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Let's set some facts straight because some new poster came on here to spew misinformation about transportation number.
Fact: Boston's blue line has overhead wires but people want to call the DC metro a commuter rail? It also runs to the suburbs.
Fact: Boston's silver line is a bus line. Boston's green line is a trolley masquerading as a subway. You can walk across the tracks in front of trains in some DT stations.
Fact: Philly's subway is small for a major city. There are only a few lines. The Septa is like Amtrak masquerading as a subway line.
Neither Philly nor Boston have the efficiency or frequeny of the DC metro. Neither have the daily ridership numbers of DC. Neither city has a higher percentage of people using PT like DC. Neither city is expanding their subway and planning TOD like DC.
ridiculous thread. I'm from Philly, spent a lot of time in DC and happen to be in Boston right now.
In terms of the 3 i'd say Philly, Boston then DC.
As far as museums, DC has the advantage for sure but Philly has its own Mall with Independnce Hall, The National Constitution Center, Museum of American Jewish History, the African-American History museum, etc
As far as art goes, Philly has the PMA, Rodin, Barnes, PAFA smaller places like Fleischer and then Callowhill area is full of artists and studio spaces. Old City north of Market St. is full of galleries. As far as art hanging on walls - it's questionable that DC has a lead. As far as places producing it - there's no doubt that Philly wins.
Philly nightlife is tops. There's really no comparison and trying to is just a waste of time.
Restaurants/Food trucks - Philly owns this. There's good food to be had in any of these places but the quality, quantity and creativity that you find in Philly just aren't matched in Boston or DC
Transit - This one goes to Boston and here's why. DC has a paltry commuter rail system and the Metro is supposed to make up the difference. Boston and Philly both have systems based on 3 subway lines with a trolley/light rail green line system. Both cities also have extensive commuter rail networks that connect with the subways. Philly has 13 lines while (i think) Boston has 14. DC has 5 and none of them run on the weekend or really have a useable schedule if you're not the doing the traditonal 9-5 commute to downtown and back. (Philly also has 4 light rail lines that connect with the subways and run out through the suburbs - similar to the Mattapan HiSpeed Line) Anyway, the metro in DC has to do the job of catering to urban subway riders and to suburban commuters and winds up being the worst of both worlds. The problem is how crowded it is, how long it takes to get anywhere and how far apart the stations are. If your destination is halfway between two stops you have to walk ridiculously far or transfer to another line to try to get closer. Outside of downtown, forgetaboutit.
Your post is ridculously funny! Philly should not be mentioned in the same sentence with DC for museums. Really?
Restaurants - Philly and DC are equal. We have gone over this again and again. They have about the same number of restaurants but Philly is twice the physical size of DC and has almost three times the population.
Nightlife - DC kills Philly and Boston. Philly does not have no where near the number of super clubs and lounges that DC has. DC is known for bottle service. Philly is known for beer.
Art - Smithsonian/DC National Gallery of Art is ranked as the top art gallery in the US that features a Van Gogh.
Transit - DC/Number don't lie. Second busiest subway in the USA.
I really have a hard time believing Washington DC is a larger destination for blacks than New York City. I think you're selling NYC short in this regard (never thought I would say that). The difference between the two is NYC is far more diverse, so they don't necessarily break down their nightlife by what they offer to a particular race. You seem to be ignoring that there's a place called Harlem which is a relatively well-known AA enclave too...
On top of that, DC's Finest said "nightlife"...so the people on this site aren't "missing the point". They're just not focusing solely on nightlife for one particular race like you are.
I heard Harlem is gentrifying too. A white lady that lives there told me.
Your post is ridculously funny! Philly should not be mentioned in the same sentence with DC for museums. Really?
Restaurants - Philly and DC are equal. We have gone over this again and again. They have about the same number of restaurants but Philly is twice the physical size of DC and has almost three times the population.
Nightlife - DC kills Philly and Boston. Philly does not have no where near the number of super clubs and lounges that DC has. DC is known for bottle service. Philly is known for beer.
Art - Smithsonian/DC National Gallery of Art is ranked as the top art gallery in the US that features a Van Gogh.
Transit - DC/Number don't lie. Second busiest subway in the USA.
Check your facts this post is so uninformed
Last I looked there is qute a few Van Goghs in Philly
? for you; which city in the world has the largest collection of impressionist art in the world after Paris? Not DC for your reference (hint is Philly). Also what city has the largest African art collection in the country? But again I do think DC is very good on the museum front but your little post is well, uniformed.
Lso DC no answer for the barnes or rodin etc. But again both cities have a plethora of art museums of very high level; to suggest otherwise is frankly il-informed and extremely myopic
The restaurant scene is better in Philly but you will never accept that.
On the nightlife, more of your typical myopic banter. You do realize that on top on the number of bars there is no shortage of lounges and clubs; but again you will not accept this fct so why bother
Transit ridership is higher in DC as a MSA; the numbers in the cores (meaning DT) are closer than you actually know believe it or not
While I may be called a homer you are to the point of delusion in this post; I suggest you expand your horizons; as your concept of nightlife seems extremly one-demensional And absolutely on museums Philly exceeds DC in areas and not in others. But in fine arts; absolutely edge to Philly
Last edited by kidphilly; 03-09-2012 at 09:03 AM..
I really have a hard time believing Washington DC is a larger destination for blacks than New York City. I think you're selling NYC short in this regard (never thought I would say that). The difference between the two is NYC is far more diverse, so they don't necessarily break down their nightlife by what they offer to a particular race. You seem to be ignoring that there's a place called Harlem which is a relatively well-known AA enclave too...
On top of that, DC's Finest said "nightlife"...so the people on this site aren't "missing the point". They're just not focusing solely on nightlife for one particular race like you are.
Whether you have a hard time believing it or not, it's true. One of the main differences has more to do with the crowd. I will give you an example. Most of the places you most likely attend have a "mixed crowd" which is code word for mostly caucasian with a few token African American, Asian, and Hispanic people thrown in. Rarely are the minorities the majority in the club. Just look at the video's the guy from Philadelphia posted. Most caucasians would be uncomfortable in a club with mostly black people unless they are used to that environment. In D.C., we have classy upscale clubs where we are the majority. That doesn't exist in many places. The thing is, when people are used to being the majority in everything through life, they have no idea what it's like to be the minority in places. This applies to most caucasians in this country. In D.C., it's normal to have a black majority in attendance at a upscale club or upscale restaurant. In Boston for instance, that is not normal. Irish people in Boston however don't give it a second thought because to them, a city with great live music they enjoy, bars they enjoy, and a huge cultural influence from their heritage molds the city they live in. Perception is based on your experiences and surroundings. That is why this is so subjective. Serious question, how many black people are in the bars you have frequented in Philly or Boston? Sometimes, taking your own observations can open your eyes to realities that shape people's taste in a city.
Whether you have a hard time believing it or not, it's true. One of the main differences has more to do with the crowd. I will give you an example. Most of the places you most likely attend have a "mixed crowd" which is code word for mostly caucasian with a few token African American, Asian, and Hispanic people thrown in. Rarely are the minorities the majority in the club. Just look at the video's the guy from Philadelphia posted. Most caucasians would be uncomfortable in a club with mostly black people unless they are used to that environment. In D.C., we have classy upscale clubs where we are the majority. That doesn't exist in many places. The thing is, when people are used to being the majority in everything through life, they have no idea what it's like to be the minority in places. This applies to most caucasians in this country. In D.C., it's normal to have a black majority in attendance at a upscale club or upscale restaurant. In Boston for instance, that is not normal. Irish people in Boston however don't give it a second thought because to them, a city with great live music they enjoy, bars they enjoy, and a huge cultural influence from their heritage molds the city they live in. Perception is based on your experiences and surroundings. That is why this is so subjective. Serious question, how many black people are in the bars you have frequented in Philly or Boston? Sometimes, taking your own observations can open your eyes to realities that shape people's taste in a city.
While I dont disagree with all you are saying to me there is one significant difference.
The so called caucasion bars (which they are not; though are likely a majority) are vastly more more mixed than the AA clubs you are discussing. One is more polarized than the other.
Your perspective is AA and to this end you like what DC provides. I discuss nightlife in a non racial sense (there are AA specific an asian specific well doninated clubs/bars in Center City FWIW) and in this vein there IS more going on in Philly in this ragrd regardless of race or anything.
There are people of all races out in Philly FWIW; the delineator is more on the scene not based on race though caucasions are the majority in CC
I do not doubt that the AA scene is better in DC but if limited to any specific genre all places have thier pluses and minuses
? for you MD though why are there still so few AAs in DT DC relative to caucasions if it is such a great AA city. A serious question as this perplexes me to some level. The percentage of AAs in CC is at least equal maybe greater than DC
You dudes are putting me to sleep with all this art talk.
Then exit stage right...you're not adding anything to the conversation besides instagating..we'll call you when somebody brings up baltimore (You'll be waiting forever)
While I dont disagree with all you are saying to me there is one significant difference.
The so called caucasion bars (which they are not; though are likely a majority) are vastly more more mixed than the AA clubs you are discussing. One is more polarized than the other.
Your perspective is AA and to this end you like what DC provides. I discuss nightlife in a non racial sense (there are AA specific an asian specific well doninated clubs/bars in Center City FWIW) and in this vein there IS more going on in Philly in this ragrd regardless of race or anything.
There are people of all races out in Philly FWIW; the delineator is more on the scene not based on race though caucasions are the majority in CC
I do not doubt that the AA scene is better in DC but if limited to any specific genre all places have thier pluses and minuses
? for you MD though why are there still so few AAs in DT DC relative to caucasions if it is such a great AA city. A serious question as this perplexes me to some level. The percentage of AAs in CC is at least equal maybe greater than DC
Well, I guess it depends on what cultural offering people prefer. There are black people that are into pop music and alternative for instance that would never frequent a hip hop club. Nightlife in the form of clubs/bars is mainly about musical preference. People who prefer hip hop and reggae attend clubs that only play that. Audiences are formed based on musical preference. Most mixed clubs play top 40 music which many black don't enjoy. Some do, but most don't.
As for downtown DC and really the core in general, you will find that African Americans are less inclined to pay high amounts in rent or mortgage whether they can afford it or not. Most African Americans desire large living quarters. They really try to get more bang for their buck. As DC continues to get more expensive, African Americans move further out so they can afford the size living quarters they desire. African American have been living in the city for years. Most are over it especially because their memories of it are full of crime and poverty. As soon as city dwelling African Americans come into some money many opt for a bigger house instead of smaller condo in the new hottest neighborhood. Some are obviously forced out by increase property taxes also. What is happening in DC proper is exactly what happened to Manhattan the last 20 years.
I think this has more to do with the things people enjoy also. The urban form that many of us on this site enjoy is not important to most African Americans. It's almost like the American dream of the Caucasians in the 1950's has now started to apply to African Americans because for the first time, we can afford big houses and expensive cars. Remember, the African American surge into the cities back in the 1940's from the south was for low ends meat jobs. We lived in crowded homes and helped each other get by day to day. Civil rights didn't even take place till the late 1960's. African Americans are fighting an uphill battle for equal footing and we are getting real close now. So the delayed reaction for the finer things in life is expected. Here is an interesting topic. How many wealthy urban predominently African American meaning high rise neighborhoods are there in this country? I don't think there are any which would explain the lifestyle choices and differences in preferences for African Americans if they have money.
Last edited by MDAllstar; 03-09-2012 at 10:31 AM..
While I dont disagree with all you are saying to me there is one significant difference.
The so called caucasion bars (which they are not; though are likely a majority) are vastly more more mixed than the AA clubs you are discussing. One is more polarized than the other.
Your perspective is AA and to this end you like what DC provides. I discuss nightlife in a non racial sense (there are AA specific an asian specific well doninated clubs/bars in Center City FWIW) and in this vein there IS more going on in Philly in this ragrd regardless of race or anything.
There are people of all races out in Philly FWIW; the delineator is more on the scene not based on race though caucasions are the majority in CC
I do not doubt that the AA scene is better in DC but if limited to any specific genre all places have thier pluses and minuses
? for you MD though why are there still so few AAs in DT DC relative to caucasions if it is such a great AA city. A serious question as this perplexes me to some level. The percentage of AAs in CC is at least equal maybe greater than DC
Wow...now THAT's a good question...I mean after all there are only rich black people in DC according to him so I know its not a money issue..so.. what gives?
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