Philly is depressing (Forest Hills, Zion, Clark: neighborhood, buy, living in)

[mancat100]

I'm sorry that you're unhappy, and I hope things get better for you.

I have no advice to offer, as my experience here, as a transplant years ago, has been completely the opposite of yours. I truly don't see the unfriendliness. It's true that Philadelphians are not syrupy sweet (thank God), but overall I've found the people here to be fine. Either that or maybe I'm just an a*****e myself which would explain why I fit in so well.

[Clark Park]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

Although I was not born nor raised here in Philly I admit I love it above all other places and will live the rest of my life here. I take great pride in the City Of Brotherly Love and love showing out-of-towners around when they visit me.

Having said that, I will admit that Philly is NOT a friendly city.

Originally Posted by pman

I'll bite, as opposed to?

As opposed to 90 miles south of here: Baltimore.

This year I took three separate weekend trips to "Charm City." A friend asked me: "Clark, why are you always taking short trips to Baltimore?" My answer: "Well, there are great restaurants such as seafood places near the Inner Harbor and Fells Point and so many fun pubs and bars in the Mount Vernon Place section." My friend says "We have many great restaurants and pubs right here in Philly." My response: "Well the people in Baltimore are so much friendlier than they are here in Philly." My friend's retort: "Clark, the people in every city in the world are friendlier than the people in Philly!"

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

As opposed to 90 miles south of here: Baltimore.

This year I took three separate weekend trips to "Charm City." A friend asked me: "Clark, why are you always taking short trips to Baltimore?" My answer: "Well, there are great restaurants such as seafood places near the Inner Harbor and Fells Point and so many fun pubs and bars in the Mount Vernon Place section." My friend says "We have many great restaurants and pubs right here in Philly." My response: "Well the people in Baltimore are so much friendlier than they are here in Philly." My friend's retort: "Clark, the people in every city in the world are friendlier than the people in Philly!"

Baltimoreans aren't so friendly in The Wire.

[cattusbabe]

Look I have lived in Philly since 1961. It is just like every other city. Good people and not so good people. Same goes for every city I have lived in and visited.

If you are constantly running into negative people and negative situations then you have to look at the one consistent thread in the whole equation. A mirror is helpful in that regard.

[Whatdoesthefoxsay65]

Yeah, it gets better. Try getting into some Zumba or Yoga classes, the people who tend to do these things are more down to earth and friendly. Hit the club scene and ***** yourself out to some people. Most of the people here are open to general conversation and you can make a lot of friends if YOU approach them first. Just relax, chill, and be yourself. Maybe Philly just is not your city and that's fine. Try going for a smaller city like Seattle or Kansas City, there are less people there so they tend to be a little more friendly. I think it just like an East Coast type attitude and you'll probably find it just as hard to make it in other cities.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

As opposed to 90 miles south of here: Baltimore.

This year I took three separate weekend trips to "Charm City." A friend asked me: "Clark, why are you always taking short trips to Baltimore?" My answer: "Well, there are great restaurants such as seafood places near the Inner Harbor and Fells Point and so many fun pubs and bars in the Mount Vernon Place section." My friend says "We have many great restaurants and pubs right here in Philly." My response: "Well the people in Baltimore are so much friendlier than they are here in Philly." My friend's retort: "Clark, the people in every city in the world are friendlier than the people in Philly!"

your friend doesn't sound very smart. I haven't found that to be the case. aside from the obvious (NY) being less friendly, people aren't more friendly in places like charleston, SC either. they're more pleasant upfront perhaps, but not friendlier. philly is just a different culture, what some perceive as unfriendly is simply cultural differences. if you give surveys you always have to take into account that southerners don't give you the truth and people in the northeast are overly critical. in philadelphia "busting someone's balls" is a sign of affection, in other places its offensive. the racist remarks the OP are just rude but hardly unique to philadelphia. I like baltimore and people are friendly, perhaps friendlier in the nice neighborhoods, but people in DC are more rude.

[bulldog15]

Originally Posted by Whatdoesthefoxsay65

Most of the people here are open to general conversation and you can make a lot of friends if YOU approach them first.

Yeah, that is the general rule of thumb in the NE in my opinion. The onus is on the new person to break the ice. You are not going to be made to feel welcome and get a warm reception from the masses.

[DaughterOfZion]

Originally Posted by BillyJacc

So where did you originally reside? How great was it there? I mean were the people friendlier? Is this the normal routine on a daily basis since you've been there?

I'm from DC which is a little friendlier in my experience. I would say the rudeness has become pretty normal here

[DaughterOfZion]

Originally Posted by bulldog15

Yeah, that is the general rule of thumb in the NE in my opinion. The onus is on the new person to break the ice. You are not going to be made to feel welcome and get a warm reception from the masses.

You are so right! I've lived in the south, midwest,and visited the westcoast and the hostility and stick up the butt mentality is so much stronger on the East coast. Why, I do not know. I willnot be settling down on East Coast that's for sure lol.

[DaughterOfZion]

Thanks for being honest.There are good qualities about Philly. The culture,food, and events are awesome.