Visiting Pittsburgh...again! (York, Washington, Carnegie: mattress, how much, schools)

[NooYinzer]

Hello,

I'm from New York and I am visiting Pittsburgh again next week.

First of all, I have to say this: Pittsburgh is so beautiful! I honestly thought it was going to be this disgusting, dirty, polluted mess of a city but it turned out to be the complete opposite! I also thought it might be a little backwards in thinking but it wasn't! I was so glad that I was wrong, though! I went with my New York-is-superior attitude and traveled back to New York depressed. The first thing I smelled was exhaust on the street and urine in Penn Station.

Anyway! I'm quite fond of the city and plan on visiting two more times after my next trip: January and April. If I'm happy each visit, I might just move next summer!

It's going to be a relatively short trip, though. I plan on visiting the Mattress Factory Museum since I didn't get to last time. Everyone I spoke to last time told me to skip the Andy Warhol Museum because it's filled with crap, which I believe, but I feel like I should still go just to hate the fact that there's actually an entire museum dedicated to the guy.

Is there anything I should do since I won't be back until the city freezes over? I'm actually really looking forward to a frozen Pittsburgh.

Also, for anyone with any knowledge on the following schools, please provide me with your honest rating of each one. I know some schools are better for some programs, but in general, which is probably "better" for graduate school? Again, that's probably subjective but let me know your thoughts! And I'm leaving the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University off this list since I know they aren't considered crappy in the city or outside of the city.

*Carlow University
*Chatham University
*Duquesne University
*Point Park University
*Robert Morris University

And feel free to make fun of my username!

I also thought it was adorable how so many people in the city would make quacking noises whenever the Ducky boat drove by in city or even passed people on the river in their boats.

Thanks,

Andrew

[BrianTH]

I like both the Mattress Factory and the Warhol.

One major thing I can think of that you would have to do now rather than January is kayaking (it goes down to weekends only in October, subject to weather). Otherwise most of the major attractions can be pretty fun to visit in the winter (often with holiday themes and such).

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

Hello,

I'm from New York and I am visiting Pittsburgh again next week.

First of all, I have to say this: Pittsburgh is so beautiful! I honestly thought it was going to be this disgusting, dirty, polluted mess of a city but it turned out to be the complete opposite! I also thought it might be a little backwards in thinking but it wasn't! I was so glad that I was wrong, though! I went with my New York-is-superior attitude and traveled back to New York depressed. The first thing I smelled was exhaust on the street and urine in Penn Station.

Anyway! I'm quite fond of the city and plan on visiting two more times after my next trip: January and April. If I'm happy each visit, I might just move next summer!

It's going to be a relatively short trip, though. I plan on visiting the Mattress Factory Museum since I didn't get to last time. Everyone I spoke to last time told me to skip the Andy Warhol Museum because it's filled with crap, which I believe, but I feel like I should still go just to hate the fact that there's actually an entire museum dedicated to the guy.

Is there anything I should do since I won't be back until the city freezes over? I'm actually really looking forward to a frozen Pittsburgh.

Also, for anyone with any knowledge on the following schools, please provide me with your honest rating of each one. I know some schools are better for some programs, but in general, which is probably "better" for graduate school? Again, that's probably subjective but let me know your thoughts! And I'm leaving the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University off this list since I know they aren't considered crappy in the city or outside of the city.

*Carlow University
*Chatham University
*Duquesne University
*Point Park University
*Robert Morris University

And feel free to make fun of my username!

I also thought it was adorable how so many people in the city would make quacking noises whenever the Ducky boat drove by in city or even passed people on the river in their boats.

Thanks,

Andrew

Well, for activities, what are you interests?

Here's my opinion of those schools:
1) Duquesne
2) Chatham
3) Robert Morris (Moon Township)
4) Point Park
5) Carlow (DON'T haha)

[okaydorothy]

We moved from New York in the summer and just love it here.

[NooYinzer]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I like both the Mattress Factory and the Warhol.

One major thing I can think of that you would have to do now rather than January is kayaking (it goes down to weekends only in October, subject to weather). Otherwise most of the major attractions can be pretty fun to visit in the winter (often with holiday themes and such).

That actually sounds fun. I have never done that here in New York before. Thanks!

[NooYinzer]

Originally Posted by speagles84

Well, for activities, what are you interests?

Here's my opinion of those schools:
1) Duquesne
2) Chatham
3) Robert Morris (Moon Township)
4) Point Park
5) Carlow (DON'T haha)

I'm always open to something new! Pittsburgh has more opportunities for outdoorsy-type things.

Thanks and what exactly makes Carlow bad? Aside from being #5 but also the actual "don't" in your post.

[NooYinzer]

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

We moved from New York in the summer and just love it here.

It does seem like a nice place; it's also a lot cheaper, which I appreciate!

I'm glad it has a New Yorker's approval, aside from my own!

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

I'm always open to something new! Pittsburgh has more opportunities for outdoorsy-type things.

Thanks and what exactly makes Carlow bad? Aside from being #5 but also the actual "don't" in your post.

Personally, if I had limited time in Pittsburgh... I'd do:

1) Carnegie Science Center (Could be done in January too)
2) Gateway Clipper Ride (better in Oct than Jan)
3) Incline to Mt. Washington and overlook (better in Oct)
4) Museums in Oakland (Could be done in Jan)



Here's my reasoning for the University Rankings. Duquesne is a larger school with a wide array of Graduate Degrees. Heck I think they have nearly the same amount of Grads and Undergrads. Chatham is the same, but a much smaller school, with less connections. Point Park and RMU are about equal to each other, with less Grad programs, but still are okay. Carlow has very limited graduate programs, mostly dealing with the Arts I believe. Also, compared to the other universities named, it is consistently ranked the lowest.

[ML North]

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

Hello,

I'm from New York and I am visiting Pittsburgh again next week.

First of all, I have to say this: Pittsburgh is so beautiful! I honestly thought it was going to be this disgusting, dirty, polluted mess of a city but it turned out to be the complete opposite! I also thought it might be a little backwards in thinking but it wasn't! I was so glad that I was wrong, though! I went with my New York-is-superior attitude and traveled back to New York depressed. The first thing I smelled was exhaust on the street and urine in Penn Station.

I'm glad you enjoyed your first visit.

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

Anyway! I'm quite fond of the city and plan on visiting two more times after my next trip: January and April. If I'm happy each visit, I might just move next summer!

It will be nice to see the city in each season. This city, and actually this part of the state, is beautiful in April. It's one of my favorite months.

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

It's going to be a relatively short trip, though. I plan on visiting the Mattress Factory Museum since I didn't get to last time.

I strongly recommend the Mattress Factory. I really like the light exhibit on the second floor, though most of the exhibits are pretty compelling. There are also interesting views of the North Side and Downtown throughout the museum.

(Hint: On the building on Monterey, you will notice red gutter-looking things. They're periscopes, and you can use them to see into several of the exhibits.)

Also, if you're into coffee, there's a great coffee shop one block from the museum at the corner of Jacksonia and Buena Vista. It's called Buena Vista coffee, and it's worth checking out.

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

Is there anything I should do since I won't be back until the city freezes over? I'm actually really looking forward to a frozen Pittsburgh.

If you're "cool" with being out in the cold, then I don't know if there's anything in particular you should try to squeeze in before Winter. If you were coming one week earlier, I would have recommended that you make it to Penn Brewery's Oktoberfest. Perhaps visiting a park would be a good idea, but personally, I like the parks just as much in the winter as in summer. You can maybe try to get on a boat or go kayaking?

Originally Posted by NooYinzer

Also, for anyone with any knowledge on the following schools, please provide me with your honest rating of each one. I know some schools are better for some programs, but in general, which is probably "better" for graduate school? Again, that's probably subjective but let me know your thoughts! And I'm leaving the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University off this list since I know they aren't considered crappy in the city or outside of the city.

*Carlow University
*Chatham University
*Duquesne University
*Point Park University
*Robert Morris University

I guess it depends on the program, but of the 5 schools you listed, I would probably choose Duquesne.

[Debbie1125]

If you're looking for a place to stay while visiting Pittsburgh, I highly recommend either The Parador Inn or The Priory. Both are on the North Side and close to the stadiums, the T and many other attractions. The Parador has a winter special where you only pay $100/night. The rooms are gorgeous and large.

I am from Philly and visit Pittsburgh frequently. I was very impressed with the city when I went in February 2011 to see the Super Bowl. I was amazed at how much it had changed for the better since my last visit back in 2002.