East Liberty

I spend most of my time here in East Liberty because my office is located here. I have to admit that I was hesitant at first when I heard I would be working in East Liberty, as opposed to downtown, because I thought I was going to work in the 'Hood.

Granted, East Liberty (aka 'Sliberty) isn't necessarily the safest neighborhood to take a stroll in, but I can name at least five neighborhoods which are worse. I believe if you go looking for trouble, then you're going to find it. So if you want to find bad, criminals and what not, then I'm sure you can find one or two here.

A lot of businesses and stores have moved in recently, which I'm sure is not going to "rejuvenate" the area. I'm afraid that this so-called refuvenation is just going to push the poor people and crime to neighboring areas.

Politics aside... I do like this neighborhood and think it has so much character. You see it everywhere in the streets of East Liberty. I found character in a doorknob, for crying out loud!

I can't say how long that I'm going to be in East Liberty and bear witness to the changes that it's going through. More and more businesses are cropping up in the main drag and surrounding areas. God knows what this neighborhood is going to be like five years from now.

Bloomfield

Welcome to Bloomfield, my friends. This neighborhood is home to yours truly... Lara. Between Bloomfield and Friendship, detailed below, I have lived in these two neighborhoods the longest.

Bloomfield is often referred to as Pittsburgh's Little Italy. I've been to the Little Italy in New York City and well, the two differ vastly. Pittsburgh's Little Italy is a decent-sized neighborhood with a unique business district located on Liberty Avenue.

One of the many things that I adore about Bloomfield is the stores and restaurants that you find on Liberty Avenue. Bloomfield is not home to many nationwide chains *cough*Oakland*cough*. In fact, the independently owned restaurants and businesses outnumber the few chains that exist on this street. How cool is that? It's nice to know that your patronage is helping out a family instead of some greedy CEOs and what not (oh man, think I've been at my job too long... it's corrupted me, hahaha).

Anyway, Bloomfield also is home to many residents of Italian (duh) and Polish descent, as well as college students or former college students, such as myself. It's affordable and in decent proximity to well, some decent places. If I had to vote for a favorite neighborhood... I think you all know where my vote would go.

Mt. Washington

It really does not get anymore Mt. Washington than this picture. If you visit Pittsburgh, then this spot is one of the Hot Spots to visit because it gives you such a great view of downtown Pittsburgh. Although, you want to know a secret? The West End Overlook really offers a more spectacular view (a fact that I just found out recently).

To get up to Mt. Washington, one can either drive (helloooo Captain Obvious) or take the Monongahela "Mon" Incline up to the top. I recommend taking the Mon up as opposed to driving.

Mt. Washington has an interesting population. When you go back down the Mt., it starts becoming, dare I say, trashy? Although I'm sure some of it is fine.... I've seen some things that say otherwise. Mt. Washington also has some high-falootin' restaurants for your dining pleasure, along with some expensive homes. All I know is Mt. Washington... nice place to visit.

Lawrenceville

For some reason, I just love this picture of the Heppenstall building so much. First, the blues in this picture pop out on you... Okay, enough patting myself on the back. Nobody likes a braggart.

Lawrenceville is an interesting neighborhood, to say it lightly. The neighborhood is going through a phase where it is trying to revitalize. You can walk down Penn Avenue or Butler Street and come across many art galleries. I wouldn't recommend wandering around at night, though. This neighborhood is prone to a tad bit of crime.

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is building a new hospital in Lawrenceville, and it's expected to open in 2008. Maybe the new hospital will be the shot that this ailing neighborhood needs.

West End

I took this picture of an old diner called LaVerne's located in the West End (originally named Temperanceville) in Pittsburgh. Little known fact about this now-abandoned diner: it's located at 113 S. Main Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15220.

LaVerne's did not always look like this. In fact, the diner served as a location for the Kevin Smith movie "Dogma." According to a January 28, 2004 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, owner and "matriarch" LaVerne Yorkgitis died December 18, 2003 at the age of 78. Not long after her death, her family closed down the diner. As you can see, the structure of the building is one of the few stainless steel traditional design railroad dining cars.

One of the first impressions that I got while wandering through the West End was "Wow... this neighborhood needs a revitalization." Unfortunately, the above-stated Main Street doesn't really offer much but then again, in this day and age of shopping malls and Wal-Marts, do many Main Streets do?

The West End is known for its West End Overlook which has a killer view of the city - probably the most famous views of downtown Pittsburgh. Once again, unfortunately, the day I was in the West End was a hazy hazy day. I couldn't quite capture that amazing view of Pittsburgh with my Cybershot, despite having a very excellent camera.

Maybe some other time....

Squirrel Hill

This picture was taken outside the Beth Shalom synagogue in Squirrel Hill. I had never seen this before. My experience with Squirrel Hill has been limited in the previous seven years. To be honest, I've never really ventured outside of Murray Avenue or Shady Avenue.

Several things Squirrel Hill is widely known for are its large residential area and its Jewish community. According to a 2002 study by the United Jewish Federation, 33 percent of the Jewish population of greater Pittsburgh lives in Squirrel Hill, and another 14 percent in the surrounding area.

When one walks around Squirrel Hill, to me, I think you get a sense of family and community. People who live in Squirrel Hill have either been there for decades or perhaps a new family wanting to establish roots.

Personally, one of my pet peeves regarding Squirrel Hill is the jaywalkers. Aarrgh! I hate driving through Squirrel Hill because a majority of the aforementioned residences don't believe in Green means "go" and Red means "don't go." One day people will learn this lesson.... one day, all you Squirrel Hill folks.

Beechview

Beechview is located in the South Hills so granted when you're in this neighbhorhood, you'll encounter Hills. I, myself, do not enjoy driving in the South Hills during bad weather because frankly... it's borderline frightening. Then again, I'm borderline neurotic so that probably explains it.

This picture was taken on Canton Ave in Beechview and let me tell you, walking up that hill was quite the trek.

My wonderful Wade suggested that for this picture, I line my camera up with the sidewalk to create a "funhouse" picture effect. I think it succeeded, don't you?

If you're ever in the Beechview neighborhood, my only advice is to wear comfortable shoes.

Oakland

I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh (Go Pitt!) in 2002 and lived in South Oakland. I should change that to say "I survived living in South Oakland." This neighborhood consists of college students and old people who lived there a majority of their lives and HATE the college students. (Gee, what's not to love about drunken debauchery? No seriously, what's not to love?)

One of the most lasting images from this neighborhood, in my humble opinion, are the Litchfield Towers, aka The Towers. I, myself, never lived in the Towers. I've heard stories, though.

The Towers are ugly and literally tower over this neighborhood. I think Pitt sat down and said, "How can we cram as many kids in dormitory living without taking up too much lands?" Voila, the towers.

If you're not familiar with Oakland, the best way to describe it is tiny college town (but, um, not a town). The apartments are dilapidated and the slumlords a plenty! I highly recommend going to Hemingway's for their drink specials but be prepared to not hear the person you're with because it is so frakkin' loud! Oakland will always hold a special place in my heart - lots of good, fun memories happened here. I'm sure other Pitt students and alumni would say the same.

Friendship

Friendship is a small neighborhood in the Eastern region of Pittsburgh that consists mostly of families and students who live in converted homes-to-apartment buildings. Out of all the neighborhoods in the city, I have lived in this one the most, so it is only fitting that this neighborhood is my initial post.

The one thing that stands out about the neigbhorhood is the archictecture. The houses are very much victorian and wrap-around-porches and turrets are common sights one might see in this neighborhood.

Friendship is not only a conveniently located neighborhood - it's an overall pleasant one. One can walk down Friendship Ave. without fearing that you're about to get mugged or worse. You see children outside playing in front yards and the fitness enthusiasts exercising in Friendship Park.

This picture illustrates the Mayberry-esque quality of the neighborhood, which is why it's my Friendship Photo.