Tell me about Philly! (Philadelphia, Dallas: violent crime, neighborhoods, wage)

[Hobokenkitchen]

I've lived all over the world and we have just decided to move into Philly.
We have visited a lot, but not lived there yet, so perhaps I will be disappointed by the rudeness of people, but haven't seen any sign of it so far.

I am very surprised to hear that people think Philly is ugly - I think Rittenhouse Square area, Society Hill and Washington Square areas are simply gorgeous. Some of the prettiest place I have seen in the States.
I am not crazy about South Street - that's too gritty for me and some of the areas south of South Street aren't that picturesque, but the central parts of Philly are just lovely looking!
The wide avenue in the Museam area is lovely too - and the river with the boathouses are so nice.

How can people say that Society Hill is ugly? I just don't get it.

We're excited to move into Philly, but we had to think about it very carefully. The wage tax is very off putting, as is the excessive realty transfer tax. When you are buying an expensive house, that 2% realty transfer tax on BOTH the purchase AND the sale are a killer. We decided to rent for a year to see how we like it, but I'm not surprised that people leave because the taxes are really bad in Philly.
My guess is a lot more people would want to live in Philly if there was no wage tax. Do you think they'll ever get rid of it?

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by Hobokenkitchen

My guess is a lot more people would want to live in Philly if there was no wage tax. Do you think they'll ever get rid of it?

Well there are 2 different slots casinos that are supposed to be built in Philadlephia, that slots gaming revenue is supposed to eventually eliminate the city wage tax but neighborhood Nimby's have stonewalled the construction. So things remain very much up in the year. As is the wage tax is supposed to be gradually lowered every year with emphasis on gradual.

[orrmobl]

Originally Posted by Hobokenkitchen

My guess is a lot more people would want to live in Philly if there was no wage tax. Do you think they'll ever get rid of it?

Yeah, right after they remove the tolls on the turnpike that were charged to pay for the building of the road, which has been paid off for decades...

[hollygolightly]

Originally Posted by rainrock

Too much of Philaldephia is in decline and it does have alot of grit but I must say that the above statement as vaguely descriptive as it may be doesn't seem to do Philadlephia justice.But that doesnt surprise considering the source. Not saying that Philaldephia doesnt have its problems-it certainly does- but lets try to keep the opinions unbiased or at the very least do a little research before you make derisive off-handed statements.

1/3 of the Philadlephia is wonderful. 1/3 is doing ok, and 1/3 is completely bombed out.80% of the suburban area has first class QOL standards. Back to Philly. You can't rationally compare the city of Philadlephia(pop 1.5 M) to a small city such as St Paul(population 280,000).And admittedly Philadlephia has much more decay and grit than St Paul, but at the same time St Paul is not going to have anywhere near the quanity of upside that Philadlephia has.

The Center City neighborhoods of Philly are nothing short of spectacular.It might be the best 4 sq. mi. 100,000 person urban neighborhood in the entire country. Add in all the cultural institutions, 600 restaurants and bars, Fairmount Park and its just tremendous.

NW Philaldephia-which is Chestnut Hill,Mt Airy,East Falls,Andorra,Roxborough,
Manayunk,Overbrook Farms,Wynnefield Heights and is home to the one of the most amazing urban park settings in the world, the Wissahickon Gorge
125,000 people live here very comfortably.

Far NE Philadlephia is a very stable middle class section of the city 262,000 people.

West Philadelphia- University City,Cedar Park,Spruce Hill,Powelton Village is another fantastic area of the city. 60,000 people.(125,000 when school is in session.
Theres close to 600,000 people in those neighborhoods alone who are living pretty darn good. Thats 2.5x the size of the entire city of St Paul.

Hmmm...I moved out of Philadelphia a while back, but I have to admit that these pictures make me nostalgic. Especially Rittenhouse Square and the skyline; such beautiful architecture. Well, I'm happy where I am living now, but I can always go back to visit!!

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by Hobokenkitchen

The wide avenue in the Museam area is lovely too - and the river with the boathouses are so nice.

That's the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and was modeled after the Champs Elysees.


Welcome to The Benjamin Franklin Parkway Tour

[Love Cobb]

Philadelphians are a lot different from midwesterners. From what I've seen myself most folks from Minnesota are very accepting and kind of guilable. Whereas, Philly is a tougher, prove yourself worthy type place. It could work but don't expect the open arms you are accustomed to in MN. Philly is cut straight to the point, no BULL type city, which can be misinterpreted as rude. But deep down I think both areas are true to who they are, no pretenses.

[Tone509]

That's a pretty good analysis of the "typical" Philadelphian.

Originally Posted by Love Cobb

Philadelphians are a lot different from midwesterners. From what I've seen myself most folks from Minnesota are very accepting and kind of guilable. Whereas, Philly is a tougher, prove yourself worthy type place. It could work but don't expect the open arms you are accustomed to in MN. Philly is cut straight to the point, no BULL type city, which can be misinterpreted as rude. But deep down I think both areas are true to who they are, no pretenses.

[Love Cobb]

Hey Tone509 thanks for your approval. I left the midwest (Chicago) for Philly back in 78 and stayed for 10 years. I have a genuine love and appreciation for Philly and her people. Philly forced me to grow up!! Go Wildcats (Villanova 82)

[Dorian]

The thing I noticed about people is that the people who love a city you rarely here from but the people who hate a city never shut their mouths. Philly, from what I've heard and seen, is a beautiful city with a good mix of new and old, something most cities in america fail to acheive. I think people need to step back and relize what a nice city they have. I am from Pittsburgh and we have alot of people around here that complain all the time too. I guess it's just a pennsylvania thing, or better yet a northeast and ohio valley thing. It's funny how people complain and say Philly is on the down fall but yet they just ranked philly as the fifth most livable city in america and it was the biggest city in the top 10. As for weather, moving from the twin cities to any other major city is an upgrade unless you are a winter lover. Minneapolis has the coldest avg. temprature of all major cities in the U.S.. Philly's annual snowfall is a joke compared to mose cities in the northeast or upper midwest. Let's see Minneapolis-49.9, Philadelphia-20.5, big difference.

[*Sweetkisses*]

Originally Posted by Dorian

The thing I noticed about people is that the people who love a city you rarely here from but the people who hate a city never shut their mouths. Philly, from what I've heard and seen, is a beautiful city with a good mix of new and old, something most cities in america fail to acheive. I think people need to step back and relize what a nice city they have. I am from Pittsburgh and we have alot of people around here that complain all the time too. I guess it's just a pennsylvania thing, or better yet a northeast and ohio valley thing. It's funny how people complain and say Philly is on the down fall but yet they just ranked philly as the fifth most livable city in america and it was the biggest city in the top 10. As for weather, moving from the twin cities to any other major city is an upgrade unless you are a winter lover. Minneapolis has the coldest avg. temprature of all major cities in the U.S.. Philly's annual snowfall is a joke compared to mose cities in the northeast or upper midwest. Let's see Minneapolis-49.9, Philadelphia-20.5, big difference.

Basically.