Poverty in an Affluent Neighborhood

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Nestled in Pittsburgh’s East End, the neighborhood of Shadyside has a median home value of $413,978 while almost 20% of the neighborhood’s residents live in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Victorian style estates and mansions line the streets of this affluent neighborhood. The homes coupled with the opulent shops that line Walnut Street and Shadyside have become an oasis for the American Dream in the heart of “America’s most livable city” (Burgess, 2013). With the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Melon University, and Chatham University all within walking distance, the neighborhood of Shadyside is an ideal location for young professionals, students, and academics alike.

Shadyside got the name from the nineteenth century Pennsylvania Railroad station in the area due to its shady lanes (Powell, n.d.). Numerous trees and monstrous homes provide plenty of shade for walks through the neighborhood. Victorian style houses represent a style that has yet to be diminished and a culture of history in an area so interested in preserving it.

Jane, a subject interviewed for this research project and recent college graduate from West Virginia University with a job as a marketing and merchandising specialist for Kayton Clendall, chose Shadyside because of the “good reputation of the area, good location to, you know, be close to the city and still not be far from work”. Shadyside is home to a sizable Giant Eagle Market District and Aldi for grocery shopping, and Walnut Street for many material needs. The up and coming neighboring area of East Liberty offers other businesses such as Target, Google, and Trader Joe’s. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Shadyside makes emergency or routine medical situa...

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... “What does Obama really believe in?”, The New York Times, August 15. Retrieved November 6, 2013 (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/magazine/obama-poverty.html?_r=0).

Pittsburgh Police Department. 2010. Annual Report 2010. City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety Bureau of Police.

“Pittsburgh police seek help to find armed robber”. 2013. CBS Pittsburgh. Retrieved November 11, 2013 (http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/10/19/pittsburgh-police-seek-help-to-find-armed-robber/).

“Robbers throw cement brick through Shadyside Apple store doors”. 2011. WPXI. Retrieved November 6, 2013 (http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/robbers-throw-cement-brick-through-shadyside-apple/nGqbG/).

“Shadyside robberies have residents on alert”. 2012. WTAE. Retrieved November 9, 2013 (http://www.wtae.com/Shadyside-Robberies-Have-Residents-On-Alert/-/9681798/12281604/-/lqmw7f/-/index.html).

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