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For the most part, the only place Philly beats Boston, DC, and San Francisco is housing cost. You can buy a 1,200 sf condo in a tower a block and a half from Rittenhouse on a lower level for $500K. You can rent a 700 sf 1/1 in that tower for $1,600.
In addition to housing (which significantly impacts quality of life), you could make cases that Philly is at least equal (some would say better) on the entertainment fronts (SF is ahead of all on food, specifically though) and is on par in terms of architectural value, transportation, history, recreation/parks, and general urban aesthetics. It's also up there in terms of higher ed and healthcare. All of which is why I would say that Philadelphia doesn't have a bad reputation, but does seem to be overlooked by many. Including folks for whom there are good job opportunities. My girlfriend's company has a Philly office and she has the ability to live/work there at the same salary she's getting in Boston, but it's not on her radar. She's never been, and she would prefer the Chicago (which is a very real possibility for us in the coming years), DC, Boston, or SF offices based purely on reputation.
I LOVE Philly---in a lot of ways, more than NYC. But honestly, it really doesn't matter how much Philly cleans up its city or its image, because it's so close to NYC that it will never get a fair shake or come to mind first, in most of the general public's mind.
In addition to housing (which significantly impacts quality of life), you could make cases that Philly is at least equal (some would say better) on the entertainment fronts (SF is ahead of all on food, specifically though) and is on par in terms of architectural value, transportation, history, recreation/parks, and general urban aesthetics. It's also up there in terms of higher ed and healthcare. All of which is why I would say that Philadelphia doesn't have a bad reputation, but does seem to be overlooked by many. Including folks for whom there are good job opportunities. My girlfriend's company has a Philly office and she has the ability to live/work there at the same salary she's getting in Boston, but it's not on her radar. She's never been, and she would prefer the Chicago (which is a very real possibility for us in the coming years), DC, Boston, or SF offices based purely on reputation.
Right. Philly only lags DC Boston San Francisco in economic output and blight reduction. Architecture, transportation, climate, local cultures, history, food, entertainment it’s at least on par if not better than those cities.
Irfox, why don’t you take you’re girlfriend down there?
I haven't been to Philly since high school and only experience Philadelphians outside of their hometown. My thought is that the city is probably better than the reputation but nothing special. Certainly not in comparison to Chicago, DC, Boston or SF- let alone NYC. Philadelphians in general are defensive and do not see their city's position objectively with a strong (and frankly humorous) tendency to elevate Philadelphia way higher than it deserves.
That doesn’t even sound like Philadelphians to me.
Right. Philly only lags DC Boston San Francisco in economic output and blight reduction. Architecture, transportation, climate, local cultures, history, food, entertainment it’s at least on par if not better than those cities.
Irfox, why don’t you take you’re girlfriend down there?
Agreed.
Oh, I plan on it. We'll do a weekend trip soon and I'm positive she'll like it. Especially when she sees what we could rent (or buy if we stayed long term) for what we're paying in Somerville.
That doesn’t even sound like Philadelphians to me.
It most definitely isn't. (Native) Philadelphians are definitely their own harshest critics (admittedly, you'll find a much more positive contingent on city-data).
In fact, if there's one uniquely Philadelphian trait in my experience, it's a disdain for arrogance, pretense and an inflated sense of importance, for which you'll promptly be put in your place.
It's really the most Quaker aspect about the city.
In addition to housing (which significantly impacts quality of life), you could make cases that Philly is at least equal (some would say better) on the entertainment fronts (SF is ahead of all on food, specifically though) and is on par in terms of architectural value, transportation, history, recreation/parks, and general urban aesthetics. It's also up there in terms of higher ed and healthcare. All of which is why I would say that Philadelphia doesn't have a bad reputation, but does seem to be overlooked by many. Including folks for whom there are good job opportunities. My girlfriend's company has a Philly office and she has the ability to live/work there at the same salary she's getting in Boston, but it's not on her radar. She's never been, and she would prefer the Chicago (which is a very real possibility for us in the coming years), DC, Boston, or SF offices based purely on reputation.
That seems to be a lingering problem (although shrinking slightly).
I have introduced many people to Philadelphia (many of whom had never been or didn't know much about the city prior to visiting), and every single one of them loved it, and go back whenever they have free time.
Some of those people are now considering Philadelphia as a potential relocation city as they are growing tired of the New York way of life.
It still doesn't jump out to as many people like NYC or DC, but once people visit they're entire opinion and view changes.
Last edited by cpomp; 12-20-2019 at 01:51 PM..
Reason: edit
Philly has a lot of population and urban density.
What it lacks severely is high paying jobs.
Let's be honest: it's really weighing on quality of life, and crime issues.
That seems to be a lingering problem (although shrinking slightly).
I have introduced many people to Philadelphia (many of whom had never been or didn't know much about the city prior to visiting), and every single one of them loved it, and go back whenever they have free time.
Some of those people are now considering Philadelphia as a potential relocation city as they are growing tired of the New York way of life.
It still doesn't jump out to as many people like NYC or DC, but once people visit they're entire opinion and view changes.
Spoke with a local developer who traveled to Kansas City to adopt a child a few years back. Hadn't been there before, but loves the place to death.
I think there's a reason (a) I wound up here (b) I map my forever and adopted hometowns onto each other often.
Philly has a lot of population and urban density.
What it lacks severely is high paying jobs.
Let's be honest: it's really weighing on quality of life, and crime issues.
In regards the crime, this is a (willful) perception problem, as D.C.'s rates are worse. For whatever reason, Philly gets called out more often than D.C.
And yes, a big reason the CoL here is lower is because there are fewer high paying jobs. It's a blessing and a curse.
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