Pittsburgh, PA Reviews


189 Reviews



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What BestPlaces Users Say about Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a bustling city located in the western part of the state. With a rich history and diverse culture, Pittsburgh attracts many residents from all over the country. In this particular place, there are a variety of neighborhoods and communities that offer unique experiences for those who call it home. To get a better understanding of what it's like to live in Pittsburgh, we will be summarizing several user reviews from BestPlaces.net. These reviews come from individuals who have first-hand experience living in the city and can provide valuable insights for those considering making Pittsburgh their home.

1. In their review, Susan R. describes Pittsburgh as "a hidden gem" with "tons of character." They go on to praise the city's affordable cost of living, saying "I can afford a nice house in a safe and quiet neighborhood without breaking the bank." Susan also mentions the abundance of outdoor activities and cultural events that make the city a great place to live.

2. James S. shares a similar sentiment, stating that Pittsburgh has "a unique charm that is hard to find in other cities." He also mentions the strong sense of community and friendly neighbors as major positives. However, James does note that traffic can be an issue, especially during rush hour.

3. According to John P., Pittsburgh is a "city of endless opportunities." He highlights the job market, education options, and entertainment as major draws for him and his family. John also appreciates the city's efforts in revitalizing its downtown area, making it a more vibrant and livable place.

4. In contrast, Emma L. expresses some disappointment with Pittsburgh, saying that it "lacks diversity and can feel very insular." She also mentions the weather, noting that winters can be long and harsh. However, Emma does acknowledge that the city has a "small-town feel" and is a good place to raise a family.

Overall, it seems that Pittsburgh offers a unique combination of affordability, community, and opportunities for its residents. While there may be some challenges, such as traffic and weather, many reviewers found the city to be a great place to live and would recommend it to others.

 based on 189 Reviews
Get to know Pittsburgh with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Pittsburgh

Nicer than you'd think, but with some drawbacks. - 11/15/2006
If you've never been to Pittsburgh, you picture smokestacks and steel mills and burnt out factories. When you come here, inevitably you are swept away by how different it is from your expectations. You see countless picturesque bridges spanning the rivers that border the city, with houses nestled into the hillsides along the rivers. It's cheap to live here, almost shockingly so. You can live in the nicest part of town for less than what you'd pay in other cities. It's also cheap to drink - with half an effort you can find a happy hour offering 50 cent beers. It's pretty laid-back, people are pretty friendly. I will say, though, that I came here to go to graduate school, and am in a part of the city that has a large student population, so I interact mostly with the more educated people in the city, and many people who are not native to Pittsburgh. The "real" Pittsburghers are somewhat different. They include a lot of good blue-collar people, down-to-earth, but not really the Read More

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not a bad city to live in - 11/3/2006
If ur big on low crime, stay away from the beltzhoover/allentown/mt. oliver area and homewood (most of wilkinsburg). There are a lot of safe areas however, especially the south hills. I have lived in Brentwood and now Castle Shannon and not much happens there and here, it is very Read More

Great Place To Live - 10/30/2006
I have lived in several cities and have to say Pittsburgh is a pleasant surprise. Low crime rate, very impressive in the performing arts, it is clean, and it has character. I see the comments about racism but I can say that you will find this anywhere and more than likely more often in other cities. Pittsburgh is not racist. Some are a little stuck in the blue collar days and maybe that is what some of these readers have experienced. The job market is not great but it is not bad either. The cost of living? You can't beat it. Don't try to compare this city to NY because nothing compares to NY. Pittsburgh is a Read More

A changing city - 10/22/2006
I moved here from L.A. 2 years ago, and I have been very impressed with the city. It has completely regenerated itself into a new city. There are no more mills, and the topography (rivers, hills, etc, is breathtaking). I didn't move here for weather (although there are many beautiful days). It is humid, but thats because it rains. Remember you must have water to survive. The west is dealing with a huge water shortage. For me, the best place to live is the east end of the city where many educated people have settled. I have met many different types of people and races from all economic backgrounds. The neighborhood I call home is Highland Park. The cost of living is great, and you can pay off debt and own a home. Even if you don't get the job you want right away, you can still afford to live on other kinds of jobs until you find the right one. There are a lot of new housing projects going up in the city, and the southside is a great urban neighborhood with lots to do for young people.  Read More

Moving from CO - 10/15/2006
Is the weather THAT Dreary there? I lived in Oregon for a year and couldnt handle the 9 months of gray. Is Pittsburgh as bad as everyone is making it to Read More

Beautiful City but dreary weather. - 10/2/2006
Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. It does have dreary weather. It can make it seem Read More
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Pittsburgh Housing prices - 9/25/2006
Pittsburgh area housing prices are relatively flat and typically only increase 2 to 3 percent per year. This is because of the high property taxes that add significant pressure to keep housing prices down. This has resulted in Pittsburgh having relatively low housing prices for a large city. Good if you want to move from any other large city to the Pittsburgh area but not good if you want to move from Pittsburgh to another Read More

Just my opinion - 9/13/2006
Hello I trust all who read this posting and use this board are well. After reading several posting on the board, I felt the need to just write my opinion. I usually don't overly engage in community board such as this, but I'm about to defend and give an opinion on Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. So It seems there is a debate on the true quality of life with the interaction of people. Yes I can say first off, like everywhere else, racism and prejudices do exist in Pittsburgh. I'm someone who was born in a small town north called New Castle back in 1961. As I was growing up I saw the demise of steel, which back in the day was the bread and butter of the area. Through the years I have noticed that "the 'Burgh" was trying to shed it "industry" image and focus on "regenerating" the city. I will admit I did move away from the area. Now I've since then lived in Georgia, Alabama, and currently Kansas. Racism is all over. I work in the Hospitality industry so I've been exposed to all Read More

Advice - 9/4/2006
I am considering relocating to the Pittsburgh area from Central PA (the coal region). Can anyone give me any advice on affordable housing and/or decent locations to live in or around Pittsburgh? Read More

2 great visits -need more information - 8/30/2006
In the past months, my better half and I have had 2 great weekend trips to the city. Having read some reviews, you take them with a grain of salt. The sights, the views, the diversity, activities have all been great, and the people we have came across truly are friendly. The only snags we have had are getting around, with the water and hills, it was sometimes difficult to navigate. What we are trying to find out is how is the cost of living and job availibility, and what neighborhoods are the best as far as areas go there, from what we found in our short time there, mt.washington, observatory, squirrel hill seem to be nice, some of the other areas seemed a little rough around the edges. any information we would appreciate, Read More

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