There is so much to do in Pittsburgh you’ll be surprised. It’s got a small town feel with big city amenities. Not expensive to live in either as you pointed out — recently was scored as the most affordable city in the country to live in if you look at the cost of housing versus the average wage.

Some recommended activities (this list is by no means exhaustive, just a place to start):

Carnegie Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus and Brontosaurus; but way more impressively, it has the Holotype for Diplodocus carnegii. Casts of Dippy have traveled all over the world- it’s been displayed more than any other sauropod.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Oakland is fantastic, with seasonal displays throughout the year. It looks like a crystal palace from the outside.

The National Aviary on North Side for huge birds of prey, and for feeding nectar to the Lorikeets from your hand, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium with fun activities like net climbing, animal encounters and more. I have been to over 20 zoos in the US and Europe and I would put this in the top 5.

Andy Warhol Museum on N Side to see Americas #1 artist’s works, don’t miss the Silver Clouds exhibit

The Duquesne Incline to Mt Washington overlook that has the best view of downtown Pittsburgh

The Strip District near downtown which has numerous stores and restaurants. Try Colangelos on 21st street for fresh pizza and La Prima Espresso next door espresso shop; The Pennsylvania Macaroni Company shop has one of the top cheese counters in the US.

Rivers of Steel 1 hour tour about the history of Pittsburgh, boat leaves from next to the Carnegie Science Center on N Side

South Side all along Carson Street with great bars, tattoo parlors, restaurants (try Nakama for hibachi), and interesting local shops with all kinds of knick knacks.

Seven Springs is an hour away and you can go skiing; in late spring or summer you can go whitewater rafting, canoeing, or cycle the Allegheny Gap Trail which is a former rail line turned into an award winning bike trail with a basically flat and straight course through the woods and over bridges.

Nearby is Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright house built over a stream, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of only 24 in the US.

Point State Park and the history museum called the Ft. Pitt Museum about the diamond-shaped fort that was at the point, along with a stroll out to the fountain where the 3 rivers of Pittsburgh meet.

If you want to photograph things, the numerous churches and cathedrals are a fantastic subject. Check out the one in the Strip District at the corner of Smallman and 21st St, the cathedral on Polish Hill, or Heinz Chapel at Pitt. Ones all over town, Bloomfield on Liberty Ave, South Side, etc.

The Cathedral of Learning at the center of the University of Pittsburgh has what are called nationality rooms that are designed in the theme of architecture from specific countries around the world. You can do a self guided tour and you will see some really cool stuff.

The Frick Collection in Point Breeze has a historic home with an art and antique furniture collection, and a great “Car and Carriage” museum along with a cafe for lunch.

Bicycle Heaven is the largest bike museum/store in the world and has PeeWee Herman’s bike from the movie PeeWees Great Adventure.

Grand Concourse restaurant is an old train terminal with amazing architecture, ask for a table in the River room so you can sit right by the Monongahela River and watch the barges go by.

If you want good Bavarian beer and brats right by the river, Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh; afterwards take a stroll along the river on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Lawrenceville is a newly renovated and upcoming area with great old bones of buildings and all kinds of cool stores and bars along Butler Street. Try the rolled ice cream store, NatuRoll Creamery or The Abbey which is a restaurant and bar.

Schenley Park Oval - in winter for the view of the city and the ice skating rink and in summer for the frisbee golf course.

If you like sports, in winter go see the Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Hockey team and the Pitt Panthers Basketball team; in fall the Steelers whose newest quarterback, Kenny Pickett, just graduated from Pitt; in summer PNC Park where the Pirates play has often been voted the best baseball park in the US.