Pittsburgh anyone?

[Chet]

I just learned we are doing a major project in Pittsburgh so we're establishing a permanent branch office there. Are there any Cyburbanites from there?

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

Lived there for 3 years. Nice place if yinze are going to be there for a while.

 

[biscuit]

Well yeah! There's a few of us (non native) Pittsburghers hanging around Cyburbia.

Chet
If you don't mind me asking... As there are several going on, what "major project" are you going to be working on? You can PM me with the details if you'd like.

 

[Cardinal]

I hope you are trying to wrangle some major economic development incentives from them in order to open an office there.

 

[biscuit]

I hope you are trying to wrangle some major economic development incentives from them in order to open an office there.

You're kidding, right? We're probably going to charge the company for moving here in order to pay for the extra police presence and mental health workers we're going to need once Chet gets into town. ;-)

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

You're kidding, right? We're probably going to charge the company for moving here in order to pay for the extra police presence and mental health workers we're going to need once Chet gets into town. ;-)

Don't forget the extra kitten coroners

 

[Tom R]

Pgh

I was born and raised in New Kensington, about 20 miles up the Allegheny from Pittsburgh.

 

[Chet]

I PM'd you Biscuit.

 

[PlannerGirl]

ohh its not too far from DC!

 

[steveanne]

Went to school a little north of there. Good old Edinboro University. Are yunz gonna eat some chipped ham or jumbo while yer there?

 

[mendelman]

I really like Pittsburgh! The location, among the ridges and narrow river valleys gives great views from practically any location. It has a very east coast look but has a very midwest attitude.

A little geology lesson (correct if I'm wrong about any of the following):
Pittsburgh is essentially in a high plateau coming off the western side of the Appalachians. With the city located at the headwaters of the Ohio River (two large rivers converging into one much larger river), all the ridges and valleys of the city have been gouged out of the plateau by the rivers and their tributaries, giving the city a pseudo "mountianous" setting. It's really dramatic. And for people like me, who grew up on a Great Lake shoreline plain, it's really cool.

The autumn colors must be great.

 

[donk]

I just learned we are doing a major project in Pittsburgh so we're establishing a permanent branch office there. Are there any Cyburbanites from there?

Not from there, but for the right job offer may be willing to relocate.

Pittsburgh is home to one of the best cycling mags out there - Dirt Rag. From reviews and adds in Dirt Rag there appears to be some good bars in town and nice enough landscape around the city.

 

[biscuit]

I really like Pittsburgh! The location, among the ridges and narrow river valleys gives great views from practically any location. It has a very east coast look but has a very midwest attitude.

A little geology lesson (correct if I'm wrong about any of the following):
Pittsburgh is essentially in a high plateau coming off the western side of the Appalachians. With the city located at the headwaters of the Ohio River (two large rivers converging into one much larger river), all the ridges and valleys of the city have been gouged out of the plateau by the rivers and their tributaries, giving the city a pseudo "mountianous" setting. It's really dramatic. And for people like me, who grew up on a Great Lake shoreline plain, it's really cool.

The autumn colors must be great.

You got the geography/geology lesson pretty dead on.

It's actually a great place to live. The people are friendly, crime is low, the cost of living is lower than other major metro areas on the east coast, and the terrain is indeed very interesting. My only real complaints are the often often overcast days of winter, the older housing stock is a little smaller, and denser, than what I've been acustomed to, and that interesting terrain can sometimes make it a real pain to find your way around if your not familiar with the area - having to cross at least two bridges, go through a tunnel and wrap around the side of hill just to get anywhere can be an experience.

So come on for a visit... We could use the tax dollars. ;-)

And the fall colors are very nice.

 

[valhallan]

I've been looking at Pittsburgh for grad school, so rather than posting a new thread I figured why not revive this one.

My initial impressions of Pitt, from these boards and some internet research, is that it's like Baltimore without the crime. Blue-collar, relatively cheap, experiencing some renewal.. are those impressions accurate?

How's the area around Duquesne University? Can anyone recommend some walkable neighborhoods within a comfortable distance of DU?

I'm fairly excited to explore the possibilities of Pittsburgh since it's close to home and appears to be diamond in the rough. Any thoughts appreciated!

Biscuit??

 

[BKM]

I've been looking at Pittsburgh for grad school, so rather than posting a new thread I figured why not revive this one.

My initial impressions of Pitt, from these boards and some internet research, is that it's like Baltimore without the crime. Blue-collar, relatively cheap, experiencing some renewal.. are those impressions accurate?

How's the area around Duquesne University? Can anyone recommend some walkable neighborhoods within a comfortable distance of DU?

I'm fairly excited to explore the possibilities of Pittsburgh since it's close to home and appears to be diamond in the rough. Any thoughts appreciated!

Biscuit??

There are a ton of photo threads on Pittsburgh over at the urbanphoto.net discussion board. The posters generally prefer "grit" but you can at least get a taste of the place.

 

[drucee]

My current boss in the informal planning project I'm doing here in Chicago went to CMU and came up with some pretty involved studies of the Strip District in Pittsburgh--she wants to similarly study Wicker Park/Bucktown in Chicago.

Here's her link, if you're interested:
Pittsburgh nightlife

 

[Cardinal]

Interesting article in the Denver Business Journal about all of the engineering firms lining up for a chance at teh $4.7 billion Fastracks program that was just passed - bus rapid transit, commuter rail and light rail - ten years begore it is completed.

 

[biscuit]

How's the area around Duquesne University? Can anyone recommend some walkable neighborhoods within a comfortable distance of DU?

I'm fairly excited to explore the possibilities of Pittsburgh since it's close to home and appears to be diamond in the rough. Any thoughts appreciated!

Biscuit??

Well, being that I'm a planner, a non-notive, and not an employee of the Chamber of Commerce I'll try to give you a straight response to any questions you have. Duquesne University is in the Uptown/Bluff area of the city directly East and adjacent to Downtown. It’s a neighborhood that has seen better days but is slowly trying to turn the corner. But to be honest, unless cheap rent is your thing, other than a couple of apt. high rises owned by the University, I wouldn’t recommend living there. It hasn’t turned the corner just enough yet, and other than some of the few newer developments, has a pretty dumpy housing stock.

From what I’ve observed a lot of DU students seem to live in the South Side , a neighborhood across the Monongahela River from DU of about 20 blocks of bars, cafes, apartments, and eclectic shops. It’s an interesting place but it might be little loud and too much temptation for a graduate student. You could honestly live anywhere in the City and get to the University with relative ease using the bus system. For walkability, and a little less wildness on the weekends, I would recommend areas in the East End of the city. Squirrel Hill, Shadeyside, Bloomfield, Friendship, etc., are nice neighborhoods with sizable grad student populations.

Hope that helps.

 

[valhallan]

From what I’ve observed a lot of DU students seem to live in the South Side , a neighborhood across the Monongahela River from DU of about 20 blocks of bars, cafes, apartments, and eclectic shops. It’s an interesting place but it might be little loud and too much temptation for a graduate student. You could honestly live anywhere in the City and get to the University with relative ease using the bus system. For walkability, and a little less wildness on the weekends, I would recommend areas in the East End of the city. Squirrel Hill, Shadeyside, Bloomfield, Friendship, etc., are nice neighborhoods with sizable grad student populations.

Hope that helps.

It does. I'm also looking at U-Pitt and starting to find it more desirable in terms of location and programs offered. The East End neighborhoods do appear to be more to my liking than South Side. Coming from Northern Virginia, I'm blown away by the low housing costs in Pittsburgh and even the most expensive neighborhoods seem reasonable.

The complaints about nightlife don't bother me. My desires in no particular order are:

1. Walkability - I hate driving now after commuting two hours a day
2. Tranquility - ..for lack of a better word. I want to be like a fly on the wall.
3. Inexpensive - I'm not interested in being rich so I don't manage my money well (would you believe I'm an accountant?) and would like to stop worrying about exhorbitant rents like I do here in metro DC.
4. Sports teams - I love going to sporting events, especially those that are "downtown" (read: not like the Redskins)
5. Single people - I'll be 24 and on the prowl eventually
6. Local bars/diners - I enjoy being a "regular" and having a place other than my home to relax
7. Cold weather - Fall and winter are my favorite time of year so I want the temperature to drop as it should
8. A-political - DC is attractive but I can't handle the obsession with political matters. Live and let live I say

That's all I can think of right away. Does Pittsburgh fit the bill?

Any other suggestions? Originally I liked Philadelphia, but it might be too trendy for my tastes. Perhaps I should give it another visit though.

All comments welcome, thanks

 

[biscuit]

It does. I'm also looking at U-Pitt and starting to find it more desirable in terms of location and programs offered.

I don't know what you want to go back to school for but Pitt has a fairly decent MPA program that I'm looking at to start next fall, and Carnegie-Mellon has the urban policy program that Richard Florida was once a part of. Should you decide on Pitt my only advise is to find somewhere to live other than Oakland. It's a student ghetto that has little to offer beyond being home to most of the universities and the co-ed undergraduate eye candy.

The East End neighborhoods do appear to be more to my liking than South Side. Coming from Northern Virginia, I'm blown away by the low housing costs in Pittsburgh and even the most expensive neighborhoods seem reasonable

Since you're from NoVa you'd probably find most of the nation in general to be reasonable when it comes to housing. Here, it can very wildly between neighborhoods. In the tonier East End neighborhoods you can look to spend about $700 and up for a decent one bedroom and around $900 for a two bedroom. Just don't hold that as the gospel truth as it's just my experience from looking last Spring.

The complaints about nightlife don't bother me. My desires in no particular order are:

1. Walkability - I hate driving now after commuting two hours a day
2. Tranquility - ..for lack of a better word. I want to be like a fly on the wall.
3. Inexpensive - I'm not interested in being rich so I don't manage my money well (would you believe I'm an accountant?) and would like to stop worrying about exhorbitant rents like I do here in metro DC.
4. Sports teams - I love going to sporting events, especially those that are "downtown" (read: not like the Redskins)
5. Single people - I'll be 24 and on the prowl eventually
6. Local bars/diners - I enjoy being a "regular" and having a place other than my home to relax
7. Cold weather - Fall and winter are my favorite time of year so I want the temperature to drop as it should
8. A-political - DC is attractive but I can't handle the obsession with political matters. Live and let live I say

That's all I can think of right away. Does Pittsburgh fit the bill?

1. Walkability is not a real problem here in the city, and almost every neighborhood has a shopping district and/or grocery store. In fact yesterday I walked down to the Whole Foods in in the neighborhood next over from ours (about a mile from our apartment) and took the bus back after buying the weeks groceries. I could have driven, but I don't have to, so i didn't.

2. Nothing ever really happens here, so It's easier to pick out the neighborhoods where you might be bothered.

3. Already covered housing cost

4. All I have to say is that the Steelers are the best team in the NFL right now. I'm not a sports nut but minumal knowledge of the local pro teams is kind of required upon moving here.

5. This town is not really known as a hotbed for singles so that may be a downside. But considering you'll be in school your chances of hooking up are a lot better than most.

6. What this town lacks in a "club scene" (man I hate meat-market clubs) it more than makes up for in local bars and taverns. They are everywhere and are one of the backbones of many traditional Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

7. Fall and Spring are incredible in western PA. The winters are a little too overcast and gray for my taste but the snowfall is rarely too much to become a nuisance.

8. This is a nominal blue county so while it's not a-political there's no real bother over your personal politics.

Does Pittsburgh fit the bill? That's for you to decide.

 

[jresta]

Any other suggestions? Originally I liked Philadelphia, but it might be too trendy for my tastes. Perhaps I should give it another visit though.

All comments welcome, thanks

haha, ohh man, :h: !

I know i'm always talking up Philly but it's funny that you called it trendy (even though i don't exactly know what you mean by trendy). I was in Tyson's Corner over the weekend for a friend's birthday party and started chattin' up a few of his friends and they asked where i lived. When i told them Philly they perked up, asked how i liked it, then immediately started talking about the Real World.

It's also funny b/c on the way out there we stopped by the Whole Foods near Dupont Circle to hook up the wine&beer discount for the party (the lady friend is their Philly PR gal.) and after driving around the neighborhood and going in the store i turned to my sister-in-law and asked "did i miss something? Brooklyn changed a lot in 6 months."

I don't know enough about Pittsburgh to make a comparison - but ChevyChaseDC interns here now and he just moved here a few months ago from, as the name suggests, your area. He could give you the DC comparison.

1. Walkability - It doesn't get much more walkable than this city. Honestly. I'm not even a member of PhillyCarShare because i never need it.

2. Tranquility - This depends totally on the neighborhood but there are plenty of the quiet kind.

3. Inexpensive - It's getting more expensive here at a rapid rate but rents are still cheap compared to DC or Boston.

4. Sports teams - I'm not really into the teams here but everyone knows the reputation. Not downtown but they're a 15 minute subway ride away.

5. Single people - Plenty, too many to want to not be single.

6. Local bars/diners - One of my favorite things about living here. Awesome and cheap food and good but inexpensive beer.

7. Cold weather - Very similar to DC and the northwestern part of the city and the suburbs have great fall foliage

8. A-political - people here are pretty political during campaign season but off-season it doesn't dominate city life like in DC.

 

[valhallan]

I don't know what you want to go back to school for but Pitt has a fairly decent MPA program that I'm looking at to start next fall, and Carnegie-Mellon has the urban policy program that Richard Florida was once a part of.

I'm considering MPA programs, but leaning toward staying in accounting. MSAcc programs are very hard to find though and unfortunately Duquesne is the only school in downtown Pittsburgh offering one.

6. What this town lacks in a "club scene" (man I hate meat-market clubs) it more than makes up for in local bars and taverns. They are everywhere and are one of the backbones of many traditional Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

This is very appealing to me and something that knocks DC off my list. Local dives need character and grit, as it appears both Pittsburgh and parts of Philadelphia have. IMO, D.C. is mostly full of shallowness and pretty colors... and more meat-markets than taverns.

8. This is a nominal blue county so while it's not a-political there's no real bother over your personal politics.

Is the part you edited? I was originally going to reply by saying any urban center will likely be at odds with my personal beliefs, so my goal is to find one where I'm not bombarded by activists trying to change me. Sounds like Pitt would be ok for that.

I'm going to research the area further and plan a weekend trip in the near future. Duquesne would likely be the victim of my educational endeavors, so I'll check out Carson St, Bloomfield, and a few other spots. Here's to hoping they're not too scary for a quiet conservative like myself :b:

 

[valhallan]

I know i'm always talking up Philly but it's funny that you called it trendy (even though i don't exactly know what you mean by trendy).

Trendy to me is girls dressing like tramps looking for Abercrombie guys and those meat-heads ruining otherwise relaxing bars. I want to have a beard and not feel like everyone thinks I'm homeless. Does that make any sense?

I was in Tyson's Corner over the weekend for a friend's birthday party and started chattin' up a few of his friends and they asked where i lived. When i told them Philly they perked up, asked how i liked it, then immediately started talking about the Real World.

We don't have a lot going on here. Just traffic and cable television.

1. Walkability - It doesn't get much more walkable than this city. Honestly. I'm not even a member of PhillyCarShare because i never need it.

I spent a weekend in Philly and loved it's density and grid.. very easy to navigate. We stayed in Rittenhouse Sq and had no trouble walking to South St and Olde City. Cabs were also readily available, which was very cool.

3. Inexpensive - It's getting more expensive here at a rapid rate but rents are still cheap compared to DC or Boston.

This is what scares me. I guess housing costs will go up everywhere eventually, but while in Philly I got the sense it was quickly going start developing the characteristics that make D.C. unappealing to me.

6. Local bars/diners - One of my favorite things about living here. Awesome and cheap food and good but inexpensive beer.

Definitely. Everywhere I dined was excellent and I've been drinking Yuengling since the high school days.

8. A-political - people here are pretty political during campaign season but off-season it doesn't dominate city life like in DC.

Yes I noticed plenty of political concern in Philly, but of course that was everywhere this time around. I hope it doesn't dominate city life normally as you say, but I got a keen sense of pent-up liberalism just waiting to explode there. Perhaps I'm just paranoid.

Other than fears of eventual political persecution, Philly's big negative is education. Temple appears to be the only option for a master's in accounting and I've heard many horror stories about that area. Didn't get a chance to visit for myself, so I'll have to give it another look. Any opinion on the neighborhoods surrounding Temple?

 

[jresta]

Trendy to me is girls dressing like tramps looking for Abercrombie guys and those meat-heads ruining otherwise relaxing bars. I want to have a beard and not feel like everyone thinks I'm homeless. Does that make any sense?

I know that scene and you'll find that in the Main Line suburbs, Manayunk and in select bars in University City but even then it's not the same. I've been to bars and clubs in DC and it reminded me very much of a slightly more grown up version of the southern frat scene i saw in Columbia and Chapel Hill. I think people here are a lot more down to earth - even the frat kids. Either way you certainly don't see that in Center City or the surrounding neighborhoods. If the Old City crowd didn't bother you you'll LOVE the neighborhood spots.

I spent a weekend in Philly and loved it's density and grid.. very easy to navigate. We stayed in Rittenhouse Sq and had no trouble walking to South St and Olde City. Cabs were also readily available, which was very cool.

The cabs are great and cheap (not like in DC where they charge you by # of occupants) and cross-town transit is abundant and easy. Not only that but if you're feeling lazy you don't even need transportation to have a drink and a meal.

This is what scares me. I guess housing costs will go up everywhere eventually, but while in Philly I got the sense it was quickly going start developing the characteristics that make D.C. unappealing to me.

Philly is a lot bigger than the district geographically so it has a long way to go before the housing market reaches that level. I know very few people that still live in Center City because of the prices. All of my friends are north of Spring Garden St, south of South St, or out in West Philly and these are the places i spend most of my time.

Yes I noticed plenty of political concern in Philly, but of course that was everywhere this time around. I hope it doesn't dominate city life normally as you say, but I got a keen sense of pent-up liberalism just waiting to explode there. Perhaps I'm just paranoid.

If you want a conservative city you won't find it in Philly or Allegheny County but I hear Cincinatti is the place to be. Seriously though, Philly is Democrat's city. I wouldn't say it's necessarily "liberal" (the image coming to mind for me is the BoBo). It's still a very blue collar town. The liberal activists are in Mt. Airy and the anarchists are along Baltimore Ave. in West Philly. I don't think you should fear moving to a blue county, especially this one, because it's pretty easy to avoid political discussion.

Other than fears of eventual political persecution, Philly's big negative is education. Temple appears to be the only option for a master's in accounting and I've heard many horror stories about that area. Didn't get a chance to visit for myself, so I'll have to give it another look. Any opinion on the neighborhoods surrounding Temple?

Haha. Temple. Yeah, it's bad, but getting better quickly. A new wave of redevelopment is hanging in the air waiting to explode up there but for now it's quite short on amenities. There's no reason to live there anyway. I have a few friends who go there and they all live in South Philly and take the subway or they live in Manayunk or the suburbs and take the train (Temple has its own train station).

Maybe you checked them all out already but what about Penn? Arcadia? Phila U.? Drexel? St. Joe's? LaSalle? Villanova? Haverford? Swarthmore (beware the liberals ;-) )? Rutgers-Camden? Widener? Rowan?

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

valhallan, if your looking for good neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, don't listen to biscuit, those neighborhoods he lists are bad news. Give these a shot

1. Hill District: They have your goods there, and if you like good art, like cars with missing wheels on concrete cinder blocks, they have you covered.

2. Uptown: Where else can you find a cheap date at 7 in the morning, wearing a fake fur coat.

3. East Liberty: Hey, if you like McDonalds and getting shot at one by a crazed shooter, they have your value meal.

4. Arlington Heights: Keep on driving.

5. Federal Street on the Northside by the 24 hour beer store: Cops moved there police station from there because property values were skyrocketing

Actually listen to biscuit because I was kidding around.

There are some good neighborhoods on the Northside, but that can change within a few blocks. You might want to also look at the Strip District, east of downtown. Also Friendship, Polish Hill, Bloomfield (probally messed that one up), Mt Washington (stay away from Mt Oliver, that place was fun). I lived in the Southside for a while and Carson Street, the main drag can get pretty crazy and hairy at nights. But some of the streets of of it are pretty cool and not as hectic, plus there are plenty of neighborhood bars hidden throughout the area.

If your going to go to Duke, the southside might be an option because the 10th St. bridge connects the southside with the school practically.

 

[valhallan]

All of my friends are north of Spring Garden St, south of South St, or out in West Philly and these are the places i spend most of my time ... Haha. Temple. There's no reason to live there anyway. I have a few friends who go there and they all live in South Philly and take the subway or they live in Manayunk or the suburbs and take the train (Temple has its own train station).

South of South St interests me. I walked from Rittenhouse to the cheesesteak places at 9th and Passyunk and liked the area around Washington Ave/Wharton St. If there's a train station nearby that can take me to Temple, we may have a potential winner.

If you want a conservative city you won't find it in Philly or Allegheny County but I hear Cincinatti is the place to be. Seriously though, Philly is Democrat's city. I wouldn't say it's necessarily "liberal" (the image coming to mind for me is the BoBo). It's still a very blue collar town. The liberal activists are in Mt. Airy and the anarchists are along Baltimore Ave. in West Philly. I don't think you should fear moving to a blue county, especially this one, because it's pretty easy to avoid political discussion.

Nah, don't want a conservative city. I actually prefer surrounding myself with people of differing views, as long as they don't try to shove it down my throat. Besides, a conservative going to a city and not expecting to hear liberalism is like an atheist going to church and not expecting to hear about God. ^o)

Maybe you checked them all out already but what about Penn? Arcadia? Phila U.? Drexel? St. Joe's? LaSalle? Villanova? Haverford? Swarthmore (beware the liberals ;-) )? Rutgers-Camden? Widener? Rowan?

It's been a while since I researched those schools, but I believe they were all ruled out based on location, cost, or lack of program availability.. Rutgers is a possibility, I'll check them out again.

It's getting down to crunch time for me and I won't be able to survive another year in this purgatory known as Northern Virginia. A lot of people like it here and maybe I'll come back someday but now is the time to explore other areas. jresta may convince me Philly is the right place, but I'm going to pay Pittsburgh a visit for good measure.

Thanks everyone, I'll probably have more questions soon ;-)

 

[biscuit]

valhallan, if your looking for good neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, don't listen to biscuit, those neighborhoods he lists are bad news. Give these a shot

5. Federal Street on the Northside by the 24 hour beer store: Cops moved there police station from there because property values were skyrocketing

What you saying about Federal St. Rumpy? Property values were on their way up, but the "ladies" in front of the beer store told me that they had to stop their beautification project. Seems they've been short on cash ever since you left for town.

valhallan: send me a PM before you visit the 'Burgh. I'd be willing to give the nickle tour and participate in a mini-Cyburbia Alefest. :b:

 

[jresta]

South of South St interests me. I walked from Rittenhouse to the cheesesteak places at 9th and Passyunk and liked the area around Washington Ave/Wharton St. If there's a train station nearby that can take me to Temple, we may have a potential winner.

Rittenhouse to Pat's! That's quite a hike. Bella Vista (amazing restaurants everywhere) and Queen Village are the neighborhoods between South St. and Washington Ave. You can still find decent rents in BV and QV but i think QV tends to be on the more expensive side. The neighborhoods south of Washington Ave. are Pennsport east of 6th St. and Passyunk Square west of 6th. Both neighborhoods are affordable and quiet.

Next time you're coming up let me know and i'll give you the list of restaurants/bars to check out.

For housing you should check out the area between 10th & Broad St. between Washington and Snyder. The subway runs beneath Broad St. and the stops are Ellsworth/Federal, Tasker/Morris, and Snyder. The main stop for Temple is Cecil B. Moore. It's a 6-7 minute ride to Center City and a 15 minute ride to Cecil B.

 

[valhallan]

valhallan: send me a PM before you visit the 'Burgh. I'd be willing to give the nickle tour and participate in a mini-Cyburbia Alefest.

Definitely, sounds good biscuit :b: It'll be my first real visit to Pitt so I'll need plenty of guidance.

Rittenhouse to Pat's! That's quite a hike. Bella Vista (amazing restaurants everywhere) and Queen Village are the neighborhoods between South St. and Washington Ave. You can still find decent rents in BV and QV but i think QV tends to be on the more expensive side. The neighborhoods south of Washington Ave. are Pennsport east of 6th St. and Passyunk Square west of 6th. Both neighborhoods are affordable and quiet.

Next time you're coming up let me know and i'll give you the list of restaurants/bars to check out.

For housing you should check out the area between 10th & Broad St. between Washington and Snyder. The subway runs beneath Broad St. and the stops are Ellsworth/Federal, Tasker/Morris, and Snyder. The main stop for Temple is Cecil B. Moore. It's a 6-7 minute ride to Center City and a 15 minute ride to Cecil B.

Yeah it was a looong walk, but gave me chance to see more of the city firsthand.

Bella Vista is where the Italian market is, right? That was neat but probably too bustling for me. I'll definitely shop there though, looks like they have some wonderful items. Between 10th and Broad sounds ideal so I'm going to keep my eye on rents in that area. Hopefully they won't skyrocket between now and August! I'm hoping for no more than 650 for a one-bedroom, do you think that's attainable?

 

[narrator]

Philly's big negative is education. /QUOTE]

You couldn't be more wrong (or your just looking in the wrong places for programs)

I don't have the statistics to back it up...but I would say Philadelphia's concentration of colleges & university's rivals Boston's or at least comes in second...

There are few places close to so many high quality schools in the nation...

Pittsburgh has one of the fastest aging populations (and oldest) in the nation, (and even though Philadelphia still has problems with brain drain) there is still a strong population of people in their mid to late 20s...

obviously it's my opinion but I would recommend thinking alot more about Philadelphia then Pittsburgh....with Philadelphia your in prime location....45min -1.5hr to the beach, 1.5 hr to the mountains, 1.5 hr to NYC, 1.5 hr to Baltimore....it's just very accessible...

 

[valhallan]

You couldn't be more wrong (or your just looking in the wrong places for programs)

Right, I have a specific program in mind and the money to pay for it will be coming out of my own pocket. The only option in Philly for me is Temple.

obviously it's my opinion but I would recommend thinking alot more about Philadelphia then Pittsburgh....with Philadelphia your in prime location....45min -1.5hr to the beach, 1.5 hr to the mountains, 1.5 hr to NYC, 1.5 hr to Baltimore....it's just very accessible...

I am thinking more about Philadelphia. It's closer to home and I've seen enough of it to know I'd comfortable there. Pittsburgh is intriguing though and I want to give it a good look too. My main goal has been to find a school that I could walk to in a major city. Temple will require a train ride, but it looks like Philly has enough positives to make up for that.

Honestly, if I can find a job and a place around 150k in South Philly I'm there. In-state tuition and a piece of the real estate market.. boo-yah.

 

[jresta]

Yeah it was a looong walk, but gave me chance to see more of the city firsthand.

Bella Vista is where the Italian market is, right? That was neat but probably too bustling for me. I'll definitely shop there though, looks like they have some wonderful items. Between 10th and Broad sounds ideal so I'm going to keep my eye on rents in that area. Hopefully they won't skyrocket between now and August! I'm hoping for no more than 650 for a one-bedroom, do you think that's attainable?

Yes, The Italian Market starts at 9th & Christian in Bella Vista and extends down 9th Street into Passyunk Square although most of the shops worth visiting are north of Washington Ave.

$550-$700/month sounds about right for a one bedroom. $650-$700 can get you a brand new place. If you're in the market to buy there's still plenty available for $150k.