18th PSAC Member: Lackawanna College?

[IUP24]

Lawrenceville is just the latest trendy neighborhood. When I was your age it was Shadyside.

Lawrenceville, my opinion, was putting fancy lipstick on a pig. The main drag is a nice night out. Don't get me wrong. The strip has a lot of good restaurants and 'hipster' bars. It's also full of the yuppy crowd that acts like they have millions of dollars and are worrying about their card declining when they pay the tab. I think Lawrenceville was a boom town. I don't see it sustaining.

Many think Millvale will be the next hot spot, which is basically right down (and across) the river.

Yeah, I know the spots and what's been hot off and on. I am from the area. My overall point is that Pittsburgh (and Philly) are effectively just two old rust belt cities. People from Eastern PA can crow about that, and I get there are probably more "nicer" or "newer" areas within the Philly metro area and suburbs compared to Pittsburgh, but the overall "look" and "feel" of either area simply isn't for me.

Cincinatti, for comparison, is extremely similar to Pittsburgh and Philly. It's an older city that is industrial in nature, built on the river, and surrounded by some hills. Cleveland, in a lot of areas, is very industrial outside the downtown area. But comparatively speaking, Cleveland's downtown area is far nicer, more developed, and "newer" than what you see in Pittsburgh, Philly, or Cincy. It's been redeveloped very well. They have leaned into the premise of being a lakefront or waterfront city very, very well. Pittsburgh has tried to do that, but it's just not even remotely close in my opinion.

Young people may age are paying a large sum to say they live in Lawrenceville, when it's really not that nice of an area. Even Shadyside. I have a friend who lives there. He has a really nice house. The surrounding area is a dump. Old houses that appear from the outside to be falling apart. They all sit on top of one another. Just in terms of the ascetics, it's horrible to look at. I'm not saying that some of those types of areas don't exist in Columbus, but there are far fewer of them.

[IUP24]

So you like cookie cutter, car centric sprawl. Gotta love these “cities” with no mass transit.

You didn’t really learn to appreciate Southeastern PA. Let me know when you can day trip to the beach or the mountains or New York or DC..and not have to spend a night. I guess you just go to Dayton for a change of scenery?

Totally missed my point. But that's okay.

Columbus offers me exactly what I want.

I enjoy the "new" outside the city. I enjoy the growth in the overall metro area. I don't need or require mass transit to go where I want or do what I want. I enjoy the accessibility to all things dining, shopping, entertainment, etc., in every suburban area of Columbus. I value that. And there are a ton of awesome, non-chain, foodie restaurants here. I like the navigable downtown area that exists in most Midwest cities. I like the smaller downtown vibe that still exists in a mid-sized city. I like the clean downtown that is present in all three of the major cities in Ohio.

Ohio is different than Pennsylvania. And that's okay. It is what I want and value in where I live. I could not see myself moving back to PA.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yeah, I know the spots and what's been hot off and on. I am from the area. My overall point is that Pittsburgh (and Philly) are effectively just two old rust belt cities. People from Eastern PA can crow about that, and I get there are probably more "nicer" or "newer" areas within the Philly metro area and suburbs compared to Pittsburgh, but the overall "look" and "feel" of either area simply isn't for me.

Cincinatti, for comparison, is extremely similar to Pittsburgh and Philly. It's an older city that is industrial in nature, built on the river, and surrounded by some hills. Cleveland, in a lot of areas, is very industrial outside the downtown area. But comparatively speaking, Cleveland's downtown area is far nicer, more developed, and "newer" than what you see in Pittsburgh, Philly, or Cincy. It's been redeveloped very well. They have leaned into the premise of being a lakefront or waterfront city very, very well. Pittsburgh has tried to do that, but it's just not even remotely close in my opinion.

Young people may age are paying a large sum to say they live in Lawrenceville, when it's really not that nice of an area. Even Shadyside. I have a friend who lives there. He has a really nice house. The surrounding area is a dump. Old houses that appear from the outside to be falling apart. They all sit on top of one another. Just in terms of the ascetics, it's horrible to look at. I'm not saying that some of those types of areas don't exist in Columbus, but there are far fewer of them.

God bless the fools. That real estate will be worth about half of what they are paying for it in 5-6 years.

But, they made a lot of people very rich in the process.

[iupgroundhog]

My overall point is that Pittsburgh (and Philly) are effectively just two old rust belt cities. People from Eastern PA can crow about that, and I get there are probably more "nicer" or "newer" areas within the Philly metro area and suburbs compared to Pittsburgh, but the overall "look" and "feel" of either area simply isn't for me.

That's a complete mischaracterization. Philadelphia is not "rust belt." It may be considered part of, say, the industrial Northeast, but as part of the Northeast Corridor, aka Megalopolis, there is no comparison to Pittsburgh in the context of this conversation. They are completely different types of cities in almost every way. I don't know what your experience was in the Philly area but I have to say your points are just not valid.

[IUPNation]

Yeah, I know the spots and what's been hot off and on. I am from the area. My overall point is that Pittsburgh (and Philly) are effectively just two old rust belt cities. People from Eastern PA can crow about that, and I get there are probably more "nicer" or "newer" areas within the Philly metro area and suburbs compared to Pittsburgh, but the overall "look" and "feel" of either area simply isn't for me.

Cincinatti, for comparison, is extremely similar to Pittsburgh and Philly. It's an older city that is industrial in nature, built on the river, and surrounded by some hills. Cleveland, in a lot of areas, is very industrial outside the downtown area. But comparatively speaking, Cleveland's downtown area is far nicer, more developed, and "newer" than what you see in Pittsburgh, Philly, or Cincy. It's been redeveloped very well. They have leaned into the premise of being a lakefront or waterfront city very, very well. Pittsburgh has tried to do that, but it's just not even remotely close in my opinion.

Young people may age are paying a large sum to say they live in Lawrenceville, when it's really not that nice of an area. Even Shadyside. I have a friend who lives there. He has a really nice house. The surrounding area is a dump. Old houses that appear from the outside to be falling apart. They all sit on top of one another. Just in terms of the ascetics, it's horrible to look at. I'm not saying that some of those types of areas don't exist in Columbus, but there are far fewer of them.

You just did not say downtown Cleveland is better than Center City Philadelphia.

Have you lost your mind?

[IUPNation]

Totally missed my point. But that's okay.

Columbus offers me exactly what I want.

I enjoy the "new" outside the city. I enjoy the growth in the overall metro area. I don't need or require mass transit to go where I want or do what I want. I enjoy the accessibility to all things dining, shopping, entertainment, etc., in every suburban area of Columbus. I value that. And there are a ton of awesome, non-chain, foodie restaurants here. I like the navigable downtown area that exists in most Midwest cities. I like the smaller downtown vibe that still exists in a mid-sized city. I like the clean downtown that is present in all three of the major cities in Ohio.

Ohio is different than Pennsylvania. And that's okay. It is what I want and value in where I live. I could not see myself moving back to PA.

That’s fine. I would find all of that boring. I like being a morning drive to the shore points and the major Northeast cities. I’ve been to Ohio once (Beechwood, OH) and that was enough.

The rural conservative parts of PA are what hold it back from being better than it should be..they want 1955 back. They want pop pops mill to come back. Like fetch.. it’s not going to happen.

The Philly region was once how you described..in the 70’s and into the 80’s when growth came to a standstill ..but Philly is not Rust Belt these days and Pittsburgh is shedding it too.

Now Johnstown is very Rusty.

[ESU Warrior]

That's a complete mischaracterization. Philadelphia is not "rust belt." It may be considered part of, say, the industrial Northeast, but as part of the Northeast Corridor, aka Megalopolis, there is no comparison to Pittsburgh in the context of this conversation. They are completely different types of cities in almost every way. I don't know what your experience was in the Philly area but I have to say your points are just not valid.

I have been toi both cities numerous times and I agree. I enjoy both cities in their own ways, and don't have anything negative to say about either.

[IUP24]

I was aware that people would not agree with my opinions on each city in PA. That's okay. I never said I disliked either city. I just don't prefer to live there. It's not that deep.

Everybody values different things.

[IUPNation]

God bless the fools. That real estate will be worth about half of what they are paying for it in 5-6 years.

But, they made a lot of people very rich in the process.

You can say that for a lot of places..anyone who has bought a house since 2021 has taken a big risk.

[IUP24]

You just did not say downtown Cleveland is better than Center City Philadelphia.

Have you lost your mind?

"Better" is how you define it. People value different things.

I thought the Center City of Philadelphia was dirty. Much like I believe much of Pittsburgh in the downtown area is dirty. I have spent a ton of time in downtown Cincy and Cleveland. I work in downtown Columbus. Ohio cities are far cleaner and upkept than both major cities in PA. I'm not trying to offend anyone. Many of the cities in the Midwest are far cleaner and nicer looking than what you see in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Just my opinion.

[IUPNation]

That's a complete mischaracterization. Philadelphia is not "rust belt." It may be considered part of, say, the industrial Northeast, but as part of the Northeast Corridor, aka Megalopolis, there is no comparison to Pittsburgh in the context of this conversation. They are completely different types of cities in almost every way. I don't know what your experience was in the Philly area but I have to say your points are just not valid.

Unless he stayed in Coatesville and lived across from the steel mill, he wasn’t where what I experience every day.

[IUP24]

You can say that for a lot of places..anyone who has bought a house since 2021 has taken a big risk.

Buying a house, if you can afford to do so, is always better than renting an apartment.

I bought in Columbus in 2023. It was more than I wanted to pay. It wasn't the rate I wanted. But it was the best decision I've ever made.

[IUPNation]

"Better" is how you define it. People value different things.

I thought the Center City of Philadelphia was dirty. Much like I believe much of Pittsburgh in the downtown area is dirty. I have spent a ton of time in downtown Cincy and Cleveland. I work in downtown Columbus. Ohio cities are far cleaner and upkept than both major cities in PA. I'm not trying to offend anyone. Many of the cities in the Midwest are far cleaner and nicer looking than what you see in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Just my opinion.

Philadelphia literally has workers that are part of the Center City District that sweep
up the streets daily. In fact I watched a worker doing just that yesterday morning from my hotel room on the 14th floor..sweeping up on Chestnut Street..most streets in Center City are fairly swept up most days.

Ohio cities roll up the sidewalks at 5pm. Center City is heavy residential.

[Fightingscot82]

So is there any actual confirmation that this is happening? No additional reports of these rumors on social media or any releases from any involved party. FWIW, the PSAC recently released their 2030 strategic plan and it makes no mention of an 18th school or adding any additional members.

[IUPNation]

Buying a house, if you can afford to do so, is always better than renting an apartment.

I bought in Columbus in 2023. It was more than I wanted to pay. It wasn't the rate I wanted. But it was the best decision I've ever made.

For you. My retirement accounts have done far better since I ditched the house in 2014. Just wait till it sucks up your bank account. You do not own the house if you are paying a mortgage. The bank owns your house. Mortgages are rent to own and you get to pay every penny of the upkeep while you pay off the bank. Mortgage Interest is loan sharking. The tax deduction isn’t that big a deal in the end. You will pay far more for the house than you think between the interest and years of maintenance. I cringe as I drive past 20-25 year old homes here getting totally new siding because the original stucco looked like 💩. Owning is great if you can pay in cash and skip the interest payments but mortgages suck imo.

Renting is not bad for everyone. That is propaganda. It’s just better for people who have no interest paying to keeping up the maintenance or constant renovations of a house..have no desire to cut grass and want to be fairly mobile. Thst may not be you. But I love renting. I “owned” for 20 years and it made me miserable worrying about how to pay for anything that breaks. My living costs are set every month. No surprise repairs. If my rent goes up too much I have the option to move. On my terms. I do not miss “owning” a house. But what is good for me isn’t good for others. I just don’t like being told I’m wasting my money renting. I’d rather rent and be able to save a lot of money in my retirement accounts than pay a 300000 dollar mortgage loan that will wind up being 600000 in actual payments when it’s all said and done. Being house poor is not a good thing. I was house poor. I hated it! Now I’m renting comfortable and much happier. I get everything fixed when things break. I have two pools for my use every summer. I don’t shovel snow. I don’t cut grass. My building is secured with cameras. I don’t have to go outside to take my trash or get my mail. It works for me but it’s not for everyone especially for young families needing space.

I just think Taco Don is going to tank everything and there will be a lot of people with mortgages drowning under water…,