Post
by BarbellDreams » Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:29 pm
Just got back from my visit, very impressed with everything, I will try and post everything I can in detail for those who have yet to visit or won't be able to before move in:
Oakland/Pitt Campus: Awesome. Seriously, the campus is HUGE. The cathederal of Learning looks like a monument in itself, Fifth and Forbes avenue are two huge streets that run all the way through campus side by side and both have good bars, clubs, and food. There are small shops and eats everywhere, Joe Mama's and Fuel n' Fuddle are amazing (the only I have tried). There are like 4 Pittsburgh bookstores, and I looked pathetic stocking up on Pitt shirts, sweatpants, and sweatshirts. I heard from a student there (haven't seen these myself) that there are two fitness centers on campus and students use both. One of them is located in the building where the basketball team plays and its a huge glass building that looks really nice. Most of the buildings I wanted to go to were closed because it was saturday, but the law building does look a bit old to be honest. The law library looks amazing and I have a feeling like it is a very quiet comfortable place to study. There is a ton of grassy areas, the soldiers historical memorial in the middle of campus looks amazing with two cannons and a field in the middle (you kinds have to see it though, its hard to describe). Oakland itself is actually rather large, as all the Pit buildings make it feel like a small downtown in itself.
Downtown Pittsburgh: Its bigger than I imagined. I am from Chicago so I knew it wasn't going to replicate my downtown in size, but it has a good amount of skyscrapers, businesses, and food shops. PNC park (where the Pirates play) is right across the bridge and looks awesome too. The only downside is there isnt a lot to do downtown, they dont have shopping malls or anything like that. Its more of a business district and after 6 or 7 p.m. it is a ghost town. I heard they are trying to change this but for now it isn;t a huge hangout place, but I really liked it anyway.
Shadyside:Walnut ave. is the main street with all the "attractions" some popular stores like the gap and Bannana Republic, some randoms like sephora, and some trendy local stores on top of local shops make up this street. Negley ave. just across from this (a little bit north) is a market district where you can find giant eagle, whole foods, etc. I honestly was a bit underwhelmed by shadyside, everyone told me this was the best neighborhood to live in, and while the apartments are all very nice and the neighborhood is very green, there isn't a TON to do like everyone says. Maybe I missed something, I admittedly didn't spend a lot of time here.
Squirrel Hill: I rented my apartment here, on Hobart ave. I really like this place. Murray ave. is the heart of the neighborhood and it stretches about 6 or 8 blocks and has hundreds of small shops, interested restaurants, etc. I went to a thai Tapas place hre and it was incredible (try the curry puffs). The eat n' Park is the cheap breakfast place and Pamela's is a good breakfast place right off of Murray on forbes where Obama eats (seriously). Shenley park is right between campus and squirrell hill and its right on the way if I walk to campus. The Bob O'Connor golf course is in the park, along with a HUGE grassy field and some nice bridges ($15 per 9 holes I hear. I am a beginning golfer, but I really do want to play this course a bit during my time here).
I don't kno what else to add. I am from chicago so I am used to big cities, and love them, but Pittsburgh can hold its own against other big cities. Its not going to be Chicago and NY, but it definitely has a good mix of small town with big city feel. If you have any other questions let me know and I will try and answer the best that I can. Good luck to everyone looking for apartments, hope to see all of you at orientation!
