Negadelphians (Philadelphia, York, Washington: section 8, real estate, cliquey)

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by G Goo

Uhhh, how about Mt Airy, Chestnut Hill, about half of Germantown, East Falls, Roxborough, Manayunk, University City, Graduate Hospital, Fishtown, Fox Chase, East Oak Lane. You either haven't spent too much time in these neighborhoods, or dropped them off your list to prove your point. All of these are vital neighborhoods that certainly adds to the vibrancy of Philadelphia. I'm in these laces most of my time and can't think of a single "Negadelphia" incident.

Yeah - they're are certainly a lot of depressing places in Philadelphia, but there are also a lot of good vibrant places to live. I, myself, found an apartment in Center City just because I happened to find an amazing deal that was cheaper than a bunch of places I looked at outside of Center City, so I couldn't really pass it up. But since moving here, I've discovered so many neighborhoods that I'd love to live in if/when my rent goes up.

As for SEPTA - most cities don't even have an El, so there's no reason to discount that, saying it's "only good for people who live near it". What i'm really impressed at with SEPTA is the "transit hub" type system they have set up, That between the Frankford, Upper Darby, Olney, and Norristown transit centers - all sections of the city are connected pretty well. Beside the Far Northeast, what's the farthest anybody really has to take a bus to get to a train? Sure, it would be nice if there were trains and subways all over the city, but that would require much more of an interest in transit than society has right now. Plus, there are a ton of buses that run 24 hours a day, which really make life more livable for people who don't have a car, but happen to work overnight. In the Twin Cities, there were 2 buses that ran all night - one ran from the Mall of America (southern suburbs) to the northern suburbs...basically in the exact center of the city. And the other one ran from downtown Minneapolis to Downtown Saint Paul once an hour...basically right through the middle of the city again. From my experience taking these buses...they were simply mobile homeless shelters. I'm assuming there are homeless people on SEPTA's buses overnight too...but with 25 running all night, I'm also guessing people are using them. I'm still job searching since moving here, but I like the fact that I can apply to jobs on any shift, depending on location of course, which I wouldn't be able to do a lot of places.

[Shizzles]

My experience has been that the Negadelphian is often Blue collar, mostly white, and usually has been here all his life. These people tend to be the ones who pine for Rizzo and often have a codedly racial/cultrual tinge to their lament.

Philadelphia does have amazing assets and a seemingly solid future (in the central areas anyway). What bothers me more than anything about this area is the people. Generally thuggish and ignorant and not very interested in trying to see the world around them. The transplants, IMHO, often move straight into the gentrified areas and don't always get the whole picture.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Thanks guys

We need less doom and gloom on this forum.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Pennsport

Eh, they're just miserable people in general. They're the same folks who are discontented with their own lives and find it easier to drag others down to their level than pull themselves up to a better place.

In my opinion, income and education levels also seem to come into play somewhat. Sure, if you're an out-of-work union guy who can barely afford his NE rowhome, yeah, you're going to be pretty cranky. I hate to stereotype, but if you go back and read the posts from haters vs. those from supporters of our city, you can tell a distinct difference in the verbiage used.

well you can call me a negadelphian. I am white collar make well in the 6 digits every year.. So there goes your theory. I LOVE where we are in Jersey now.. Great neighborhood.. clean, safe, great people, no parking issues... Loving life.. I am not dragging anyone down by telling the truth about my almost 50 years of Philadelphia experience.. I just want to warn others so that they too won't live a miserable life in Philly.. Like we did.. Is that wrong? Sometimes the etruth is painful.. but may help others. Which is a good thing

[maf763]

Plenty of white collar people are miserable too.

[rotodome]

If the reason people don't like a city is basically because they don't like living in cities, I'm not sure that those are really the best people to be giving "helpful" advice about living in that city.
But that's just my opinion.

[frankgn87]

ask yourself this... And be honest. If tomorrow you won the multi million lottery, would you stay where you are now or move to another place? I would stay right where we are now and maybe add on a garage or two and a deck.. If you are honest with yourself I'll bet most in Philly would move out..

[rmxcarol]

Philadelphia has so much too offer. Unfortunately, a lot has been taken for granted by those who have spent generations here. We are in a great spot between two other major metro cities - NYC and DC. Unlike them, we still have very affordable housing, (many with GREEN GRASS), great shopping, entertainment and dining venues and all of the history that you could want.

It's easy to be a complainer...keep up your good work as a champion for Phila. One of these days we will again be a city of champions!

[templeu]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

ask yourself this... And be honest. If tomorrow you won the multi million lottery, would you stay where you are now or move to another place? I would stay right where we are now and maybe add on a garage or two and a deck.. If you are honest with yourself I'll bet most in Philly would move out..

I would actually move out of NJ and buy a brownstone in Rittenhouse Square (with a garage)

Originally Posted by frankgn87

I am not dragging anyone down by telling the truth about my almost 50 years of Philadelphia experience.. I just want to warn others so that they too won't live a miserable life in Philly.. Like we did.. Is that wrong? Sometimes the etruth is painful.. but may help others. Which is a good thing

I think the problem with the "truth" is that it's a mix of truth/opinion/perception. I'm sure Philly was a bad fit for you and what you wanted out of life. But similarly a suburb in South NJ may be a really bad fit and make someone else miserable. Each area brings with it good and bad; most areas are not entirely one or the other. It is up to the individual to look at the good + bad and decide what works best for their life given their lifestyle, values, and preferences.

[frankgn87]

and you live in Blue Bell. Ironic..

Originally Posted by rmxcarol

Philadelphia has so much too offer. Unfortunately, a lot has been taken for granted by those who have spent generations here. We are in a great spot between two other major metro cities - NYC and DC. Unlike them, we still have very affordable housing, (many with GREEN GRASS), great shopping, entertainment and dining venues and all of the history that you could want.

It's easy to be a complainer...keep up your good work as a champion for Phila. One of these days we will again be a city of champions!