Am I an idiot? (moving, great)

[dugdogmaster]

Let's not turn this into a Florida bashing.

But ya, move here dude, it's nice.

[Joshbarblahblah]

Pittsburgh's nice - we actually have 4 distinct season's here!

A relative of mine had to move to Jacksonville for his job but comes back to Pittsburgh about 5 or 6 times a year because of how much he misses it.

[BrianTH]

I wouldn't want to live there myself, but Florida has some interesting areas and I hope they can put the state on a more sustainable path.

In any event, I don't think it is crazy at all to choose to live in Pittsburgh. Of course we finally committed to that choice ourselves last year, so I better not!

[puffyshirt]

Thanks for all the input.The kids (16 and 10) don't want to move but this place is all they know.Moving across the country is always tough but I really think in the long run it's best.Oh yeah, we don't have anything close to Mineo's pizza here.

[chessimprov]

Pittsburgh's cost of living might be cheaper than where you are in FL, so you might win anyway unless you have a job in FL currently that you can't telecommute with.

[BrianTH]

By the way, here is a column from and about Florida which includes a section on what Florida could learn from Pittsburgh:

It's time to redefine Florida | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader

A little sample:

Yet, as Florida faces what could become a new normal -- that is, slower growth in coming years -- it might be time to examine what makes a place livable.

Recently, The Economist magazine tapped Pittsburgh as the most livable city in the United States. Not to insult anyone from Pittsburgh, but that seems a bit surprising. It is an old industrial city that has seen its share of financial hardships and difficulties. But apparently, it has found a way out of the doldrums. For one thing, it has looked at its industrial base and chosen to revitalize it, turning brownfields into productive new ventures. It has managed along the way to rank among the nation's top 10 cities with the most environmentally responsible buildings.
. . .
More important, though, Pittsburgh is seen as a city with a clear sense of place and a population that takes pride in its accomplishments. An article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes that the city lives in the present but loves the past. There is an inherent commitment to making home the very best it can be.

That, it seems, is where Florida is missing out. Too many people who live here treat it as a temporary residence, even if they intend to stay for the rest of their lives. It is considered simply a playground, one to be used and enjoyed without any thought to reinvestment so that it will be here for future generations of sun seekers.

Again, I wish good things for Florida, but it is very interesting to me that the thought that Florida should look to Pittsburgh for some lessons in livability has started to occur to some Floridians.

[Nebat]

I'm not even from Pittsburgh and i want to live there! I don't know how such a major city can have a stigma attached to it for so long. The city itself is beautiful, historic and has great architecture and neighborhoods. The people that I've met have been some of the friendliest and down to earth, especially for a city its size. I plan on coming up in just a few weeks and can't wait! So if you have a chance by all means take it! Pittsburgh needs people to come back. If I wasn't so tied down where I am I'd be there myself.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Nebat

I don't know how such a major city can have a stigma attached to it for so long.

I think it comes down to the fact that it takes a long time to reverse a fairly negative reputation built during a period of well over one hundred years. I also would note that it is really only in the last few years that I think things have completely taken off--when I first came here in the 1990s, the city was starting to rebuild from the contraction of the steel industry, but a lot of positive things have happened since then.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I think it comes down to the fact that it takes a long time to reverse a fairly negative reputation built during a period of well over one hundred years.

Getting dark before noon is sort of hard to live down! They turned that around fast too. It was like that in the 50s, but totally fixed by the late 60s.

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I also would note that it is really only in the last few years that I think things have completely taken off--when I first came here in the 1990s, the city was starting to rebuild from the contraction of the steel industry, but a lot of positive things have happened since then.

Downtown was much better in the 70s and 80s. There were tons of shops. The collapse of the steel mills didn't play a big part in changing downtown. What really hurt downtown was the trend of large companies moving to the suburbs.

[bradjl2009]

I think Florida is a beautiful state, but I'd never live there for many reasons (from weather to the attitude of people). I think Florida needs a more environmentally friendly future that will preserve what makes the state so beautiful and it should stay away from the sprawl which destroys what Florida has. But come on, a little Sun Belt bashing is fun .