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1.) Philadelphia
2.) New York City
3.) Seattle
4.) Washington, D.C.
5.) Chicago (want to see it)
6.) Boston (want to see it)
7.) San Francisco (want to see it)
8.) Atlanta
9.) Baltimore
10.) Los Angeles (want to see it)
Honorable mention:
Savannah, GA (want to see it)
Charleston, SC (want to see it)
Cleveland, OH
Cincinnati, OH
Columbus, OH
Birmingham, AL
Miami, FL (want to see it)
This is a tired stereotype. Boston has done a fantastic job at preserving its old money culture in the city limits, which is of course what most tourists are exposed to, but Philadelphia has an arguably just as strong "old money" history--just that much of it died out or retreated to the suburbs.
Even so, both cities have generally very strong blue collar histories.
This is true. The old money left Philly and went out to the Main Line, or the suburbs that follow Amtrak's Keystone Corridor in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. This money is coming back to Center City, however. Currently, there is a ton of demand for luxury condos. Older, retired people want to ditch their large suburban homes for the feel of city life.
A Philadelphia/Boston debate is almost pointless because these two cities are similar in so many ways. Additionally, where one city lacks, the other one shines. While Boston may be cleaner (the only category I can think of since I've never been to Boston), Philly is larger, has a top 5 downtown experience compared to other US cities, has taller buildings and a better skyline, there is more development going on, and has some of the best nightlife anywhere. Boston is in a slightly higher world-city echelon (Alpha -) while Philly is a Beta + (I expect Philly to climb to Alpha - when the list is updated). Both cities are home to some of the best hospitals in the world, history that can't be matched by any other city, and some of the best universities in the world. In fact, the Boston and Philly MSA (I'll use MSA since Harvard is in Cambridge and Penn is within the Philadelphia city limits) each have a reputable, urban Ivy League institution that is well-connected to transit. Finally, it is also possible to live without a car in each city. I know that different people will have their preferences, but the actual differences between Boston and Philly are almost minuscule because of how similar they are to one another.
I've never been to Boston, but I have a lot of respect for that city. I want to come and visit at some point. Philly and Boston are both solid 2nd tier cities, which include Chicago, DC, and San Francisco. New York and LA are the only cities a tier above.
This is true. The old money left Philly and went out to the Main Line, or the suburbs that follow Amtrak's Keystone Corridor in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. This money is coming back to Center City, however. Currently, there is a ton of demand for luxury condos. Older, retired people want to ditch their large suburban homes for the feel of city life.
A Philadelphia/Boston debate is almost pointless because these two cities are similar in so many ways. Additionally, where one city lacks, the other one shines. While Boston may be cleaner (the only category I can think of since I've never been to Boston), Philly is larger, has a top 5 downtown experience compared to other US cities, has taller buildings and a better skyline, there is more development going on, and has some of the best nightlife anywhere. Boston is in a slightly higher world-city echelon (Alpha -) while Philly is a Beta + (I expect Philly to climb to Alpha - when the list is updated). Both cities are home to some of the best hospitals in the world, history that can't be matched by any other city, and some of the best universities in the world. In fact, the Boston and Philly MSA (I'll use MSA since Harvard is in Cambridge and Penn is within the Philadelphia city limits) each have a reputable, urban Ivy League institution that is well-connected to transit. Finally, it is also possible to live without a car in each city. I know that different people will have their preferences, but the actual differences between Boston and Philly are almost minuscule because of how similar they are to one another.
I've never been to Boston, but I have a lot of respect for that city. I want to come and visit at some point. Philly and Boston are both solid 2nd tier cities, which include Chicago, DC, and San Francisco. New York and LA are the only cities a tier above.
This is probably the best post about Boston and Philadelphia I have seen on here.
Don't forget that both cities are extremely passionate about sports. Philadelphia has enjoyed less success but their passion is unquestioned.
If Philadelphia were to experience Boston-type success (13 titles in 15 years), that metro would explode.
Ive always thought Boston and Philadelphia were 2nd tier and neck and neck cities until I came on here and suddenly you got people on here saying Boston is better.
Everything is opinion, not fact. Some prefer Philadelphia, some prefer Boston. More people live in the Philadelphia area so I guess maybe more people like it there over Boston.
Ive always thought Boston and Philadelphia were 2nd tier and neck and neck cities until I came on here and suddenly you got people on here saying Boston is better.
Everything is opinion, not fact. Some prefer Philadelphia, some prefer Boston. More people live in the Philadelphia area so I guess maybe more people like it there over Boston.
In the real world it is not like that at all. Folks in Boston dig Philly quite a bit and vice versa. Each city is a quick trip away from each other and you see alot of people visiting each city. Add to that the strong business ties with the connections between the Pharma Industry in Philly and Boston being a medical research centre and you have quite a few people on both sides that spend a considerable amount of time in both.
Only an idiot would allow a message board like this to shape their views of either cities residents.
Good list. How would you revise it if the question was "your top 10 cities in US and Canada"?
Hmm, good question:
1. NYC
2. SF
3. Montreal
4. Boston
5. DC
6. Miami
7. NOLA
8. Toronto
9. Philly
10. LA
Really tough for me to see Seattle and Chicago bounced from the list, both are such great cities. Makes you realize we have quite a few heavy hitters in this part of the world, despite popular opinion otherwise.
1. NYC
2. SF
3. Montreal
4. Boston
5. DC
6. Miami
7. NOLA
8. Toronto
9. Philly
10. LA
So Toronto and Montreal in, Seattle and Chicago out. Interesting.
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