Pittsburgh is Pennsylvania’s second-largest city with a rich history that dates back to the mid-1700s and goes beyond the steel industry and its sports teams. Though, if you know anyone from Pittsburgh, you know how proud they are of their sports teams! It’s not just a pastime for Pittsburghers; it’s a lifestyle. You’re moving to a competitive city when it comes to sports and they’ve got the wins too!
Once the nation’s top steel producer, it’s now a leader in up and coming sectors like healthcare, technology, financial services, and education. There’s a multitude of education options for all ages located throughout the city. Brush up on current skills or learn, train for a new line of work, or take a collegial approach to your education at any of the area trade schools, community colleges, or universities. There’s something for everyone here, especially if you’re moving to Pittsburgh to raise a family.
Pittsburgh: More Than Sports and Steel
Pittsburgh, PA, is home to a host of sports teams, including NFL six-time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins with four Stanley Cup wins, and MLB Pittsburgh Pirates (the city’s oldest professional sports team) with five World Series wins under their belt. The City of Champions offers a variety of athletic complexes for all ages with experienced coaches to ensure each athlete, regardless of age, knows their chosen sport inside and out. The city offers a host of world-renowned hospitals where people come from all over to receive top-notch medical care. The variety of places to live and do business often feature fabulous, breathtaking views to enjoy while shopping, dining, or relaxing. Take a tour to view the historical landmarks and museums and learn about the real history of Pittsburgh, PA.
About Pittsburgh
Get around Pittsburgh using public transportation by the Port Authority of Allegheny County for easy access to grocery stores, shopping plazas, and places to dine. Ridership reaches roughly 230,000 riders each day by bus, light rail, incline, and paratransit services, including to and from Pittsburgh International Airport. For frequent use or commuting, you’ll want to use their reloadable ConnectCard for convenient travel in any direction. Healthy Ride lets those using the bike share system receive unlimited 15-minute rides to shorten their travel time between destinations. Ride for free 24/7 on the “T,” the city’s light rail system, within Downtown Pittsburgh and North Shore. Take a ride on the Gateway Clipper from Station Square to PNC Park or Heinz Field for college and professional sports, concerts, and other events and take in the breathtaking view of where the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers meet. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Pittsburgh when you use the Duquesne or Monongahela Incline, the Healthy Ride bike share system, or walk from point A to point B.
Pittsburgh, PA, earned plenty of aliases over the years. In the early 1800s, it received the name “Gateway to the West” because of the intersection of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers that join to form the Ohio River, enabling it to become a leader in the trade industry for its ease of transporting goods. Many refer to Pittsburgh as “Three Rivers” because of these intersecting rivers. The city’s prominence in the steel industry and the production of iron gave way to the name’s “Iron City” and “Steel City” in the 19th century. Some call it “The World’s Most Livable City” due to community efforts in preserving historical landmarks, innovation, and vast “green building square footage” throughout its neighborhoods. Pittsburghers welcome strangers and natives with open arms, thus deeming this “The City with a Smile on Its Face.”
Cost of Living in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA is a great place to call home for your family or business. Friendly neighbors in the city’s small towns and neighborhoods welcome newcomers and natives returning home with a smile. The cost of living varies by location yet remains competitive with neighboring areas. The Pittsburgh Metro area tends to run a bit less than surrounding neighborhoods. As of August 2020, home values in the Pittsburgh area average about $179,972, with a median cost of $144 per square foot. In the Pittsburgh Metro area, the average is $125 per square foot. To rent a home in Pittsburgh, expect to pay $1,200 to $1,400 per month on average, depending on location. Utility costs typically run the same as nearby cities yet are less than the national average. If you’re moving to Pittsburgh and plan on utilizing public transportation most or all of the time, opt for a home near a transit stop. Take advantage of the benefits of the ConnectCard for added convenience. Healthcare costs tend to be lower than in other areas of the United States at world-renowned hospitals located throughout the city.
Communities in the Steel City
The City of Pittsburgh consists of 90 named neighborhoods, more than any other city in the United States, throughout its hills and valleys. Each one has something unique to share, from shopping and dining to education and culture. The Strip District was once home to a host of mills and factories, including those that made cannons during the Civil War and famous companies like the H. J. Heinz Company and U.S. Steel. Today, it features a wealth of opportunities for outdoor shopping, farm-fresh produce, coffee, and enjoying various cultural activities throughout the year while mingling with the locals. Venture to Shadyside on the East End of Pittsburgh for a gander at the vibrant neighborhood that’s full of history, art, and culture. The former farmland is now streets lined with homes and businesses and hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the Shadyside Arts Festival attended by people from around the world. Shadyside is home to Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh’s oldest jewelry store, and Pamela’s Diner, once visited by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Oakland
Pittsburgh’s college neighborhood is home to the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Students gather here throughout the year, even over the summer months. Here you’ll find attractions including the Nationality Rooms as the Cathedral of Learning ― known as Pittsburgh’s skyscraper of higher education ― Phipps Conservatory, and Carnegie Museums of Art and National History which are world-class museums. Neighborhood restaurants are typically the gastropub variety designed to fit a college student’s budget. Oakland is a popular location for workers, commuters, and students creating a fair amount of traffic throughout the day instead of at the typical rush hour.
West End Village
Initially known as Temperanceville, West End Village is less than one mile from Downtown in the West End of Pittsburgh. The residential neighborhood with an area of less than one square mile has a population of fewer than 300 residents. West End Village’s business district recently attracted renewed interest thanks to the decision of the Urban Redevelopment Authority to deem it a Mainstreet Pittsburgh District in 2009 to support local businesses and galleries located here. It’s home to the Old Stone Inn building that’s dated circa 1756, possibly one of the oldest buildings in the region. The neighborhood has access to Pittsburgh’s North Side via the West End Bridge or the South Side and McKees Rocks by Carson Street.
Mount Oliver
Mount Oliver is an independent borough located entirely inside the city limits of Pittsburgh, PA. Mount Oliver’s origins date back to the mid-1700s when John Ormsby received 249 acres of what would later become the City of Pittsburgh. The city’s oldest distinguished lineage belongs to the Ormsby family. The business district of Mount Oliver spans the length of the neighborhood from Carrick to the South Side Slopes. It’s a great place to open or expand a business of any sort to fill the colorful, vibrant storefronts located throughout the neighborhood. Enjoy the sights and colors of the murals created by local artist, Maria DiSimone Pracak, who donated her talent and time.
Things to do in the ‘burgh
With so many communities making up Pittsburgh’s culture, there’s an abundance of enjoyment to offer for all walks of life. From shopping areas and restaurants to museums and sports, every neighborhood has a slice of history to offer. Visit Bloomfield, known as “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy,” for homemade authentic Italian food. The Strip District features a wide variety of unique stores and excellent food. Throughout the city, there’s plenty of trendy shops and restaurants to be found to satisfy any craving. For the sports enthusiast, catch a youth, college, or professional football, baseball, or ice hockey game at one of many venues, including Heinz Field, PNC Park, and PPG Paints Arena. For those not up to the stadium experience, check out one of many area pubs or sports bars that feature game day specials.
Delve into Pittsburgh’s artistic and creative side with a trip to one of many area entertainment and cultural attractions. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium also has a zoological garden to enjoy in Highland Park. For those interested in birds, stop by the National Aviary, which received the honorary declaration of national status by the U.S. Congress in 1992. Stop by one of the 19 branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for tons of fun and educational activities. One of Pennsylvania’s largest history museums, Senator John Heinz History Center, is the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh that teaches the rich history of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.
For a wide variety of cultural options, check out the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Science Center: Highmark SportsWorks educates youngsters who wish to explore and entertain themselves with fields like sports, tech, and science. Take a walk through time with a trip to the Carnegie Museum of National History and Carnegie Museum of Art that brings historical moments of art and nature to life, including with a dinosaur collection. Pittsburgh is home to the Andy Warhol Museum, America’s largest museum dedicated to a single artist. The museum displays the Pittsburgh born and raised icon’s work throughout the years.
Reasons for Moving to Pittsburgh
There’s plenty of reasons for moving your business or family to the Pittsburgh area. Neighborhoods with open commercial offices or buildings welcome new businesses to the community and treat them like family. Couples and families seeking a place to call home can enjoy the moderate cost of living along with easy access to all of life’s necessities. The goal of Pittsburgh Public Schools is to accelerate students and eliminate racial inequalities in a positive atmosphere. PPS has 23 elementary schools, 11 K-8 schools, seven middle schools, four high schools, five grade 6-12 schools, and four specialty schools to ensure each child has the opportunity for quality education. Higher education options in Pittsburgh, PA, include Duquesne University, University of Pittsburgh, Point Park University, and Carnegie Mellon University. There’s also easy access to Washington & Jefferson, La Roche College, and Robert Morris University located just outside of Pittsburgh.
If you’re seeking a great place to live or do business in the United States, check out the Steel City in Pennsylvania. Whatever you need is usually only minutes away. When moving to Pittsburgh, find one of our local storage facilities and ask about available amenities to safeguard your personal or business belongings and make moving easier. Whether the move is across town or from coast to coast, we’ve got a Pittsburgh storage unit for you.
Header image by David Mark from Pixabay
