Pittsburgh Summary (read last)

Here are some overall impressions.

I spent 90% of my time in the city (although I ventured out to the ‘burbs one day), so comparisons are with the city of SF.

First, there are more similarities than differences. It’s a collection of neighborhoods, with it’s Pac Hts (Squirrel Hill), it’s Mission (Lawrenceville, south side flats), it’s surrounding water (Monongahela and Allegheny rivers), it’s hills (the hollows). Lots of cafes with good espresso.

Pittsburgh is lively; lots going on. There are 5 universities clustered in its center, including 1st-tier CMU and Pitt.

People are welcoming and friendly (adv: Pgh); food is good-not-great (adv: SF); streets are grimy from decades of burning coal but not littered (toss-up).

There are normal, middle class people here, and far fewer homeless.

I experienced hot-and-humid summer but not snow-covered winter.

Here is where I stayed: view from the street, up the street, down the street..

I had one house-mate who was there the whole time I was: Chim Yang, the ear, nose and throat surgeon resident; and two who were there for a few days each: the Australian programmer spending his quarterly week in his office, and Robin, the Guanaian visiting his estranged ex-wife and daughters.

Chim after dinner in Squirrel Hill..

I also learned from and played pickleball with John (retired TV station group gm), Barb (psycho-therapist) and Anne (retired programmer and school administrator). Wish I’d gotten a photo.