From Pittsburgh to the Prairie: Reflections on the Balance Between Building and Nature

As a realtor in the bustling city of Pittsburgh, I'm used to the rhythm of urban life—the constant hum of construction, the skyline ever-changing, and the city expanding upward and outward. But recently, I took a trip out West to Montana and North Dakota, and it was an eye-opener in more ways than one.

Driving through the vast grasslands, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the untouched landscapes. I spotted meerkats popping up from their burrows, herds of buffalo grazing, and wild horses running free—scenes that felt like they were pulled straight from a postcard. But amidst all this natural beauty, I found myself wondering: Is all this building we do really in balance with the world around us?

One moment that particularly stood out was discovering that these grasslands had once been the site of a war soldier camp. After the soldiers moved on, the land was carefully restored to its natural state, as if the camp had never been there at all. It made me think about how we often build without a second thought, but here was a case where they had the foresight to undo the changes, to give the land back to nature.

In Pittsburgh, construction is a sign of growth and progress. But out there in the West, surrounded by such raw beauty, I started to see things differently. Maybe the question isn't just whether we should build, but how we can build thoughtfully, in a way that respects and preserves the natural world around us.

Coming back to the city, I’m more curious than ever about finding that balance. How do we ensure that our growth doesn’t come at too high a cost? It’s something I’ll be thinking about more as I navigate the world of real estate here in Pittsburgh. We might not have buffalo roaming the streets, but the lesson from the grasslands is one that could guide us all—sometimes, less is more, and maybe, just maybe, some places are best left untouched.

Best,

Hails