I knew Pittsburgh was a very different place from Vancouver when a fairly recent arrival to the city told me he bought a house in the Polish Hill neighbourhood – not far from downtown – for $40,000.
Of course it needed work. But the point is: the price of entry was low. And there are jobs in the tech sector (Google is an expanding presence), education, medicine – and culture. In fact, the appeal of the city to youth has resulted in a vibrant arts scene, in addition to the heritage of ‘classical’ arts and institutions (opera, symphony, theatre) derived from the Gilded Age, plus the commitment of foundations, leaders, volunteers and government.
Pittsburgh promotes and prides itself on in the development of its Cultural District – once a red-light area, and still an older, intimate part of the city that avoided the worst of urban renewal and highway constriction: 14 square blocks, with six theaters offering some 1,500 shows annually, as well as art galleries, restaurants, and retail shops.
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As Vancouver becomes a city too expensive for risky start-ups, it’s in danger of losing the spark that ignites good ideas and opportunities, even before they have a chance to catch. One gets the sense in Pittsburgh that it’s possible to try things out, maybe fail, maybe thrive, but not at a cost that can’t be afforded.
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Here’s how they did it:
