“I definitely would not rate Pittsburgh higher than Cleveland, just different.” (post #26)
I agree with this statement, having grown up in one and lived in the other, as well. Pittsburgh is a bit more quirky (in a good way) and unique. Strip district, Oakland, Southside & dawntawn, are all cool places to hang out. Very community oriented. Cleveland has always felt a little like a bigger city to me. Some great places there, too, such as University Circle, Little Italy. If you are a baseball fan, Pittsburgh’s ballpark is much better IMO–perhaps the best in the country, especially given its location. As for schools, I give CMU the edge on Case, but it is hard to go wrong with either.