just came back from pittsburgh and boy has it changed since i was there in the winter. the city was absolutely delightful and ITM you were right the squirrel hill and shadyside areas were sooooo beautiful. Loved every moment of my time spent there!

W'salam, thank you so much! You guys are all so helpful, will defn email you shortly regarding Pittsburgh. I will defn iA in due time check out the Museums and other neat things around town.

BIAA,
Assalamu alaikum,
there is Salem's... they have groceries and food... it's mainly a grocercy store and then a small restaurant... i haven't eaten there since, i think last Ramadan, that was the last time i was in the Burgh... there used to be a halal pizza place but i think they either moved or closed down... some of the cool things you might want to check out are Schenely park and the Phipps Conservatory and the Carnegie Muesuem... they are all close to each and close to CMU and Pitt campuses... if you need more info, there are plenty of people i know in Pgh that would be of help to you and your family insha'Allah.. just let me know... i don't check what's posted on here too much, but you can either send me an email or post on here and insha'Allah, i'll get to it....
Waa wR wB

K'77, that's another thing... not much ethnic diversity in Pittsburgh all in all, I mean there are many different cultures (students, professionals), but not exactly masses. Nothing like Chicago/Devon. I really can NOT recall a halal/zabahi place to eat that was actually good!?! (I left in 1999/2000 for grad. school) However halal/zabahi meat & groceries are readily available at a handful of places. During ramadan, the Pak/Ind muslim community is real active, and I must say- I do miss the overall festive feel & the iftars. Very cozy feel as everyone knows everyone (1,000 people vs. 100,000 as in Chi'). I still have many family friends back there, if you & your husband need anything- don't hesitate to let me know... =)

Hey! Thanks for the positive words. Honestly when i came down to Pittsburgh by myself to interview in the winter, i just wanted to shoot myself...the city seemed really old and of course being winter, it was quite barren. I am looking forward to the change though. Thanks for all the tips. Any good halal places to eat at?

Nabz, Chatham College's location is perhaps its greatest asset! Surrounding Shadyside & nearby Squirrel Hill offer alot of class, sophistication, and relaxing outlets for a student. The scenery is phenomenal, and Oakland (Univ_Pittsburgh & Carnegie_Mellon Univ) are just down the road... nice student life & events happening there. Spring & Fall in the 'Burgh were the best, in my personal opinion. The good thing about Pittsburgh is that it's a medium big-city w/o the hangups of a big city (traffic, crime, high-costs, over-crowdedness, pollution, etc). However the muslim/desi community is a fraction of the size you have in Chicago. For some people, that's a blessing ;)