Don't understand some of the negativity...
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12/30/2006
I've lived in a number of places around the U.S. and Pittsburgh compares quite favorably. I have to wonder if the haters have never lived anywhere else, because you find similar problems (racism, pollution, traffic, ignorant people, etc...) elsewhere. Yes, all of the comments have some basis in reality. But they are things you can say about a lot of cities (and I know because I've lived other places).
On the other hand, there are a lot of things that make Pittsburgh really great. For a city this size, the cultural offerings are terrific. My husband and I have been to the ballet, the symphony, the zoo, several museums, lots of interesting restaurants, etc., and I know we don't take advantage of even half of what Pittsburgh has to offer. Yes, some neighborhoods are run down. What major city doesn't have run-down neighborhoods? Pittsburgh also has a lot of terrific neighborhoods - we live in Squirrel Hill, and it's the best place I've ever lived. There are lots of quirky old houses here, a great shopping district, and friendly, well-educated people. I could see myself living here permanently.
What it doesn't have that other places I've lived did have: thousands of creepy Stepford people in their urban sprawl houses (YMMV, but personally I'd take the white trash), unbelievably expensive housing (try $900 for a crummy studio apt. - not fun!), a climate so dry your face cracks off when you go outside, no green vegetation anywhere, a total lack of public transportation, and no job opportunities beyond the local gas station (try combining that with the $900 studio rent - that situation makes Pittsburgh look like a dream!)
We came here from Colorado for my graduate education. We ended up liking it so well, we don't want to leave and are planning to stay after I graduate. I'm sorry the haters have had such a bad experience. Maybe they just need to live somewhere else for a while before they can truly experience what Pittsburgh has to offer.
Kira | Pittsburgh, PA