Pittsburgh Winter Survival Guide for Remote Workers

Tips and tricks from other locals for staying sane during this frigid winter.

It’s heckin’ cold out there, folks.

On top of that, it’s still dark outside most of the day and (dare I say) kind of boring around the Burgh right now. Working remotely compounds the gloom of this season in my experience, limiting my time around other people in-person as I precariously prop my MacBook up on a shelf so I can monitor the frozen pipes in my house while writing code.

So let’s try to make the most of it! I solicited several local remote workers for their ideas on how to survive Pittsburgh winter while working remotely, and combined their advice with my own for 5 tips. I’ll be honest—all of these take time and maybe a little money, so budget wisely and make time for the things that you enjoy most!

1. Cowork and get coffee/lunch with others regularly.

Everyone I talked to agreed on the value of regularly coworking with other remote workers and making recurring plans to meet up with others, but you need to set a goal if you actually want to get out there. Try to plan 1 half day of coworking and 1 lunch or coffee with a friend per week. There are a bunch of great coworking places around the city, solid coffee shops, and lunch restaurants to explore. Don’t limit yourself to Lawrenceville or the Strip—try something new in a new neighborhood with a friend! My personal favorites recently have been Ineffable Cá Phê in Bloomfield for a lunch/coffee/coworking combo and the new Wunderbar location in Bellevue for breakfast with friends.

2. Make it cozy.

Light a candle, but not just any candle. Find a scent that you really vibe with, and try one of those wood wicks so that it sounds like a crackling fire. Then, hop on Mac Bid, our region’s premier shop to get used appliances that people decided they didn’t want after one use, and buy yourself a Zojirushi hot water boiler for like $7. If you pick it up, and it’s not working, don’t worry about it—it was only $7. What matters is that you find a way to get hot water fast and easily. Then, build yourself a tea/hot cocoa bar!

3. Get moving.

Go on a snowy hike up at McConnell’s Mill, Moraine, or Raccoon Creek State Parks, or around one of the city’s parks if you don’t feel like driving. If hiking’s too boring, you can listen to a podcast or bird watch as you go! And now that January is almost over, the number of New Year’s resolvers at the gym is dwindling. Sign up for a gym and, if you’re like me with minimal fitness experience, cough up the money to have a personal trainer build you a simple full-body workout tailored to that gym’s equipment. Trust me, it’s worth it for both the mental and physical gains.

4. Pick up a new hobby.

Rather than list some possibilities here, I’ll just say this: you probably already have something in mind while reading this. It’s that thing you’ve been thinking about tinkering with, but you just haven’t made the time for it. Make time for it!

5. Just leave.

If you need a break from the weather, there’s always the rest of the world. Budget wisely and plan for a trip to somewhere warmer. Or, if a trip is out of reach this year, trick yourself into thinking you’re somewhere warmer. Hidden Harbor offers a fantastic tiki atmosphere, while the Goldmark’s deep house nights can give you a taste of Miami. You could also pick up a cheap headset and try a VR vacation from the comfort of your own home!

Final Notes

Special thanks to Jay, Tim, Peter, and Shawn who contributed ideas in the subscriber chat. On a more serious note, if you struggle with mental health during the winter, I highly recommend therapy in addition to these tips! Finally, I wish you all a cozy and fun rest of your winter here in Pittsburgh. I’ll see you next week for the Monthly Beat.

—Austin