So, you’re thinking of moving your business in Pittsburgh? The city of bridges, the city of steel, is a wonderful location to move to, full of history, culture, sports and amazing food, and just like any major city it’s full of its own unique selling points, opportunities and eccentricities.
Opening a new location, or relocating an existing business, in a new city always going to a big challenge no matter how excited you are, so in order to make sure you get off to the right start, here are a few things that you should keep in mind and look for!
A Few Notes About Pittsburgh
Ok, so if you’re moving to Pittsburgh one of the first things you need to know is that this is a city with a lot of weather. We’re talking hot and humid summers, below freezing temperatures with buckets of snow in the winter, and some pretty amazing swings on a regular basis in between.
There are 90 neighborhoods making up the city, and you can find a ton of local history around every corner. Did you know that Pittsburgh was the birthplace of Andy Warhol and the setting of George A. Romero’s Living Dead zombie movies? With more bridges than Venice and with a heritage of steel and iron, it’s a combination of industrial heritage and culture from all over the world.
The Business Landscape In Pittsburgh
While Pittsburgh may still be known as a city built on steel, the fact is that the collapse of the steel industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s meant that the prosperous city of industry faced some hard times as its population nearly halved in that time. However, Pittsburgh steel goes beyond the metal, and the city has continued to bounce back in the decades that followed.
It’s now regarded as one of the major technologies and robotics centers of the country, with healthcare, education and medicine not far behind. A note for anyone setting up a business for the first time: as ever, you must secure visas for employees outside the US, just as you would in any other city. These can be tricky to navigate, so it’s always worth consulting with a professional immigration resource before you get started. Farmer Law is committed to helping their clients manage these complex laws to help your peace of mind.
How To Get Involved With The Local Culture
If you’re looking to set up roots in Pittsburgh with your business, the good news is that the after-work opportunities are as exciting as the city’s thriving business sector. The city’s rich history of eastern European, particularly Polish, immigration means that the food is incredible (get ready for the best pierogi you’ve had in a while), but arguably more exciting is the city’s all-consuming passion for sports.
With the Steelers (football), the Penguins (hockey), or Pirates (baseball), Pittsburgh is home of some of the nation’s best teams and the fans are second to none in their passion and devotion. It’s not just known as Steel City, it’s also the City of Champions.
