Hi Gang - I have a great job offer in Pittsburgh. It is paying almost 30-40% more than what I am making here in Colorado Springs. One of the reasons the pay is so attractive is that they want to attract younger professionals to the Pittsburgh area and help the weak economy, and also knowing that Pittsbugh may not be the most amazing place to live.
Thats where you local Pittsbugh'ers come in, what is it really like to live there?
I found this thread on-line and it was very very interesting (or discouraging) - your thoughts?:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/pittsburgh/284045-what-dont-you-like-about-pittsburgh.html
I am apprehensive due to the following reasons:
1) New York type winters (long and very grey) and very wet summers. I had a great paying job in Toronto, Canada and took a pay cut to move to Colorado because I was tired of the terrible Canadian Winters and the fact that the salty \ pot-holy roads devoured my cars, so weather is important (I hope this is not shallow).
2) Don't laugh...but worried about my cars rusting away...I have two old Datsuns that I love (a '67 Roadster and a great old Z) and they are very prone to run and were built well before rust protection and zinc protection. Currently these two Datsuns are perfect body wise having lived in arid / dry Colorado all their life. Also worried about my 911 starting to rust, and this car is also perfect (SoCal car then Colorado Car).
3) I am very outdoor-sy, play alot of tennis love riding my road bike, does the weather put a "damper" on out door activities (even driving my old '67 Roadster with the top down)?
4) I have heard that many people who have homes are stuck with them as the economy is "soft" and it is hard to sell your home once you purchase?
5) What is it like meeting young people there, based on the above City Data Thread, it says that Pittsburgh is an older community?
6) Cost of living? Property tax, sales tax, crime - your thoughts?
It is very important for me to balance the whole work \ life thing, and that will play an important part of my decision. I have done my time in the trenches so to speak and I donlt mind working my a$$ off but want to enjoy time away from the office and also the weekends. As with anything the novelty (even with the extra $$$) will wear off quickly, if I am not happy.
So your honest opinions are truly welcomed.
Regards - Yasin