After living in three different neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, and working in two different ones, I feel like I have some authority when it comes to talking about this city. It sort of offends me that the majority of the student body never leaves Oakland unless they are going to the Waterfront or Southside Bars. So, a rundown of the neighborhoods…
To start, Downtown… Since I started working in the Cultural District I’ve been spending almost the majority of my free time among the high risers. Seeing as I live on a tight budget, I can’t afford to see shows at the Benedum, however, I know people who work at the Harris Theatre, and get free tickets in exchange for soymilk. The Harris sells very cheap tickets to movies that you cannot see at other theatres, and the small theatre provides an intimate viewing experience for the audience members to share collectively. Also, once a season there is a Gallery Crawl, where all of the gallery’s open up to present the current exhibits, accompanied by free beer and wine.
 When I’m hungry I treat myself to Mexico City. Located on Wood Street it serves delicious authentic Mexican food, comparable to the quality of Veracruz in Oakland, but with bigger portions at a reasonable cost. Although I prefer a nice dive bar, when I can afford an upgrade I visit the Sharp Edge, which is so classy it even has purse hangers on the bar. Sharp Edge has some of the best-crafted beer in the city, offering a variety of fifty different brews on tap that constantly change.
Although I try to use self-discipline, sometimes I find myself with the itch to shop. I recently have been on a quest to find a beautiful new pair of glasses, and I nearly fainted when I found Heidi Optics. When you enter the store you don’t simply walk over to the wall and start trying on pairs. No, someone immediately approaches you and asks you to describe the kind of frames you are looking for. When you respond that you like horn-rimmed tortoise they pull out a velvet case with several different pairs they think you will like (and you do). After you try one on, they ask you what you like about the pair and then pull out another velvet case with a dozen more gorgeous pairs, which are handpicked from designers around the world. Heard of Eyetique? Don’t bother.
Lawrenceville…If the Southside were fun and had culture it would be located on Butler Street. La Cantina, with its delicious $4 Sangria Thursdays and beautiful outdoor patio lit with candles and lights, provides the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing start to a warm summer evening. The drinks are made with fresh ingredients, so the spearmint of Mojitos is freshly chopped up for each beverage making the drinks taste like Christmas.
Then there is the ultimate dive-bar, Belvederes. With a dance floor, pool tables, couches and TV’s in the back it offers an ideal party setting. Its claim to fame happens every Thursday with a $2 cover and 50-cent Pabst: 80s night. No one dresses 80’s and instead gets soused and dances the night away in the smoker-friendly bar.
Aside from great bars, Lawrenceville is also known for its small businesses, such as Perk Me Up Coffee Shop, The Church Brew Works, Pavement-An Independent Clothing Store, and Piccolo Forno-An Italian Restaurant. Modcloth is also based out of Lawrenceville, but does not have a clothing store, and instead makes all sales off the web.
Then there is Bloomfield…Dear to my heart, the neighborhood that I live in. With neighbors that are families, young adults, older couples, young couples and some college-aged students, the area hosts a diverse range of people who all care about the neighborhood. Unlike the dregs of Oakland which let their lawns and porches go to shambles with beer cans that become lawn ornaments and cigarette butts that grow like weeds, in Bloomfield it is an embarrassment, and neighbors will quickly complain about anything they find to be an eyesore.
With the sense of pride comes friendly, caring neighbors, and many booming small businesses. There are dozens of small coffee shops and a variety of restaurants to accommodate any diet or ethnicity. Thai Cuisine, Wai Wai Chinese Cuisine, Adrian’s Pizza, People’s (Indian) and Spak Brothers (Vegan Pizzeria) are some of my absolute favorites, especially Thai Cuisine.
Aside from all the great places to dine, Bloomfield is in the center of Pittsburgh, and thereby really convenient to commute from. Currently Public Transportation offers direct bus routes to Oakland, Southside, Northside, East Liberty, Friendship, Shadyside, Lawrenceville, Downtown, The Strip District and now Squirrel Hill and the Waterfront. But even without all these bus routes, Shadyside, North Oakland, Polish Hill, East Liberty, Friendship and Lawrenceville are all within reasonable walking distance.
Although I never expected it, Bloomfield has been much more convenient for me than South Oakland ever was. I am able to walk to a grocery store, or walk five minutes to catch a frequently running bus and head to Whole Foods or Trader Joes. The 54C runs every twenty minutes during weekdays, which allows me to easily get to class on time, and there is also a new bus that goes to Oakland, the 93, which gives me a second option.
Bloomfield has everything, and if it doesn’t have it, it’s only a short distance away. So my point is, branch out! See all of what Pittsburgh has to offer and fall in love with it. The neighborhoods I focused on are the ones I feel the most knowledgeable about, but I also love the Strip District, Polish Hill, Squirrel Hill and East Liberty, and recommend exploring them as well!
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