4 ms·

> people in the US still perceived Pittsburgh as a bad place They still do. I'm originally from the area and when I mention this everyone thinks I come from e

> people in the US still perceived Pittsburgh as a bad place They still do. I'm originally from the area and when I mention this everyone thinks I come from either a Deliverance-like backwoods or a bombed-out Detroit-style factory town. No one takes me seriously when I call it The Paris of Appalachia.

lintroller 11y ago
Because even if it is "the Paris of Appalachia", it's still Appalachia. I'm sure the city has made great strides but the outside perception is still negative.
pesenti 11y ago
Oh my, never considered Pittsburgh as part of "Appalachia" - I thought that was West Virginia! I guess the US looks at Pittsburgh like Pittsburgh looks at WV...
- beachstartup 11y ago
  as soon as you leave the city, it's evident. it's hilly and the coal industry is everywhere (but shrinking...) probably why steel found its way there too. plenty of fuel to make steel. the people are friendly too. i had no idea what to expect but everyone was really friendly and open minded.
- jrochkind1 11y ago
  Pittsburgh is about 50 miles from West Virginia at the closest point. It's a beautiful town.
- Merad 11y ago
  Appalachia is actually a huge region that comprises probably 1/3 of the eastern seaboard, stretching from New York to Alabama: http://www.arc.gov/assets/maps/Subregions_2009_Map.gif http://www.arc.gov/assets/maps/Subregions_2009_Map.gif
- namlem 11y ago
  Appalachia extends all the way into southern NY.
ceedan 11y ago
"I'm originally from the area and when I mention this everyone thinks I come from either a Deliverance-like backwoods or a bombed-out Detroit-style factory town." This has been my perception of the city until recently. I grew up in Florida, and my perception of the city had been formed mostly/entirely by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team (and city by association) has a very hard-nosed, blue collar kind of vibe... similar to how I would think of the Baltimore Ravens. I've recently moved to Chicago and heard mostly good things about Pittsburgh. As I've gotten more into baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates (and their ballpark) have also changed my perception of the city. The Pirates are a great team and you never hear of any off-the-field issues from that team. PNC Park is also top 5 on my list of parks I'd like to go to. It's naive that my perception of the city was/is based mainly on sports, but I've definitely read and heard lots of great things about the city, especially since moving up north to Chicago.
- brandonmenc 11y ago
  > The team (and city by association) has a very hard-nosed, blue collar kind of vibe True. Where else could a player like Heath Miller become the fan favorite? > It's naive that my perception of the city was/is based mainly on sports Well then, the Steelers' now high-flying offense and the Bucs snapping their 20 season losing streak could be a sign of things to come for the city.
- theandrewbailey 11y ago
  > This has been my perception of the city until recently. I grew up in Florida, and my perception of the city had been formed mostly/entirely by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team (and city by association) has a very hard-nosed, blue collar kind of vibe... similar to how I would think of the Baltimore Ravens. It is sacrilege to compare or equate the Steelers with the Ravens. You'd be thrown out of this town so fast.
unprepare 11y ago
>bombed-out Detroit-style factory town. Yeah, it sure is annoying when people mindlessly insult your city....

lintroller 11y ago

Because even if it is "the Paris of Appalachia", it's still Appalachia. I'm sure the city has made great strides but the outside perception is still negative.

pesenti 11y ago

Oh my, never considered Pittsburgh as part of "Appalachia" - I thought that was West Virginia! I guess the US looks at Pittsburgh like Pittsburgh looks at WV...

beachstartup 11y ago
as soon as you leave the city, it's evident. it's hilly and the coal industry is everywhere (but shrinking...) probably why steel found its way there too. plenty of fuel to make steel. the people are friendly too. i had no idea what to expect but everyone was really friendly and open minded.
jrochkind1 11y ago
Pittsburgh is about 50 miles from West Virginia at the closest point. It's a beautiful town.
Merad 11y ago
Appalachia is actually a huge region that comprises probably 1/3 of the eastern seaboard, stretching from New York to Alabama: http://www.arc.gov/assets/maps/Subregions_2009_Map.gif http://www.arc.gov/assets/maps/Subregions_2009_Map.gif
namlem 11y ago
Appalachia extends all the way into southern NY.

ceedan 11y ago

"I'm originally from the area and when I mention this everyone thinks I come from either a Deliverance-like backwoods or a bombed-out Detroit-style factory town." This has been my perception of the city until recently. I grew up in Florida, and my perception of the city had been formed mostly/entirely by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team (and city by association) has a very hard-nosed, blue collar kind of vibe... similar to how I would think of the Baltimore Ravens. I've recently moved to Chicago and heard mostly good things about Pittsburgh. As I've gotten more into baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates (and their ballpark) have also changed my perception of the city. The Pirates are a great team and you never hear of any off-the-field issues from that team. PNC Park is also top 5 on my list of parks I'd like to go to. It's naive that my perception of the city was/is based mainly on sports, but I've definitely read and heard lots of great things about the city, especially since moving up north to Chicago.

brandonmenc 11y ago
> The team (and city by association) has a very hard-nosed, blue collar kind of vibe True. Where else could a player like Heath Miller become the fan favorite? > It's naive that my perception of the city was/is based mainly on sports Well then, the Steelers' now high-flying offense and the Bucs snapping their 20 season losing streak could be a sign of things to come for the city.
theandrewbailey 11y ago
> This has been my perception of the city until recently. I grew up in Florida, and my perception of the city had been formed mostly/entirely by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team (and city by association) has a very hard-nosed, blue collar kind of vibe... similar to how I would think of the Baltimore Ravens. It is sacrilege to compare or equate the Steelers with the Ravens. You'd be thrown out of this town so fast.

unprepare 11y ago

>bombed-out Detroit-style factory town. Yeah, it sure is annoying when people mindlessly insult your city....