Should I move to Mechanicstown or stay in Pittsburgh?
I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $90,414 in Mechanicstown. You can expect to pay around $1,498 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 7,479 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Wyatt Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Ella Bailey
underrated comment
40 upvotes
John
Bought a house here in 2023 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Luke
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
32 upvotes
Lydia Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
30 upvotes
Olivia Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Zoe Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Westside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
18 upvotes
Roman Gomez
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Ruby
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Lily Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Michael T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
2 upvotes
Emma Johnson
Saving this thread
1 upvotes
Abigail P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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