Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Some News

Well, last week marked 3 years of blogging and a little over three years of living in Graz.  We'll be sad to leave this wonderful place, but we're excited for our new adventure because...

...come June, we're movin' to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!


That's America, folks.

I found us a home there this weekend, too.  A cute little double duplex (fourplex if you will) in a great neighborhood.

(Google street view of the front of our duplex)

We have a front and back yard and a fairly decent sized front porch where I'll be sitting and rocking with Alexander.  Baby boy has a name now:
It's an older building, but charming with wood floors throughout and enough space for our small little fam.

One of my big priorities for our next city was somewhere we could walk and not have to drive a car everywhere.  After living that life in Graz, I realized how wonderful it is.  I knew that this was a tall order and not possible many American cities, but somehow we lucked out and Pittsburgh is one of them.  
  (source
Apparently this neighborhood has everything within reach...grocery stores, shopping, lots of good non-chain restaurants, Starbucks, Carnegie Mellon library and two big parks.  Art's work, University of Pittsburgh, is a 15-minute walk through the Carnegie Mellon campus.  He's been walking to and from work here for the past three years and it will be nice he can continue to do the same.  We're shooting to only need one car and to need it mostly on the weekends.
 
(source)
University of Pittsburgh campus and the Cathedral of Learning

Look at how pretty it is inside.

And I'm still gonna get my fall trees (and other three seasons) here!

Some pics of the neighborhood:
 (source)

I love all the trees and older classic American homes.




Pittsburgh isn't the industrial steel town it used to be.  It's frequently rated high in lists like Forbes' America's Most Liveable Cities because of its good job market, universities, walkable neighborhoods, lively downtown and affordable housing.



I'm pretty sure there are some avid sports fans there too.
(source)

So, I'm already scheming up nursery decor in my head and a tiny bit stressing over packing up and selling our stuff here and saying goodbye to our wonderful Graz friends.  Also wondering whether to continue the blog in Pittsburgh.  Life in Pitt doesn't quite have the same ring to it.  And, I can't write of my culture shock in quite the same way, although I'm sure it ain't like Texas.

I know it sounds cheesy, but thanks for supporting and reading this little blog.  It's actually been a huge part of our time here and we've met more than a handful of friends from this little endeavor.   This weekend I met someone from San Francisco for coffee and a chat who had recently moved to Graz and we also went to dinner with a couple from New York that just moved this past weekend and needed a little American friend reassurance that they had made a good decision moving here. Both of these people found me through this blog.

I'd say our time abroad has been one of the best experiences of my life.  It's been a good start for our marriage and we've both grown and learned a ton from it.  Now onto the next chapter!


17 comments:

Juliette said...

Sooo exciting! One of my best friends from college grew up in Pitt and loves it so much. It really does sound like a great space that is often underrated in most Americans' minds. So happy that you already found a place to live, too! How wonderful to have that taken care of -congrats!!

Belle said...

Oh congratulations! I've never been to Pittsburg but it looks lovely and very All American!

I hope you do decide to continue blogging. I've heard other expats (or should I call them repats?) talk about the period of readjustment as being a little difficult. I think that there is definitely a little culture shock. Plus I would love to hear about your adventures in your new town as a new momma!

Katrin said...

Carolyn, Pittsburg is going to be amazing! What a cute house and what a great green city! All so exciting. I love your blog and I hope you continue to write about your life in Pittsburg as it's really interesting for us Austrians!
Katrin

Alison said...

As a fellow Texan in Austria who's enjoyed reading your blog, I'll be sorry to "see" you go, but hope you'll start up a new blog following your life in Pittsburgh. All the best!

Heather said...

Congrats! Pittsburgh looks lovely, and the downtown area so nearby will be fun with a baby. I love your blog...one of my favs! I'm sure little Alexander will give you many many things to write about!

Anonymous said...

OMG I'm so jealous you don't even know :) My boyfriend is from Pittsburgh and we both love it a lot... I hope to find a job there eventually because right now I'm in Tulsa, OK which is NOT walkable :( Ahhh have so much fun!! The four-plex looks adorable and your neighborhood looks great!

Anonymous said...

Carolyn, I'm soooo happy you are coming back soon, and Pittsburg is not that far from Detroit. I must say, smart choice...you won't feel the cultural shock as much as you would in a city where you can't walk anywhere. I know soemthing about that. I've never been to Pittsburg, but I guess I'll be visiting this lovely place in the near future. Please don't stop blogging. Love the name!!! Hugs, Monika, Detroit

Lindsey Lenig said...

Can't believe you will finally be back on this continent. Great pics of the "new" city - looks like a great place to be!! You should definitely keep blogging; how else will we see baby Alexander grow up. ;)

Julianne Staine said...

Pittsburgh looks marvelous! I know Molls can't wait for y'all to be closer, especially with little cutie Alexander on his way!

Julianne Staine said...

Pittsburgh looks marvelous! I know Molls can't wait for y'all to be closer, especially with little cutie Alexander on his way!

ejw4h9 said...

Well, somehow I ran into you two at Hauptplatz and now I ran into your blog. Congratulations on the move, it sounds like an exciting time for you both!
-Elliot (guy that laughed at your excited dog)

Amy said...

Looks like you have to keep blogging! Everyone wants you too. Plus, I feel confident you will have lots of new material to write about.

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Love his name... and you will LOVE having a little boy.

Please keep up blogging!

Kim aus Kanada said...

Oh, this makes me so sad and yet so happy and excited at the same time. So sad that you're leaving wonderful Graz and me so soon! So happy that you've found a wonderful new place to live at such an amazing time in your life. And excited that Pittsburgh is not that far from Toronto when we eventually make our way back there. Your new neighbourhood reminds me a lot of my old 'hood in Toronto. I'm sure you'll love it! It will be a great place for Alexander Joseph (love his name!!!) to grow up!

bedresttobabies said...

I am little behind on the news but:
(1) So excited about the Pittsburgh move!!!
(2) Love the name Alexander Joseph

we need some preggers pictures STAT!

Niki said...

Congratulations on the move to Pittsburgh! I enjoy your blog, so don't stop blogging. And Alexander Joseph? Great name! :-)

Jackie said...

I'm originally from Pittsburgh and the picture with all the trees is a photo of the street I grew up on (Bennington Ave in Squirrel Hill). It's a fantastic city, and Squirrel hill is a wonderful neighborhood!

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- Carolyn