Squirrel Hill

 

Squirrel Hill is best known for being a mostly residential area with a high Jewish population. Upon my visit I found out that Squirrel Hill is all that but it is also much more. A quick bus ride on any Port Authority 61 (A,B,C, or D) will take you into the heart of Squirrel Hill. Murray Avenue can be considered the main street of Squirrel Hill with shops and restaurants lining the whole street. This is first where the diversity of Squirrel Hill can be observed. While a Jewish influence can be seen (Smallman Street Deli, a Kosher grocery store, etc.) there is everything from Thai to waffles along Murray.

Diverging from Murray Ave, on either side are the houses of the residences of Squirrel Hill. Many of these houses are old, brick and mortar houses with traditional metal shingles. A piece of suburbia, each house comes with a generous amount of property to be used for play, gardening, or whatever the residence desire. While some may see these houses as outdated and falling apart, they are a testament to the respect of tradition found throughout Squirrel Hill.

While not all encompassing, the Jewish influence on Squirrel Hill cannot be ignored. Among the buildings are the local JCC, a Synagogue, and a clock tower with the dial in Hebrew. As mentioned before, the Jewish population does not overpower the other cultures of the area but rather they simply seek to enhance their own.

Upon reflection, Squirrel Hill can be seen as a get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The streets are not packed, the people are friendly, and the food is extremely good. Very worth while trip that I plan to make again in the near future.