A Newcomer's Guide to Pittsburgh City Living
So you are thinking about moving to Pittsburgh: maybe you already signed the lease, or maybe you are still deep in the research phase, cross-referencing neighborhoods and reading Reddit threads at midnight, trying to figure out which part of the city actually fits your life.
Most people arrive with a mental image of smokestacks, steel mills and a river the color of rust. The city they actually find looks nothing like that. Pittsburgh has 90 distinct neighborhoods packed into river valleys and steep hills. The average resident is 34 years old, the cost of living is far below comparably sized cities, and the food scene is grossly underrated. Tech workers, medical professionals, students, and remote workers from pricier cities have moved to Pittsburgh in the last decade for these reasons and have decided to stay.
Here is what you should know before you arrive:
Fun Facts About Pittsburgh
1. It is home to 446 bridges
Pittsburgh is officially the "City of Bridges." It boasts a staggering 446 bridges within the city limits. That is actually more than Venice, Italy! Whether you are catching the sunrise over the iconic yellow "Three Sisters" bridges or driving into downtown, the river views here are unmatched.
2. The internet's first smile happened here
Every time you drop a :-) in a text message, you are channeling pure Pittsburgh energy. In 1982, a computer scientist named Scott Fahlman at Carnegie Mellon University came up with the world’s very first internet emoticon to help people distinguish jokes from serious posts on a digital bulletin board.
3. Foodies, thank Pittsburgh for the Big Mac
While the city has an incredible craft food scene today, its historical contributions to your late-night cravings are legendary. McDonald’s iconic Big Mac was actually invented right outside the city by a local franchisee named Jim Delligatti in 1967 before going global. Oh, and Heinz Ketchup? Born and bred right here in 1869.
4. Fries belong on everything
You’ll find fries on pretty much everything you eat. During the Great Depression, Primanti Bros. started creating sandwiches with grilled meat, cheese, coleslaw, and French fries so truck drivers could eat with one hand while behind the wheel. That same concept carried over to what we now know as a Pittsburgh Salad, where a steak or chicken salad arrives buried under crispy fries and shredded cheese.
5. Pittsburgh is technically rainier than Seattle
File this one away for your next trivia night: Pittsburgh averages more days of rain and snow per year than Seattle, the city that basically owns the "gloomy weather" brand in America. Seattle has the reputation, Pittsburgh has the precipitation. Pack an umbrella.
6. Home to the steepest street in the US
Canton Avenue in the Beechview neighborhood carries a 37% grade. The city certifies it as the steepest public street in the country, which, if you've ever tried to walk it, you will absolutely believe. Driving up requires a particular kind of confidence. Walking up it counts as a workout, no gym membership needed.
7. Pittsburgh has its own language
When you live in Pittsburgh, you’ll notice that some of the older generations speak a little bit differently. You'll start picking up Pittsburghese — a full dialect with vocabulary you will have never heard anywhere else.
A few words to get you started:
- Yinz — you all, you guys
- Jagoff — a jerk, an annoyance, someone testing your patience
- Nebby — nosy, prying, all up in your business
- Dahntahn — downtown (say it out loud a few times, it clicks)
By day three, yinz might just catch yourself using them.
8. The Pittsburgh Left
No traffic law covers this, but everyone does it. You pull up to a red light, the signal turns green, and the first car turning left goes before the oncoming traffic moves. The oncoming drivers expect it. They wait for it. It's an unwritten agreement that the whole city seems to have signed without any formal meeting. Visitors find it confusing at first, but locals find it perfectly reasonable, and frankly, a little courteous.
Where Are The Best Places To Live in Pittsburgh?
The usual recommendations — Lawrenceville, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside — are popular for good reason, but Pittsburgh has plenty of other great places to live in Pittsburgh that are worth a closer look. Here are some you should consider:
Shadyside
Shadyside is a beloved neighborhood, with big trees lining the streets, gorgeous Victorian houses, and everything you need within walking distance. The three main streets—Walnut, Ellsworth, and South Highland—are the main attractions of the neighborhood, home to shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and art galleries. Chatham University and Pitt are near the neighborhood, so it houses many students, and the youthful energy of the place caters to young professionals as well.
Bloomfield
Bloomfield, also known as “Little Italy,” has been Pittsburgh's established Italian-American neighborhood for generations, and Liberty Avenue still carries that identity, as it is home to traditional Italian grocery stores. The street has developed over the years and is now home to restaurants featuring various cuisines, art galleries, bakeries and bars. Every August, the city closes off the street for Little Italy Days, which has food trucks, live music, and bocce tournaments. The Bloomfield Saturday Market is worth a visit too, though go early—the good stuff disappears before noon.
North Oakland
North Oakland tends to be more of a college neighborhood because it is close to the universities in Pittsburgh, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh. There are buses that run often on Centre, Fifth, and Forbes Avenues, so you do not necessarily need a car to get around. In North Oakland, you’ll find tons of restaurants, coffee shops, independent grocery stores, book shops, game stores, and more. The Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History are all within a 15-minute walk as well, if you’re looking for something fun to do on the weekends.
Finding Your Place in Pittsburgh
Once you get used to the rainy days, halfway decipher Pittsburghese, and find the best spots for fries on your salad, you will quickly realize how easy it is to fall in love with this city. Exploring the best neighborhoods to live in Pittsburgh and finding your perfect fit among the city's communities is the best part of the journey.
Sterling Land Company maintains historic apartment buildings throughout North Oakland, Bloomfield, and Shadyside. You can browse our website to view current vacancies and find a spot right where you want to be.
