5 Things | 5 Reasons to Move to Pittsburgh (Guest Post by Zillow)

Online real estate database Zillow, has chosen The Pittsburgh Look for their Zillow Partnership Program!  Zillow creates a user-friendly and creative way to go about finding the perfect place to live! So why move to Pittsburgh?  Here are 5 reasons according to Zillow....

Pittsburgh is a thriving, modern city built on a foundation of hard work. Coined “The Steel City” for the industrial boom of the 20^th century, Pittsburgh is now on the map as a global comeback city. Since its iconic steel mills shut down 30 years ago, Pittsburgh developed into a cultural mecca. Additionally, Pittsburgh is abundant in natural beauty with a steady local economy and an eclectic mix of neighborhoods. Here are a few reasons to make the move to Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Gallery Crawl

1.       Rich in Culture

With 35 percent of the Pittsburgh population between ages 19 and 34, the city is bursting with young, vibrant and innovative energy. The culmination of creativity is found in the Cultural District, the 14-block downtown area that houses multiple historic theaters, modern art galleries and trendy restaurants. Each year, the Cultural District hosts more than 2,000 local, national and international performances including live theatre, music and dancing. Notable museums in the area include the Andy Warhol Museum and ToonSeum and popular festivals including the Three Rivers Arts Festival and VIA Festival.

Photo by: Darrell Sapp (pittsburghpostgazette)

2.       Natural Beauty

Pittsburgh receives much praise for its natural beauty. The city is formed on rolling hills set around three intersecting rivers, the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio. Throughout summer, residents enjoy river kayaking and bike riding along the banks. A great way for newcomers to check out the scenery is to take a land and sea Duck Tour of Pittsburgh. Throughout the winter, Pittsburgh offers multiple snow activities including ice skating and sleigh rides in local neighborhoods. Pittsburgh is also conveniently located close to ski resorts in Maryland and New York.

Benedum Center   Photo: Robert Dorsett (flickr)

3.       Abundant Amenities

Quality of life is comfortable in Pittsburgh due to its abundant amenities. Each unique neighborhood has its own shopping, dining and entertaining districts. One attraction is the renowned Pittsburgh PNC Ballpark, home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and perched along the Allegheny River in North Shore. For great al fresco dining, head to Market Square which is the hub of downtown activity. Additionally, Pittsburgh boasts three major hospitals within the metro area as well as multiple specialty and children’s hospitals.

Point Park University Campus

4.       Quality Schools and Jobs

Pittsburgh offers an array of schooling options for children and adults. Dotted throughout the city are hundreds of highly-regarded preschools, elementary schools and middle schools. Pittsburgh also offers many specialty high schools concentrating in technology, science and creative arts. Additionally, the city is home to more than 29 colleges and universities and is ranked one of the best cities in the country to complete a higher education. Jobs are abundant as Pittsburgh is a hub for technology research and robotics while healthcare, construction and finance industries are booming.

Bloomfield (pittsburghmagazine)

5.       Affordable Neighborhoods

Pittsburgh’s cost of living is relatively low compared to other cities of equal of greater size in the United States. The median home value in Pittsburgh is $91,200 and monthly rents are $1,052, while the national median home value is $174,800 and rent is $1,318. Popular family-friendly neighborhoods include Highland Park and Shadyside. Highland Park is six miles northeast of downtown with a median home value of $220,900 and monthly rent of $1,677. Shadyside is located five miles northeast of downtown with slightly more expensive rates; the median home value is $304,900 and rents are $2,067.

Google’s offices and Whole Foods make East Liberty a popular neighborhood for single young professionals and entrepreneurs. Home values in East Liberty are $89,200 and monthly rents are $1,113, making it the least expensive location listed. Hipsters who enjoy open-air markets, specialty stores and indie coffee shops should check out the Strip District (home value or rent data are unavailable).

It’s impossible to know everything about a city before arriving. Curb uncertainty and curiosity by exploring Pittsburgh’s attractions using these helpful lifestyle insights.

*this is not a sponsored post but a guest post written by Emily Creswick of Zillow