“America’s Most Livable City:” The Ranking is a Reality It’s no wonder people love to work and live here. Pittsburgh boasts the complete package for both smart business and an excellent quality of life. From a low cost of living to low crime rates, to the nation’s best ballpark and a world-class Cultural District – Pittsburgh isn’t ranked “America’s Most Livable City” for no reason! Overall Quality of Life - Recently named “American’s Most Livable City” for the second time (Places Rated Almanac); the only place to earn this honor twice
- The only metro area in the U.S. to achieve a “5-Star Quality of Life Metro” (Expansion Management) designation three years in a row (2005-2007)
- Ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 26 in the world for “Global Livability” (The Economist)
Affordable Living - Ranked No. 9 “Lowest Cost of Living” (Forbes)
- Ranked No. 9 “Smartest Place to Live” (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance)
- The average existing home sells for nearly half the national average
Safety - Ranked No. 3 lowest crime rate among the top 50 U.S. metro areas (Sterling’s Best Places) - View theCrime Index data
- An extremely low risk of natural disasters. Learn more (PDF file)
Clean & Beautiful Surroundings - Ranked No. 10 “World’s Cleanest Cities” (Forbes)
- A stunning cityscape, rated the second-best cityscape view in America (USA Today)
Arts & Culture - Thriving urban core in Downtown Pittsburgh, with more than $3 billion in recent capital investment
- No. 1 “Top 25 U.S. Arts Destinations,” mid-sized city category (AmericanStyle) - more than 500 arts, cultural and heritage organizations, plus hundreds of privately-owned galleries - View the list
- World-class museums, including:
- World-class architecture, including:
Sporting Events Enjoy affordable access to: First-rate collegiate sports: - A new, world-class, multi-purpose arena under construction; the future home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and a range of other spectator events from major concerts to the circus to ice shows
- Recent host to the U.S. Open golf championship and the Major League Baseball
All-Star game
Adventure & Outdoor Activities - Ranked No. 1 of seven “Adventure Cities” (National Geographic Adventure)
- Three inviting rivers for fishing, boating, kayaking and rafting
History and Heritage - Senator John Heinz History Center – The largest history museum in the state, this affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution is devoted to the rich history and heritage of Western Pennsylvania
- The Frick Art & Historical Center - Devoted to the interpretation of the life and times of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick, it includes Clayton (the restored Frick family home); The Frick Art Museum; The Car and Carriage Museum; and the Greenhouse.
Family Fun - Ranked No. 6 “Best City for Relocating Families” (Sterling’s Best Places)
- Kennywood - A historic, top-ranked amusement park
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium - Visit the Water’s Edge, the monkey house and so much more at this state-of-the-art attraction, then check out the fish at Pennsylvania's only public aquarium
- The National Aviary - America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds
- Carnegie Science Center – Top-ranked, with more than 400 hands-on exhibits, a four-story Omnimax Theater, interactive planetarium, a real submarine, and the world's largest science of sport exhibition
Lifestyle / Retail Centers - Shadyside – beautiful East End residential neighborhood with upscale retail, dining and nightlife along Walnut Street and Ellsworth Avenue
- Station Square – riverfront center of sightseeing and historical attractions, including the inclines and horse and carriage rides, along with shopping, dining and nightlife
- The Waterfront in Homestead – the 360-acre landmark retail development along the Monongahela River offers shopping, dining, entertainment, hotels, offices and residential communities
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