Mysteries of Pittsburgh
Content
Mysteries of Pittsburgh Having lived in Pittsburgh for 21 years in my opinion gives me the right to speak candidly about the city. I’m pretty much a native. I went to Schenley High School in the early 90’s when the gangs were in full effect, have attended both CCAC and Pitt, bought a house just outside city limits, so I feel like I can write about the ‘burgh without offending anyone. One peculiar phenomenon of this city is: The outsider who, by forces of nature, is now living in Pittsburgh and is actively trying to leave...(for years now) I call this: The Magnetic Mystery of Pittsburgh… or the Bermuda Three Rivers Triangle. Being of Hispanic heritage I can sympathize with these outsiders. I mean Pittsburgh has never been known for being a culturally diverse place. And I know the Latino population is now starting to show signs of growth here, but compared to where I am from…Pittsburgh was just plain ol’ black and white, instead of black and yellow. Vanilla and chocolate were the only flavors of the month. Every month. I have been in and out of this category of people for years now. I have been one of those people who are not from here and felt the need to explain how I got here and specify my action plan for leaving down to the smallest detail. It can go something like this: “Yeah and when the blue moon is rising up in the sky and the wind is blowing from the east then I will go down to the greyhound station with just my kids, my bags and a plan…” These people have really valid reasons explaining how they ended up in Pittsburgh. The most popular ones are: *The University of Pittsburgh/CMU Pitt and CMU are very successful at luring people here and is usually one of the main reasons people give me for ending up here, must give kudos to their marketing department, very successful. Indeed. *Falling hard in love with a Pittsburgh native What is it about these natives? Are they really sexier? People leave family, friends and culturally rich backgrounds behind to be with their baby in Pittsburgh.
This latter case, I’m sorry to say, usually has an unhappy ending.
Of all the people whom I have talked to, most end up disillusioned, with a broken family and stuck in Pittsburgh. And not only is the mysterious magnetic force of the city keeping them here but now the Family Division of Allegheny County as well. I have noticed the only people that can successfully move and not be drawn back are Pittsburgh natives. They move to warmer states...North Carolina being a favorite destination, the more natives I know leave the more people I meet who are here against their will and are now “stuck” in Pittsburgh, wondering how they got here and wandering aimlessly on weekend nights, looking dazed and confused.
I’m not sure if the fact that I look foreign draws these people to me. Or if I am subconsciously drawn to them instead. Does the city really have a magnetic hold that keeps outsiders trapped in a hell of their own making? Or is it the low cost of living the real reason people stay in the Three Rivers area? Or maybe the outsiders are happy but have to deny it to everyone. The media everywhere else makes fun of the Burgh. Maybe living in Pittsburgh is a guilty pleasure. To me, sometimes it feels like purgatory. I am just here working out my karma for my next life. But then other times it feels like my life before Pittsburgh was just a series of events with the purpose of getting here. I have accepted that I will be in Pittsburgh for a while. I no longer explain to people that every time I want to leave something mysterious or magnetic happens to keep me here. I have become accustomed to its quirks. I’m used to pot holes and Penndot driving everyone crazy in the summer. I love watching the seasons change, going to Mt. Washington to watch the fireworks. I love the waterfront and (sometimes) the south side. Sandcastle and Kennywood in the Summer. The strip is sometimes too risqué. I’m already used to heavy traffic right before the Squirrel Hill Tunnels and grabbing a Starbucks while reading the City Paper is divine.
I do appreciate the low cost of living, and I don’t think I would have as nice a home anywhere else. And now, after living here for so long, when an outsider comes up to me and asks me where I’m from. I simply say: Pittsburgh.
This latter case, I’m sorry to say, usually has an unhappy ending.
Of all the people whom I have talked to, most end up disillusioned, with a broken family and stuck in Pittsburgh. And not only is the mysterious magnetic force of the city keeping them here but now the Family Division of Allegheny County as well. I have noticed the only people that can successfully move and not be drawn back are Pittsburgh natives. They move to warmer states...North Carolina being a favorite destination, the more natives I know leave the more people I meet who are here against their will and are now “stuck” in Pittsburgh, wondering how they got here and wandering aimlessly on weekend nights, looking dazed and confused.
I’m not sure if the fact that I look foreign draws these people to me. Or if I am subconsciously drawn to them instead. Does the city really have a magnetic hold that keeps outsiders trapped in a hell of their own making? Or is it the low cost of living the real reason people stay in the Three Rivers area? Or maybe the outsiders are happy but have to deny it to everyone. The media everywhere else makes fun of the Burgh. Maybe living in Pittsburgh is a guilty pleasure. To me, sometimes it feels like purgatory. I am just here working out my karma for my next life. But then other times it feels like my life before Pittsburgh was just a series of events with the purpose of getting here. I have accepted that I will be in Pittsburgh for a while. I no longer explain to people that every time I want to leave something mysterious or magnetic happens to keep me here. I have become accustomed to its quirks. I’m used to pot holes and Penndot driving everyone crazy in the summer. I love watching the seasons change, going to Mt. Washington to watch the fireworks. I love the waterfront and (sometimes) the south side. Sandcastle and Kennywood in the Summer. The strip is sometimes too risqué. I’m already used to heavy traffic right before the Squirrel Hill Tunnels and grabbing a Starbucks while reading the City Paper is divine.
I do appreciate the low cost of living, and I don’t think I would have as nice a home anywhere else. And now, after living here for so long, when an outsider comes up to me and asks me where I’m from. I simply say: Pittsburgh.
