For southwestern Pennsylvanians, plenty of reasons to give thanks
Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and appreciation of all things that make life good. With that in mind, here a few reasons for southwestern Pennsylvanians to give thanks that might otherwise be overlooked when we gather with family and friends for that Thursday feast.
Safety first
Being safe from crime is something to be very thankful for. Crime rates vary by neighborhood. But, overall, we enjoy a level of safety that’s the envy of Pittsburgh Today benchmark regions. Crime in the City of Pittsburgh recently fell to a rate that’s lower than rates in every benchmark city but Boston. And the region as a whole enjoys a similar ranking.
Home for the holiday
Family, a turkey on the table and the warmth of a home make Thanksgiving special. That’s a scene more likely experienced in southwestern Pennsylvania than any of our other benchmark region. None match our rate of homeownership. And the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area joins Denver as the only two regions where 5-year housing prices have appreciated.
The more the merrier
People make the holiday. And for the sixth consecutive year, more people have moved to southwestern Pennsylvania than have departed for other parts of the country. Moreover, it’s estimated that as many as 7 in 10 of newcomers are young adults. For a region that’s long struggled to stabilize its population, such trends are worthy of giving thanks.
Putting the turkey on the table
It’s easier to enjoy a feast knowing you have a job to pay for it. Unemployment continued to fall across the Pittsburgh MSA this year, dropping to levels not seen since before the most recent recession. And jobs continued to grow, albeit more slowly, reaching record levels, again.
A diploma in hand
Education offers a cornucopia of benefits for young and old, the region and the economy. It starts with a high school diploma and in that regard the Pittsburgh MSA shines. Only 7.5 percent of residents aged 25 or older are not high school graduates. Only Minneapolis-St. Paul has a lower rate of non-graduates among our benchmark regions.
Better days for bicyclists
If you’re into bicycling, or are thinking about giving it a try, there hasn’t been a better time to do so than now. Pittsburgh has emerged as a top city for bike and pedestrian commuters, according to a national report. New bike lanes are being built. Even the city’s new mayor bought a bike this year – his first in nearly three decades.
Warmer days ahead
If thinking about warm days of leisure helps ease winter’s bite, here’s a thought: The Pirates won more than they lost for the second straight season after doing the opposite for the previous 20. And two-year-olds across the region have never known a time when the ball club failed to reach the playoffs.