Things to Know
When Relocating to Pittsburgh

If you’re relocating to Pittsburgh, get ready to be awestruck at the splendid variety the region offers. “People relocate to Pittsburgh from all parts of the United States. People from Boston are used to the many small towns near the city. People from Texas enjoy subdivision living and driving to malls to do their shopping,” said Susan Sadowski, Senior Vice President, Howard Hanna Relocation & Business Development. “It’s all about matching their lifestyles with Pittsburgh locations they can move to and still keep their lifestyles intact.

Pittsburgh offers an abundance to meet your most demanding tastes and requirements. “People who relocate here are attracted by Pittsburgh’s well-roundedness. Our schools are excellent. Entertainment here is outstanding with our sports teams and theaters. Our health care is unparalleled. And housing is affordable with some of the best interest rates in the country,” said Elaine Debildt, Relocation Director for Prudential Preferred Realty.

Perhaps best of all, newcomers to the region appreciate the friendliness that abounds here. “When people relocate, they feel uprooted. That’s why we help them to feel warm and comfortable. We emphasize that Pittsburgh is a mixed-ethnic culture, and that we’re friendly people. Plus, we point out the change of seasons and the hills of Pittsburgh that make living here so interesting. And of course, we emphasize the colleges and universities here, and our wonderful museums like the Carnegie Museum and the Senator John Heinz History Center,” said Gilberta Kite, Vice President of Relocation, Northwood Realty.

Newcomers also praise the beauty of the region. Waiting for you here are thousands of acres of city and county parks, scores of authentic, ethnic restaurants tucked into historic neighborhoods, and hundreds of miles of bike trails that will soon wind all the way to Washington, D.C. Then, there’s the view of Pittsburgh atop Mt. Washington — a view that USA today ranked the second most scenic view in America!

Be Sure to Register Your Car
Pennsylvania allows 20 days upon arrival to register your car. Save yourself time and aggravation by putting this at the top of your to-do list. For starters, you’ll need Pennsylvania auto insurance. Proof of this is one of the items you’ll have to present when you register your car. Insurance coverage in another state doesn’t fulfill the requirement. If possible, arrange for Pennsylvania insurance coverage before you move here. That way, you’ll learn what the insurance rates are, and you can complete the paperwork with your insurance agent ahead of time. It’s acceptable to complete the insurance process after you arrive also.

Besides proof of Pennsylvania insurance, you’ll need a tracing of the vehicle identification number (VIN) when you register your car. If the VIN in your car is raised, just place a piece of paper on top and rub a pencil point over it until the number appears clearly. If the VIN is smooth, drive your car to an inspection mechanic or notary at a dealership for verification. Many mechanics are certified by Pennsylvania, and the process takes a matter of minutes.

Visit the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicle Services website at www.dmv.state.pa.us to learn more about vehicle registration, what it costs, and what to bring when you register your car. You can also reach the office at 717-391-6190, if you call from out of Pennsylvania or 800-932-4600, if you call in state.

Inspection Equals Safe Cars and Clean Air
After registering your vehicle, you’ll receive your license plates by mail. Then, you have 10 days to have your car pass a safety inspection. Many auto maintenance and repair shops are state certified to perform this inspection. Usually, they post an official sign on a window or garage door. A safety inspection involves an examination of items like steering, brakes, tires, lights, and windshields to make sure they comply with state regulations. If your car needs repairs to pass inspection, an inspector should provide specifics on what needs to be done and how much the repairs or replacements will cost. When your vehicle passes registration, the inspector places a sticker on the inside of your windshield. This lets you and any police officer know that your car has been properly and timely inspected. After that, you’ll need to repeat the inspection process each year.

If you live in Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, or Westmoreland County, you’ll also need an emissions test on your car. For your convenience, have the emissions inspection completed at the same time and place as your safety inspection. Call ahead of time to make sure the inspection station you choose handles the safety and emissions inspection. And because prices may vary, you might want to shop around for the best deal. For information on emissions testing, go to www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us, or call 800-265-0921.

Buy One Get One Free: Register to Vote When You Get Your Driver License
The last step to becoming officially street legal is to obtain a new driver’s license. Pennsylvania allows 60 days upon arrival to complete this step. Theoretically, no one will come looking for you, but if you’re pulled over by a police officer and you lack a Pennsylvania driver’s license, you might have a hefty fine to pay.

You can get your new license at one of many Pennsylvania Driver License Centers. When you do, bring your current license from your previous state of residence with another form of identification, such as a utilities bill, that shows your address in Pennsylvania.

As you wait for your driver’s license photo, you’ll be asked if you’d like to register to vote. Registration involves just a few questions on a computer and takes about a minute or two. When completed, you’ll immediately have the right to vote in Pennsylvania. For more information about the driver’s-license experience, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us.

Competition Effects Your Utilities and Phone-Service Choices
Deregulation of utilities like electricity, gas, and telephone service has stiffened competition among utility providers and lowered prices for consumers. But choosing from many suppliers has become more difficult.

To help you shop smartly and to explain exactly what it is you’re shopping for (for example, with gas and electric, it’s companies that supply those services, not distribute them), and to find detailed information about utilities in Pennsylvania, visit www.puc.state.pa.us/utilitychoice. This site was created by the Council for Utility Choice, a non-profit organization, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC). The site provides information about electric and natural-gas utilities and local phone-service options in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, including a list of suppliers, rates, and consumer-rights information. You can also get this information by calling 888-PUC-FACT.

For information on phone service, a helpful site is PA TeleChoice. You can access this when you log on to www.puc.state.pa.us/utilitychoice. At the site you can type in your area code and the first, three digits of your telephone number and learn what local calling plans are available in your area. You can select up to three plans at a time for a side-by-side comparison of each. This will enable you to learn what additional charges might apply but go unadvertised in a telephone company’s monthly rate, such as caller ID, call waiting, and voice mail. As always, it pays to read the fine print, and this site makes it easy to do so.

For more information about these services and water, visit the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate at www.oca.state.pa.us. You’ll find tips on lowering your bills and answers to frequently asked questions. To reach this location by telephone, dial 717-783-5048 or 800-684-6560 in the State of Pennsylvania only.

Wine- Lover Town, But Not Easy To Buy
In 2005, the Pennsylvania State Liquor Control Board (PLCB), which regulates and controls the sale of alcohol, launched the Chairman’s Selections program. Named after the PCLB Chairman, the program leveraged the massive buying power of the board to encourage wineries and distributors to offer better consumer pricing. Besides getting great deals, the program has brought new wines and spirits into Pennsylvania. The program has been so successful that Chairman Jonathon Newman was named Wine Enthusiasts Man of the Year.

Slowly but surely, Pennsylvania is adapting its beer, wine, and spirits distribution laws so that you can buy alcoholic beverages anywhere. But for now, the state doesn’t exactly make it convenient to buy alcohol. For example, you won’t find alcoholic beverages in a grocery store. If you like to enjoy a cold beer or
glass of wine at your home, you need to know the system so you don’t come up dry when shopping for party supplies.

For some odd reason, in Pennsylvania, beer is sold separately from wine and liquor. If you’re buying beer, you have two choices – a beer distributor or a bar. Most people shop at distributors, because the prices are better, and selections are usually greater. Distributors are the places of choice because bars have a two, six-pack limit on beer. But when you buy at a distributor, you’re only allowed to buy by the case. No buying just a 6 pack or 12 pack. Beer distributors close earlier than bars, usually by 9 p.m. each night, and are typically closed on Sundays. If you crave a late-night brew, you’ll have to buy your beer at a bar.

You’ll find wine and liquor in one of the many state-run spirits stores, but know that most of these stores typically close around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. In some counties, state stores close as early as 5:30 p.m. on weeknights and limit Sunday sales. State stores that sell on Sundays have shortened hours. To locate a store near you, visit the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board website at www.lcb.state.pa.us.mg