Not so seriously yet, but perhaps in the next year or so.

How are the elementary schools there? I see there is a once-a-week full-day GT pullout. Is that helpful?

What about the private schools?

Also, how about the intellectual ambiance for us parents? I know that there are some universities there, but looking at the newspapers, it looks like a town focused on sports!

bk

Hi bk,
I only lived in Pittsburgh for a year, many years ago. I do remember a great farmer's Market, warm-hearted people, and lots of cultural/music festivals at the public parks.

Are you considering city life or suburbs?
Smiles,
Grinity

Isn't that where Carnegie Melon is? They have a big program for gifted (C-Mites: http://www.cmu.edu/cmites/ests.html) that has weekend and summer programs.

Bumping away the spam!

Bump!
We're thinking city life.

I'm glad to hear that you are thinking city! Such lovely neighborhoods!

Thanks for the info! It's really at the wishful thinking stage at this point. And I don't want to jump from one poor school accommodation to another.

bk

Some of the colleges in the area are quite good, and they sponsor programs for kids.

Fox Chapel is a really good high school to move into

http://www.fcasd.edu/j_hs/

and a good private school is Shady Side Academy.

http://www.shadysideacademy.org/

It is easy to supplement when they are in elem or jr high, but you don't want to mess around with the excellent programs some of the high schools and colleges offer in the area there.

Thanks for the school tips!

Can you live in the City of Pittsburgh and attend the Fox Chapel area schools?

Technically, Fox Chapel is in the City of Pittsburgh (according to their official address). It is in the NE corner of Pittsburgh. However, like many schools, you must live in the school's specified boundary to attend.

I know that housing is suffering mightily there, so if you are in the market of renting/buying, you can probably get a pretty good deal. Also, since it's a preferred area, it would be easier to sell since everyone wants their kids to go to high school there.

Chiming in super late here, but in case anyone is ever considering SSA we visited and they do not recognize GIEP's.

I love the hills, the colors of fall, the railcars, OH the CHILDREN's musuem is AWESOME, the science center is big fun, fun sports and science complex....

And yes sports are "big" there but they are in any town/city large enough to host professional teams.... and frankly, this is America - often more home of the Braves than the brave - so I suspect any place outside of small town w/big college is going to have some pockets of sport nuts.

Four seasons.... not awful cost of living.... but I know nothing of the schools. I also hail from outside of philly - so I miss the hills and trees of PA... so know this is bias :-)

I really like Pittsburgh! My husband grew up outside of there and when we go home to visit sometimes we make a stop up there. I used to want to live there, but it is a little too close to the in-laws. We are going to try out the children's museum when we visit this summer...or the science one. Not sure yet which one.