University of Pittsburgh - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Students love the busy city life of Pittsburgh that lacks the stress of being overwhelmed by an area too large to explore. There are so many different things to do and different colleges to interact with that most students have no complaints about the atmosphere in and around campus. In the Oakland area alone, there is enough to do that you can have fun and easily stay within walking distance of Pitt. Exploring other neighborhoods around Pittsburgh is sure to expand your experience of living here tenfold.

One of the main complaints about Oakland is the number of panhandlers. Over time, students figure out that these people are harmless. There are a few areas of the city that you should stay away from, including some parts of East Liberty and the Hill District, for example. Like any city, there are places that you shouldn't go to if you don't know your way around. The few "bad areas" of the city are mostly out of the way, and there's really no reason that students would ever need to go there. These areas are also out of the way so it is unlikely that you will stumble into them accidentally. Nearly every neighborhood has something to offer, from upscale dining and shopping in Shadyside to nightlife and restaurants in the South Side and Station Square and the cultural districts of Downtown and the North Side. Top everything off with three sports teams, the extensive Carnegie Library and museum system, and you have a well-rounded city atmosphere to enhance your college experience.
 

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Students Speak Out

dar76 says: University of Pittsburgh 2016 Social Sciences

Pittsburgh is a much nicer city... Pittsburgh is a much nicer city than most people think. Tthe only downside is that it's not very large, and a little less socially open than most coastal cities. There's still tons to do, and it's all super cheap. 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 13, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

The worst thing about this city is... The worst thing about this city is the rough areas. If you make one wrong turn, or get lost driving somewhere, chances are you’ll end up in a not-so-nice area. Don’t get me wrong, most of the time nothing will happen to you if you stumble across these areas; however, they can make you very uncomfortable until you find your way out. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The city is great. It’s small and... The city is great. It’s small and easy to navigate. Not only do you have downtown, and the many cultural experiences it provides, but if you head toward the suburbs, there is even more to be found—especially in the way of shopping! There is never a loss for something to do in this city, which is why when many people graduate, they don’t ever leave. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

There really isn’t much... There really isn’t much interaction between Pitt and the surrounding campuses. I would say if any mixing occurs, it’s with Carnegie Mellon. A lot of girls I know go over there for frat parties because they’re nicer than the ones at Pitt, and they say the guys over there are nicer. We don’t really see many kids from Duquesne, Carlow, or Chatham. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

You could never get bored in this... You could never get bored in this city. There are always a million and one things to do! With Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon on either side of Pitt, there are plenty of other campuses to interact with. However, sometimes it’s a little overwhelming to try and fit in all the things you want to do! 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Pittsburgh:
• Pittsburgh is the only city whose sports teams all share the same team colors: black and gold!
• More than 120 major motion pictures have been filmed in Pittsburgh, including The Silence of the Lambs and Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
• There are 446 bridges in Pittsburgh, earning the city one of its nicknames: City of Bridges.
• Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park is one of the largest in-city parks on the East Coast. It contains plenty of biking and hiking trails, along with an ice rink, swimming pool, and golf course.
• The city boasts 33 colleges and universities, and sees over 100,000 students return to school each fall.

Local Slang:
Gumband – Rubber band
Pop – What a Pittsburgher calls soda
Red up (redd up) – To clean up
Yinz (yunz) – Rumored to have originated from “you ones;” similar meaning as “y’all”

Famous People from Pittsburgh:
Christina Aguilera
Rachel Carson
Annie Dillard
Stephen Foster
Gregg Gillis (Girl Talk)
Jeff Goldblum
Ahmad Jamal
Michael Keaton
Gene Kelly
Dennis Miller
Zachary Quinto
Fred Rogers
George Romero
Gertrude Stein
Andy Warhol
August Wilson

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Courtney Vock
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Major: Creative Non-Fiction Writing

Courtney dares you to challenge her to a "Friends" quote/trivia-off.

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