Philadelphia vs. St. paul (Minneapolis, Center City: schools, colleges, living in)

[timmy38]

Okay,

Im in the process of deciding on which college to attend, and it looks like
it's now between, St. Paul and Philadelphia. My question is for anyone who's lived in both cities or have been to either for a long period of time. Which is the better city? The things im looking for in a city are as follows-

-walkable city (mainly dowtown. Plan to live in or near downtown) with lots of things to do for a young person
-town with a younger population (college students)
-cost of living is pretty reasonable
- livley arts and music scene. Since I will be studying music (popular) I need to be in a city where there are plenty of oppurtunities to sing and perform and be inspired.
- very progressive, metropolitan, fairly liberal city.

Thanks in advance!

[Minnehahapolitan]

Both cities fit those credentials, but I honestly have to admit that Philadelphia will do them better.

[Slig]

It seems like this description better fits Minneapolis than St. Paul.

[timmy38]

I'll be living in St. Paul due to school, so I figure most of my time would be spent there. I don't know how convienent or close the commute would be to the Minneapolis side.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I assume you are looking to Macalester, Saint Thomas, maybe Hamline? (tell us) They are right across the river from Minneapolis. Easy by car and bus. A light rail line in the relative near future will run down Univ. Ave. to the Univ. of Minn. and downtown. The areas around all those colleges are old residential areas from the teens and tewnties. There is some commercial business within them. Walkable, good transportation, clean, safe, progressive, pretty much everything that you described. They are great areas.

[santos]

I love St. Paul. For many years I lived across from St. Kates. I've lived in Philadelphia too, during the mid 1980s and at that time the sidewalks rolled up by 8am due to crime; that may have changed by now.

If it were me, I would attend school in Philadelphia if for no reason other than its proximity to NYC.

[kellyyouse]

I currently live in Philly, have lived here all my life, and I'd have to ask you first, what school are you planning to attend? It would make a difference in what I could recommend. If you're going to Penn or Drexel, then Philly is a great area. Those schools are located at the top of the downtown area, and you'd have easy access to everything in Center City without needing a car.

Downtown Philly has undergone quite a revival. . .I don't find the sidewalks rolling up by 8am. Actually, in my life here, never have experienced that.

[Minnehahapolitan]

/\Addendum: I should have said "Philadelphia will do them better unless you want to go to Temple" Then you want to come to Saint Paul.

[sushigirlie]

Minneapolis has a better life-style, but Philly definitely has some good target schools. It all depends what your priorities are at this point of your life. Sometimes you can't have it all...

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

Both cities fit those credentials, but I honestly have to admit that Philadelphia will do them better.

Sadly, I gotta agree with this. Neither of the Twin Cities can compare with Phila. on these measures.