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

Reply to Elizabeth - 6/27/2007
That was so funny Elizabeth! It's almost unbelievable that a complete stranger shares the same view as I do about Pittsburgh. "Smoking, drinking, sports (the "stillers") and...what time mass is" - the parallelism of our views is unbelievable!!

Anyway, like you I also have lived in other parts of the country and while no place is paradise, I am looking forward to relocating out of here for good in the near future.

So let the rust belt be as it is, because I hate it when the city and the people who identify themselves as Pittsburghers start trying to emulate, copy or basically rip off culture from somewhere else.

Oh, you forgot to mention the forever incompetent PennDOT - "let's see how many excuses can we make for screwing with the roads while simultaneously screwing with the detours - ha ha ha ha, we're so funny".


-Leaving Pittsburgh with no Read More

Start Your Review of Pittsburgh


Most Livable? That's a joke. - 6/22/2007
My husband was transferred here for work. I grew up here and we had been away for years. I can't wait until we can relocate again. This area has changed drastically. It seems as though everyone in Western PA has become apathetic about their lives. The only things they care about are sports, gambling, drinking, smoking, and what time mass is. Taxes are high already and the state and local governments just add more on. The job market is tough since most large companies are relocating to other states. I have been to cities with "real" downtowns, Pittsburgh has none. Crime is high, the public schools are an embarrassment. There is a large elderly population that is not open to any change. Pittsburgh is a true rust belt city that is living in the past and has no vision for the future. Just empty promises from crooked Read More

Lower Crime Rates than Most Cities - 6/18/2007
Yes we have crime issues, in a large urban area you can not avoid it. Pittsburgh's crime rate, however, is WAAAAAY lower than most cities of it's size, bigger and smaller. Check out the national crime statistics on the FBI website and you will see what I mean. I feel very safe here and, while stuff does happen, and certain neighborhoods are better than others, I feel comfortable having my family Read More

Good and Bad, But Mostly Good - 6/18/2007
I've lived in Pittsburgh since 1990, completely by choice. I have been all over the country, always chasing those elusive 'greener pastures' but I have never been able to find anywhere better, per se, than Pittsburgh. That's not to say that Pittsburgh doesn't have it's issues and things about it that drive me nuts, but the fact is that nowhere is perfect and it is all about what is important to you. Pittsburgh is a beautiful city with some of the most breathtaking views and the most unique personality of any city that I've been yet. Also, you would be extremely hard pressed to find anywhere that you can buy as much home for the money as you can here. I recently drove across country and never anywhere did I find gas that was cheaper than it is here. There are times when I swear I can not stand the dreary weather one more day, or I get sick of getting gouged in taxes or sitting in traffic, but there are some truly wonderful things about Pittsburgh and though I'm always looking for Read More

Lousy place for SAD sufferers, but.... - 6/18/2007
...you can't beat the cost of living, variety of culture and general sense of well being in the Pittsburgh region. I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and desperately need sunshine to feel normal. Needless to say, this is a tough place to find that from November through April. Summer is great here. I was considering a move to Florida but have decided I'll buy a good full spectrum light and up my meds in the winter because I cannot see putting my family in that kind of environment just so I can feel happier. Head over to the Orlando City View section of Sperling's and read about all the people who are miserable there. Compare crime rates, cost of living and wages and you'll be as convinced as I am that Pittsburgh is as close to Utopia as you can get these days.

I live just across the state line in Weirton, West Virginia (where it's dirt cheap to live, by the way) and have commuted to jobs in downtown Pittsburgh. It takes less than an hour to cover the Read More

Love/Hate.....City - 6/4/2007
Weather here is mostly cloudy and at times very depressing. When the sun does manage to shine it's a real celebration!!! Love the "Burg" hate the Read More

Some things to like, some to dislike about Pittsbu - 5/21/2007
Here are in my opinion, some of the things to love about Pittsburgh:Pittsburgh Symphony concerts at Heinz Hall, The Renaissance and Baroque Society concerts, The university of Pittsburgh bookstore, Oakland and Squirrel Hill, and a large, thriving traditional Latin Mass parish, St. Boniface.Some of the things I detest: the poor grammar and ugly accents of many residents,the provincialism and seeming lack of interest in anything other thanthe lottery number, the soaps,and one's immediate neighborhood.I live in one of the 'Burgh's blue-collar neighborhoods. i frequently visit a local restaurant because i enjoy the home- style cooking,but the topics of conversation among the regular customers are limited to the aforementioned lottery numbers, how bad the neighborhood is getting, their aches and pains,. All accompanied by "Pittsburgh's lite-rock favorites" playing loudly. Sometimes I think to myself Do these people ever venture out of their little 3 or 4 block Read More

Tell me about Pittsburgh's outer areas - Small To - 4/1/2007
Our family is interested in moving to Pittsburgh - we're middle income hard working folks who long for the slower pace, but still need an economically stable area that a city offers.

SO - we're thinking of MOVING to small towns around Pittsburgh. Which small towns have an artistic community, High $$ communities - which are more Mom & Pop areas (farms), and which are just bustling little towns?
Are there any areas to avoid?

I'm an artist - Faux Wall designer - AND my husband is more along the lines of a Blue/White collar worker. We like older historical type homes, small farms, and are seeking an area we will eventually retire too - it will be our first and last home.

Thank you for your time!
Read More

Probably the BEST location to live in throughout t - 3/6/2007
And the reason why... It's close to everything! Anywhere I'ld want to go or take a vaction to is right next door. Buffalo, Washington D.C., Ohio, West Virginia, Philadelphia and New York (and maybe Boston) is only half a day's drive away, you can actually drive there and back the same day. And other locations like Toronto Canada, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and N. Carolina are about a day and a half's drive away! Miami's only a short flight away! The only bad thing about this location is that we're far away from California and las Vegas :( everywhere else is right next door. With that being said and the low cost of living here, i can afford to take a vacation or trip somewhere any weekend i choose. Read More

money money money makes the world go around, world - 3/3/2007
For those of you who may remember "The Rothschilds", money indeed does make the world go around. Without it you can be in Palm Springs or Acapulco or Monte Carlo, you might as well be in Boise. And that my friends is why Maket Watch lists Pittsburgh as # 7 on the list of best places to retire and Sperlings rates it as one of the best places in the US to live. Sure it has three major league teams,yes it has a constant shuffle of new NYC entertainment,and The Pittsburgh Symphony is one of the country's finest,performing in Heinz Hall,a world renown concert hall. Plus a selection of restaurants to satisfy every taste. I haven't even mentioned the museums,librarys and parks that abound. But....but,because Pittsburgh cost of living is soooo low,incredibly low,people have money to enjoy the many things The Burgh has to offer. THAT is what you can't find in other cities. But it sure is cloudy Read More

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