Do you think the Burgh needs to become more Transient??? (Pittsburgh: transplants, home)

[Blackbeauty212]

Its a catch 22 really

While Pittsburgh needs to grow in population, some people (myself included) say that it also should become more transient amongst its residents....

One thing I've always said was true, is it would be better for Pittsburgh if its native residents had more exposure to nationally...Then maybe Pittsburgh wouldn't take a beating so much by its own people, because a person would have better perspective when placing the burgh under a microscope.

But when you compare some of the most Transient cities in the country around the burgh size...you can see population would almost never get above a certain point.

Miami
Atlanta
Denver
Minneapolis
Seattle

These cities will never have over 500-600k in population because in large part they are revolving doors, but that also what makes them flourish...they attract people from all over at the same time they have large amount of natives that move elsewhere either for college or career moves.

[Tiger Beer]

I like your post.

No comments...other than its interesting you put Minneapolis on the list. Its much like Pittsburgh in that no one goes there except people who grew up in that region of the country.

I'm from Michigan, and when I lived in Minneapolis for a few years, people were amazed I chose their city to live. It was quite accidental as well, almost all Michiganders go south (or Chicago), never lateral and colder. Additionally I never met anyone in Minneapolis who wasn't from either MN, WI, IA, SD, ND or NE. And even when I met those from say IA or NE, it seemed surprising, yet understandable.

But to the 'transient' point...hmm..would be interesting. It seems that transiency comes with popularity...and usually has a more negative meaning...as there is a reason that people go back 'out' again...usually most often due to the fact those places increase in prices so much, that people decide it's just easier to start a family elsewhere. (That seems to be one of the bigger reasons people leave good cities. EIther that or they are in a half-ass city like Phoenix and they realize it after they've lived there for a year, that it isn't worth staying in).

I think cities like Denver and Seattle are cities where people are moving to and staying. Atlanta seems to be that way as well. Miami seems to have a good track record of people migrating back out again, I think mostly due to unaffordabality and lack of decent jobs.

[BrianTH]

Of course we had plenty of people move out over the last few decades. I think if Pittsburgh does indeed return to a stable, low-growth population path, it isn't a bad bet that a good number of our in-migrants will be people who went elsewhere for a while and are now returning. And I agree those people may have a bit more perspective on average than those who never left.

[grimacista]

Having new people from different areas come to town is undoubtedly a good thing. However, what sets Pittsburgh apart is a natural charm that comes from a large, established population. Many of those people may be Yinzers but there is a different feel in Pittsburgh than other places where all the residents are from somewhere else.

[Mugatu]

Good post. This is exactly what Pittsburgh needs. Like you said, the natives here need more exposure to people from other areas to get a more realistic perspective on things. One of the most surprising things to me after moving here was how sheltered most Pittsburghers are. They often live in their little Pittsburgh bubble, and don't see the big picture. And I've commented before on the negativity I've experienced here. They seem to think the grass is greener everywhere else, yet they've never been anywhere to compare it to. It seems like the other transplants I've run into are the ones that appreciate the area the most and get the most out of it. More of that positive energy would be a huge plus.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I like your post.

No comments...other than its interesting you put Minneapolis on the list. Its much like Pittsburgh in that no one goes there except people who grew up in that region of the country.

I'm from Michigan, and when I lived in Minneapolis for a few years, people were amazed I chose their city to live. It was quite accidental as well, almost all Michiganders go south (or Chicago), never lateral and colder. Additionally I never met anyone in Minneapolis who wasn't from either MN, WI, IA, SD, ND or NE. And even when I met those from say IA or NE, it seemed surprising, yet understandable.

But to the 'transient' point...hmm..would be interesting. It seems that transiency comes with popularity...and usually has a more negative meaning...as there is a reason that people go back 'out' again...usually most often due to the fact those places increase in prices so much, that people decide it's just easier to start a family elsewhere. (That seems to be one of the bigger reasons people leave good cities. EIther that or they are in a half-ass city like Phoenix and they realize it after they've lived there for a year, that it isn't worth staying in).

I think cities like Denver and Seattle are cities where people are moving to and staying. Atlanta seems to be that way as well. Miami seems to have a good track record of people migrating back out again, I think mostly due to unaffordabality and lack of decent jobs.

Yes while these cities listed have transplants moving and staying put...they still have a relevant amount of outflow its not the transplants that are leaving, it has to be the natives that create the outflow...

Lets look at your map here Tiger Beer, which i thought was pretty interesting....

Pittsburgh
Map: Where Americans Are Moving - Forbes.com

Miami
Map: Where Americans Are Moving - Forbes.com

Denver
Map: Where Americans Are Moving - Forbes.com

Atlanta
Map: Where Americans Are Moving - Forbes.com

Minneapolis
Map: Where Americans Are Moving - Forbes.com

Seattle
Map: Where Americans Are Moving - Forbes.com

[pman]

Pennsylvanian, in general, don't travel enough which leads them to believe things are better elsewhere (and also, some other guy is making out while they're getting screwed). As I see it, there are three types of transients. students, which pittsburgh has. people who move for work, and are then moved again. and people looking to have some fun in a bigger city, that end up moving home to raise a family (and maybe never intended to to begin with). Pittsburgh could use a larger share of the latter, IMO, and could reasonably come from the eastern midwest, upstate NY, and across Pennsylvania. for people further afield, I'd bet a larger percentage would be people who go to school there, and stay after college for a while.

[AaronPGH]

I've found that transient people, while usually having a better outlook on the city, tend to not put down roots here as much. I'd say about half of my good friends are "transient", the other half are Pittsburghers born and raised. I think a good balance is the best bet. Transient people with a positive outlook bring fresh ideas and help to inspire, Pittsburghers tend to want to get their hands dirty and dig in for the long haul to make their city better. When you have a nice balance, it all works together and both feed off of each other. I think that's what's actually happening here right now and one reason we've accomplished so much.

I wouldn't want Pittsburgh to become weighted mostly towards transient because I'd be afraid that the fierce attachment to this city would be lost.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

One thing I've always said was true, is it would be better for Pittsburgh if its native residents had more exposure to nationally...Then maybe Pittsburgh wouldn't take a beating so much by its own people, because a person would have better perspective when placing the burgh under a microscope.

You are very right. California is a very transient state, and I've met mainly people who aren't from here, and more than a few Native Californians who've been all over California, but the few Native Bay Areans I've met are very much like the Pittsburghers people talk about here.

One friend of mine was born in Redwood City and when she got married she made the really big move to Fremont. That's 20 miles away across the Hayward Bridge. And she hated Fremont -- it was all too new and too strange. When I told her about going up to Napa for the weekend wine tasting she couldn't understand why anyone would want to do that.

She would go home weekends to her parent's house.

And when her husband had to move to LA for work? She nearly divorced him. In the end she went, but I know she's miserable, because it's not Redwood City. I always felt she was stuck.... in time and place.

I'm beginning to think that people that don't get out of their world and comfort zone are stuck, too. It's not a regional thing, it's a person thing...

[fleetiebelle]

It's not a regional thing, it's a person thing...

True, people talk about Pittsburghers being really provincial and not getting out much, but like you said, there are people like that in every city.