How Did Pittsburgh Get Voted America's Most Liveable City?

Response to your comments: #1: Somewhat polluted air. It's improved a lot in the last 20 years, though some days seem worst than others: when I lived out there, I had to wash my car more often and my throat seemed more raspier than normal on some days. #2: That's been true since the 80s for most of the "Rust Belt," the old steel and manufacturing centers of the northeast like Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, etc. Speaking as a former Californian however, that's NOT a bad thing. Suburban sprawl has contributed to a number of problems in the Sun Belt and other popular urban areas like Chicago and Seattle, including increased traffic and gridlock, a decline in the quality of life in the cities, and increasing pollution and a drain on local resources. #3: I lived in the Carnegie Mellon area and didn't notice many oldsters around. The University neighborhood of Pittsburgh is actually very hip and youth-oriented. #4: You ever live in Seattle in the winter? #5: Ever live in Minneapolis? #6: Depends on which field you are looking into. Google moved a research and development office onto the Carnegie Mellon campus, and CMU is still one of the foremost centers in software and systems development in the country. A number of companies still call Pittsburgh home: U.S. Steel, PNC Financial Group, H.J. Heinz, Mellon Financial Group, Allegheny Technologies. Of course, financial companies have taken a big hit during the mortgage crisis, but Pittsburgh's economy is much more stable than say, San Jose's, which lost hundreds of jobs during the big collapse of the e-market. #7: Take a long look in the mirror before you say that. #8: Some of us like old buildings. It's actually one of Pittsburgh's charms. #9: Like the air, the rivers are much cleaner than back in the 70's, but I don't think I would eat the fish caught out of them yet. #10: Happening in all of the large cities, including Minneapolis, where I live, Chicago, L.A. and Miami. Ironic in light of the fact that all of these cities received huge packets of money to increase Homeland security. #11: Again, could be said of any urban area. Minneapolis, which is very affluent, is surrounded by many rural towns that aren't doing too well in the current financial climate. #12: Come to Minneapolis in the summer: it is said we have two seasons, winter and road construction season. If an area has to endure long, snowy winters, the only time it can do road repairs is the summer, and it often seems like every darn highway in town is closed for repair. Pittsburgh is bad, but so was Montana when I had to drive down I-90 last summer. #13: So is Minneapolis (7 hours from Chicago) So is Seattle (unless you exclude flights to Anchorage, or you think Portland or Boise is a significant city). What do you consider a significant city, by the way? Chicago is near Milwaukee, Madison, Rockford, and Gary, Indiana, but I don't consider those cities to be very significant. I think every city should be appreciated for what it has, not what it doesn't have. Pittsburgh has a lot of character and charm, with its old brownstones and mature trees lining its streets. Housing is still affordable and you can actually find good jobs with benefits in the city. Its crime rate is low compared to Philadelphia, and it has a number of cultural, academic and family-oriented attractions. It also is home to one of the top-notch medical centers in the country. I'd rather live in Pittsburgh than some of the more glamorous area like Los Angeles or Miami.

It surprised me, too, but it's a fast-improving city. 1.The air is not really polluted. 2. Yes, I think the population is declining. 3. Not sure. There are lots of colleges there, but I don't know about the permanent residents... 4. Well, it's no tropical paradise! The weather is pretty fair, though. 5. It can get very cold, but it is in the north. In recent years, the winters have become more mild. 6. I've heard this is true, but I think it depends on the jobs being sought... 7. This is kind of ridiculous. Anywhere that people live, you will find attractive and ugly ones. Pittsburgh has many colleges and is somewhat diverse, so I think you can find attractive men/women in Pittsburgh. 8. This is not true. Shadyside, Oakland, and Squirrel Hill are quite nice. The bad places are the Hill District and East Liberty. The University of Pittsburgh in Oakland is gaining prestige and is spending money on updating buildings and building new ones, so I think it's improving. 9. I've never heard of this... 10. The Hill District and East Liberty are the worst areas for crime. I don't know if it's rising, though. 11. Once again, I'd say that the Hill District and East Liberty are where most of the impoverished live. 12. Recently, yes, and it IS confusing trying to use the detours! This is a "Pennsylvania thing". Road work is happening all over! 13. Yes, this is true. Does this make it less liveable, though? I don't think it's so bad, but I suppose that's a matter of opinion. I think Pittsburgh's reputation is changing. If the reputation is not, the REALITY is! I don't know if it's worthy of the title "most liveable city", but it's really not a bad city!

Pittsburgh has a high quality of life with a very low cost of living. The "livability" of a city is based solely on statistics. Yes, because of a large older population and suburban sprawl Pittsburgh's population is declining - just like every other North Eastern city. The declining population has it's perks - the biggest being the limited demand for existing housing meaning it is very inexpensive. At the same time because of Pittsburgh's wealthy industrial past it is today rich with cultural amenities - maybe not compared to New York - but certainly compared to say Milwauke - theaters, world renowned museums, a thriving arts scene... It really has become a beautiful place as well. In the last 30 years the state and local governments have sunk millions into making th place look nice. Revitalizing the riverfront, creating parks, and supporting the construction of an amazing grouping of downtown skyscrapers and bridges. The road system is only confusing to people who don't live there - it's just different - and limited by a unique topography. Compared to other cities traffic is practically non-existent. The weather isn't great but it could be worse. The rivers are not polluted. Fish are thriving. The air is bad but it's improving and not as bad as Southern California or as bad as Pittsburgh was 50 years ago. The job market isn't booming but there is steady growth and again the againg population means more jobs to go around. Unemployment is well below the national average. As far as crime that is where you are clearly misinformed - Pittsburgh has the lowest crime rates of any major city in the country. Really when you add it all up there is nothing so bad about it to cancel out all that the city has going for it. I'm not suggesting you up and move there but keep an open mind about the 'Burgh... http://www.imaginepittsburgh.com

I thought they were voted Americas most improved city.

The folks that wrote that article decided not to visit any cities, so they picked a name out of a hat. (Honestly, I've been to Pittsburgh & nearly every other major city in the US, and Pittsburgh isn't a bad city, it just needs an image upgrade.)