Hello, Neighbors!

[ras2883]

I just moved to the city last Saturday, and so far everything has been absolutely wonderful. My partner and I can't seem to stop smiling, and we become downright giddy over the tiniest of things -- the quaint charm, the close proximity of everything, the hometown feel. We've just spent a year living in NYC (so maybe we've just been on-edge for 13

Comments

[bluescissors76]

My fiance has an account at First National. He likes the people there. But I don't think there are too many branches around the city, which is kind of a problem.

[ras2883]

Yeah, I'm pretty much elimiting it since it appears that nobody even has an account there -- or has even heard of it!

[sleepsong]

1. It doesn't. I'm amazed that PAT hasn't done a freakin' overlay map in all the years the technology's been available. I mean, really, how hard is it to integrate Google maps with a known bus route. The "system map" that exists at the moment is, for lack of a better word, crap.

2. I've never even heard of First National, but I'm very, very happy with Citizens. I see a couple of people here use National City; I had an account with them, and I personally think they can burn in hell.

3. How can you want Western PA pizza instead of New York pizza?!?! (Asks the woman who was born and raised in NYC.) Where in Pittsburgh is Giovanni's, though? I've never head of it before.

Welcome to the 'Burgh!

[ras2883]

3. I've tried so hard to like NY pizza, but I just don't enjoy it. The floury bottom, the folding in half, the thinness -- it just isn't my style. I've missed Western PA pizza sooo much while I've been away. I just want to run from neighborhood to neighborhood eating pizza.

Thanks for the advice and the welcome!

[sleepsong]

Well, while I cannot agree with your abysmal taste in pizza, I support your right to your own opinion. =P

(Folding it in half is the best part! A slice of pizza isn't really a slice of pizza unless you fold it in half to eat it!)

[ras2883]

HA. I think pizza preference largely depends on what you grew up eating. I mentioned my dislike of NY pizza in the newyorkers community once, and I feared for my life a little!

[allartburns]

>1. How in the hell does the bus system work?

I hope you didn't move here expecting to rely upon public transit without having investigated the situation first.

Not trying to be mean, but the parts of PAT that do work don't work well and there is what seems to be a near-yearly cut/reduction in services to areas that don't have high ridership rates. If you need to rely upon public transit and you need to live in Pittsburgh, you might end up moving in a few months depending on where it is you need to go and when you need to go there.

[ras2883]

Well, I work from home, so I don't NEED public transit, but it would be nice to be able to get to the key places I mentioned above. We also live close enough to the city that walking downtown takes a mere 20 minutes, but I don't want to have to do that in frigid winter temps.

[marzipan_robots]

I don't know, I rely on the buses to get everywhere because I don't have a car, and I've never been completely SOL after having been here two years. It's public transportation, so unless you go to Europe, it's going to be shitty.

[uglybracelets]

1. I did it on a learn as you go basis.

2. Uhm neither? PNC is the most convienent, nicest, cheapest costs bank to use in the area.

3. Don't know... Most places around here seem to have great pizza.

[ras2883]

Thanks!

[marzipan_robots]

1. OMG the busses suck. I mean they're great once you figure them out, but it takes time. It took me about a year to be able to get anywhere I want and pay the right amount everytime. Luckily, most of the bus drivers are very nice, as are the workers at the PAT office downtown, they've helped me out many many times.

2. PNC is great. I don't know about those, but I like PNC because the customer service is superior to any bank I've ever done business with in the past, the banks are lovely to go to (there's something about a bank that looks nice!), and I've never had to pay any fees that didn't make sense...in fact I've never had to pay any fees period. Also, their online banking is fantastic and easy to use.

3. I haven't had bad pizza anywhere in Pittsburgh yet...and I've had a lot of it. I'm sure there's gotta be something bad, but damned if I could tell you where. I usually get mine about two doors down from my house at Giorgio's Place, but unless you're on the North Side, that probably wouldn't do for you.

[ras2883]

OH but I AM on the North Side! :D

[marzipan_robots]

Well, hello new neighbor! Giorgio's Place is on Western Ave, and I think it's pretty good, especially since you can get a large pepperoni for $9.95 or something like that. I'm in college, so cheap pizza always tastes better...but really it is good! The people who work there are very nice, also.

FYI, they only take cash which is the shitty part of the deal because I NEVER have cash, so I always end up at the ATM first. They also don't deliver...for me no biggy because they're so close, but I don't know where you're located, so it could be an inconvenience for you.

I've also had good luck with Pizza Fiesta which is located downtown, but they deliver to the North Side. I've heard mixed reviews about them, but they have AMAZING subs and I think their pizza is pretty good, but a little more expensive than Giorgio's.

[ras2883]

No delivery?! Damnit! Unfortunately we are waaay on the other side of the park. I'm sure we'll get over to Western sometime, though. I'll add Giorgio's to my pizza list. Thanks, neighbor!