Pittsburgh: What's Your Perception of This City? (McKeesport, Wilkinsburg: apartment complexes, homes)

[Tiger Beer]

That was interesting reading from the general discussion of Pittsburgh in the general forum.

By the way, to anyone who is familiar with me from posting here, I am flying to the U.S. from Japan for a vacation, and hope to be visiting Pittsburgh with my wife and kid...driving around. I'll take some photos, and might even post them on the forum as well.

I visited Pittsburgh once at 18..and still stands out well above other places I've been....and the last year or so, been viewing all the time these threads and google maps checking out Pittsburgh from afar...cant wait to actually drive around the city and neighborhoods more thoroughly within the next few weeks.

[BrianTH]

Tiger Beer,

I hope you have a great visit!

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I also enjoyed the fresh commentary, so thanks to the OP for getting us at least a couple pages of it.

Yes, I agree. It's always good to "see ourselves as others see us". (Even though I don't live there any more)

[Rachael84]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

You obviously did not get around very much if that's what you think. Most Pittsburgh city neighborhoods are made up of row houses or detached houses that are only a couple feet apart, and there are many dense commercial streets within the neighborhoods. Here are some examples on google street view of typical neighborhood images:

Google Maps

Google Maps

Google Maps

Google Maps

Google Maps


Also, people from Pittsburgh do not talk like they're from the midwest. They in fact have their own regional dialect.

Well I didn't go traveling around the entire city, but I did see parts of it. I didn't get around the city that much, but don't tell me in general I don't get around much. I travel all over the place.

[smallfox]

I grew up in Akron, a city that could be Pittsburgh's smaller cousin in several ways, the most important one being the cities' analogous industrial boom/bust cycles. Akron is in the process of branching out into health care, biotechnology and education but as of yet is not doing nearly as good of a job as is Pittsburgh.

The suburban life is not for me, but I find myself priced out of desirable urban neighborhoods in cities like D.C. As a born-and-bred livable-city girl, Pittsburgh's low cost of living is very attractive to me. Also, I graduated from the Allderdice of the Akron Public Schools and found the experience invaluable. Hope to provide any future children with a similar experience and may turn to Pittsburgh to do so.

[hollaa66]

I've never been to Pittsburgh, but I'm considering going there for school (Pitt or Point Park).

That being said, It seems a bit underrated to me. It seems like a city trying to rebuild itself. Like others have said, the topography amazes me. Just beautiful. I think it's a pretty cool, unique city. & it seems to be decently affordable to live in, unlike most cities of its size. I like that it isn't huge- it makes it more accessible. I like the buildings, the old neighborhoos, everything. I'm also fairly relieved that it doesn't strike me as a "trendy" sort of city. Trendiness gets old after a while, everyone always trying to be something they're not.

When I discuss going to school in Pittsburgh with friends & family, I get mostly negative comments. Why, I have no idea. One (very close-minded) friend actually asked me "What's Pittsburgh...is that a state?" I had to laugh. My father seems to think I'll run into trouble there & my ma thinks it's run down & the people are rude.

It's interesting to see what sort of opinions people have of the place you live in- especially if you've grown up there & you know almost nothing else. I often wonder what sort of impressions people have of my Minneapolis

That being said, I'm intrigued & very curious about Pittsburgh & I can't wait to visit!

[Fiddlehead]

Excrement-inspired sculptures notwithstanding, Pittsburgh seems like a lovely city with righteously cool folk. I'll have one of those revolting sandwiches one day...just not sure when.

Tiger Beer, have a wonderful vacation and make sure to post your impressions. They will be interesting to read.

[epitathpunk]

Pittsburgh is either really cool, or really crappy...depending on when and what parts you visit. I live about an hour outside of the city, and have lived here my whole life. The place has a lot going for it, but it's still on the mend. The popular areas (south side, downtown, Station Square, etc) are great. The "rough" neighborhoods can't be put into words. For example, places like Wilkinsburg, homewood, McKeesport, etc, all of them are pure hell. The more well-known ghettos like Compton (ha! Compton ain't got NOTHING on Wilkinsburg) don't even compare.

[Drover]

A city that somehow looks down on itself and has tremendous pride in itself, simultaneously. A city of risk-aversion, afraid to let go of its past for fear that it will lose its identity and/or control of its future destiny. A city of tremendous potential, yet ambivalent about whether it wishes to realize it.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by epitathpunk

For example, places like Wilkinsburg, homewood, McKeesport, etc, all of them are pure hell. The more well-known ghettos like Compton (ha! Compton ain't got NOTHING on Wilkinsburg) don't even compare.

As a resident of Wilkinsburg, I just want to note this is inaccurate. Wilkinsburg has some very run down parts but also some very nice parts and everything in between. The commercial area in Wilkinsburg, while not exactly thriving, hasn't entirely collapsed either. And although this is somewhat forward-looking, a broad coalition of neighborhood groups, local, county, and state authorities, non-profits, and corporate partners has been putting money into redeveloping Wilkinsburg and is planning for much more.