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I guesstimate that there is a greater than 50% chance that I will be moving to Pittsburgh sometime between Wednesday and Friday of next week (last week of July). If anyone here knows anything about LGBT friendly areas within the city, I will be grateful if you share your knowledge in a PM.

Pittsburgh has a law preventing discrimination on the basis of gender identity, but I'm sure some sections of the city are more 'friendly' than others. Allegheny County has a similar law, but I'd prefer to live in the city to be close to public transportation.

Thanks!

Danya

Squirrel Hill. It just sounds so right.

Or the area around the Univ of Pgh.

Oakland is the area around the University of Pittsburgh, Chatham College, Carlow College, Carnegie Mellon U and the Univ of Pitt Medical Center (UPMC). Shadyside and Squirrel hill are just to the east of Oakland and EAst Liberty is a bit further. Highland Park is where my niece lives and it's a nice section of the city. I can't say much about any neighborhood other than if you want to have a sensible commute in a car, don't cross a river or go through a tunnel. I used to live 5 miles outside the city and at rush hour, it could take an hour to get there at rush hour...

Is the job downtown?

Sweetpickle (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:31 pm Squirrel Hill. It just sounds so right.

Or the area around the Univ of Pgh.

I grew up in Squirrel Hill. My parents still live there, and I'm east of there about 10-15 minutes drive. I believe the local LGBT center is located there. There is also an organization called TransPitt that meets on Mondays in downtown if I remember correctly. Squirrel Hill is a friendly neighborhood and Shadyside would probably be as well. I think Oakland would be most friendly in and around the Universities, but rather unfriendly in other parts.

Squirrel Hill is on the bus routes with several buses that go from there to Oakland and Downtown. Shadyside is also on bus routes, but I'm less familiar with those. I must admit it has been over 20 years since I've bussed it. For that matter its been over 10 years since I've been able to work due to back issues.

I've lived in the Western Suburbs too, Robinson Township and then Imperial. If you have any question send me a PM here and I'll do my best to answer or find the answers for you. Is the move definite and just a matter of when, or is it just a possibility? There may be enough of us around here to have a 3-Rivers MOM I can't travel well, but I can get around the city just fine; although I don't go out all that much since the back implosion.

If you are looking for counseling here I can recommend http://www.persadcenter.org/ where i went this past spring for some gender counseling....I got better

Good Luck with the move if it happens!!

Wolf-Pup

Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge!

Sweetpickle (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:31 pm Squirrel Hill. It just sounds so right.

Or the area around the Univ of Pgh.

I had an aunt and grandfather who lived in Squirrel Hill. I like the name, too. I remember t

Dave (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:59 pm he Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh.

Oakland is the area around the University of Pittsburgh, Chatham College, Carlow College, Carnegie Mellon U and the Univ of Pitt Medical Center (UPMC). Shadyside and Squirrel hill are just to the east of Oakland and EAst Liberty is a bit further. Highland Park is where my niece lives and it's a nice section of the city. I can't say much about any neighborhood other than if you want to have a sensible commute in a car, don't cross a river or go through a tunnel. I used to live 5 miles outside the city and at rush hour, it could take

an hour to get there at rush hour...

Is the job downtown?

Yes, the job is downtown. I was considering a southern suburb but I'd probably have to commute through the Liberty Tunnel and then cross the Monongahela River. I love the view of downtown on exiting the tunnel at the river. It's almost like you have stumbled upon a city hidden by the surrounding hills. After your warning,

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:35 pm though, I will definitely stick with the city if possible. I prefer to save on fuel and parking by commuting.

I grew up in Squirrel Hill. My parents still live there, and I'm east of there about 10-15 minutes drive. I believe the local LGBT center is located there. There is also an organization called TransPitt that meets on Mondays in downtown if I remember correctly. Squirrel Hill is a friendly neighborhood and Shadyside would probably be as well. I think Oakland would be most friendly in and around the Universities, but rather unfriendly in other parts.

Squirrel Hill is on the bus routes with several buses that go from there to Oakland and Downtown. Shadyside is also on bus routes, but I'm less familiar with those. I must admit it has been over 20 years since I've bussed it. For that matter its been over 10 years since I've been able to work due to back issues.

I've lived in the Western Suburbs too, Robinson Township and then Imperial. If you have any question send me a PM here and I'll do my best to answer or find the answers for you. Is the move definite and just a matter of when, or is it just a possibility? There may be enough of us around here to have a 3-Rivers MOM I can't travel well, but I can get around the city just fine; although I don't go out all that much since the back implosion.

If you are looking for counseling here I can recommend http://www.persadcenter.org/ where i went th

is past spring for some gender counseling....I got better

Good Luck with the move if it happens!!

Wolf-Pup

I've seen both Shadyside and Squirrel Hill mentioned as good places to live. I wondered about Oakland, figuring spots near the schools would probably be good. It's good to know areas in Oakland away from the universities might not be very friendly.

I've read about the Persad Center. I stuck with gender identity counseling until I got my letter for surgery and haven't been back since. It's good to know, though, that resources are there.

In a few days, I'll know if the move is definite. A Three Rivers MoM is a great idea!

Thanks again, everyone, for your very helpful replies.

If you go into the South Hills, there is a subway line from South Hills Village (a mall you can find on the map, look at Fort Couch Road) and you cut out the driving and parking expense to downtown.

I live down near Finleyville (look about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh) and the neighbor kid used to go to South Hills Village to go to the Art Institute downtown.

I worked next to South Park (you'll find it below Mount Lebanon (which is a good but expensive neighborhood) and Upper St. Clair (which is a snooty neighborhood) The next suburb down is Peter's Township and it is much more suburban and all that entails.

There are times when you can drive down Route 19 and Route 51 and hit town in mere minutes without traffic or minimal traffic right at rush hour. Driving in Pittsburgh is an art.

Even parts of the South Hills like Carrick or Dormont or Pleasant Hills are good places to live. They all have different personalities.

Dave (imported) wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:25 am If you go into the South Hills, there is a subway line from South Hills Village (a mall you can find on the map, look at Fort Couch Road) and you cut out the driving and parking expense to downtown.

I live down near Finleyville (look about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh) and the neighbor kid used to go to South Hills Village to go to the Art Institute downtown.

I worked next to South Park (you'll find it below Mount Lebanon (which is a good but expensive neighborhood) and Upper St. Clair (which is a snooty neighborhood) The next suburb down is Peter's Township and it is much more suburban and all that entails.

There are times when you can drive down Route 19 and Route 51 and hit town in mere minutes without traffic or minimal traffic right at rush hour. Driving in Pittsburgh is an art.

Even parts of the South Hills like Carrick or Dormont or Pleasant Hills are good places to live. They all have different personalities.

All of this talk of the Pittsburgh area is bringing up a lot of memories from my childhood. Back then, my family lived about 350 miles from Pittsburgh. Several times a year we drove there to visit relatives. We usually started the trip after my father got home from work on a Friday. My two brothers and I shared sleeping space on the back seat and floor of the car.

Years ago, I thought there was talk of building a monorail from the southern suburbs to downtown. I may be wrong. That was a very long time ago.

One of my father's brothers lived in Pleasant Hills with his wife and my only cousins on my father's side of the family. When we visited the area, we usually stayed with my German-born grandparents. They lived within the city limits but had a Homestead mailing address. We took day trips from there to visit relatives all over the area.

My family went to the county fair several years, held in South Park. I have fond memories of those times, and our nearly annual visits to Kennywood Park to enjoy the rides.

Thanks for the additional info. I'll consider areas near South Hills Village, too. At least if I decide to rent an apartment on a short-term lease. I may decide to stick with my current living situation of renting space in someone's home. This option would probably work best for me in an LGBT-friendly area of the city.

Every day that passes, without word of a local job offer, increases the likelihood that I will move to Pittsburgh by Wednesday or Thursday. I've already adjusted to the idea of moving again, after arriving in this area in early 2010 and moving twice within the metro since then. The move is practically a done deal now for me, mentally and emotionally. I have started to look at it as another adventure. Today, I felt excited about it.

That monorail was the subject of much political screaming and yelling and it's now rubber tires on a raised and dedicated roadway. (and the new part of it to the casino and stadiums is still a source of political screaming and yelling).

I don't know anything about rentals in the South Hills Area or rooms in houses other than apartment buildings I see when I drive around... I built my house over 30 years ago and paid off the mortgage.

Thanks again to everyone for all the valuable info! There is now 100% certainty

Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:59 am that I will move to Pittsburgh.

I want to say congratulations, but you didn't really wanna come here Awww heck...Congratulations. I used rent.com to find my apt if that is any help.

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:48 am I want to say congratulations, but you didn't really wanna come here Awww heck...Congratulations. I used rent.com to find my apt if that is any help.

Thanks for the congratulations. I have high hopes for my time in Pittsburgh, however long that may be. There are a number of very positive aspects to this move.

I've been scanning sites like rent.com and also Craig's List to do a preliminary housing search. I'm confident I will find something good.

In this spirit of confession I must admit that I lived in Wilkinsburg and worked

at Bettis.

The area I lived in was a hotbed of racial distrust. I accidently moved in among

the Irish, who hated the Italians who lived down the road. I met a Polish girl who

was concerned that I would be shocked that she knew a black person. If I walked

into a local bar there would be dead silence.

I left when the snow melted.

I live very close to the border with Churchill, and the Brittany Apts have indoor parking, so it is all good. I usually go to Penn Hills or Edgewood for grocery shopping. Sometimes Walmart, which is cheaper but a longer drive. I would not guess it is a LGBT fridnly neighborhood, but the apt building is nice enough for me.

Sweetpickle (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:02 am In this spirit of confession I must admit that I lived in Wilkinsburg and worked

at Bettis.

The area I lived in was a hotbed of racial distrust. I accidently moved in among

the Irish, who hated the Italians who lived down the road. I met a Polish girl who

was concerned that I would be shocked that she knew a black person. If I walked

into a local bar there would be dead silence.

I left when the snow melted.

I absolutely want to avoid neighborhoods like this. Chicagoland has a very diverse population and, at least downtown and in many suburbs, everyone seems to get along just fine. There are, however, a number of Chicago neighborhoods I would be very reluctant to walk through.

Anyway, I still may wind up in the south suburban area. I've also been told by my doctor and other professionals working with trans folks that no one will give me a second glance. I don't totally buy that, even t

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:34 am hough I've never had a problem. So I want to be cautious.

I live very close to the border with Churchill, and the Brittany Apts have indoor parking, so it is all good. I usually go to Penn Hills or Edgewood for grocery shopping. Sometimes Walmart, which is cheaper but a longer drive. I would not guess it is a LGBT fridnl

y neighborhood, but the apt building is nice enough for me.

I don't live in a particularly LGBT-friendly neighborhood now. What it has, though, is a diverse population that generally seems tolerant.

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:38 am Thanks again to everyone for all the valuable info! There is now 100% certainty

Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:59 am that I will move to Pittsburgh.

Good luck with your new adventure. Is the job temporary contract or permanent?

The building is well integrated racially speaking. A mix of young and older as well. It is hard to judge how tolerant any given person would be...plus I keep to myself mostly...

I was becoming increasingly anxious about moving to Pittsburgh, for this particular job, Monday and Tuesday of this week. At first, I wasn't quite sure why and I'm still not totally certain. Pittsburgh is a fine city located in a beautiful area.

In the weeks leading to my decision, in early 2010, to move to Chicagoland I had some trepidation. I always thought I would remain in Minnesota for the rest of my life. But I had a fairly constant feeling over many weeks that this change was right for me, even though I was unemployed and had no job waiting for me here. During the week before I left Minnesota for Illinois, I was also anxious. Back then though, I was anxious to leave one place for another. With some bumps along the way, everything worked out fine.

I psyched myself up for Pittsburgh because I want and need to work. I was excited that a company was interested in what I could do for them, even in this dismal economy. By Tuesday morning, though, I was starting to feel that relocating to Pittsburgh would be a mistake. At least for now when I have other options.

Talks with several friends and my doctor helped me clarify things. As a result, I made the decision to not move to Pittsburgh. I am emotionally exhausted frustrated. I absolutely need a job. Still the fact that I will get a much larger unemployment payment than I expected made the choice easier.

It is too late for me to go into details. The summary version is: this is not the right time, or job opportunity, for me to jump of the cliff.

It means a lot to me that folks here have been so willing to provide useful informaton, help and good wishes. I cannot thank you enough.

I'm sorry to hear you going through such turmoil, Danya...But, now that you've made a decision, I hope it has abated...You seem to be very hard on yourself...as many of us are..

Smooches Jackie

Moving and a new job are big traumas for anyone.

You have to do what is good for you.

I would also suggest Regent Square, which is an easy commute downtown, has a lot of fun restaurants, and is quite gay friendly. Be sure to stop at the Square Cafe for wonderful breakfast and lunch!

butterflyjack (imported) wrote: Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:58 pm I'm sorry to hear you going through such turmoil, Danya...But, now that you've made a decision, I hope it has abated...You seem to be very hard on yourself...as many of us are..

Smooches Jackie

Hi Jackie,

I'm doing fine today. Yes, there are times when I am very hard on myself. Fortunately, these don't usually last too long. I have been employed only 10 months over the last two years, not for a lack of trying. So this has been a difficult two years for me in some ways. Despite that, I am much happier with life now.

Only a month has passed since I started a very active job search. This is not a long time, but I was recovering from GRS complications for two months prior to that. During part of that t

Dave (imported) wrote: Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:12 pm ime, I had to rely on my dwindling life savings to survive.

Moving and a new job are

big traumas for anyone.

You have to do what is good for you.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for understanding. Moving and starting a new job are major life stresses and I was st

Falcon (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:21 am ressed out over that. I would have gone ahead anyway for the right job. I may yet move for another opportunity.

I would also suggest Regent Square, which is an easy commute downtown, has a lot of f

un restaurants, and is quite gay friendly. Be sure to stop at the Square Cafe for wonderful breakfast and lunch!

Hi Falcon,

I've read very good things about Regent Square. Sounds like a terrific neighborhood. I have good memories from times I visited Frick Park.

Danya, I do understand, I remember back in May of 95 driving across Neb and wondering what I was thinking, moving from the bay area to St Louis, somewhere on I-70 I realized I was looking off to the right hand side of the road to a white farm house a few trees around it a white pickup and a green tractor, a mile down the road I saw the same white house trees pickup and green tractor, it was this way for miles, at one point I looked to the other side of the road and saw a white house with a few trees a white pickup and a green tractor. I wondered what I had got myself into, I said to myself it Missouri is like Nebraska I was going to turn around and go back.

Moving and a new job are two of the most stressful things we go through, I do understand.

I know you will find that right job and right place to live, and until you do, I will keep thinking about you and sending you big hugs.

River

That's funny, that reminds me of driving from PA into Ohio. On the turnpikes you go from hills and scenic mountains into FLATNESS. It is always startling to me the difference once you cross the state border.