Reply #29: It's more an average than anything

[SteelPenguin]

Pittsburgh is rated most liveable pretty much because the area doesn't totally suck at anything. We've been in the top ten every year, yet no single rating has been in the top twenty. Want better X? Go here. Want better Y? Go there. Average them alltogether though and Pittsburgh comes up pretty high.

I've lived all over and my wife and I chose to move back. We like it here the best, but each to their own. If you haven't experienced spring/summer/fall here I don't blame you. Winter can be very depressing in Pittsburgh, but once it greens up it's far greener, imho, than anywwhere out east.

Also I think to truly enjoy the area you have to be an outdoors person. There's so much to do within an hour of the city that is great, better and closer than for most other cities.

I think on the whole the reason we like it best is the character of the city and it's people. It's a little bit east coast and a little bit midwest. It's not as hectic as the eastern seaboard, but not as laid back as areas to the south. It's one of the greenest cities I've ever lived in during the non-winter months. You mentioned the turkey's in your other response. It's always cool to see them, or deer right in the heart of the city. The heavy wooded nature of the city is also an aspect I love. You should already be seeing a big difference at this time. The city is bursting to life again and getting swallowed up by shade from massive old trees.

Also It's a great place for families. The city is more family centric than some other places. Living in the city here is quite a different experience from living in cities like Dallas, or Boston, or L.A.

Yeah there are tons of problems, and nothing here is necessary better than anywhere else, but the variety is great. If I were single and not tied down I'd probably live somewhere else (and I did when I was), but it's really a superb place to raise a family.