Filthy, Dishonest, and Polluted City
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4/8/2013
I chose to relocate to Pittsburgh because it is rated as the best city to live in the USA, and the healthcare giant that employs most of its citizens to be in the top ten by US News. That is why I chose to relocate here to start my career in healthcare. First I was duped into signing a lease for an apartment that disguised itself (slumlords), and accepted a job for the healthcare giant that also disguised itself as a "world class" place to work (recently charged with over 80 counts of federal labor law violations). The air quality in the city is worse than I have ever experienced in the three cities that I have previously resided (Nashville, Traverse City, and Grand Rapids). Just getting off the plane in Michigan is a huge wake up call, to take that first breath of clean air immediately makes me realize what I'm missing. The area is covered with garbage and it is normal for restaurants to pile garbage on the sidewalks each night for trash collection services without the use of dumpsters and sometimes even bags. I have never seen a roach in any city I have ever lived until I moved to Pittsburgh where you see them crawling the sidewalks around the Oakland area. I eat out for each meal and have only once had good service by a friendly staff member (Fox and Hound, you guys are great!). Recycling is practically unheard of in Pittsburgh with no deposit on bottles or cans and no city funded recycling pick up service readily available to residents. I have met many great people here that I consider to be friends although there is a vast abundance of very rude people (the type that think you're flirting if you casually compliment them). Pittsburgh, PA is also a cancer hotspot due to the abundance of pollution. I found that to be very disturbing. The culture is nonexistent unless you are a die hard football fan. There is no public art or beautification happening in Pittsburgh on a respectable scale. The alcohol laws in Pennsylvania are also ridiculous since they made it illegal to buy a six pack of beer... To buy beer you must go to a beer distributor (not the same as a state liquor store) and must by law purchase an entire case of beer; you better hurry because they close at 10pm. The city is a complete disgrace due to the serious level of dishonesty that is considered business as usual here. If you're planning a move to Pittsburgh keep in mind that life here will be nothing like it is described to you, and be prepared for the worst.
Tom | Baldwin, PA