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So outside of the bantering What are the key differences and similarities of Philly and Pittsburgh from those with a lot of experience in both. Outside of size what would be the starkest differences and most close similarities.
A serious question from someone with limited Pittsburgh experience
A few posters have said that Pittsburgh has a better reputation than Philly because of the latter's higher crime rate. If that's true, does Pittsburgh also have a better reputation than Chicago? Brooklyn? New Orleans? Miami?
If safer means better reputation, then 97% of the smaller to mid-sized cities in the U.S. have better reputations than many of the larger Alpha cities in the U.S. Boulder, I suppose, has a better reputation than Boston since it went three consecutive years without a homicide.
It's not really even accurate to say that Philly has a reputation imo; it has reputations. Most big cities are known for lots of things. Los Angeles is known for movie stars but also gang warfare. Chicago is known for a great restaurant scene but has been dubbed "Chiraq." DC is known for world-class museums and is also known as being a tremendously violent city (with homicide rates exceeding those of Philly for most of the past 15 years).
Philadelphia is known as "Killadelphia" to some. It's also known for being the cradle of American democracy. And for its WASP aristocracy. It's also called "the Great Fighting City" by boxing analysts and sports writers. It's also known for its attitude. It's also known for many "firsts" including the first public library, first hospital, first fire department, first stock exchange, etc. It's also known for mobsters. It's also known as a musical city that introduced South Philly dances like the Twist and the Stroll through American Bandstand, put middle America on to Doo-Wop, and introduced a smooth and soulful sound to R&B that came to be known as "Philly Soul."
When it comes to reputation, Philly is known for many more things than Pittsburgh, period, both good and bad.
A few posters have said that Pittsburgh has a better reputation than Philly because of the latter's higher crime rate. If that's true, does Pittsburgh also have a better reputation than Chicago? Brooklyn? New Orleans? Miami?
If safer means better reputation, then 97% of the smaller to mid-sized cities in the U.S. have better reputations than many of the larger Alpha cities in the U.S. Boulder, I suppose, has a better reputation than Boston since it went three consecutive years without a homicide.
It's not really even accurate to say that Philly has a reputation imo; it has reputations. Most big cities are known for lots of things. Los Angeles is known for movie stars but also gang warfare. Chicago is known for a great restaurant scene but has been dubbed "Chiraq." DC is known for world-class museums and is also known as being a tremendously violent city (with homicide rates exceeding those of Philly for most of the past 15 years).
Philadelphia is known as "Killadelphia" to some. It's also known for being the cradle of American democracy. And for its WASP aristocracy. It's also called "the Great Fighting City" by boxing analysts and sports writers. It's also known for its attitude. It's also known for many "firsts" including the first public library, first hospital, first fire department, first stock exchange, etc. It's also known for mobsters. It's also known as a musical city that introduced South Philly dances like the Twist and the Stroll through American Bandstand, put middle America on to Doo-Wop, and introduced a smooth and soulful sound to R&B that came to be known as "Philly Soul."
When it comes to reputation, Philly is known for many more things than Pittsburgh, period, both good and bad.
The point of the thread is Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia. These other cities don't matter. Crime rate was one of the criteria of the OP, I believe.
Location: Watching half my country turn into Gilead
3,530 posts, read 4,172,934 times
Reputation: 2925
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katarina Witt
The point of the thread is Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia. These other cities don't matter. Crime rate was one of the criteria of the OP, I believe.
You're sidestepping his point, which is that all major cities have unsavory reputations, as well as good ones. Pittsburgh might have a better crime rate than Philadelphia, but it also conjures unpleasant images of Appalachia (hicks, rural decay, Yinzer culture, etc) for a negative reputation. Pittsburgh might be less violent than Philadelphia, but let's not pretend it doesn't have unique, negative issues as well.
You're sidestepping his point, which is that all major cities have unsavory reputations, as well as good ones. Pittsburgh might have a better crime rate than Philadelphia, but it also conjures unpleasant images of Appalachia (hicks, rural decay, Yinzer culture, etc) for a negative reputation. Pittsburgh might be less violent than Philadelphia, but let's not pretend it doesn't have unique, negative issues as well.
Yes, she did sidestep the point. Big cities are going to have more of a reputation when it comes to pretty much anything because people simply know more about bigger cities. And it's not like Pittsburgh's homicide rate is exactly low for a city of its size. We just don't hear much about it for the same reason we don't hear about violent crime in smaller cities like Richmond. Cities like New York and Chicago receive much more negative attention because 600 homicides is much more shocking (and newsworthy) than 41 homicides regardless of the rate.
^^Really. Then let's compare both of them to Denver.
Which city wins in each category?:
Location Denver, away from the eastern US
Geography Denver, flat, but some hills and close to the mountains.
Size Sadly, Philly
Lifestyle Denver
Safety Denver
Less Crime Probably Denver, but I'm too lazy to look up the stats now.
Walkibility Denver.
Skyline Probably Philly
Downtown Probably Philly
Architecture Denver. We're more adventurous.
Food Who knows. Not a foodie.
Restaurants Probably Philly
Education Denver has a more highly educated population.
Museums/Art Probably Philly
Festivals Don't know what the others have; Denver seems to have several every weekend.
Tourist attractions/landmarks Gotta go with Philly for Independence Hall, but hey, we have the gold dome Capitol building, with its step at the mile high mark.
Nightlife Not really interested in that. You can find it anywhere.
Generally nicer/friendlier people Definitely Denver
Parks Denver
Diversity (people) Denver
Diversity (neighborhoods) Denver
Weather Definitely Denver!
Nightlife Dup
Jobs/Economy Definitely Denver
Things to do Denver
Better Reputation Denver
Sports Like Philly, four major league sports in the city, plus MLS soccer in a suburb
Weather Dup
Shopping Probably gotta give that one to Philly.
Transportation Denver
Vibrance Denver
Cost of living Pittsburgh
Proximity to other places Either Pittsburgh or Philly. Def not Denver.
And anything else you would like to add
Only somewhat tongue in cheek.
Last edited by Katarina Witt; 10-30-2015 at 12:18 PM..
The point of the thread is Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia. These other cities don't matter. Crime rate was one of the criteria of the OP, I believe.
The thing is people from Pittsburgh are pretending like it is SO much safer than Philadelphia. Their crime rates are very similar. In fact, recently, Pittsburgh has had higher violent crime/murder rates.
LOL ... and here comes another Philly Booster ... How many of you guys are there now .... 25 / 30? ... What is there some sort of "Bat" signal and all Philly Boost come out of nowhere, it's like F'ing Power Rangers with you guys ... Where's Rainrock, sure he'll be here soon.
If we were organized we wouldn't tell you, that'd give you an edge.
Location: Watching half my country turn into Gilead
3,530 posts, read 4,172,934 times
Reputation: 2925
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katarina Witt
^^Really. Then let's compare both of them to Denver.
Which city wins in each category?:
Location Denver, away from the eastern US
Geography Denver, flat, but some hills and close to the mountains.
Size Sadly, Philly
Lifestyle Denver
Safety Denver
Less Crime Probably Denver, but I'm too lazy to look up the stats now.
Walkibility Denver.
Skyline Probably Philly
Downtown Probably Philly
Architecture Denver. We're more adventurous.
Food Who knows. Not a foodie.
Restaurants Probably Philly
Education Denver has a more highly educated population.
Museums/Art Probably Philly
Festivals Don't know what the others have; Denver seems to have several every weekend.
Tourist attractions/landmarks Gotta go with Philly for Independence Hall, but hey, we have the gold dome Capitol building.
Nightlife Not really interested in that. You can find it anywhere.
Generally nicer/friendlier people Definitely Denver
Parks Denver
Diversity (people) Denver
Diversity (neighborhoods) Denver
Weather Definitely Denver!
Nightlife Dup
Jobs/Economy Definitely Denver
Things to do Denver
Better Reputation Denver
Sports Like Philly, four major league sports in the city, plus MLS soccer in a suburb
Weather Dup
Shopping Probably gotta give that one to Philly.
Transportation Denver
Vibrance Denver
Cost of living Pittsburgh
Proximity to other places Either Pittsburgh or Philly. Def not Denver.
And anything else you would like to add
Only somewhat tongue in cheek.
Credibility lost. How in the fudge cookies is Denver more walkable, diverse, vibrant, and better connected via transportation than Philadelphia?
The thing is people from Pittsburgh are pretending like it is SO much safer than Philadelphia. Their crime rates are very similar. In fact, recently, Pittsburgh has had higher violent crime/murder rates.
Neither is significantly safer than the other. At least Philly is more diverse, has a better downtown, better location, and better public transit.
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