What is it like living in Pittsburgh?

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

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I've been there once, but it was years ago. I'm really thinking I might want to move there. Any info about anything would be helpful. I've read a lot on websites, but they are all so rosy! Thanks!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

I came to Pittsburgh from Chicago to go to grad school in 1975 and I stayed because I really like it.

It's a small city. I liked the fact that there were some nice parks and hills. Lots of trees and flowers and hills. Of course they have sports teams. Skiing about 60 miles east of here. A few museums, though not like Chicago. Zoo, Aviary, Symphony, plays, etc. Of course, since I'm old I don't do the nightlife and don't know much about it except that there are some new areas. I like the fact that there are nice hiking areas etc. close to the city and the city traffic isn't usually bad, so one can get anywhere pretty easily.

What I miss from Chicago is the restaurants, the museums, and the LAKE.

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I came to Pittsburgh from Chicago to go to grad school in 1975 and I stayed because I really like it.

It's a small city. I liked the fact that there were some nice parks and hills. Lots of trees and flowers and hills. Of course they have sports teams. Skiing about 60 miles east of here. A few museums, though not like Chicago. Zoo, Aviary, Symphony, plays, etc. Of course, since I'm old I don't do the nightlife and don't know much about it except that there are some new areas. I like the fact that there are nice hiking areas etc. close to the city and the city traffic isn't usually bad, so one can get anywhere pretty easily.

What I miss from Chicago is the restaurants, the museums, and the LAKE.

That is helpful! I'm over the nightlife for the most part, but I indulge once in a while. Do you have any opinions of the different areas of the city?

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Specializes in Emergency, neonatal, pediatrics.

Pittsburgh is a great mid-sized city with infinite opportunities for healthcare professionals. One of the things my friends from other parts of the country remark about when visiting here is the low cost of living - real estate, goods and services, education is all very affordable on a modest income. For cultural offerings, the city has its own orchestra and ballet, as well as the Carnegie Museums and Science Center.

This video, produced by UPMC for recruiting, is really good although a bit cheesy.

Cheers,

Josh

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.
That is helpful! I'm over the nightlife for the most part, but I indulge once in a while. Do you have any opinions of the different areas of the city?

Difficult question. Pittsburgh is pretty easy to get around in, so it doesn't matter that much except maybe at rush hour. There are nice areas all over the place. It may depend on where you work and what shift you work and what you like to do. Pittsburgh's rush hour isn't as bad as a lot of places, but when you are stuck in a tunnel it seems bad that day. Only reason I mention that is a nursing school classmate who lives in the South Hills suburbs has come dashing in to class almost late a few times complaining of being stuck in the Liberty Tunnels for 1/2 hour. Of course as a nurse, you won't necessarily be working a 9-5 job. There are a number of suburban hospitals too with the advantage of easy parking.

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Pittsburgh's got night life. You have just got to know where to go. I don't go clubbing all that often anymore, but there's quite a few clubs around. Pittsburgh has a lot of character, it's nice.

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Thanks to all of you!

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One amazing thing about Pittsburgh is the light traffic at certain times of day. I actually drive through the downtown(Pittsburghers pronounce it awntawn) as a short cut from the north side to the south hills between the hours of 10 am and 1pm. It is actually easier than using the highways like I79because they are busier. I wonder if their is another city in the world where you can do that. My son is somewhat of a world traveler and he says most cities in this country and others are grid locked all day long. Take Atlanta for instance. I make one disclaimer, 3 to 5 times a year for a variety of reasons you will suddenly give a huge traffic jam. There was an ice storm at the beginning of winter that turned the whole area into a parking lot. Football and baseball and hockey combined with other events can do the same, usually they are well managed and traffic is a minor problem even then. One warm fall day I drove through the city to meet someone for lunch. Their were people everywhere in brightly colored clothes in outdoor cafes, walking down the street and sitting at fountains. I could not notice that I was the only one around in an automobile.:D PS I love the strip district.

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Specializes in Telemetry, NICU.

It's finally snowing in Pittsburgh!

Pittsburgh is a great city! Rent is not as high as in other cities. The people are friendly. And it's hard to get lost here; it's a well mapped city! There are lots of things to do, depending on your taste. The Strip disrict has the best market, absolutely beautiful place in the Spring and Summer! The hospitals are great too!

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Specializes in Rotor EMS, Ped's ICU, CT-ICU,.

Disclaimer; Pittsburgh is easy to get around in for LOCALS!

Pittsburgh is a downright nightmare for out-of-towners!

The convergence of the three rivers does not help.

I lived in Pittsburgh for five years, and ruined a car learning how to get around in that city. After a year, I was zipping around Shadyside and East Liberty and cussing like a yinzer at the 'visitors.' I learned the side-streets to zip over from Lawrenceville or Breezewood to shortcut into Oakland, or get from Northside to Lawrenceville by avoiding the parkway when there were reports of another doggone crash near the Forbes exit. Unfortunately this becomes instinctive, almost something you cannot explain to someone who is asking you for directions in this poorly designed traffic system (there is no real beltway).

With the new GPS systems, however, you can get through this town much easier; the only challenge is making sure you are in the right lane when it tells you to turn...because these folks will not let you change lanes if they can at all help it. It's not because they don't like you (well, maybe it is a little bit), but it's because the people from this town are very competitive!

It was a fun place to live for 5 years, but I doubt I'll ever go back. The economy is stagnate, and the politics of the city are a mess. I do think it would a great place to send a child for college.

Anybody wanna go get a Primante's or some fries from the O?

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Lived in the "Burgh" in 91 - 92 - Miss the O fries and Primante's. Still go back to Penguins and Steelers games! LETS GO PENS!!!!!! Best people in the world. If I had to choose between Philly and Pittsburgh, it would be Pittsburgh hands down (dahn :) )

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Specializes in Case Management.

I have lived in Pittsburgh all my life, It is a great place to live and work. I work for the big University health plan (wink, wink) and it is a great job. The night life is great, and there are too many great things to do. If you decide to move here, PM me and I will find you some young folks to take you around to enjoy the night life. ( I am so over that part)

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