<p>Hey there everyone. I recently graduated from Pitt's business school and I also got my undergrad degree at Pitt (the most underrated university in America). I am originally from Boston, and I thought Pittsburgh would be boring. I loved it. </p>
<p>This is what I have learned about the city in my six years here:</p>
<p>Pittsburgh offers everything a large city offers, only on a smaller scale. And most of the city is so clean. Pittsburgh is a city of distinct neighborhoods and areas, each with their own personalities. Up on the North Side, you can catch a Steelers or Pirates game, check out the Carnegie Science Center and SportsWorks, and the National Aviary, or go boating on the river. Downtown, you can go shopping, hang out at beautiful Point State Park, go to a concert or Penguins game at Mellon Arena, take a riverboat ride, visit Duquesne University, check out a show at the Benedum Center or Heinz Hall, go ice skaing outside, use the new Wi-Fi acess, ride the Inclines up Mt. Washington--the most scenic view in Pittsburgh-- and a lot more. Most bands make stops in Pittsburgh. In the Strip District you can find any kind of food you could ever want, eat a famous Primanti Brothers sandwich, buy some Pittsburgh apparel, or go to one of the many clubs. On the South Side- newly rejuvenated and one of the most beautiful parts of Pittsburgh, you can go to one of the many restaurants and bars, see a movie, or do some shopping (you can really shop anywhere in Pittsburgh). The East Side, (Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill neighborhoods) is considered the academic and cultural area. This is where Pitt, Carnegie Mellom, Chatham, and Carlow Colleges are located. There are great restaurants, beautiful cathedrals, and lots of activity. You can stare in awe at the vast mansions in Shadyside while doing some upscale shopping, eat great pizza in Squirrel Hill, and awesome restaurants, parks, museums, and art galleries in Oakland. In nearby Homestead, you can see a movie at the ENORMOUS multiplex or go to many of the most well-known chain restaurants and outlet stores. There is also a Sandcastle waterpark nearby along with Kennywood amusement park, which has one of the largest roller coasters in the world. You can also check out the Pittsburgh zoo. The vast Monroeville mall is not very far, either. There are plenty of other concert venues as well, including the Palumbo Center and Post-Gazette Pavillion. Robert Morris University hosts the annual "Pittsburgh Speakers Series" at Heinz Hall with speakers such as Colin Powell, Ari Fleischer, Rudy Giuliani, Robert Redford, Walter Cronkite, Bill Moyers, Henry Kissinger, and James Carville, just to name a few. There is also plenty for kids to do if you have/plan to have any. Idewild park is a nearby amusement park geared towards young children. There's also Dino Kingdom, the Carnegie Science Center, and plenty of child-care programs, among other things (I don't know a whole lot about things for kids- I don't have any yet). And the cost of doing all this is MUCH cheaper than any other city. You get to ride the city's buses for free with your Pitt ID (I never needed a car), which also gives you free access to many of the city's museums. This is one city that the average college student can actually take advantage of.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh is ranked annually by many publications as a top city for cost of living, quality of life, educational attainment, safety, hospitals, cultural opportunities, student-friendly, business-friendly, family-friendly, tourist-friendly, and all-around friendly. Pittsburgh airport is considered one of the nicest airports in the country. The Carnegie Museum has some of the best dinosaur collections around. Yes, like all cities Pittsburgh has its negatives- Allegheny County has high taxes and an older population, the weather is typical northeastern weather, and the air quality of the city is still not up to par with the rest of the country (although it has made a significant comeback in the last 30 years.) But the negatives are few and far between. Pittsburgh is a hub of medical research and cultural diversity, and is a great city for new entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>This is only a short overview of all that there is to do, Pittsburgh is one of the great American cities and I loved every second of being there. There are a ton of other activities that I just did not have the time to list. The only reason I am leaving is because my fiancee lives back in Boston and loves her work there. I will be sad to go. I would love to someday return to Pittsburgh and raise my family here.</p>
<p>Hope this helps some of you who are considering going to school here.</p>
<p>P.S. The people in Pittsburgh are the nicest you will ever meet.</p>