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it's not a misrepresentation of reality, it's an opinion based on the fact that I think Philadelphia is mediocre, and that living there on $65k would suck immensely.
i could call your claims a misrepresentation of reality, as well. Philly does not have a "balanced" climate, it is freezing cold. It does not have a "top notch" cultural scene ... like London or New York. It also has some extremely UN-livable urban neighborhoods, which look like a war zone.
I've been to some really nice PA suburbs up towards Bryn Mawr, and i've ridden the train, and hung out downtown. It is what it is.
To each their own.
I'm not certainly not out to change your opinion, and I never said that there aren't negative attributes (I also meant "balanced" in the sense of having every season well represented; not temperate). What you think of the city is your business entirely. Things like climate, livability and culture are always going to be subjective.
I'm not certainly not out to change your opinion. What you think of the city is your business entirely. Things like climate, livability and culture are always going to be subjective.
agreed, so don't tell me i'm misrepresenting reality, by stating my opinion. I didn't see you contradict any of my facts, with facts of your own.
The only useful links you're providing here are the Reader's Digest and Forbes' breakdown of environment-related data (Travel & Leisure polls are routinely based on completely unscientific methodology and is purely a "buzz" publication). Even then, it's obvious the RD and Forbes' data is highly skewed against older, post-industrial cities with very high population density (i.e., Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago). Not to mention it's unclear if Forbes' even accounted for such a simple metric as per capita releases in "pounds of chemicals" in each metro area.
I'm not trying to be contrarian to actual useful evidence that Philadelphia is "slummy" or "dirty," but what you've cited as a basis to your conclusion is, at best, debatable. It's very difficult to meaningfully quantify those attributes (that don't involve anecdotal/superficial assessments).
It's a bit of a tired cliche that Philly is dirty, slummy, etc. On our first visit here two years ago we were impressed with how clean and green this tree-lined city is. Consequently, Philly rose to the top of our list for relo. Interestingly enough, I worked for a Fortune 50 company before moving here. Our HR org had a relationship with Wharton for our leadership development program, sending lots of folks for extended stays here each year. Most of the folks to whom I told I was moving to Philly shared my opinion.
I'm pretty sure folks who make these claims have either never been here, were last here 20 years ago or are the typical CD "haters." Since I know the truth, I let this stuff sldie off. Those who know and visit Philly can distinguish between the nonsense posted by a handful of folks and reality.
agreed, so don't tell me i'm misrepresenting reality, by stating my opinion. I didn't see you contradict any of my facts, with facts of your own.
No need to get so defensive. I did sense an undue harshness in your assessment, but I often have to remind myself that there's no sense in arguing with an opinion. Not to mention the use of the term "fact" is entirely inappropriate here unless you're going to cite statistical evidence. The only qualm I had with your statement in terms of "misrepresenting reality" was that "only natives of Philly" would have a desire to live here, which is, indeed, not based on reality. That's honestly all there is to it.
it's not a misrepresentation of reality, it's an opinion based on the fact that I think Philadelphia is expensive and mediocre, and that living there on $65k would suck immensely compared to $85k in Mobile.
i could call your claims a misrepresentation of reality, as well. It isn't a fact that Philly has a "balanced" climate, as far as I can tell it is freezing cold. It does not have a "top notch" cultural scene ... like London or New York. It also has some extremely UN-livable urban neighborhoods, which look like a war zone.
You realize the question is Philadelphia vs Mobile, right? Philadelphia has a very "balanced" climate compared to most places in the US. Philly is "freezing cold" from November to February. It is hot and humid from June-August. The remaining months are beautiful. And Philadelphia indeed has a "top notch" cultural scene. Maybe London and New York have even more cultural offerings but I'm not sure why you are bringing those cities into the equation. Of course Philly has bad hoods-every single city in the country does. It seems you just don't prefer urban areas-which is fine but there is no need to singularly attack Philly.
You realize the question is Philadelphia vs Mobile, right?
I do. Have you ever been to Mobile?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duderino
The only qualm I had with your statement in terms of "misrepresenting reality" was that "only natives of Philly" would have a desire to live here
That isn't even what I said.
First, I said "the big reason", not "the only reason." Might seem irrelevant to you, but there's a huge logical difference.
Second, I didn't say "Natives of Philly." I said "people from that area." Philly is part of a larger urban area spanning from Boston to DC, which you yourself even acknowledged in your post. Somehow you took a comment that logically meant, "People in the urban northeast would prefer Philly," and translated that into, "Only people native to Philly would desire to live there."
First, I said "the big reason", not "the only reason." Might seem irrelevant to you, but there's a huge logical difference.
Second, I didn't say "Natives of Philly." I said "people from that area." Philly is part of a larger urban area spanning from Boston to DC, which you yourself even acknowledged in your post. Somehow you took a comment that logically meant, "People in the urban northeast would prefer Philly," and translated that into, "Only people native to Philly would desire to live there."
I did not mean to misquote you or grossly mis-interpret your statement, and I do appreciate the clarification. I acknowledge that it was a mis-understanding on my part.
Location: Metro Atlanta (Sandy Springs), by way of Macon, GA
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Despite being Beta World Class cities, many people in these "dense" northeastern cities (and Chicago, San Fran, etc.) still view southern cities such as Atlanta, Dallas and Houston as being nothing more than "large suburbs" just barely a step above rural.
With that mentality, it's no wonder with they think about a place like Mobile. They probably think there's just a bunch of bait and tackle shops on every corner, trailers and Nascar lovers as far as the eye can see.
The truth is, while it isnt close to being a Philadelphia, Mobile is a mid-sized metropolitan city. You can find some interesting things to get into there.
I could understand taking Phila. and less money if you had to stay in some backwoods town that only has a Wal-Mart, but I bet you cold make Mobile work, especially considering the difference in salary and cost of living.
The only useful links you're providing here are the Reader's Digest and Forbes' breakdown of environment-related data (Travel & Leisure polls are routinely based on completely unscientific methodology and is purely a "buzz" publication). Even then, it's obvious the RD and Forbes' data is highly skewed against older, post-industrial cities with very high population density (i.e., Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago). Not to mention it's unclear if Forbes' even accounted for such a simple metric as per capita releases in "pounds of chemicals" in each metro area.
I'm not trying to be contrarian to actual useful evidence that Philadelphia is "slummy" or "dirty," but what you've cited as a basis to your conclusion is, at best, debatable. It's very difficult to meaningfully quantify those attributes (that don't involve anecdotal/superficial assessments).
The T&L data is compiled by travelers and has a separate component for city residents and is by no means "buzz" oriented. I find it both humorous and pathetic how many Philadelphians fight the very real image of filth/grime/decay. Perhaps if more city residents were to take a 20/20 look around we would be having less of these conversations.
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