Reviews & Comments
Pittsburgh, PA
Filthy, Dishonest, and Polluted City -
4/8/2013I 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.
Grand Rapids, MI
Clean, Beautiful, and Friendly -
4/8/2013I have lived in Grand Rapids for four years. Grand Rapids is the most friendly, clean, and beautiful city I have ever lived (compared to Pittsburgh,PA and Nashville TN). Grand rapids is covered with beautiful art, from sculptures to paintings to live performances that occur constantly in the city center where a large outdoor open auditorium is located. There are hidden lakes and trails through out the city which is interesting because even if you live there for years you will continue to find new natural beauty at your doorstep. The air is clean and always either smells fresh and crisp or of food that is being prepared at any of the amazing restaurants and breweries located through out the city. The community has established several amazing farmers markets where the best quality local produce and meats can be purchased. While living there you get a sense that you are a part of the community and that everyone who lives there makes it a better place in their own way. Grands Rapids has a vast and effective recycling program! While living there I was able to recycle 2/3 of all my garbage at no extra cost or effort to myself; their recycling trucks arrive every other week to collect the contents of my city provided recycling dumpster. I recently moved to Pittsburgh, PA for work and currently live there (1year) and am very happy to say that I recently found a new much higher paying job as a medical technologist back in Grand Rapids and am heading back at the end of this month. If your looking for a healthy clean and beautiful place to live out your days then give the great city of grand rapids a shot, you will be very pleasantly surprised.