It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Would You Recommend Philadelphia as a Place to Live?
Saturday, February 7th, 2009 at 7:00 am - by Matt Campbell. Filed under: Uncategorized.
We know that most Philadelphians love their city but would you encourage someone from, say Denver, to move to Philly? I ask that because on Thursday Larry Eichel released his first survey as Project Director for the Philadelphia Research Initiative. It is a new think tank in Philly that’s all about Philly. His survey showed that “66 percent of residents say they would recommend Philadelphia as a place to live to a friend. Just 27 percent say they would not do so. That’s a lot of love for a city that just underwent a billion dollars worth of budget cuts that has lowered city spending through 2013.
I too like living here, but on the question of whether I would recommend it to others. I’m not so sure. As someone growing up near Denver, I still remember my first impression of Center City in 1994 when many blocks struck me as old and rundown.My point is because you like living in Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily mean your friends from Phoenix will too. That said, would you recommend Philly as a place to live to others?
February 7th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I LOVE Philly! It is a very manageable city where anything you could need or want is within a half hour of your home. Center City is very walkable. There are distinct neighborhoods, and each has its own special offerings. Great restaurants are scattered throughout the city, and there are many terrific ethnic restaurants. People are friendly, although not intrusive. We have world-class educational institutions. If you live in the suburbs there are many reasons to make a short trip into the city - museums, shopping, recreation, the Zoo, great sports teams (yeah!), restaurants, etc, etc, etc. Philly is a city for everyone - rich or not so affluent, educated or not, single or attached. I would recommend it to anyone who likes urban areas, but with a small-town feel.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I would and have recommended Philly to others, some of whom moved here. We chose Philly for the arts scene and for its big city benefits without the feel of a big city. It was a great choice for our business as well. I’ve lived in several cities including NYC and I still think Philly’s arts & culture scene is unmatched.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I honestly can’t say I would recommend Philly as a place to live to everyone (and I would only recommend certain areas, I know I LOVE Mt Airy and would recommend that over NE or South Philly) - You really have to have the right personality and mindset to like a city like this and I don’t think someone from Phoenix or a lot of other places (especially the mid-west) would like it here.
I know when a friend from Rochester was visiting they took pictures of the parking in south Philly to take home and show their friends because no one would ever believe that the double parking madness actually happens without photographic proof.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Hey, I’m not form Philly, nor have I ever lived there. But based on what I’ve seen, if I knew a young artists who was planning to move to the east coast, I would unhestitatingly recommend Philly. The rents are cheap, the city’s walkable, the people are friendly and outgoing, the art scene is vibrant, and the bar scene is great. Big ups to Philadelphia!
February 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I believe Philadelphia has a lot to offer. With it’s upscale but homely suburbs, the cultural museums, the historical establishments, the tours, the dining, and the diversity of people. The businesses in Philadelphia, whether they are huge monopolies, or small corner business, Philadelphia has dramatic contrast. The public transportation system is typically timely, simple to use, and can take you just about anywhere you’d like to go in the city and surrounding areas. The residential areas of Philadelphia are broken up throughout many varieties, usually race, social status, and where business lay, There is a neighborhood for everyone.
However, with the highs of this city, the dramatic lows are just as notable. Crime rate increasing, the apathetic views of residents that have lived here for many years, the poor educational system, disrespect and ignorance toward the police force, the lack of compassion for others, the unsafe college campuses, and the poorly skilled drivers, Philadelphia isn’t as chipper as Center City, makes it out to be.
The residential areas are where a majority of everything happens. Living in the suburbs of Philadelphia are nothing that of actually LIVING here. However, what Philadelphia does have are close knit groups and neighborhoods, with strong bonds and friendships that keep their areas positive. There is always something to do in Philly. Although, you won’t see the charming aspects unless you have the wallet for it.
With it’s highs and lows, and my traveling experience, i always end up in Philadelphia, and feeling comfortable. I know it’s nooks and crannies; the high tourist attractions and the grotty streets of low income housing areas. It definitely takes a strong, aware, and person who sees the glass half full to have the energy to want to live here.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
People like me with an education and a house in a nice neighborhood probably find it easy to recommend Philly to others. I ride through SEPTA stops in other parts of town and wonder whether the people in those neighborhoods would do the same. How many of them, do you figure, respond to questions like this on websites sponsored by the local PBS affiliate? Cheers!
February 7th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Not a resident, but I’ve visited your fair burg several times and always came away with a favorable impression (the area around Temple is a bit “edgy,” but every big city has its spots…). Lots of character, very pedestrian-friendly, and really big-hearted people. I could be persuaded to move to Philly, but anywhere that you can’t play golf in the winter is really a non-starter for me
February 7th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I always recommend Philadelphia to people I know and like. I was born and raised here, and although I’ve lived in and visited many other parts of the country, I like Philly best (except for the cold, snow, and trash). No matter where I take up residence, I’ll always have a base here. I agree with two of the previous responders, that living in certain sections (namely NW–Chestnut Hill/Mt. Airy/Gtown) can spoil a person, or at least give them a very justified bias. I’ve yet to notice the city’s crime problem as something directly relevant to the masses, but instead it is that of a particular unfortunate group. I would mos def argue that Philly is generally safe. As a parent, there are many great resources for children and families. School could be an issue, but there are a few good public ones, several good charters, many great privates, and a great home school community. Anything that this city lacks is more than covered by its many redeeming qualities. Trees. Parks. Rivers. Creeks. Food. Music. Visual Art. Theater. Ethnic/Cultural diversity. Museums. History. Shopping. Higher learning. Soul. Neighborhoods. Good people. Easily accessible by all modes of transportation. Architecture. Etc.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I love this town. I love to trhow rocks at Satan Claws and boo Dumbledore McNAbb at the superbowl when he’s drafting.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:00 am
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February 8th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I appreciate the honest answers from everyone. I realized after reading through many of the responses, that the answer to would you recommend Philly as a place to move to, can be further narrowed to what neighborhoods would you recommend. I do believe that CC is a good spot for anyone in their 20s looking to see what a real city (not denver) feels like. I think there are many suburbs including those in NJ that would be good for families moving here. You can have the suburban lifestyle and still visit Center City for the great restaurants and museums.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I definitely would recommend Philly, but then, any recommendation comes with our own experiences and first impressions. As in, Center City is a different world today than it was in 1994, but it might harder to overcome if that’s your image of it. I figure any of the ‘hoods along the El or BSL corridors are going to continue to develop and flourish.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I would def recommend Philly, especially University City, Art Museum Area or Northern Liberties. To be honest it all depends on the person; there is something for everyone here in philly. That’s one of the many reasons why I came and stayed after graduating from Temple University.
Whether it’s art, culture, food, history or whatever, this city def has so much to offer. After being here about 6 years, I learn something new every year.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:01 am
This was a really interesting report. I included more analysis on it on my blog: http://urbandirection.blogspot.com/2009/02/where-we-live-or-philly-is-doin-just.html
April 17th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
What about all the low class blacks in Philadelphia? They kind of ruin the city–it’s not black people per se, but the “kind” of black person in Philadelphia. They tend to be totally uneducated, somewhat wild, etc. The same can be said for many whites in the poorer neighborhoods–girls pregnant at 13, heroin use, people who litter…Philly seems to have more than its fair share of people like this. Center City may be Ok, but Center City is small. The “other” city outside CC is the real Philly, and it can be scary. Philadelphia will never be a truly world class city because of its majority low class uneducated black population–this KILLS all hope of that. Sorry, but true.
May 10th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
I have never been to Philadelphia but will be going there in June. I was reading through these comments and have a comment of my own to Francis. I understand what you’re saying but I would argue that EVERY major city in America (NYC, DC, Chicago, etc.) is just like this. With the good comes the bad and the more people you have living so close together, the more problems that can arise. That’s just the way city life goes. It is to my understanding that Philadelphia is going through a large gentrification process, which I do not agree with. Perhaps they are aiming for that world-class city feel.