Welcome! I think you'll like Pittsburgh. A few thoughts... You might try to get a hold of the July and the August issues of Pittsburgh Mazagize. The July issue is the Annual City Guide and the August issue includes a short summary of relevant statistics for high schools in the area, such as student/teacher ratios, test scores. The address for Pittsburgh Magazine is 4802 Fifth Ave, Pgh, PA 15213, phone (412) 622-1360. <BR> <BR>My favorite suburban areas near Pittsburgh are Mt. Lebanon and Fox Chapel/O'Hara/Hampton areas. Both have excellent public schools. If you want to live in the city, I can recommend Squirrel Hill (where I live) - has a nice neighborhood feel, is close to the Universities and an 8 min drive downtown (not rush hour), and near two large city parks. Allerdice High School is a decent school, at least for a city public school.

<BR>Don`t want this to get lost again in the shuffle...I`ll give you my e-mail address if you need questions answered directly..I`m no Realtor..I don`t know what you want to spend on housing...some areas are very expensive...

San and Judy and everyone else (almost!) -- thanks so much for all your help. I've just started a subscription to Pittsburgh magazine and they're shipping the July & August issues -- great suggestion! We are really excited about this move -- can't wait to get there! <BR> <BR>Judy, thanks for your offer to e-mail. Why don't you contact me directly if you don't want to post your address here. <BR> <BR>Thanks again to all!

Here's a reality check: <BR> <BR>I don't know how old you are, nor where you're coming from, but I lived in the 'burgh for 4 years during college. I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and absolutely HATED Pittsburgh. So did anyone else I knew that came from a city with nightlife, un-ending things to do, and diverse people. Pitt. to me had very little, if any, of these things. <BR> <BR>Don't get me wrong, Pittsburgh is a great city for _certain_ people. I wasn't one of them. Many people absolutely love it's small-town feel (everything closes around 9pm at the latest!), simplicity, and straight forward way of life. It's a great weekend visit, especially since you can DO EVERYTHING in one weekend. There are some very charming areas, though: Phipps Conservatory at Carnegie Mellon, and Shadyside are great *if* you get a day that doesn't rain (one year I was there it rained more than it did in Seattle!!!). <BR> <BR>As for housing, the deals are great. It's an incredibly inexpensive city. But quality of life is a very subjective thing. I enjoyed it every now and then (the symphony is great), but there was a lot left to be desired. I hope I gave you a realistic view of what it's all about. Oh, and get a few really good maps...the locals don't know there way around hardly at all, and the roads are insanely confusing!!! <BR> <BR>Best of luck, <BR>Josh