University of Pittsburgh
- Local Atmosphere

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University of Pittsburgh - Local Atmosphere - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.62

Local Atmosphere

Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. Pittsburgh is the only city whose sports teams all share the same team colors: black and gold!
  2. More than 120 major motion pictures have been filmed in Pittsburgh, including The Silence of the Lambs and Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
  3. There are 446 bridges in Pittsburgh, earning the city one of its nicknames: City of Bridges.
  4. 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.
  5. The city boasts 33 colleges and universities, and sees over 100,000 students return to school each fall.
Notable Natives
  • 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
Local Slang
  • Gumband: Rubber band
  • Pop: What a Pittsburgher calls soda
  • Redd up: To clean up
  • Yinz (yunz): Rumored to have originated from "you ones;" similar meaning as "y'all"
Points of Interest
  • Andy Warhol Museum
  • Benedum Center
  • Carnegie Museums
  • Carnegie Science Center
  • Heinz Field
  • Heinz Hall
  • Kennywood Amusement Park
  • Mattress Factory
  • Pittsburgh Zoo
  • PNC Park
  • PPG Place
  • The Strip District

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

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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Pitt Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of Pittsburgh

rhamoda1

Biology '16

4.6
A

Can make it any size you want it!

When I applied to colleges, I definitely saw myself as a city girl! While Pittsburgh is a smaller city than NYC or Boston, it definitely has the potential to be any size you want it to be. PITT does a good job of helping you find your niche on campus, whether its through exploring the city as a whole every night or staying within campus limits. You have no bounds, but you can set your own boundaries :)

May 22, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Pittsburgh

laurlaur16

Neuroscience '14

3.8
B+

Always Fun

There's always something fun, but you need to find it

May 11, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Pittsburgh

jkashkoush

Neuroscience '15

5.0
A+

Area Attractions

The campus is located right in the middle of the city. Thus, us college students always have food to eat, movies to watch, and stores to shop at.

Apr 17, 2012

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User rating for University of Pittsburgh - Local Atmosphere is 4.6 out of 5 based on 57 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • Downtown
  • The Mall at Robinson
  • Monroeville Mall
  • Pittsburgh Mills
  • Ross Park Mall
  • Shadyside Shops
  • South Side Works
  • The Waterfront
Major Sports Teams
  • Pittsburgh Penguins: hockey
  • Pittsburgh Pirates: baseball
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: football
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Cleveland: OH: 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Philadelphia: PA: 5 hours

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

AMC at the Waterfront
300 W. Waterfront Dr.
Homestead
(412) 462-6384

Manor Cinemagic Theaters
1729 Murray Ave.
Squirrel Hill
(412) 422-7729

South Side Works Cinema
425 Cinema Dr.
South Side
(412) 381-7335

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Most Recent Student Author View all

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

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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