It has been a little over three years now since I moved to Pittsburgh. I’m happy to report that my homesickness is abating, enough for me to recognize and appreciate some things I’ve come to like* about living in this city.
View from Grandview Avenue, Mount Washington
-
WQED, FM 89.3. Twenty four hours of classical music; the station back home is classical only during the day.
-
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Yes, I work here but even if I didn’t, I’d still be using it all the time for free books, ebooks, and music, not to mention free music performances and lectures.
-
The somewhat more temperate climate and longer growing season; I come from the Great Lakes state, and it’s much colder there longer.
-
The walkability of life in a big city; I love that I can take public transit or walk downtown, which is less than 3 miles away from where I live…
-
In Chatham Village on Mount Washington, an historic garden cooperative that is like living in a park.
Chatham Village, Mount Washington
-
The lower cost of living, from food to housing to car insurance.
-
It’s only two hours to Lake Erie, which I visit every year for my Great Lakes’ fix.
Lake Erie
- Since Pennsylvania was one of the original thirteen colonies, it’s in the heart of many historic sites in American history, a joy for this history lover.
- The East End Food Co-op. To this vegan’s delight, I think they have the best produce in town.
- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, a professional ballet company; I’ve been attending their wonderful performances since I moved here.
~Maria
*There are a few hassles: expensive annual car inspections are required; you’re not permitted to buy alcohol in drugstores or supermarkets or even by mail; and initial driver’s license & car registration applications are done in two different locations. But, hey, no place is perfect, right?
Eleventh Stack 
welcome, I’d LOVE to show you around
Pingback: Pittsburgh, a Newcomer’s Perspective | Free ebook
With the exception of going off to college, I lived in southeast Michigan for 17 years, but moved to Pittsburgh 16 years ago, and I love it here! I especially like the more interesting terrain, lots of hills for running and hiking.
I miss the Big Water most about Michigan, and hope to return someday soon.
Thanks for reading!
~Maria
It sounds wonderful with lots of cultural things to do. OMG, having a 24 hour radio station would be wonderful. I listen to iTunes radio since we can sometimes pick up the French stations from Saint Martin etc.
I used to live in Western Maryland and always wanted to visit Pittsburgh. I never got up there. Now I’m in Gettysburg and still hoping to visit.
That looks like a very nice place to live :) I love historical sites as well. Maybe I’ll have to visit Pittsburgh someday soon.
My wife and I also moved to Pittsburgh a little more than three years ago. I’ve grown to really like the city, but we would very much like to return to our native New England in a few years. We like the ‘Burgh, but it will never be “home.”
That’s it in a nutshell; it’s lovely to visit, but it’s just not home!
~Maria
I’m so agree with, my dear. I’m from Egypt, and when I visited Pittsburgh, I just fall in love with the city: The calmness, the peace, the beauty, the goodness in people. Everything is just perfect! :)) <3 I wish I can go there again.
Maria! I’m a recent Villager, too! Love it…and after living in a rather remote part of PA for 30 years, I LOVE that I can actually walk to a library. The Mt. Washington branch is wonderful!
Yes, it’s very nice to have a CLP branch so close to home. I worked there for one week last August and enjoyed walking to work.
~Maria
…love the mental images and more importantly the positive light you shine on PA…it’s where my heart is…
Pingback: Philadelphia, a Visitor’s Perspective | Eleventh Stack