The Permanent Pedestrian in Downtown Pittsburgh
BECOMING A PERMANENT PEDESTRIAN
It’s easy to be a pedestrian in a neighborhood, but what amenities are in the area to walk to? How long have I not had a car? Gas, insurance, parking, repairs, emissions testing, no rides! What is it like in a world without a car?
At first, I was uneasy; I’m not going to tell a tale. Having a car since I was 16 years of age, I had it quite easy to get around. Moving forward 17 years later, I found my way to Downtown, Pittsburgh. My life steered into the career path of real estate with the enjoyment of living in the vibrant city. Location, convenience, walkability and abundance of transportation options made the decision realistic. The ride share programs such as Uber and Lyft were not quite in Pittsburgh up until 3 years ago. Only Zipcar, a car share program for individuals and businesses was in 8 locations throughout the city’s core with a fleet of cars from a Prius to a Mercedes Benz C300 and SUV options. As a part time driver and full-time downtown resident, I settled myself in the driver’s seat only when needed.
The city’s core has provided me with a sustainable neighborhood. I can walk to everything I need to do on a daily basis. From work, to play, to my special interests, I can walk and even bike! The city’s widest point is 1 mile from point A to point B. The availability of public and ride share transportation has made city living in Pittsburgh so efficient. It is getting better as more drivers are on the road through Lyft and Uber.
Grocery stores, shopping, transportation to and from work? Public transportation, carpool, metro system? Living the car free lifestyle.
Amenities are available from restaurants, social events, sporting events, theater and music; all right around the golden triangle. Though retail therapy is mainly online –there are shops and specialty stores around within 1-2 miles. Groceries with online delivery have made it into the Pittsburgh market. Weekly, I can order Amazon Prime Whole Foods and select a 2-hour window for delivery with all that I need for the week or even dinner that evening delivered to my door. I don’t even have to be home to let the delivery folks in! There is a lot of grocery product and household essentials that CVS and Rite-Aid carries to facilitate the every day needs. Market Grocery, Corner Mercantile, and Penn Cove are specialty food markets along with the open markets in the Strip District.
Cost – you definitely save money but cost of living in these areas is more to there is shifts and balances to a car free lifestyle.
Savings vs. Inherited costs are the teeter tottering of my checks and balances. Once I figured out my daily routine and budgets, the costs can become more balanced. I receive a monthly analysis for accounting purposes, so even though my routines changes with business, I make adjustments to amend the travel schedule accordingly.
Over all experience I truly enjoy and love the people I get to meet on the ride sharing.
What is important to you and where do you want to spend you money? What are the benefits?

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