Negative / positive things about Philadelphia (Montgomery: apartment, crime, houses)

[Luke81]

Hi! I am most probably going to move to the USA next summer to work thereas a German teacer, but I haven't yet chosen a city to go to. Philadelphia seems like a great place, and I heard so many good things about it, but on the other hand I also heard very negative things. Do the positive or the negative things prevail? I have some questions. Center City seems like a great place, but could you find an apartment there for about 900 Dollar a month? If not where could you find a place like that close to Center City, with good public transport? Wat is public transport like in Philadelphia?Can you live without a car? How liberal is the city, the more liberal the better Is the nghtlife ok, and are there a lot of people in my age (late 20s) who are fun and intelligent but no yuppies? How bad is the crime. In this forum I read some people complaining crime is horrible, others said it's like everywhere else and contained to certain areas. What about the weather. I can live with both heat and cold, but I really hate fog and overcast skies for weeks at a time (I had that now for 26 years in Austria from December to February..) Winter is fine, rain is fin, heat is fine, clouds are fine, but not for days or weks without seeing the sun. This is not a major argument though.
Thanks a lot in advance.

[lioninaconcretejungle]

The crime in Philly is TERRIBLE.Cheesesteaks are great thou.

[kilbillrain]

Hey Luke,
I think you'll love Philly. I lived in Mainz for 3 years so ich glaube ich verstehen dich ein bission...

Like all American cities Philly has its good parts and its bad parts.Unfortunately no city in this country is as clean or crime free as you find in your German/Austrian city. That will be the thing you'll just have to get used to. In Philly for the most part the bad crime is located in the ghettos. The people that live there by and large do not venture out of their areas and you will have no reason to go into theirs. All the culture, education, arts, nightlife, government, business etc are located in the CBD.

Philly CBD is similiar to a big fussganger zone with excellent transportation, lots of peope, pubs, stubes and life. Though it does have plenty of cars on small colonial one way streets.
Going out of CBD varies in terms of transpo, crime, etc..but if your looking at living in the CBD you'll have a fun, unique and culturally rewarding experience.

Willkommen!

PS
I realize du kommes aus osterrich, but part of the city was founded by "Germans" and is still called Germantown. It is a very nice part w/ old houses, nice nightlife. Back then we considered Germans anyone from your part of Europe since of course technically the country of "Germany" didn't exist when Germantown was settled in th early 1700s. You might be interested in looking it up on wikipedia...
Chao.

[Yac]

Please remember that this forum is English only
Yac.

[ApartmentNomad]

Originally Posted by kilbillrain

In Philly for the most part the bad crime is located in the ghettos. The people that live there by and large do not venture out of their areas. . .

The part about people who live in the ghettos staying in the ghettos is nonsense.

[iGlenn]

Positives:

It's the city... I love most everything about city life.

Excellent cheesesteaks.

Negatives:

The crime is out of control.

On July 4, 2005 I was robbed at gunpoint on a subway platform.

The murder rate is through the roof.

There is a huge homeless population in Center City. They treat the subway stations as their own personal bathrooms (and smells like it too). They approach people all the time looking for a handout (some are really aggressive).

The city has a shortage of ambulances, EMT's, and paramedics. In some cases people have waited an hour or more for an ambulance to arrive and some of those people are no longer with us. If you have a heart attack in Center City don't call 911, take a taxi to the hospital, it might be quicker.

Even with all the negatives I still love Philly. I suggest you spend a few weeks here on vacation before you commit yourself to relocating.

[john_starks]

philly a great city but a little raw...its gritty, dirty and has a lot of crime. that said, areas around center city are vibrant and full of culture. i moved here from new york and like the laid back atmosphere and various options for dinner & drinks. i'd stay in and around center city for liberal minded, young folks. i certainly wouldn't stray too far. northern liberties, queen village/ bella vista probably offer housing in the $900 range.

other great cities to look at for teaching would be DC, NYC and Boston. i know people who have enjoyed their experiences teaching in those cities.

[rainrock]

Tale of Two Cities.If you stay in and around Center City it can be an awesome city. Incredible recreational parks for biking/jogging etc.. 4 star restaurants, incredible cultural attractions,decent shopping etc.. Center City just has this nice blend of tranquilty and vibrancy.

Now if you get lost and end up in one of the hoods you'll be forever scarred, its thats bad. 60 years ago Center City was a total dump and the terrific neighborhoods were Philadlephias treasure. Thats come full circle, its the exact opposite now. Although there are still some world class neighborhoods of Philadelphia other than center City. Chestnut Hill,Mt Airy,East Falls,Spruce HIll, and Manayunk is very cool hood.



Photo courtesy of phillyskyline.com

[I'mSoPhilly]

Originally Posted by kilbillrain

Hey Luke,
In Philly for the most part the bad crime is located in the ghettos. The people that live there by and large do not venture out of their areas and you will have no reason to go into theirs. All the culture, education, arts, nightlife, government, business etc are located in the CBD.

PS
I realize du kommes aus osterrich, but part of the city was founded by "Germans" and is still called Germantown. It is a very nice part w/ old houses, nice nightlife. Back then we considered Germans anyone from your part of Europe since of course technically the country of "Germany" didn't exist when Germantown was settled in th early 1700s. You might be interested in looking it up on wikipedia...
Chao.

Hmmmm, let's see... I live in the "ghetto" (SW Philly), I work in Center City, I go to the malls in Delaware County, Montgomery County and anywhere else I please... dare I even say I have been out of state too!!! Yeah, I got on an airplane and even flew out of the country!!!!! My goodness, I went to college for four years and guess what, my school was not in the "ghetto" that I live in!!!

And don't forget your lovely Germantown is also the "ghetto" I guess those people never go anywhere either.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Photo courtesy of phillyskyline.com

Great choice, rainrock! I love the comparison of the skyline against the Fall foliage.