Why is Philly so often overlooked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Philadelphia suburbs have great housing stock at a lower cost than the DC area, fantastic public schools, and the regional rail system. There's a tech presence in the 202 corridor (King of Prussia, Chesterbrook, etc), pharmaceutical companies, and some finance (Vanguard), but not as much as you'd find in NYC/DC.

I was in Bryn Mawr and Haverford yesterday. They are not what they once were.

I live in Old Town Alexandria and feel the same way about it. The nuisance crimes are out of control.

I am bemused by the poster who was in Bryn Mawr/Haverford “yesterday.” I am here every day—I live here—and it seems fine to me. If anything I think things might be better than ten years ago…a gorgeous library renovation, some good new restaurants, more independent bookstores, less of the fusty antique-store type retail on Lanc Ave. I know Philly has had an increase in crime but I am not aware of issues in my area. We go into the city often with kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there over Christmas. I found it beautiful and it had an energy I really connected to. I kept thinking I could live there, easily. My son is considering Drexel, and this thread has me wondering a bit.

Your son will be fine at Drexel. Temple, on the other hand…

I’m in Philadelphia for the first time right now. We came for the weekend to visit Drexel and are staying in an AirBnB in Center City. I’ve really enjoyed our trip. It’s a little gritty but aren’t most cities? Even if my child doesn’t end up here, I’m sure we will be back to visit again.

We’re going up to visit Drexel next weekend. We are staying with friends who live there and have sent their kids to college in Philly. They are excited to go to dinner with us in Center City and show DC around West Philly. They are good friends who would be honest and warn us off if they thought that it would be a bad experience for DC.

PP here. Is your DC going to admitted students’ day? My DC will be there, too. Funny to think there will be a dcum contingent present

[Anonymous]

We lived there briefly. It's very race and class divided. The race part is common to most cities but it's easy to forget certain cities are also very socio-economically segregated. You'll be pigeonholed into your niche pretty quickly. Nitty gritty is fun for a while then it becomes tiresome because the nitty gritty population is just too large. A lot of crap happens in Philadelphia that rarely happens in DC. Center City is wonderful and there are a few other gorgeous neighborhoods but much of the city is dreary and much of the new infill housing is shockingly ugly. Transportation by car around the whole region is a nightmare, including the suburbs.

Philadelphia is still living off past glories and no number of modern new developments hides that it's one of the great 19th century cities still living in the shadows of its history. It's not where the energy or innovation is these days. Its claim to fame is being cheaper than NYC. But I will also say the dining scene is excellent, both high and low. It's perhaps the only thing I miss about Philadelphia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there over Christmas. I found it beautiful and it had an energy I really connected to. I kept thinking I could live there, easily. My son is considering Drexel, and this thread has me wondering a bit.

Your son will be fine at Drexel. Temple, on the other hand…

I’m in Philadelphia for the first time right now. We came for the weekend to visit Drexel and are staying in an AirBnB in Center City. I’ve really enjoyed our trip. It’s a little gritty but aren’t most cities? Even if my child doesn’t end up here, I’m sure we will be back to visit again.

We’re going up to visit Drexel next weekend. We are staying with friends who live there and have sent their kids to college in Philly. They are excited to go to dinner with us in Center City and show DC around West Philly. They are good friends who would be honest and warn us off if they thought that it would be a bad experience for DC.

PP here. Is your DC going to admitted students’ day? My DC will be there, too. Funny to think there will be a dcum contingent present

Yup! I am guessing that there will be more than just us. We will have to see if we can “vibe” out each other’s identities. I hope that your DC gets what they need out of the event to make their decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Philadelphia suburbs have great housing stock at a lower cost than the DC area, fantastic public schools, and the regional rail system. There's a tech presence in the 202 corridor (King of Prussia, Chesterbrook, etc), pharmaceutical companies, and some finance (Vanguard), but not as much as you'd find in NYC/DC.

I was in Bryn Mawr and Haverford yesterday. They are not what they once were.

I live in Old Town Alexandria and feel the same way about it. The nuisance crimes are out of control.

I am bemused by the poster who was in Bryn Mawr/Haverford “yesterday.” I am here every day—I live here—and it seems fine to me. If anything I think things might be better than ten years ago…a gorgeous library renovation, some good new restaurants, more independent bookstores, less of the fusty antique-store type retail on Lanc Ave. I know Philly has had an increase in crime but I am not aware of issues in my area. We go into the city often with kids.

Haverford/BM poster here. I didn’t mean there was crime. I just thought it looked really run-down compared to years ago. Especially where the NHSL stops are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived there briefly. It's very race and class divided. The race part is common to most cities but it's easy to forget certain cities are also very socio-economically segregated. You'll be pigeonholed into your niche pretty quickly. Nitty gritty is fun for a while then it becomes tiresome because the nitty gritty population is just too large. A lot of crap happens in Philadelphia that rarely happens in DC. Center City is wonderful and there are a few other gorgeous neighborhoods but much of the city is dreary and much of the new infill housing is shockingly ugly. Transportation by car around the whole region is a nightmare, including the suburbs.

Philadelphia is still living off past glories and no number of modern new developments hides that it's one of the great 19th century cities still living in the shadows of its history. It's not where the energy or innovation is these days. Its claim to fame is being cheaper than NYC. But I will also say the dining scene is excellent, both high and low. It's perhaps the only thing I miss about Philadelphia.

You can’t be serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived there briefly. It's very race and class divided. The race part is common to most cities but it's easy to forget certain cities are also very socio-economically segregated. You'll be pigeonholed into your niche pretty quickly. Nitty gritty is fun for a while then it becomes tiresome because the nitty gritty population is just too large. A lot of crap happens in Philadelphia that rarely happens in DC. Center City is wonderful and there are a few other gorgeous neighborhoods but much of the city is dreary and much of the new infill housing is shockingly ugly. Transportation by car around the whole region is a nightmare, including the suburbs.

Philadelphia is still living off past glories and no number of modern new developments hides that it's one of the great 19th century cities still living in the shadows of its history. It's not where the energy or innovation is these days. Its claim to fame is being cheaper than NYC. But I will also say the dining scene is excellent, both high and low. It's perhaps the only thing I miss about Philadelphia.

You can’t be serious.

Because transportation by car around the DC area is so much better

[Anonymous]

I've visited Philly twice with my kids. Once in January 2020 and once in May 2022. I could not believe the difference between those visits. Maybe they were one off experiences but 2020 was such a pleasant experience and 2022 was so bad I'm reluctant to return. So much trash everywhere. Syringes. Aggressive panhandlers. ATVs and dirt bikes all night, every night. It was like a post apocalyptic wasteland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived there briefly. It's very race and class divided. The race part is common to most cities but it's easy to forget certain cities are also very socio-economically segregated. You'll be pigeonholed into your niche pretty quickly. Nitty gritty is fun for a while then it becomes tiresome because the nitty gritty population is just too large. A lot of crap happens in Philadelphia that rarely happens in DC. Center City is wonderful and there are a few other gorgeous neighborhoods but much of the city is dreary and much of the new infill housing is shockingly ugly. Transportation by car around the whole region is a nightmare, including the suburbs.

Philadelphia is still living off past glories and no number of modern new developments hides that it's one of the great 19th century cities still living in the shadows of its history. It's not where the energy or innovation is these days. Its claim to fame is being cheaper than NYC. But I will also say the dining scene is excellent, both high and low. It's perhaps the only thing I miss about Philadelphia.

You can’t be serious.

Because transportation by car around the DC area is so much better

This. I am from Philly and go back frequently to see friends and family. Driving around the city and suburbs is so refreshingly pleasant compared to DC. On the other hand the public transit sucks. DC metro is far superior even with all its problems.

I love Philly and would have lived there in a heartbeat if our jobs (feds) weren't DC-specific. I did move away for college and grad school, which makes a difference. Wouldn't have wanted to stay forever; I wanted a change. But it has a real identity, unlike DC. Most cities do, I suppose. DH had never really been there before we met (like OP he thought Boston, NY, DC were the entire East Coast world) and he loves it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Philadelphia suburbs have great housing stock at a lower cost than the DC area, fantastic public schools, and the regional rail system. There's a tech presence in the 202 corridor (King of Prussia, Chesterbrook, etc), pharmaceutical companies, and some finance (Vanguard), but not as much as you'd find in NYC/DC.

I was in Bryn Mawr and Haverford yesterday. They are not what they once were.

I live in Old Town Alexandria and feel the same way about it. The nuisance crimes are out of control.

I am bemused by the poster who was in Bryn Mawr/Haverford “yesterday.” I am here every day—I live here—and it seems fine to me. If anything I think things might be better than ten years ago…a gorgeous library renovation, some good new restaurants, more independent bookstores, less of the fusty antique-store type retail on Lanc Ave. I know Philly has had an increase in crime but I am not aware of issues in my area. We go into the city often with kids.

Haverford/BM poster here. I didn’t mean there was crime. I just thought it looked really run-down compared to years ago. Especially where the NHSL stops are.

I agree those areas are not attractive, but were the high speed line stops ever in nice areas? The area around the Septa stations is pretty cute. A Serena and Lily store just opened by the Haverford station.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Philadelphia suburbs have great housing stock at a lower cost than the DC area, fantastic public schools, and the regional rail system. There's a tech presence in the 202 corridor (King of Prussia, Chesterbrook, etc), pharmaceutical companies, and some finance (Vanguard), but not as much as you'd find in NYC/DC.

I was in Bryn Mawr and Haverford yesterday. They are not what they once were.

I live in Old Town Alexandria and feel the same way about it. The nuisance crimes are out of control.

I am bemused by the poster who was in Bryn Mawr/Haverford “yesterday.” I am here every day—I live here—and it seems fine to me. If anything I think things might be better than ten years ago…a gorgeous library renovation, some good new restaurants, more independent bookstores, less of the fusty antique-store type retail on Lanc Ave. I know Philly has had an increase in crime but I am not aware of issues in my area. We go into the city often with kids.

Haverford/BM poster here. I didn’t mean there was crime. I just thought it looked really run-down compared to years ago. Especially where the NHSL stops are.

I agree those areas are not attractive, but were the high speed line stops ever in nice areas? The area around the Septa stations is pretty cute. A Serena and Lily store just opened by the Haverford station.

Adding: I don't know, TBH, maybe those areas were nicer years ago. But everything looks pretty gray right now in January, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived there briefly. It's very race and class divided. The race part is common to most cities but it's easy to forget certain cities are also very socio-economically segregated. You'll be pigeonholed into your niche pretty quickly. Nitty gritty is fun for a while then it becomes tiresome because the nitty gritty population is just too large. A lot of crap happens in Philadelphia that rarely happens in DC. Center City is wonderful and there are a few other gorgeous neighborhoods but much of the city is dreary and much of the new infill housing is shockingly ugly. Transportation by car around the whole region is a nightmare, including the suburbs.

Philadelphia is still living off past glories and no number of modern new developments hides that it's one of the great 19th century cities still living in the shadows of its history. It's not where the energy or innovation is these days. Its claim to fame is being cheaper than NYC. But I will also say the dining scene is excellent, both high and low. It's perhaps the only thing I miss about Philadelphia.

You can’t be serious.

Because transportation by car around the DC area is so much better

We live in Baltimore after living in Philadelphia. It takes a lot longer to get around Philadelphia as the roads aren't as efficiently connected and some of the key links out of Center City are limited like the Schuylkill Expressway, which is backed up most of the time. Driving from Center City to the Main Line or back is time consuming because there is no direct expressway, just the train. Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill aren't easily connected outside trains either. By contrast, Baltimore is easy to navigate with the beltway and I-83 from the city to the northern suburbs. The world isn't just Philadelphia and DC, you know

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Philadelphia suburbs have great housing stock at a lower cost than the DC area, fantastic public schools, and the regional rail system. There's a tech presence in the 202 corridor (King of Prussia, Chesterbrook, etc), pharmaceutical companies, and some finance (Vanguard), but not as much as you'd find in NYC/DC.

I was in Bryn Mawr and Haverford yesterday. They are not what they once were.

I live in Old Town Alexandria and feel the same way about it. The nuisance crimes are out of control.

There are no nuisance crimes in Bryn Mawr and Haverford. I’ve lived in the area for 15 years, and if anything, it’s nicer than it was 15 years ago.

[Anonymous]

It’s a dump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived there briefly. It's very race and class divided. The race part is common to most cities but it's easy to forget certain cities are also very socio-economically segregated. You'll be pigeonholed into your niche pretty quickly. Nitty gritty is fun for a while then it becomes tiresome because the nitty gritty population is just too large. A lot of crap happens in Philadelphia that rarely happens in DC. Center City is wonderful and there are a few other gorgeous neighborhoods but much of the city is dreary and much of the new infill housing is shockingly ugly. Transportation by car around the whole region is a nightmare, including the suburbs.

Philadelphia is still living off past glories and no number of modern new developments hides that it's one of the great 19th century cities still living in the shadows of its history. It's not where the energy or innovation is these days. Its claim to fame is being cheaper than NYC. But I will also say the dining scene is excellent, both high and low. It's perhaps the only thing I miss about Philadelphia.

You can’t be serious.

Because transportation by car around the DC area is so much better

We live in Baltimore after living in Philadelphia. It takes a lot longer to get around Philadelphia as the roads aren't as efficiently connected and some of the key links out of Center City are limited like the Schuylkill Expressway, which is backed up most of the time. Driving from Center City to the Main Line or back is time consuming because there is no direct expressway, just the train. Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill aren't easily connected outside trains either. By contrast, Baltimore is easy to navigate with the beltway and I-83 from the city to the northern suburbs. The world isn't just Philadelphia and DC, you know

THIS person cities. What do you think about safety in both cities, PP?