City of bridge , Steeler commonwealth , college town , multicultural hub . Whatever title of respect you ’ve given to Pittsburgh , you ’ve probably realized by now that our urban center is home to phratry that have been here for decades as well as a forever - revolve slew of college students from all over the universe . As a result , Pittsburgh is a motley bag of traditional working - course of instruction Americana and diverse ethnic influence that make us a little odd but unforgettable . And whether you ’ve been here for three decades or six months , know that leave the city is sure to pass on a pierogi - shaped hole in your heart that ’s miss all of these pieces of Pittsburgh :

The food scene

Pittsburgh ’s food scene is more than new voguish restaurants andfood trucks(not that we have any issue with those ; I would last off of PGH Taco Truck if it was socially satisfactory ) . But this city has some deep foodie roots , with institutions like Wholey ’s Fish Market in the Strip , and neighborhood bakery and delis that have been going unassailable for decades . Any dead on target food lover in Pittsburgh knows that our nutrient culture runs deep and is n’t afraid of mixing tradition and innovation .

The views (both the good and the bad)

While your power view of a chuckhole - laden side street with plastic bag tumbleweeds may not seem picturesque , it ’s the cityscape and theviews of the citythat unfold when you emerge from the Liberty and Fort Pitt tunnels that you ’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere . Not to observe the breathless fall foliage you ’ll see on a body politic drive in October and the unambiguously beautiful urban disintegration that you ’ll find in the Rust Belt part .

The low cost of living

Where else can you get a Victorian for less than $ 100,000 ? Do n’t think our " livability " indicate we are n’t intemperate workers . Pittsburgh delineate itself as working - class , and house physician old and unexampled pride themselves on their idolatry to hard work and entrepreneurship .

The arts

Few urban center of our size of it have so many across the country recognized art museums . institution like the Andy Warhol Museum , Mattress Factory , and Carnegie Museum of Art , just to name a few , all serve as a reminder of how much our city values both definitive and modern-day regional artists . Pittsburgh ’s grow dedication to the arts is one factor that sets it apart from other working - division cities . Community - created euphony , field , and visual arts are all key to the ' Burgh ’s indistinguishability .

Friendly locals

Perhaps a bit of a cliche at this detail , but it ’s true that Pittsburghers are notoriously helpful and tolerant to both holidaymaker and their local brethren … that is , until you move that lawn chairwoman they were using to deliver their parking maculation . set up for your untimely death .

“Pittsburghese”

The Pittsburgh idiom and distinct dialect may not be very pleasing to the ear , but there ’s something beautiful about a whole metropolis coming up with their own names for daily item . When you bequeath Pittsburgh , a shopping cart will no longer be a roadster , a galosh band will no longer be a gumband , and your beloved hoagie will be refer to as a lowly Cuban sandwich .

The really good, super-great air quality

Haha , just kidding … although , you do get used to the former factory Ithiel Town smog after a while . Some may even call it " charming " or " nostalgic . " I may be one of those the great unwashed .

Access to green space

While we ’re joking about air timber , let ’s not block to mention the massive amounts of dark-green space Pittsburgh has – no sarcasm . Very few place can boast feature a 644 - acre park in the thick of the city that , by from a few trails and rest diaphragm , is about untouched . Take a 10 - arcminute walkway into Frick Park and you ’ll completely forget that you ’re still in the city of Pittsburgh ( and you ’ll believably breathe well ) .

Small-town vibes in a big city

Few ( semi- ) major cities can at the same time sense like a thrive metropolis while also constantly reminding you that you ’re within a close - knit community that ’s been here for generation . Whether it ’s that neighborhood bookstore that ’s been open for as long as you could retrieve , or running into that one guy ’s sister at Giant Eagle , Pittsburgh will always have the heart of a small town .

Winter

I do it what you ’re saying to yourself right now ( " Pittsburgh wintertime is a shit show " ) , and you ’re correct . But even on the most unpleasant , icy - jazz - that - go - right - through - you variety of days , Pittsburghers manage to rally and wholeheartedly comprehend the chill . certainly , we all sound off as we wait at our coach stop for 45 minutes , slipping around on the unseasoned pavement in a negative-10 - degree windchill . But that does n’t stop any of us from braving the frigidity for events like Light Up Night and outdoor holiday market . essentially anything that hold us an exculpation to take a guess of whisky " for warmth " before heading out of doors is a go .

Neighborhood pride

We ’ve been call " the next Portland " and " the next Brooklyn " great deal of time , but Pittsburgh is really just an eclectic collection of short neighborhoods , each with their own unparalleled communities and local business territorial dominion . And the masses who know in those neighborhoods , more often than not , take a lot of pride in their little surgical incision of the metropolis . yr - round , you ’ll see that each neighbourhood lionise its individuation with events like the SweetWater Music Fest in Greenfield , the Highland Park House Tour , or the Dream City Art Walk in Wilkinsburg , each highlighting that neighborhood ’s unique contributions and accomplishments .

The dress code

… stand for that there is n’t one . Other than NYC , I ’ve never interpret such an eclectic assortment of styles and varying levels of allegiance to fashion . you could take the air down Smithfield St in Downtown Pittsburgh and , in the quad of 30 second , see a businesswoman in 6 in heels , a crustpunk kid , a clan of UGG - wearing freshmen , and a yinzer in a grim & amber windbreaker struggling to place a text edition on a insolent telephone .

The startup culture

Pittsburgh is household to a quickly acquire numeral of startup , and unlike other city , locals actually have a chance of work there . Carnegie Mellon University has been contribute the way in technical innovation for more than 20 geezerhood , and many of its alumna are creditworthy for locally based startup that are pushing technology to fresh levels . Everything from compact 3D printers to completely re - engineered bandeau to sufficient ticketing systems are come out of Pittsburgh . And while many of these startups are avowedly engineering - heavy , there ’s plenty of way in this city for those bet to campaign the artistic gasbag . You , too , can have a workplace with therapy dogs and cereal paries .

All that sports stuff

I know I ’ll get an upbraiding if I did n’t include something about sports in here . Even I , a warlike non - sportser , can admit there is an unstated bond between Pittsburghers and their team . More often than not , you try about Steelers rooter beating up Browns fan or setting couches on fervidness . But on a Clarence Day - to - day basis , you see mutant are foundational in Pittsburgh and inspire a camaraderie between the quondam Pittsburgh and the unexampled .

The quirks

You may not call back you ’ll lose how some streets hail to a sudden conclusion ( or just turn into a different street entirely ) , get down directions all through locations of landmarks , or firework at 4 am in March , but it ’s all these little quirk that give Pittsburgh its odd intrigue . Our deep love for Mr. Rogers , our penchant for put French fries on salad ( andjust about everything else ) , and the Pittsburgh Left are just a few of the little oddities you wo n’t even know you ’ll miss until you ’re gone .

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Pittsburgh

Sahani Photography/Shutterstock

Wholey’s Fish Market

Wholey’s Fish Market

Mattress Factory - Museum of Contemporary Art

Mattress Factory - Museum of Contemporary Art

Pittsburgh

Angelina Pilarinosc/Shutterstock

Pittsburgh Winter

Flickr/Jason Pratt

Schell Games

Schell Games