Moving to Pittsburgh

Located in western Pennsylvania in the United States, Pittsburgh is a beautifully scenic and often undersold city that is positioned at the confluence of three rivers. The city has quite a number of bridges – more than 400, in fact, and it's thanks to this that Pittsburgh is often fondly referred to as the 'City of Bridges'.

Though, for the same reason, those moving to Pittsburgh can end up taking a while to figure out how to navigate the complicated network of roads and bridges.

Living in Pittsburgh as an expat

The second most populous city in the state, Pittsburgh is a major centre of steel production, education and technology. Apart from steel, other thriving industries include glass, aluminium and petroleum. There are more than 1,600 technology companies with a presence in the city, including industry giants such as Google, Facebook and Apple. 

Pittsburgh also has dozens of higher education institutions, including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, both of which are industry leaders in research and development.

Pittsburgh locals are generally friendly and welcoming, so new arrivals shouldn't find it too hard to settle in. Sports fans will enjoy Pittsburgh's fanatic sports culture, and supporting local teams can be a great way to meet people. The city offers a laid-back lifestyle and for those who enjoy a drink or two, there are new breweries, wineries and distilleries constantly springing up all over the city. Culture vultures will have plenty of museums and galleries to keep them occupied.

Cost of living in Pittsburgh

The cost of living in Pittsburgh is relatively affordable in comparison with other major cities such as New York and Los Angeles. New arrivals will find that accommodation costs in the city are reasonable, and they will have plenty of areas and suburbs to choose from. 

That said, newcomers will have to budget for the high utility costs in Pittsburgh, and those planning on owning a vehicle will have to account for hefty gas (petrol) prices. 

Families and children in Pittsburgh

Parents moving to Pittsburgh with children will be glad to know that the city's reputation for high-quality education extends to its public schools, with magnet and charter schools being especially highly regarded. While there are no schools in Pittsburgh offering a foreign curriculum, there are language-immersion schools and schools that teach the International Baccalaureate.

There is also plenty to see and do, and the city has a brimming events calendar, so parents will be spoilt for choice when it comes to entertaining their tots and teens at the weekend.

Climate in Pittsburgh

The climate in Pittsburgh is continental and marked by snowy frigid winters and sweltering summers. The weather in Pittsburgh is also quite unpredictable owing to the cold air masses coming from Canada. Thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence in summer, while the city experiences snowfall for at least seven months.

There's a lot to love about life in Pittsburgh. The City of Bridges offers a good quality of life while maintaining a low cost of living, and, as a proudly diverse region with a multicultural heritage, new arrivals moving to Pittsburgh will have no trouble settling in quickly.