Lifestyle in Pittsburgh

The lifestyle in Pittsburgh offers exceptional value and year-round variety. The Steel City has become increasingly popular with professionals who want affordable urban living. In Pittsburgh, you’ll encounter urban sophistication paired beautifully with small-town charm. Whether you prefer retail therapy, partying the night away or dining out at excellent eateries, Pittsburgh delivers.

Shopping in Pittsburgh

The walkable downtown area provides convenient shopping in Pittsburgh. It serves as the city’s retail hub and home to the ‘diamond district’ in the Clark Building, a collection of high-end jewellery shops. The area has a range of well-known department stores. You’ll also find boutique clothing shops for unique finds. Everything is easily accessible on foot or via the city’s public transit system.

Outlet shopping is a great way to spruce up your wardrobe at a fraction of the usual price if you’re on a budget. Grove City Premium Outlets is less than an hour outside Pittsburgh and has more than 130 outlet stores for the ultimate shopping experience. There’s also Tanger Outlets in Washington County, about 25 miles (40km) south of the city. It has over 80 outlet shops and is a popular destination for bargain hunters.

Cost of Living in Pittsburgh

Eating out in Pittsburgh

Eating out and grocery shopping in Pittsburgh will quickly become part of daily life. From local legends to elite fine-dining restaurants, you’re sure to find something to tickle your taste buds.

Weigh in on a decades-old debate by trying the pizza at both Mineo’s and Aiello’s. These two legendary pizzerias are located just six doors apart from each other on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. Both family-owned establishments continue to thrive and maintain their passionate local followings. Throughout Pittsburgh, there are also plenty of excellent upscale eateries for you to discover.

Entertainment and nightlife in Pittsburgh

 The entertainment and nightlife options in Pittsburgh vary beautifully with the seasons, and the city serves up a wide variety of local wineries, breweries and distilleries. Summer brings rooftop lounges and beer gardens, and winter features cosy indoor venues. Cocktail bars are scattered throughout the city.

Each neighbourhood offers its own character and easy connections via ride-share or public transit. Top areas for a fun night out include trendy Lawrenceville with its hip galleries and cocktail spots. Student-friendly Oakland sits near the universities. Local favourite Bloomfield has its own charm. The Strip District also comes alive at night with craft breweries and music venues. Downtown offers theatre, classical concerts and upscale dining options in the Cultural District.

Getting Around in Pittsburgh
Best Neighbourhoods in Pittsburgh

Arts and culture in Pittsburgh

Culture enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven with all the arts and culture options in Pittsburgh. The Steel City offers an impressive array of world-class cultural institutions. The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh are a must-see. They comprise an art museum, a natural history museum, a science museum and the famed Andy Warhol Museum. The latter is dedicated to the renowned pop culture artist from Pittsburgh, and it showcases his legacy and influence on modern culture. The museum recently announced expansion plans that will more than double its size.

If you’re interested in theatre, Pittsburgh is also a regular stop for touring Broadway productions at the Benedum Center in the Cultural District. Pittsburgh also has its own thriving theatre scene.

The city also offers exciting adult education opportunities through institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. You can enjoy everything from high-quality student productions to lecture series and continuing education programmes.

Outdoor activities and sports in Pittsburgh

The city’s exceptional variety between its four seasons makes outdoor activities and sports in Pittsburgh particularly appealing. Spring and summer offer hiking and cycling, winter brings winter sports and holiday markets when the snow falls, and the city boasts several breathtaking parks perfect for year-round recreation.

Pittsburgh’s largest municipal park, Frick Park, spans 644 acres and offers extensive trails through wooded slopes and valleys. Point State Park provides scenic riverside paths and connects to the Great Allegheny Passage trail system. Schenley Park, near Squirrel Hill, rounds out the major green spaces with its rolling terrain and recreational facilities.

If you prefer to exercise indoors, Pittsburgh has a wide selection of gyms and fitness studios. They offer all sorts of equipment and classes, from boxing to aerial yoga and more.

Pittsburgh has three major stadiums, and you’ll be in a prime spot for world-class sporting games. The locals love to support the city’s three major teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) play at Acrisure Stadium, the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) play at PPG Paints Arena, and the Pittsburgh Pirates (Major League Baseball) play at PNC Park.

See and do in Pittsburgh

You’ll discover a wealth of things to see and do in Pittsburgh when you arrive in this buzzing Pennsylvania metro. The city’s most popular attractions offer something for every season. They’re easily accessible by car or public transit.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens sits in Schenley Park. It’s a popular family outing that boasts gorgeous gardens and a 14-room Victorian glasshouse. Seasonal exhibits include orchids, bonsai trees and other intricate flora. This green oasis in bustling Oakland has been providing world-class garden experiences since 1893. Your kids are sure to enjoy the Discovery Garden, which offers children’s activities. They can also visit the Garden Railroad, where they can explore the tropical Treasure Island.

Duquesne Incline

This funicular is a fun activity for the whole family. It’s also a working museum that has been running since 1877. It takes passengers to the affluent Mount Washington neighbourhood atop the hill. The cars offer spectacular views over the city on the way up. Once you arrive at the upper section, you can look at photos and displays on the history of the incline and see its inner workings.

Carnegie Science Center

The Carnegie Science Center is a winner with the kids. It offers more than 250 hands-on exhibits that cover everything science and tech. These range from cars, planes and energy to the solar system and space travel.

There’s also plenty to do here. You’ll need an entire day to take full advantage of attractions such as the indoor climbing and zipline courses, the four-storey Omnimax Theater, and the Henry Buhl Jr Planetarium and Observatory.

Don’t miss out on the Miniature Railroad and Village. It exhibits Pennsylvania’s history with animated miniature horse-drawn carriages, cars, trucks and aeroplanes. You can also marvel at the USS Requin, a World War II submarine, as former submariners provide guided tours.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is enjoyed by both young and old, and it educates and entertains in equal measure. The museum covers our planet’s natural and cultural past and features exhibits on topics ranging from dinosaurs, geology, and wildlife to Ancient Egyptian and Native American history.

The little ones will love the interactive Discovery Basecamp exhibit and the Bone Hunter’s Quarry, where they can dig up their own replica fossils.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium have five animal habitats, which include everything from marine and coastal wildlife to forest dwellers, island animals and plains game of the African savannah. Kids adore interacting with the animals. Environmentally concerned parents can rest assured that it is a responsible zoo, and it greatly focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation of animals. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium has been operating since 1898 and is one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved family attractions.

Meeting people and making friends in Pittsburgh

There are many ways to meet people and make friends in Pittsburgh, but the main strategy is focused on the city’s active professional and business networking scene. The city’s friendly locals and thriving industries in technology, healthcare, and finance create excellent opportunities for career-minded individuals to connect.

Business professionals can tap into Pittsburgh’s growing tech and innovation community through organisations like the Pittsburgh Technology Council, startup meetups, and co-working spaces throughout the city. The transformation from Steel City to the ‘Eds and Meds’ hub has created an active professional network. This spans Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and major employers like Google and Uber.

Sports enthusiasts can join local leagues for everything from softball and basketball to ultimate Frisbee and running clubs. The city’s three major sports teams also set up natural conversation starters and bonding opportunities with fellow fans at games or sports bars around town.

Cultural activities are another excellent avenue for meeting people. The thriving arts scene means you can connect through museum memberships, theatre groups, book clubs, or volunteering at cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

Useful links

• Meetup Pittsburgh
• Eventbrite: Pittsburgh Business Networking