Pittsburgh fell smack in the middle, rated #51, in a list of 100 best places to live by Livability.com.
This year, the list that focuses on small and midsize cities reported that “many of the things that used to be a given about where and how we live suddenly became open-ended questions: What if you could work remotely and live anywhere? What if paying thousands of dollars a month to live in a big, expensive city wasn’t worth it anymore? What if the things that have always mattered — affordability, opportunity, safety, community — mattered more than ever?
To that end, they analyzed more than 1,000 small to midsize cities on factors including safety, affordability, economic stability, outdoor recreation, accessibility and community engagement.
“This year’s list was also informed by a new metric: an ‘opportunity score’ we used to determine each city’s landscape of opportunity, including variables like job numbers, broadband access, economic resilience and growth,” Livability reports.
Pittsburgh has ranked high on “most livable cities” lists over the years but much criticism has been voiced internally about Pittsburgh not being livable for all, specifically Black people and people of color. As reported in NEXTpittsburgh, “Another new report, by the city’s Gender Equity Commission, paints a damning picture for African Americans in Pittsburgh. Black residents, and especially women, it found, are far worse off here than their contemporaries in other cities …”
It’s not clear that the new opportunity score referenced by Livability.com also factored in equity.
Here’s what they have to say about Pittsburgh overall:
“Pittsburgh has transformed itself into a powerhouse of high-tech industries, including robotics, software engineering and artificial intelligence. Because of its growing tech sector, Pittsburgh offers tons of opportunity, no matter what stage you’re at in your career.”
Citing Pittsburgh as an affordable place to live with a stable real estate market, Livability.com says it is the “perfect place to put down roots.
They also say it has a fun, energetic vibe and its own distinct culture. “Once you get here, you won’t want to leave.”
Best coffee shop, according to the site: Ineffable Cà Phê, which also serves delicious Vietnamese food. (We highly agree.)
Best local brewery: Grist House Craft Brewery. “The Hazedelic Juice Grenade is a popular local favorite.”
Must-have meal: DiAnoia’s Eatery’s gnocchi.
Favorite weekend activity: Going thrifting around town. “Pittsburgh has tons of awesome retro and vintage shops … ”
Best meet-up spot: Lorelei, a “popular beer hall and cocktail bar” in East Liberty.
Free ways to have fun: Frick Park’s 644 acres for walking, hiking or biking.
Read the full article here.