Pittsburgh, apparently. I have lived in several states, and some notable cities. I will tell you that Pittsburgh is better than people think. Depends on what you want, though. We like to call things "Mt.", but they are really just big hills. Housing is EXTREMELY affordable, and if you look hard enough, you will find amazing deals. The Ikea is, technically, in Robinson, PA. But no one seems to differentiate, since there is no real gap between the city and Robinson/Moon. I haven't seen many racial problems, to be honest. Whenever I was younger, I lived in the Hill (the "black" section of town), and I never had any problems. In fact, I miss some of those neighbors. We do have some of the best universities around. Hell, even our technical schools are pretty damn good. The interracial thing is fairly common here, and it really doesn't surprise anyone anymore. To the south or north of the city, maybe. Not here, though. Pittsburghers may not be the most socially progressive people as a whole, but they also tend to be very private, so they really don't get into each other's business. You can look through the other housing threads to see recommendations on safe areas to live, along with some price estimates. Public transportation is ok. It's very good closer to downtown, and gets progressively worse as you go out. We could certainly use more supermarkets, although I get my groceries in the Strip District, so I don't care. Also, Cleveland is an abortion.
Pittsburgh doesn't have a lot of overt racial hatred; but diversity is a problem. Finding those that can relate to you culture is a problem. And old-school ideas (as people openly expressing those ideas) are a problem.
For example, yesterday I had some White guy that I'm in physical therapy just start talking about Barack Obama to me; totally from left field. He then went on to talk about the Black Panthers and Malcolm X; then continued on to say, "Well Martin Luther King was ok...not the rest of them.". LOL...yeah, that's really not too polite.
As an aside, Pittsburgh is in the middle of a large plateau, and the "hills" are actually the high spots on this plateau between valleys which were carved by the local rivers and streams.
Anyway, if the hospital in question is located in Oakland, you might consider the "East End" of Pittsburgh, where a lot of people from the universities and hospitals end up living. There is a large variety of neighborhoods in the East End at all sorts of price levels. Some of those neighborhoods are racially diverse (and generally progressive), and most are linked to Oakland with quick bus routes. The East End also has a variety of grocery options, including a Whole Foods, a Trader Joe's, and the East End Food Co-op (an organic/vegan-type place). We also shop in The Strip and occasionally go to McGinnis Sisters in nearby Monroeville. And we go to Giant Eagle too ... it is a standard supermarket, but fine for everyday staples.
I agree with BrianTH about living in the East End. That's probably the best area you're going to get for transportation & diversity together.
There are a lot of Giant Eagles here, but I wouldn't say they have a monopoly. Within about equal distance to my house is a Giant Eagle, a Shop 'N Save, and a Kuhn's. If you were in the East End, there is a pretty big Giant Eagle along with the other options that BrianTH listed.
Hi! I live in Boston, just finished nursing school, and I'm considering moving to Pittsburgh. A Pittsburgh hospital is having a job fair out here in a few weeks. So far, all I know about I know about Pittsburgh is that it has mountains, affordable housing, no more steel mills, a shrinking population (related to the collapse of steel), an Ikea, some racial problems, and a lot of universities.
I'm black, Hubby's white. How is the job market outside of the medical field? What would be safe places to live? How is public transportation (we don't drive)? How are the supermarkets? Am I insane to want to move there when I won't move to Cleveland?
PLEASE move to Pittsburgh! It would be WONDERFUL to have an inter-racial family around! We have many inter-racial friends (ones actually a prince from Africa! - No lie!) and we find the diversity in that type of relationship terrific!
Our children were born in a very diverse neighborhood and grew up with toys that had both black and white features. My son's first love was an older black teacher in Richmond (g-d he adorrrrrrrrrred her!) and his first girlfriend in high school was a beautiful young black woman. So I would love to have you as my neighbor! *smile*
As far as I know, the medical field is thriving here in Pittsburgh. I can't comment on public transportation because I don't use it. As far as grocery stores, I'm not too thrilled about them, but it all depends on what you are used to. I grew up with Wegmans. I'd say Cleveland and Pittsburgh are similar, Pittsburgh as better weather (less snow) but Cleveland has the beach. I like Cleveland better, but that is just my personal preference. You will find most people who post here prefer Pittsburgh, except for us few bad apples...
Pittsburgh doesn't have a lot of overt racial hatred; but diversity is a problem. Finding those that can relate to you culture is a problem. And old-school ideas (as people openly expressing those ideas) are a problem.
For example, yesterday I had some White guy that I'm in physical therapy just start talking about Barack Obama to me; totally from left field. He then went on to talk about the Black Panthers and Malcolm X; then continued on to say, "Well Martin Luther King was ok...not the rest of them.". LOL...yeah, that's really not too polite.
Jesus, unbelieveable........... I hate people like that. Hello! It's 2008 and we're more alike than we are dissimilar!
As an aside, Pittsburgh is in the middle of a large plateau, and the "hills" are actually the high spots on this plateau between valleys which were carved by the local rivers and streams.
Anyway, if the hospital in question is located in Oakland, you might consider the "East End" of Pittsburgh, where a lot of people from the universities and hospitals end up living. There is a large variety of neighborhoods in the East End at all sorts of price levels. Some of those neighborhoods are racially diverse (and generally progressive), and most are linked to Oakland with quick bus routes. The East End also has a variety of grocery options, including a Whole Foods, a Trader Joe's, and the East End Food Co-op (an organic/vegan-type place). We also shop in The Strip and occasionally go to McGinnis Sisters in nearby Monroeville. And we go to Giant Eagle too ... it is a standard supermarket, but fine for everyday staples.
When you say "a" Whole Foods, "a" Trader Joes, does that mean there is only one in the Pittsburgh area? Does anyone know if there are any in the suburbs? Thanks.
The Whole Foods and the Trader Joe's on Penn Ave are the only ones in the area so far. Since they've been so wildly popular there's been talk of expanding, but it hasn't happened yet.
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