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So because Philly wasn't on your list of places to move to, it suddenly does not compare to Portland give me a break. City-data never ceases to amaze me.
You're not very good at reading are you? When I said the two don't compare I wasn't negating anything from either city, I was saying they're so different that it didn't make sense to compare them. I agree though, posts like yours remind me that City-data never ceases to amaze me...
I've changed my mind, even though I love, love the Pearl District and think Philly could take cues from this area, but Center City is way more substantial than Downtown Portland. I'm visiting Philly and wow by its downtown. Philly creams Portland on this!
Philly already outclasses the Pearl District. Philly does not need any cues from Portland on how to be a better city. All other cities should learn from Philly instead, and I strongly advise Portland to do so. Also, Portland should quit touting about its light rail, which gets fewer rides than Philly's streetcar lines.
Philly is obviously on another level than Portland when it comes to size, urbanity, and attractions. I wouldn't necessarily say that makes it better though. Where someone grew up, their background, stage in life, what they enjoy to do, etc. has a lot to do with what someone is looking for in a place to live. I live in the Portland area, but come from a smaller Oregon town. I don't see any benefit to Portland over my former small town (Bend, OR) but am here due to family. My point being, even though Philly has a lot more people and is larger, doesn't mean it is more attractive or better to everyone.
I, like a lot of people, are turned off by Philly being gritty, dense, crime ridden, etc. Personally, I don't see how being dense, packed, crowded, more dangerous, is a good thing. Having no parking, and it being very expensive is terrible. Those all seem to be inconveniences to me. I understand people like public transportation, but I am an adult with a family, and like having a vehicle that I can take anywhere without relying on others or public transportation. It amazes me that people down talk having a car and the freedom it gives.
With that said, I pick Portland due to it being smaller, cleaner, safer, closer to nature and it's activities. Keep the crowds and riff raff as far from me as possible! I understand a lot of people enjoy the big city life, but a lot of people don't, which is why a lot of people would prefer Portland over Philly due to the other advantages Portland has.
And Portland has less culture, inferior food, a dead downtown, more sprawl, inadequate public transportation, less diversity, no world-class institutions, no good festivals, ...
Philly is obviously on another level than Portland when it comes to size, urbanity, and attractions. I wouldn't necessarily say that makes it better though. Where someone grew up, their background, stage in life, what they enjoy to do, etc. has a lot to do with what someone is looking for in a place to live. I live in the Portland area, but come from a smaller Oregon town. I don't see any benefit to Portland over my former small town (Bend, OR) but am here due to family. My point being, even though Philly has a lot more people and is larger, doesn't mean it is more attractive or better to everyone.
I, like a lot of people, are turned off by Philly being gritty, dense, crime ridden, etc. Personally, I don't see how being dense, packed, crowded, more dangerous, is a good thing. Having no parking, and it being very expensive is terrible. Those all seem to be inconveniences to me. I understand people like public transportation, but I am an adult with a family, and like having a vehicle that I can take anywhere without relying on others or public transportation. It amazes me that people down talk having a car and the freedom it gives.
With that said, I pick Portland due to it being smaller, cleaner, safer, closer to nature and it's activities. Keep the crowds and riff raff as far from me as possible! I understand a lot of people enjoy the big city life, but a lot of people don't, which is why a lot of people would prefer Portland over Philly due to the other advantages Portland has.
Both cities are great for what they have to offer. Though there might be a few similarities between them, you can't really expect cities that are 3,000 miles apart to be very similar. I think it would be very short sighted to expect Portland to have the same amenities as a city like Philadelphia. Though I've only been to Portland once, I will say that the Portland does do pretty well for a city of it's size.
Philly already outclasses the Pearl District. Philly does not need any cues from Portland on how to be a better city. All other cities should learn from Philly instead, and I strongly advise Portland to do so. Also, Portland should quit touting about its light rail, which gets fewer rides than Philly's streetcar lines.
Heck i have been trying to get this small city to take some cues from Philly. Looking at Philly from the 70s/early 80s vs now is mind blowing. I like the way they have done it working from center city on out in every direction. Thing is it hasn't stopped with the improvements and it is now spread out all across the city. Philly is huge so it is not all gonna happen over night but the city is making some incredible strides that others could learn from.
Heck i have been trying to get this small city to take some cues from Philly. Looking at Philly from the 70s/early 80s vs now is mind blowing. I like the way they have done it working from center city on out in every direction. Thing is it hasn't stopped with the improvements and it is now spread out all across the city. Philly is huge so it is not all gonna happen over night but the city is making some incredible strides that others could learn from.
Especially post industrialized cities that have experienced a long history of suburban flight and urban decline. I'm not sure though if Portland ever experienced suburban flight that resulted in economic decline for the city.
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give me a break. City-data never ceases to amaze me.
