📍 About PIT & Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is a major commercial airport serving Western Pennsylvania. PIT Tower offers a dynamic yet manageable airspace environment and is just 20–30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, a city known for its livability, affordability, and revitalized culture.
🏡 Where to Live
Best for Singles & Young Couples
- Lawrenceville – Trendy, vibrant, artsy neighborhood
- South Side Flats – Walkable, nightlife, near universities
- Shadyside – Classy, central, with boutiques and cafes
Best for Families
- Moon Township – Top schools, close to PIT, great for families
- Robinson Township – Big-box shopping, good neighborhoods
- Mt. Lebanon – Great schools, suburban charm
- Upper St. Clair – Affluent suburb, known for its schools
🚗 Commute Times to PIT
- 5–15 min: Moon Township, Robinson Township
- 15–30 min: Coraopolis, Kennedy Township, West End
- 30–45 min: Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, South Hills
🎓 Top School Districts
- Upper St. Clair SD – Consistently top-ranked in PA
- Mt. Lebanon SD – Excellent academics & arts
- Moon Area SD – Strong academics close to PIT
🧳 Things to Do – Within 2 Hours, Year-Round
🏙️ City & Culture
- Museums: Carnegie Museums, Andy Warhol Museum, Children’s Museum
- Sports: Steelers (NFL), Penguins (NHL), Pirates (MLB)
- Theater & Music: Benedum Center, Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh Symphony
🌲 Outdoors
- Point State Park: Fountain, rivers, trails
- Frick Park, Schenley Park: Urban hiking and recreation
- Ohiopyle State Park: Day trips for hiking, whitewater, scenic drives
✈️ Nearby Airports
- PIT – Pittsburgh International: On-site, commercial hub
- AGC – Allegheny County Airport: GA traffic, charter ops, backup tower facility
- CLE – Cleveland Hopkins: ~2 hours northwest
🧭 Helpful Resources for Newcomers
🛡️ Crime & Safety + Town Websites
- Safest Suburbs: Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Moon, Robinson
- City: Many neighborhoods safe; check maps for localized stats
🔗 Town Websites
💰 Cost of Living
- Rent: 1BR in city ~$1,300/month; suburbs ~$1,100/month
- Home prices: Median ~$225,000 in metro area
- Groceries & gas: Near national average
- Utilities: ~$180–$220/month for average apartment
- PA income tax: Flat 3.07% state income tax
🌆 Neighborhood Highlights
- Lawrenceville: Young, walkable, great bars & food
- Shadyside: Urban charm, mix of historic and upscale homes
- Moon & Robinson: Practical, close to work, good schools
- Mt. Lebanon: Suburban, transit access, high quality of life
☀️ Seasonal Weather
- Winter: Cold with snow — be ready for icy roads
- Spring: Cool & rainy but green
- Summer: Warm and humid — 80s–90s°F
- Fall: Crisp air, leaf season, football weather
🚇 Public Transportation & Traffic
- Port Authority Transit (Pittsburgh Regional Transit): Bus and light rail (T) options
- Driving: Necessary for most commutes — I-376, Parkway West & North
- Traffic: Manageable outside of tunnels and rush hour chokepoints
🏥 Healthcare & Urgent Care
- UPMC: Major medical system, world-renowned hospitals
- Allegheny Health Network: Competitive care option throughout city/suburbs
- Urgent Care: MedExpress, AHN, CVS MinuteClinic
🫂 Social Life & Community
- Young Professionals: Meetup groups, art galleries, concerts
- Families: Events at parks, rec leagues, STEM programs
- Local Life: Farmers markets, food trucks, street festivals
🍽️ Dining & Food Scene
- Must Try: Primanti Bros, pierogies, Pamela’s Diner
- Trendy: Lawrenceville, Strip District restaurants
- Breweries: Dancing Gnome, Grist House, East End Brewing
🛫 ATC-Specific Tips
- Training: Moderate complexity — good mix of IFR, commercial, and cargo
- Schedules: Expect early/mid/swing rotations — many live near Moon/Robinson
- Runway layout: Pay attention to crossing runway ops & cargo activity
📦 Moving Tips
- Winter gear: Salt, boots, and good tires recommended
- Moving trucks: Reserve early if coming in summer or fall
- Utilities: Set up with Duquesne Light, Peoples Gas, etc.
❓ FAQs
- Is Pittsburgh affordable?
Yes — great cost of living for a major metro area - Can I live without a car?
Possibly in the city core — suburbs will require one - Do I need to worry about tunnels?
Yes — they can create commute bottlenecks, especially during peak hours