Plenty of contrasts. In many ways, it's the most un-Texan of cities. Yet it's our capital and regularly ranks as our favorite city in the ``Texas Poll''.
I'm originally from the 'Burgh and I'm old (47, well likely older than most/.-ers). And even I find the town ``too old''. Not necessarily in terms of age (some of my best friends are my age:-)) but in terms of attitude:
1). In general, it's a very reflective as opposed to progressive city. The prevailing attitude is borne out by the culture: oldies and classic rock radio predominates, there's a yearning for the ``good old days'' -- back when the mills were going full tilt, Chuck Noll was leading the Stillers to Superbowls, Rosenbaum's was still open and all cars were made in the USA. It's a city obsessed with its past. In large measure because the past *was* quite good. What was once America's 8th largest market has declined to a slot in the 20's. It's not just the city that's shrinking, it's the entire tri-state region. I contrast that with Dallas (where I've lived for 12+ years). This area is forward-focused. The attitude is, ``yesterday was OK, today looks good but I can't wait until tomorrow''. And...we're growing.
2). As indicated in another post, the attitude of natives is suspicious (bordering on hostile) to outsiders. Having one of the highest percentages of native-born residents of any metro, the benefits are a small-town feel, relatively low crimerate and sense of community. The drawback is that the town becomes relucant to embrace both new people and new ideas. As the Iron City Beer commercial says, ``It's a 'Burgh thing.''
3). Unions: This is arguably the last bastion of old-line, cigar-chomping big labor. Strikes are plentiful and frequent. I missed as many days in public school due to teacher walkouts as snow days (and the latter are plentiful). At least one newspaper. The Press, was the victim of a prolonged strike. A supermarket chain, Kroger, left town due to unions. It's one of the factors that made me leave -- I was forced to become part of the ``collective bargaining unit'' of a union because of Pennsylvania's closed shop laws. I'll never dispute the right to organize -- but let it work in a ``right to work state'' like Texas. I found that there's still an ``us vs. them'' mentality in the workplace. The recollections of Henry Clay Frick and Homestead live on in a city with such a good memory of its past.
4). Taxes: Though not as severe as Massachusettes, the tax penalty for living in the Pittsburgh district is high. Factor in the state income tax and the hit on your disposable income is plenty.
5). The roads: 'nuff said.
6). The winters: see 5).
What's most tragic (as one who'd love to see his hometown thrive) is the ``brain drain''. Pittsburgh used to export steel. Now it exports smart people. CMU (I remember it as Carnegie Tech), Duquesene and Pitt are merely waystations for young people in transit. They get their degrees and flee elsewhere to places like Dallas. (Mellon Bank ought to open up a branch here. I think they may have more account holders in Texas than in the tri-state:-)) In any event, retention of the graduates, geek or otherwise, is a real, central issue for the area.
Ain't nothing wrong with being ``old'', it can be kind, wise and charming. But in Pittsburgh's case, ``old'' too often ends up just being downright crotchety.
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Plenty of contrasts. In many ways, it's the most un-Texan of cities. Yet it's our capital and regularly ranks as our favorite city in the ``Texas Poll''.
I'm originally from the 'Burgh and I'm old (47, well likely older than most /.-ers). And even I find the town ``too old''. Not necessarily in terms of age (some of my best friends are my age :-)) but in terms of attitude:
:-)) In any event, retention of the graduates, geek or otherwise, is a real, central issue for the area.
1). In general, it's a very reflective as opposed to progressive city. The prevailing attitude is borne out by the culture: oldies and classic rock radio predominates, there's a yearning for the ``good old days'' -- back when the mills were going full tilt, Chuck Noll was leading the Stillers to Superbowls, Rosenbaum's was still open and all cars were made in the USA. It's a city obsessed with its past. In large measure because the past *was* quite good. What was once America's 8th largest market has declined to a slot in the 20's. It's not just the city that's shrinking, it's the entire tri-state region. I contrast that with Dallas (where I've lived for 12+ years). This area is forward-focused. The attitude is, ``yesterday was OK, today looks good but I can't wait until tomorrow''. And...we're growing.
2). As indicated in another post, the attitude of natives is suspicious (bordering on hostile) to outsiders. Having one of the highest percentages of native-born residents of any metro, the benefits are a small-town feel, relatively low crimerate and sense of community. The drawback is that the town becomes relucant to embrace both new people and new ideas. As the Iron City Beer commercial says, ``It's a 'Burgh thing.''
3). Unions: This is arguably the last bastion of old-line, cigar-chomping big labor. Strikes are plentiful and frequent. I missed as many days in public school due to teacher walkouts as snow days (and the latter are plentiful). At least one newspaper. The Press, was the victim of a prolonged strike. A supermarket chain, Kroger, left town due to unions. It's one of the factors that made me leave -- I was forced to become part of the ``collective bargaining unit'' of a union because of Pennsylvania's closed shop laws. I'll never dispute the right to organize -- but let it work in a ``right to work state'' like Texas. I found that there's still an ``us vs. them'' mentality in the workplace. The recollections of Henry Clay Frick and Homestead live on in a city with such a good memory of its past.
4). Taxes: Though not as severe as Massachusettes, the tax penalty for living in the Pittsburgh district is high. Factor in the state income tax and the hit on your disposable income is plenty.
5). The roads: 'nuff said.
6). The winters: see 5).
What's most tragic (as one who'd love to see his hometown thrive) is the ``brain drain''. Pittsburgh used to export steel. Now it exports smart people. CMU (I remember it as Carnegie Tech), Duquesene and Pitt are merely waystations for young people in transit. They get their degrees and flee elsewhere to places like Dallas. (Mellon Bank ought to open up a branch here. I think they may have more account holders in Texas than in the tri-state
Ain't nothing wrong with being ``old'', it can be kind, wise and charming. But in Pittsburgh's case, ``old'' too often ends up just being downright crotchety.