12 Things You Actually Need To Know Before Picking Up And Moving To Pittsburgh
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Thinking of moving to Pittsburgh? Well, that’s a pretty good decision. After all, Pittsburgh boasts a slew of selling points – from affordability and a wealth of educational and employment opportunities to world class museums and top-notch restaurants. But, it goes beyond that. Pittsburgh’s a friendly, forward-looking city that offers plenty to those who call it home. Here are 12 things you actually need to know before picking up and moving to Pittsburgh.
That's right. We've got all four seasons, each promising its own spectacular beauty. But, sometimes we experience them all in one day. Always be prepared when you live in the Burgh. You could wake up to freezing cold temps, so you bundle up when going out. Then, by mid-afternoon, it's warm enough to hit the pool. Expect the unexpected when you live in Pittsburgh.
Technically, we could rename summer in Pittsburgh "construction." Construction abounds during the summer months. And, as a result, we have to find new ways to get where we want to go. That might sound like a big hassle. But, look at it this way. You also discover hidden gems and places you didn't know exists along the way.
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Yep, you'll definitely need a GPS to help you navigate the construction. And, you just might need a way to avoid the toll roads, too. (We'll get to that in a minute.)
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Sure, gasoline prices are high just about anywhere you go in the country. Unfortunately, PA leads the U.S. in gasoline taxes. We pay taxes of 58 cents per gallon on gasoline. The rest of the country? Well, they pay an average of 30.5 cents per gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute.
One of the best things you can do as a Pittsburgher is to learn alternate routes. The Pennsylvania Turnpike offers convenience. But, it comes at a price. And, that price goes up every year (and is slated to go up every year through 2047.)
Most Pittsburghers who use public transportation rely on the bus system. Pittsburgh does have a subway system, but it's not as complex as, say, Washington D.C. or New York City. In fact, it is considerably smaller and only connects to certain neighborhoods.
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Unless you're driving very early in the morning or late at night, you're pretty much guaranteed to run into traffic along the parkway. Unfortunately, much of that traffic results from the tunnels, particularly the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, where traffic slows to a crawl before the entrance. No one really knows why.
As of 2017, Pittsburgh ranks #19 when it comes to livable cities in the United States. (It has been named to the top of the list previously, however.) The cost of living in the U.S., according to Sperling's Best Places, is 88 out of 100, which means it's cheaper than other places in the U.S. The median home price in Pittsburgh, for example, is $138,700 while the median home price in the U.S. stands at $216,200.
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Pittsburgh lays claim to some pretty amazing universities (Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, and so on) and medical facilities, like UPMC and West Penn Allegheny Health System.
Sure, you can suffer boredom in the Burgh. But, that's only because you're not looking hard enough. There's always something to do in Pittsburgh - whether it's heading to Kennywood or Sandcastle Waterpark or the Cultural District. Pittsburgh offers plenty to do all year around.
Even if you don't like football, you'll find yourself caught up in the excitement of Steeler Nation. Pittsburgh is, first and foremost, Steeler country. And, of course, we root for the Pens and the Pirates, too.
Move to the city as a stranger. But, soon you will find friends all around you. Pittsburghers are a friendly, welcoming group. And, you'll find a smile and a friendly face just about anywhere you go in the Burgh. Welcome home!
What else would you tell someone moving to Pittsburgh? Join the conversation below! Then, click here to read about the 10 things Pittsburghers take for granted but shouldn’t.
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