I grew up in Pittsburgh; left to go to college in New England, and except for the first few summer breaks, never went back but to visit family. That’s why housing costs are low — the city’s peak population was in the 1950’s, and has declined to about 2/3 of what it was then.
Agree that Pittsburgh is a good drinking town — Pennsylvania Brewery is one of my favorite stops, and last time I went, they had opened a Hofbraeu Haus franchise that was remarkably authentic. So much of the economy seems to be retail and medicine, though — wonder where the money comes from to sustain these since most of the heavy industry has left.
Can’t say I have any interest in retiring there, but if you can’t make it to Thailand, Beaver County might be worth a look ;)
Gloomy—shoomy—just think of all your savings on sun block:)
As to where the money comes from (to support the medical and retail ventures)...why it’s energy. Westinghouse Nuclear has been HQ’d here forever (they have already outgrown their new campus in Cranberry Twp, PA (Butler County). Flying under the radar has been the Marcellus Shale boomlet—shale oil and natural gas production—even the specialty steel is making a comeback for pipelines, tanks etc). Also banking and finance (BNY Mellon is HQ here).
Lastly, our current population is older—so a retiree demographically “fits in” here:)