The modern Pittsburgh Zoo in Highland Park also features an Aqua Zoo, and the Pittsburgh Aviary on the city's North Side is home to hundreds of exotic birds. The Phipps Conservatory, one of the world's largest greenhouses, offers regular shows of spectacular plants and flowers. The Carnegie Science Center, with its Buhl Planetarium, features interactive science exhibits and virtual-reality science film presentations. For the history buff, western Pennsylvania is rich in mementos of America's struggle for independence and the French and Indian War period. The University of Pittsburgh and its medical center are located in the Oakland section of the city, just minutes from the downtown area.
Public transportation provides easy access from Oakland to all sections of the county.
Apartments in and around Oakland are plentiful, and many pleasant neighborhoods such as Shadyside, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, and Highland Park, are just 15 minutes away. Apartments and houses are available in all price ranges and often feature stained glass windows, log-burning fireplaces, comfortable balconies and porches, and other elements of architectural interest. Hundreds of professionals have come to Pittsburgh to spend four or six years in training and afterwards decided to live in the region. Visit the city and the University of Pittsburgh. Find out for yourself why this is a great place to live.