Why Do I Love Pittsburgh, PA?

Let me tell you why I love my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. While this may not be an example of my conventional blogs, I feel compelled to jot down some notes about my city, Pittsburgh PA and areas where, for my entire life, I've lived, loved and worked in. Sure, I took a few years out for college and service to our Country, but Pittsburgh remains home. Even if I move away, this place will always be home. Here's why...

I find that when I communicate with out of state potential clients, they all ask me "Why Pittsburgh?" Is it the weather (Hmmmmm)? Is it the job market? Is it the real estate prices? Is it the lifestyle? Yes, it's all of these things, and more. Let's look at each to see if you "get it" like us locals do...

Weather. Many of us Burghers (yes, not the edible kind, but I prefer this over "Yinzers"...a notable colloquialism used instead of Ya'll or some other dialectic word. YINZ is a local Pittsburgheze [see here for more fun Pittsburgheze stuff] term for You All, as in "R Yinz gonna go ..." Ok, I digress. Our weather is crazy. I grew up here and many of us with more years behind us than in front us remember and see the changes. (Can you say "Global Warming?") Winters are less severe, summers are hotter and more humid, and Spring and Fall are delightful. But the clearly defined four seasons gives us the opportunity to enjoy sports, outdoor activities, gardening and so on in all types of temperatures and hazards (aka, snow and ice which are a little challenging, but we accept those as part of our lives here.)

Sports. Yes, it's in our DNA. Steeler Football, Pirates Baseball, Penquins Hockey, River Hounds Soccer....and all the college, High School and up and coming youth programs help to keep us all moving toward the goal of making Pittsburgh competitive in sports and life. Heck, I know families who bequeath their season tickets to keep the seats filled by their heirs. If you've ever traveled to other cities in the US...and even beyond...watch for the STEELER NATION flags flying on Sundays in the fall and winter...that'll tell you how important sports are to us Burghers.

Culture. Who needs a huge city, when Pittsburgh has a world-renowned Symphony. Or performance venues like Heinz Hall or the Benedum Center and other stages that attract traveling performers and local talent, too. And if you prefer outdoor concerts or performances, Heinz Field isn't just for football and neither is PNC Park solely used for baseball. And let's not forget that you Foodies can spend months eating your way through some of the finest restaurants in the county. (Remember: Fries with that sandwich from Primanti Brothers means open wide...the fries are ON the sandwich!)

Education. The likes of the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Carlow University, Robert Morris University, Point Park University and many more are at home here. The draw of these institutions brings brainiacs from around the globe. And in years past, they came, got a diploma and went home. Now, thanks to this amazing City and its amenities, they stay! A great example is the CMU offshoots in robotics. Oh my!

Business. Yep, major corporate headquarters are still here such as the likes of PNC Bank, Alcoa, PPG, Kraft Heinz, American Eagle, GNC, and others. I remember 14 from my past and, frankly, I would have to go back and count again. But let's not forget our friends from Google who set up shop, as did Uber, Argo AI, Duolingo and others. Even Amazon, while searching for their HQ2 site, gave us a big nod a few months ago. Perhaps they should have considered Pittsburgh more strongly in place of a certain location in New York, huh?

Healthcare and Technology. These kind of overlap as one breeds upon the other. Think Salk Vaccine and the Jarvik Heart from years ago, but UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), AGH (Allegheny General Hospital and the Allegheny Health System) are growing every day with industry leading treatment and research centers. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is world renowned and holds a special place in my heart, as many years ago, they saved my son's life.

Growth. All you have to do is look around our City. It has been through several renaissances, each working its way farther from the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers forming the Ohio. It has spread through Downtown to Lawrenceville and South Side, Up to Mt Washington and over to the North Shore, close in suburbs, out to Greater Pittsburgh International Airport...

and beyond The T line stretches to the North Shore from down in the South Hills. The old produce yards, The Strip District, is in the midst of a major redo, yet will keep its old charms. And look down the Ohio, just beyond the West End Bridge for the acres soon to redevelop into Esplanade. Wow, such continued, fantastic growth!

Easy Living. Downtown, North Hills, South Hills, East Hills, West Hills (see a pattern here??)..no matter where you are, Greater Pittsburgh is an easy place to live. We aren't just a city, we're a lifestyle. Sure it's a great place to buy/sell real estate but also a wonderful area to enjoy life. Take it from someone who sees the Region day in and day out and who has watched it grow from Steel Town to a reborn Steel Town with Flair, Exuberance and Classy Residents. It's progressive, open minded and very diverse. It's an easy place to live, love and work. If you haven't seen us in person, "Yinz C'mon Dahn!!!

Do you get it now???