Many families considering a move to Pennsylvania will face a decision to pick between its two biggest cities: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The former is known for its rich history and vibrant city culture while the latter sits at the junction of three rivers — evidenced by numerous bridges — and prides itself on being bike-friendly. But which offers a better lifestyle?
We asked locals from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to give us the scoop on life in their city. See what they had to say about why their town is the best.
Why did you choose to live in your city?
Growing up in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, I knew that I wanted to stay in the Northeast when choosing a school for undergrad. My search brought me to Drexel, and while pursuing my bachelor's degree in University City, I fell in love with Philly. It has everything and then some: world-class culture, neighborhood vibes, history, artistry and some of the best restaurants this side of the hemisphere. — Jess Herbine of Philly PR Girl (Philadelphia)
Pittsburgh is a beautiful city where there's always something fun and new to do, but it's not so big that there's frustrating traffic or issues one may find in more crowded urban areas. — Edgar Synder & Associates Staff of Edgar Snyder (Pittsburgh)
View of Pittsburgh from the Pittsburgh Riverwalk
Is your city family-friendly?
Philly is! There are tons of museums, festivals, day trips and plenty of history to visit and learn. Plus, the city is close to the mountains and the beaches! — Donna Holmes of Family Fun in PA (Philadelphia)
Absolutely. There are countless opportunities for children and teens in Pittsburgh. Culturally, there's nothing missing. And, of course, sports are huge. There are museums, a zoo, churches and synagogues, botanical gardens, aviary, ballet companies, art schools and theater. Plus, we have some excellent charter schools. — Hana Haatainen-Caye of Green Grandma (Pittsburgh)
Philadelphia is absolutely family-friendly. This city is filled with activities, venues, attractions and events for the whole family; many are free. The Free Library of Philadelphia and Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation offers kids in every neighborhood resources all year round. — Linda Vertlieb of Frugal Philly Mom (Philadelphia)
View of Philadelphia
Which neighborhoods do you recommend for families with children?
Inside the city, Highland Park and Squirrel Hill are great places for kids to get a taste of urban life but in a more neighborhood-friendly environment. — Edgar Synder & Associates Staff of Edgar Snyder (Pittsburgh)
I have friends raising families in different neighborhoods across the city. I've heard and seen great things about the communities in the Upper Northeast, Mt. Airy, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Fairmount and Pennsport. — Linda Vertlieb of Frugal Philly Mom (Philadelphia)
Are there any special annual events in your city that make it a unique place to raise a family?
Dozens! There are always incredible, heritage-based celebrations taking place on the Delaware River Waterfront. The annual Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest are ideal for groups and families. Every year, Philly delivers with plenty of family fun during the Philadelphia Science Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Pacific Islander Festival, South Street Spring Festival and more. Plus, you can always count on G-rated movie nights at The Oval, Penn's Landing and XFINITY Live! — Jess Herbine of Philly PR Girl (Philadelphia)
The Annual Pittsburgh Arts Festival has an upcycled creativity zone for children to breathe new life into recycled items. The Annual Chili Festival in South Side is also a hot place to take the whole family for a delicious adventure. — Edgar Synder & Associates Staff of Edgar Snyder (Pittsburgh)
Does your city offer easy access to outdoor activities?
Pittsburgh has extensive parks throughout the city but my favorite is a bit unconventional: the 300-acre historic Allegheny Cemetery was designed with people in mind, as a park where you could enjoy the gorgeous trees and beautiful architecture. The rolling paths and hillside woods of the cemetery are home to countless deer, a throaty bullfrog population and even a red fox whose presence I took as a good omen on a particularly hilly run. — Megan Lindsey of Franktuary (Pittsburgh)
Pennsylvania’s park system is amazing. We go to Parker Dam State Park and Worlds End State Park every year. Great “unplugged” family time! Philadelphia has Smith Playground, Franklin Square and Valley Forge State Park just outside Philly. — Donna Holmes of Family Fun in PA (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia has great parks and is very accessible to many outdoor activities. Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban green spaces in the country and consists of 63 parks, more than 9,200 acres of trails, woodlands and wetlands. One of my family's favorite playgrounds is Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse. It offers activities and a safe play space for kids young and old. It's truly a great place for the whole family. — Linda Vertlieb of Frugal Philly Mom (Philadelphia)
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Is there good public transportation?
Yes, Philadelphia has an excellent public transportation system (SEPTA). In addition to SEPTA, Philadelphia is very bike-friendly; we have Indego – Philly's bike share. If you're venturing down in the city there's also The Philly PHLASH; it's a quick, inexpensive, easy connection to key destinations throughout Philadelphia. — Linda Vertlieb of Frugal Philly Mom (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia has SEPTA for buses and train as well as AMTRAK. It's extremely convenient to navigate the city with these affordable forms of public transportation. — Melissa Auvil of Philly Burbs Mom (Philadelphia)
Gasoline-powered transit leaves a bit to be desired, but the city has made bicycling safer and simpler in the last decade with the installation of more bike lanes and bike racks which complement a great riverside trail system. Biking is a great way to see the fairly flat downtown and North Shore neighborhoods, and those who like a challenge can climb some hills to get to the rest of our fair city. Biking across one of Pittsburgh’s many bridges, unique architectural wonders that they are, is breathtaking in the early morning with the sun coming up over the hills and the water sparkling right beneath you. — Megan Lindsey of Franktuary (Pittsburgh)
What is the best way for a family to experience your city in a weekend?
The Philly PHLASH is a great day pass to transport you to all of the major attractions. We love the Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, Constitution Center and at night the "Ghost Walks" that are all over the city! — Melissa Auvil of Philly Burbs Mom (Philadelphia)
My favorite picks for families include Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a walk along the North Shore, a baseball game at PNC Park (ranked the #1 ballpark in America), the Pittsburgh Zoo, riding the Incline, Kennywood Park, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Children's Museum, and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Eat 'n Park is a family-friendly restaurant with locations throughout Pittsburgh. My personal favorite is Sonoma Grille located in downtown Pittsburgh. That's a great place for a date night. — Hana Haatainen-Caye of Green Grandma (Pittsburgh)
PNC Park in Pittsburgh
What advice would you give to families considering a move?
If schools are a consideration, make sure to do as much research as possible when deciding in which neighborhood to live. If you're going to rely on public transportation, make sure to choose a neighborhood that has access to multiple bus lines. — Edgar Synder & Associates Staff of Edgar Snyder (Pittsburgh)
I moved to the South Hills of Pittsburgh in 1977. I found Pittsburgh to be a welcoming city for a stranger. Since then, I’ve lived east, west and north of the city. Each area has its own unique flavor. I prefer the North Hills and find it has the easiest routes into the city from the suburbs, so if someone is facing a daily commute, they might want to consider one of the neighborhoods to the north of downtown. The biggest challenge facing a newcomer is, undoubtedly, trying to navigate the roads. If you're accustomed to being able to drive around the block and ending up in the same spot, Pittsburgh will be a challenge. Here, when you drive around the block, quite often you end up in a completely different neighborhood! If you fear tunnels or bridges, Pittsburgh's not for you, but for everyone else, it's a fantastic place to settle down. I've never regretted choosing Pittsburgh as my home. — Hana Haatainen-Caye of Green Grandma (Pittsburgh)
I think research is key. It's important to think about what you are looking for in a neighborhood. You have to consider location, parking options, schools, accessibility to public transportation, safety and budget. Social media makes it easy to connect with those in different communities and getting real answers to your questions and concerns. — Linda Vertlieb of Frugal Philly Mom (Philadelphia)
Related:
- 10 Reasons to Move to Philadelphia
- Best City for the Urban Parent: San Francisco or Seattle?
- 15 Chicago Questions Answered
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