Husband being downsized (again!) Possible new jobs could be in Pttsburgh.., Columbus Ohio or Ayer Mass. Since I have nothing else I can do at this point to prepare for relocation I am using my time to check out every possible place where we could end up. What's life like, cost of living, excitement factor ( young 50 year old, no kids). Earlier had to move from Providence, RI to Durham NC... and I am sort of bored. Appreciate any insights into quality of life in these areas.

Only know about Pittsburgh.. some cool areas, and the Steelers... what else is there?

Pittsburgh has a low cost of living. Housing is affordable. Currently there is a huge controversy with property taxes in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh is the county seat), as well as in the entire state of PA. Excitement? There are winning and losing major sports teams, great restaurants, and nightlife. Also there is alot of natural sights to take in. Pittsburgh is convenient for many quick getaways, being only 5 hours from Washington, Baltimore, Detroit, Niagara Falls, and many other top destinations. Lots of great skiing nearby (1 hour to 7 Springs Resort). Pittsburgh is very clean and is no longer a mill town (although some of that mentality still exists). Pittsburgh has numerous first class universities and hospitals. The city and surrounding area has alot to offer. The people will be friendly if you choose to be friendly toward them. Crime is low. Pittsburgh is a big city but is like a small town in many (positive) respects.

I can't offer any help on the locations but here is a great site which shows info about cost of living, schools, transportation, etc. for cities:

http://homeadvisor.msn.com/PickAPlace/CompareCities.aspx

I have been laid off as well and know how tough it is! Good Luck!

thanks Cheryl and Bill... Pittsburgh sounds good... and I will check out that Home Advisor site.

Collette:

I live 20 miles west of Pittsburgh and am a native. Pittsburgh always has some event going on. They have an Ampitheatre in summer that has live concerts. There is also the same thing about 30 miles west called Star Lake Ampitheatre that has well-known singers come out and perform (from Rock to Country to 1960s and 1970s music). Pittsburgh has it's own symphony orchestra and theatre productions every week all year long. In the Oakland section of Pittsburgh there is the Carnegie Museums and Library which has 1000s of book selections and they have branches all over the area to return the books. Around the Carnegie Museums there is North Craig with many ethnic restaurants and you can even go to Shadyside, not far away, and go to a Mexican one, Cozumel, for live music.

If you like sports, there is the Steelers and Pirates. Both stadiums are very close to each other and it is much easier to get Pirate tickets than Steeler tickets.

Even outside the immediate Pittsburgh area there is Moraine State Park (50 miles north on I-79). There is a nice sized lake (Lake Arthur) that lies within the park. At Moraine there is a bike trail and 3 hiking trails, one of which I remember to be the Glacier Ridge Trail. There is also another park 50-60 miles east of Pgh. called Ohiopyle, which has over 18,000 acres and there is an opportunity to white water raft on the Yough River that lies within the park along with the chance to hike on the Laurel Highlands Trail.

If you like shopping outside go about 1 1/2 hours north to Grove City Outlets. They have a mall that I really enjoy walking around in.

As you can see lots to do. I hope all this helped you out.

Collette- I LOVE Pittsburgh---

A few years ago it was listed as one of the top places to live in the US--

An area called Shadyside is filled with fabulous boutiques and great restaurants.(this is IN the city of Pittsburgh).

A good area to live =in the city-is SQUIRREL HILL=

A good town to live outside the city is LEBANON--

You will find life in Pittsburgh similar to life in RALEIGH- Not Durham.
Lots going on-
Fabulous hockey in the winter!!