[Photo of Pittsburgh area. (Jan. 3 2021) Photo courtesy of Joshua Yoon]

Pittsburgh has always been something of a mystery. It is frequently ranked as one of the most livable places in America. But is that really true? Did you know that the Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises was filmed in Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh can certainly look like Gotham City, with its dark and brooding ambiance.  I always wondered why anyone in their right mind would want to live here.  Now that I have experienced living in Pittsburgh for a while and visited many places, I realize that the city may be the right place for a lot of people.

[Photo of snow wallpaper image, PA. (Mar. 1, 2013) Photo courtesy of Jim Akaran]

Pittsburgh is known for its terrible weather, being one of the most overcast cities in the United States as well as for having a very long winter.  Because three major rivers come together in Pittsburgh and there are many hills along them, the terrain is not exactly convenient, making it a city of bridges and tunnels. During the city’s long winter, the snow can reach up to 41.9 inches, and black ice can make the roads so hazardous that they have to be completely closed. Also, the potholes can get so big that they literally suck in the entire tire of a small car.  Needless to say, with all the rivers, hills, bridges, tunnels, and bad weather, Pittsburgh can be a nightmare for out of towners when it comes to driving and navigating the city.  

[Photo of an ice hockey match during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. (Feb. 1, 1980) Photo courtesy of Dr. John Kelley]

Despite its negatives, Pittsburgh has many more positives, which is why it is so livable. One of the first things that surprise many is how affordable it is to live in Pittsburgh. Unlike most other big cities, the prices of medium sized homes are quite affordable. For example, the median price of a home is usually around “$100,800, while the median monthly rent is around $844.” This is much more affordable than other places like New York, Washington DC, or Boston.

Another benefit Pittsburgh offers is its higher education institutions. The city is filled with institutions of higher education, including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Chatham University, and many more.  All of these universities offer different programs and initiatives that fit the needs of different students from all over the country.  An example of this can be seen in the University of Pittsburgh, which “offers top-rated medical, business, philosophy, and engineering programs, as well as Division I athletics with the Pittsburgh Panthers.” Other educational opportunities are available through the many museums that are exclusive to Pittsburgh.  For a city of its size, the museums in Pittsburgh are nothing short of awe-inspiring. These museums include the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, Senator John Heinz History Center (Smithsonian affiliate), Andy Warhol Museum, and Fort Pitt Museum. These museums offer a lot of helpful insight and give many people the rare opportunity to explore and research the information that others may not have any access to. Besides the museums, the buildings throughout Pittsburgh feature amazing histories and architecture with classical and gothic inspirations. Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning is a great example of this as it retains both gothic/classical design elements and has a long history.

What makes Pittsburgh very attractive to many people is the access it offers to all major professional sports, with the exception of basketball, which is more than compensated for by the major college basketball teams in the city. The Pittsburgh Steelers football team and Pittsburgh Penguins ice hockey team are renowned for their winning histories, with the Steelers having won the most Super Bowls in the history of the game. The Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team has an incredible history as one of the oldest teams in the country. These sports teams are recognized everywhere and have huge fan bases nationally, with many people traveling to Pittsburgh just to watch a game.

Pittsburgh is somewhat of a hidden jewel. It's not a big place like New York City, but it's still a place of opportunity.  From education, sports, and affordability, Pittsburgh is a place more people should check out. Even though it has its pros and cons, Pittsburgh is still a wonderful place, and I am glad to live here. Every day in Pittsburgh can be a special day, like the famous Mr. Rogers, a Pittsburgh native said “You’ve made this day a special day, by just your being you. There’s no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.”










Joshua Yoon 
Grade: 11th
Pine-Richland High School

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