Write up on Philly.com about Philadelphia being hip and being revitalized (Washington: homes, neighborhoods)

[goofy328]

It's not a question of Philly being "un-hip", but its often perceived as the Cleveland of the area (perhaps Baltimore is the Detroit), meaning that, while Philly does have a lot going on for it, one would not know it unless they lived there, or were into it themselves. It also gets a bad rep for being a cheap place to live for those that can't afford to live in New York. Cities like Philly are hip, and usually aren't as sterile as their richer, less working class, counterpart cities (in the case of Philly it would be New York and in the case of Baltimore it would be DC), but not everyone is into that. People seem to want the lifestyle center/attraction type of feel, where a city goes out of their way for tourists, and there is a cop for every 100 people, etc.

Americans do not seem to appreciate gritty cities that remind them of this country's violent and turbulent past.

[scosm]

Not sure exactly your point, but Philly does not have a special place in the history of gritty or violence in US history. It has just been slower in breaking out of its post-WW II industrial doldrums compared to other now hip cities like SF and NYC so the grittiness has persevered.

And Philadelphia has a long history of being un-hip and un-fun going back to the 19th Century at least. Probably a deserved reputation, but I think it would be good to reverse that image.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by scosm

Not sure exactly your point, but Philly does not have a special place in the history of gritty or violence in US history. It has just been slower in breaking out of its post-WW II industrial doldrums compared to other now hip cities like SF and NYC so the grittiness has persevered.

And Philadelphia has a long history of being un-hip and un-fun going back to the 19th Century at least. Probably a deserved reputation, but I think it would be good to reverse that image.

What about The Roots. Or the Philadelphia Sound. Who can forget Fat Albert. Philadelphia even has a movie with the same name as the city; wasn't necessarily about the city, but they did get a Bruce Springsteen song out of the deal. Philly isn't the worst place in the world, it at least has a presence in the media can't be that un-hip. Don't see people poking fun at it, like they do Akron, OH, for example.

[scosm]

Originally Posted by goofy328

What about The Roots. Or the Philadelphia Sound. Who can forget Fat Albert. Philadelphia even has a movie with the same name as the city; wasn't necessarily about the city, but they did get a Bruce Springsteen song out of the deal. Philly isn't the worst place in the world, it at least has a presence in the media can't be that un-hip. Don't see people poking fun at it, like they do Akron, OH, for example.

Thanks, I guess? You are damning us with faint praise. Philadelphia is the fifth biggest city in the country so of course it has a presence in the media. No doubt there have always been a lot of hip and fun things to come out of Philly. It has just not had a reputation of being a hip place to live.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by scosm

Thanks, I guess? You are damning us with faint praise. Philadelphia is the fifth biggest city in the country so of course it has a presence in the media. No doubt there have always been a lot of hip and fun things to come out of Philly. It has just not had a reputation of being a hip place to live.

Why do you hate your city so much? My city has been the bunt of jokes for decades and I am still proud to say that I'm from there. Sure Akron sucks, but what can I do about it. How do you have hip and fun things to do but not have a reputation of being a hip place to live. Philadelphia seems like a cool city; it might have its neighborhoods to avoid but what hip place doesn't?

I would love to say that I'm from Philadelphia. You don't have to explain the city by giving its proximity to Cleveland. You don't have to talk about the population, of the city or the county. You don't have to explain that is was the Rubber Capital of the World, or talk about Devo, or any other trivia.

[Clark Park]

Originally Posted by gladleynet

I moved to the region recently from the UK. Sadly I live a little too far out of the city to really take advantage of everything it offers (trying to move closer, really) but I LOVE it. I lived in Glasgow, Scotland, for six years, and they are very similar - rough and ready, but also very creative and vibrant. I have a background in the cultural/creative sectors so I'm trying very hard to meet people/job opps from the Philly cultural scene. I feel very at home in this city.

Although I am an American I was a member of the Royal Merchant Navy, worked on a British ship, and my home-port was Southampton, Hants.

I agree with you that Philly's closest sibling in the UK is Glasgow. Both are a little gritty and faded; both have a rugged "blue collar" ambiance. But Glasgow and Philly are both very historic, treasure-troves of historic architecture, and first rate when it comes to culture, museums, and an arts scene. Edinburgh is more like Boston: smaller, more elegant and refined.

I once told Mayor Nutter to his face that I loved Philly only as someone who was not born here nor raised here could!

[gladleynet]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

Although I am an American I was a member of the Royal Merchant Navy, worked on a British ship, and my home-port was Southampton, Hants.

I agree with you that Philly's closest sibling in the UK is Glasgow. Both are a little gritty and faded; both have a rugged "blue collar" ambiance. But Glasgow and Philly are both very historic, treasure-troves of historic architecture, and first rate when it comes to culture, museums, and an arts scene. Edinburgh is more like Boston: smaller, more elegant and refined.

I once told Mayor Nutter to his face that I loved Philly only as someone who was not born here nor raised here could!

You are so right about Edinburgh being a bit like Boston! I tried to explain to Philadelphians that the rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh is like Philly and New York, but yes, Boston and Edinburgh work very well.

I do love it here, just having a tough time cracking the job market at the moment tbh.

[gladleynet]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Welcome to America and Philadelphia! Glad you are enjoying. You are right, you will meet more creative people in the city. You will have more social interaction in general being in the city.

Thank you for the welcome!

[Cnote11]

Yes, welcome! I spent last summer in Scotland in St. Andrews and visited both Glasgow and Edinburgh several times. They were both stunning, but in the end I preferred Glasgow. It is on my list of places to possibly move after I've finished school. I haven't been to Boston yet, but I guess I know which city I'll end up preferring between Boston and Philadelphia!

[gladleynet]

Originally Posted by Cnote11

Yes, welcome! I spent last summer in Scotland in St. Andrews and visited both Glasgow and Edinburgh several times. They were both stunning, but in the end I preferred Glasgow. It is on my list of places to possibly move after I've finished school. I haven't been to Boston yet, but I guess I know which city I'll end up preferring between Boston and Philadelphia!

That's so funny! I grew up in St.Andrews, and got my degrees from Glasgow. I would happily move back to Glasgow any time :P Were you in St.Andrews at the Uni?