Just back from fun weekend in Philly (Philadelphia, York: credit, how much)
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So this VA boy and his DC dude just got back from a nice trip to Philly. So different from DC. Now I didn't explore all of Philly just stayed mostly in Center City so I don't pretend to know it all.
What we both liked and marveled about Center City was the fact that it wasn't dead on the weekend. With the exception of the tourist attractions on the Mall downtown DC is kinda dead on the weekend. Its the neighborhoods of DC like Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, U Street etc., that have the most life to them. Center City was almost non-stop lots of shopping and people just out and about.
South Street. Oh wow. We have U street which is kinda close but South Street beats U street hands down as far as hustle and bustle. Its been a while since we've been on such crowded sidewalks. It was like a mini-New York! Wow.
Night life was fun. Did the gay bars in what I belive is called Midtown Village or something like that. It was fun. Loved how everything was in short walking distances. DC nightlife is kinda spread out. We were both apprehensive at first walking in as the only interacial couple in one particular bar but tough exteriors hid smiling faces and kind words. It was nice meeting people who talked about life versus going on and on about their careers. The worse ones in DC are the ones that are hitting on you by going on and on about their jobs like you really care. Also there wasn't the I'm going to bump into you on purpose (and spill on you) so I can holla. Nice. Philly guys know how to talk.
I've heard yall aren't the nicest bunch. But nothing was further from the truth very nice and I felt very safe.
Will admit that this late partier wasn't feeling the earlier closing time. I'm used to 3:00 am versus the 2:00 am last call that rules Philly.
Most of the things I didn't like about Philly were things that just can't be helped. The streets are just so narrow would imagine that driving and subsequently parking would be such a pain. Also I believe that last call is statewide not just a Philly thing. I'm sorry but I can't stand blue laws.
So it seems that while Philly is ultimately larger than DC it is also more compact. DC nightlife is really spread out over several areas where it seems everything is right in Center City. While the rest of the city is almost exclusively residential with convenience businesses (grocery stores banks etc) scattered throughout neighborhoods. Which might be part of why South Street was so crowded. I'm assuming. Is that right? What are the other more notable parts of Philly?
So yeah had a blast. Anyone agree or disagree with my Philly v DC comparison?
Last edited by terrence81; 11-17-2010 at 01:17 PM..
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tough exteriors hid smiling faces and kind words.
as good a description as any
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Originally Posted by terrence81
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I've heard yall are the nicest bunch. But nothing was further from the truth very nice and I felt very safe.
I'm assuming you meant the opposite in the first sentence but yeah, it's not nearly as scary as its rep.
Quote:
Originally Posted by terrence81
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Most of the things I didn't like about Philly were things that just can't be helped. The streets are just so narrow would imagine that driving and subsequently driving would be such a pain. Also I believe that last call is statewide not just a Philly thing. I'm sorry but I can't stand blue laws.
yep, statewide. there are some afterhous places (like pure in the gayborhood...er, midtown village) but overall, too early. the small streets are a pain to drive but it's a tradeoff, they also make it extremely pedestrian friendly. DC feels like the cars rule the road whereas philly, at least in center city, the pedestrian mostly is in control. that said, the city is over 300 years old...
Quote:
Originally Posted by terrence81
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So it seems that while Philly is ultimately larger than DC it is also more compact. DC nightlife is really spread out over several areas where it seems everything is right in Center City. While the rest of the city is almost exclusively residential with convenience businesses (grocery stores banks etc) scattered throughout neighborhoods. Which might be part of why South Street was so crowded. I'm assuming. Is that right? What are the other more notable parts of Philly?
mostly true but not entirely. other notable nightlife areas I suppose would be northern liberties, east passyunk ave in south philly, and manayunk (when school is in session, university city).
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Originally Posted by terrence81
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So yeah had a blast. Anyone agree or disagree with my Philly v DC comparison?
mostly on the money. one of the first thing I noticed in DC was how where you worked defined you. if it's not "look how much money I make" it's "who do you work for?" which, unlike NY, for example, often means, what side of the political divide fo you fall on.
Totally disagree! Keep in mind that DT DC is much larger than Center City. Last time I checked Chinatown and Penn Quarter are downtown and bustling with crowds as well as clubs/restaurants on the weekends. Ever been to 18th & 19th & M Streets on a Friday night? Ozio's? Rumors? Recessions? Mezaluna? What about K Street? Ever heard of the the Park at 14th or Lima? Lotus? or K Street Lounge? Connecticut Ave stretch from Farragut North up to Dupont? Bravo Bravo? Try to find parking in the areas i just mentioned. It's next to impossible. Obviously, you don't know your way around DT DC just yet.
yep, statewide. there are some afterhous places (like pure in the gayborhood...er, midtown village) but overall, too early. the small streets are a pain to drive but it's a tradeoff, they also make it extremely pedestrian friendly. DC feels like the cars rule the road whereas philly, at least in center city, the pedestrian mostly is in control. that said, the city is over 300 years old....
Perspective is everything. Coming from a much smaller southern city I would not say that cars rule the road in DC. But at the same time can see why one might say that. Parking is really strict in DC and I've definitely gotten my share of pink love notes on my windsheild.
The traffic in DC is horrendous at best. Philly seemed to have fewer traffic woes.
We got kicked out of Pure LoL. So that's not an option next time.
The thing that makes driving really hard in the District is indeed the design. The traffic circles are awful and always really clogged. The French design is also its saving grace. Paris like the District has some wide boulevards but I hate traffic circles. I agree that the narrow streets (I realize designed before the invention of cars) did make the city feel more pedistrian friendly.
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Originally Posted by pman
mostly true but not entirely. other notable nightlife areas I suppose would be northern liberties, east passyunk ave in south philly, and manayunk (when school is in session, university city).
Neat we'll have to keep that in mind for next time. I like to explore different neighborhoods.
Do you think the city being so centralized is a good thing or bad thing. I'm certain that the de-centralization of the DC area is part of why traffic is so bad despite high public transit usage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman
mostly on the money. one of the first thing I noticed in DC was how where you worked defined you. if it's not "look how much money I make" it's "who do you work for?" which, unlike NY, for example, often means, what side of the political divide fo you fall on.
Being a little younger I don't know any connected Washington insiders. Most of the folks I know that work in politics are the low paid hipster types just out of college. Sometimes a little too far left even for me but harmless.
Being well...my demographic its always assumed that I'm a liberal democrat anyways. I'd imagine I'd notice the political divide situation more if I was a...different demographic.
The federal workers are the ones you gotta watch out for and yes the contractors like myself as well. Yes what do you do is the first question someone asks in DC. Not one person asked me what I did for a living in Philly. There are def folks like me in DC who work to live versus live to work but way too many workaholics obbsessed with their careers in DC that's for sure.
Totally disagree! Keep in mind that DT DC is much larger than Center City. Last time I checked Chinatown and Penn Quarter are downtown and bustling with crowds as well as clubs/restaurants on the weekends. Ever been to 18th & 19th & M Streets on a Friday night? Ozio's? Rumors? Recessions? Mezaluna? What about K Street? Ever heard of the the Park at 14th or Lima? Lotus? or K Street Lounge? Connecticut Ave stretch from Farragut North up to Dupont? Bravo Bravo? Try to find parking in the areas i just mentioned. It's next to impossible. Obviously, you don't know your way around DT DC just yet.
Having lived in both DC and Philly (as well as NYC and SF) I agree DC is vibrant but there is no area as large and cohesively vibrant as center city - honestly to me it likely the second most vibrant area in the country after NYC with Philly/Chicago/SF all being close- that doesnt mean that is not just not as compact and cohesive - the 100 or so square blocks of center city offer an experience that i only find in small disjointed pockest in DC
And on parking - Philly is nasty in that aspect too - luckily i can mostly walk or take a cab - especially within the city
Totally disagree! Keep in mind that DT DC is much larger than Center City. Last time I checked Chinatown and Penn Quarter are downtown and bustling with crowds as well as clubs/restaurants on the weekends. Ever been to 18th & 19th & M Streets on a Friday night? Ozio's? Rumors? Recessions? Mezaluna? What about K Street? Ever heard of the the Park at 14th or Lima? Lotus? or K Street Lounge? Connecticut Ave stretch from Farragut North up to Dupont? Bravo Bravo? Try to find parking in the areas i just mentioned. It's next to impossible. Obviously, you don't know your way around DT DC just yet.
All good points. I don't really consider Chinatown to be downtown. Its more or less adjacent to downtown in my eyes. To me that's a seperate neighborhood but you certainly have a good point. When I say downtown DC I'm thinking below L Street. Although I will give credit where credit is due I do believe there is a club on like 14th and K. But 18th and M that's getting away from downtown. That's downtownish I guess.
Dupont is definitely not downtown. Dupont is tricky but I know a few secret spots for finding parking And no I'll never tell
I have an after work function today at the Borders dowontown actually. Now finding parking there during rush hour? That's a trick I don't have up my sleeve just wish me luck!
Perspective is everything. Coming from a much smaller southern city I would not say that cars rule the road in DC. But at the same time can see why one might say that. Parking is really strict in DC and I've definitely gotten my share of pink love notes on my windsheild.
you are correct, certainly they don't rule the road the way they do in, say, florida.
Quote:
Originally Posted by terrence81
Do you think the city being so centralized is a good thing or bad thing. I'm certain that the de-centralization of the DC area is part of why traffic is so bad despite high public transit usage.
well, the area isn't that centralized, especially when it comes to work, Philly is fairly spread out (large job centers all over the metro) but in terms of the city itself, it works fairly well. from a nightlife perspective, it's fairly new to philly (whose sidewalks were infamously rolled up at 5) I think it's largely a good thing. you start to generate things that couldn't be sustained if there weren't both a daytime and nighttime population. it helps you take advantage of existing assets like transit and highways that are set up to get people to/from downtown...and there revitalization has spurred renewed investment in surrounding neighborhoods that were left for dead long ago....center city is worth living near not just because you work there, but because it's fun even if you don't. traffic is bad in Philly, just not DC bad. I'm not sure whether the residential population helps keep traffic down (philly has the third most populous downtown, I believe, after NY and San Francisco). I'm curious whether the metro extends as far asa Philly's regional rail system or not. in retrospect, the lack of express service in DC was a major oversight.
Having lived in both DC and Philly (as well as NYC and SF) I agree DC is vibrant but there is no area as large and cohesively vibrant as center city - honestly to me it likely the second most vibrant area in the country after NYC with Philly/Chicago/SF all being close- that doesnt mean that is not just not as compact and cohesive - the 100 or so square blocks of center city offer an experience that i only find in small disjointed pockest in DC
And on parking - Philly is nasty in that aspect too - luckily i can mostly walk or take a cab - especially within the city
I didn't drive. We parked the hotel in a garage by the hotel and just took cabs.
Yeah disjointed would be a good word. DC is vibrant but it is spread out here and there in various neighborhoods. Whereas Philadelphia has it all in a "one stop shop" it seems, but as mentioned I ddin't step foot past South St so don't know the whole city.
you are correct, certainly they don't rule the road the way they do in, say, florida.
well, the area isn't that centralized, especially when it comes to work, Philly is fairly spread out (large job centers all over the metro) but in terms of the city itself, it works fairly well. from a nightlife perspective, it's fairly new to philly (whose sidewalks were infamously rolled up at 5) I think it's largely a good thing. you start to generate things that couldn't be sustained if there weren't both a daytime and nighttime population. it helps you take advantage of existing assets like transit and highways that are set up to get people to/from downtown...and there revitalization has spurred renewed investment in surrounding neighborhoods that were left for dead long ago....center city is worth living near not just because you work there, but because it's fun even if you don't. traffic is bad in Philly, just not DC bad. I'm not sure whether the residential population helps keep traffic down (philly has the third most populous downtown, I believe, after NY and San Francisco). I'm curious whether the metro extends as far asa Philly's regional rail system or not. in retrospect, the lack of express service in DC was a major oversight.
There's more than one job center in Philly? I didn't know that. I'd say that the DC area has about 5 major job centers but if you really broke it down I'd say there are about 10. I have a "reverse" commute into suburbia but there's traffic on both sides of the freeway because there are so many corporations near Dulles airport.
I'm not a DC native but DC being a fun safe place is new as well. Although I've known plenty in the over 40 crowd who long for the good ol' days when DC was apparently a wild party town.
The metro is good but it could be better. Because of the job centers I think there needs to be more options for suburb to suburb commuters (like myself). They are starting to expand the metro to eventually go to some fairly far out suburbs but it'll be a few years before that's complete. But just looking at a map of SEPTA I'd say that Philly does a was better job of extending its train line to the suburbs although it too may want to address suburb-to-suburb commuting.
The thing is that the DC metro area is just soooooo spread out versus Philly which seems to cover less land with more people.
This is taken from wikipedia. Chinatown is in DT DC as well as L Street. M Street is the northern border. The southern border of DT is the National Mall. East is North Capitol Street and the western boundary is 23rd Street.
Pman,
More people in DC (37% of the population) use transportation than Philly so how is DC car oriented? Makes no sense. DC is second in that regard behind NYC. DC is always listed in the top 5 for walkability. Have you ever been to DC? Or ridden the Metro?
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Just back from fun weekend in Philly
And no I'll never tell 
