I'm in love with my Hill of Squirrels

My thoughts about Squirrel Hill have been developing quicker than I can sort them and put them into words. The update of my life is that I am on my own, paying for my life, living in Squirrel Hill, PA, in Pittsburgh.

I am a... country girl. I know I have friends that would scoff at this notion, but for all intents and purposes I have lived my whole life in suburbia, closer to the cows than the city. I have always been more comfortable on my grandpa's farm in Delevan, NY than I was visiting my best friend in New York... or even driving around my own city of Pittsburgh. We only lived 25-30 minutes away from downtown, but I can probably count on my hand the times we went downtown while I was growing up, and they were always big events.

NOW... I literally can walk outside and see the Cathedral of Learning peeking over the trees. My street leads right into downtown. There are 4 pizza places and 3 coffee shops around the corner next to the small Manor Theatre. I am living in the city!

I can't tell you what I expected. I found a roommate and although I didn't flat out tell her she would or could, she decided where we lived. I mean I looked at apartments with her and I had favorites and at least one I really couldn't stand. But I didn't know where I wanted to live and I didn't know any area except Murrysville, so I didn't know what was nice and what wasn't.

So one day after signing a lease, pulling out, having 3 roommates, then loosing one, tarting our search over again, and visiting a few real dumps... we walked into "the castle." That is what Mozart Management called it when they told us where to meet them. They said "look for the big white castle looking building." And it is! We looked around, said we liked it and basically put down our first month's rent. I didn't really know where I was. I definitely didn't know what I was near or where in respect to Pittsburgh I was. I guess this is my version of either blind faith, or complete ignorance.

When I get a chance I will put up some pictures of the area and my favorite things so far. At the end of my street are a few... beautiful houses. I mean... they're just perfect in perfect location, on the edge of Schenley park. I never thought I would put down roots in Pittsburgh of all places... but I think I want to live in Squirrel Hill for a long time. :)

(Squirrel Hill Tunnel Grand Opening!)