Per Capita, Pittsburgh likely has the best local jazz scene in the US (I’ve previously lived in NY and Boston). Check out the calendar of Con Alma (two locations), Kingfly Spirits, and City of Asylum.

There’s also a healthy amount of punk, electronic, and experimental music happening, too. The Government Center record shop has live music a few times a week. Many of the people driving underground efforts are students/faculty/alums of CMU and music/art programs at Pitt who have a ton of institutional support to make stuff happen in the community.

The PSO is a great orchestra with new programs every week, too. Right up there with the Houston symphony (keeping with the TX theme here…) if you ask me.

Reliable bus service outside of the east end would be a good start. Rapid transit to the airport and underserved parts of the county would make commuting easier for everyone, too.

Amtrak is my default for Boston to NY now. I’ll never take another bus again.