Anyone not want to work in Center City? (Philadelphia, Avalon: house, wage)

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by NewtownBucks

I drive. The company used to have a reasonable monthly parking deal at Penn's Landing, but that doesn't make sense unless I'm commuting 5 days/week, which doesn't seem like it's ever going to be the case again.

You're the person for whom the effort to revive the R8 Newtown all the way to Newtown was launched.

In its early years, the effort had the backing of the Bucks County commissioners, who noted the rapid suburbanization of that part of the county, but Montgomery County opposed it. Mainly, or so I understood, because of Bryn Athyn Borough's objection to any overhead catenary being strung along the line within its borders.

That effort is pretty much dead now, and the portion of the right-of-way in Montgomery County is now a rail trail. With dual-mode locomotives, however, it could be revived.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by selhars

I drive everywhere, and was thinking about the 8th and Arch area.
I'm really just torn about working downtown -- say 6th-9th and Market, 6th snd 8th street, Chestnut to Arch sort of area. Not feeling it -- at all.

But clearly, everyone's issues and preferences are, by default, very individual factors of different weight or concern.

If you're not feeling it, what does it matter how other people feel?

I haven't worked in Center City for years but when I did, it was at 5th and Walnut. I absolutely loved working in the city but would have preferred to be right in the heart of the action where there were more walkable food options. My dentist is at 15th and Locust -- now that's a cool area. Most of the time I took the train in but I drove now and then.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

If you're not feeling it, what does it matter how other people feel?

I haven't worked in Center City for years but when I did, it was at 5th and Walnut. I absolutely loved working in the city but would have preferred to be right in the heart of the action where there were more walkable food options. My dentist is at 15th and Locust -- now that's a cool area. Most of the time I took the train in but I drove now and then.

I get the feeling selhars was looking for an "Amen" from someone.

Given that this forum tends to tilt pro-urban, I'm not surprised that none has been forthcoming.

And as with you, it's no sweat off my back that he's not feeling it. There are indeed many others like him. But at least here, they're in the minority.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by selhars

Yeah, rush hour is bad on the Schuylkill in both directions. Too many people need to go West also.

I reverse commuted to Wilmington to 7 years. Down 95. I was moving like the wind. Coming north into the city -- uh, not so much.

I also reverse-commuted to Wilmington for six months in 2005 or thereabouts.

5-minute walk from my apartment to Market East (Jefferson) Station, 55 minutes Market East to Wilmington on the (R2) Wilmington/Newark, then a five-minute bus ride to Rodney Square. Got a lot of reading done on the trip.

[chessimprov]

I love to drive, but don't like that I have to be somewhere by a certain time. I'm always afraid I'll forget something I needed. So if I have to catch a train or bus, I can't just "go back" to get what I forgot. There are so many moving parts in my life that I would prefer not to commute to wherever, or I don't mind the commute, but just let me do my hours and flex my schedule.

I've looked into park and ride type deals, but all the places near me expect exact change. Some places I think only accept dollars or change only, but not both. You can't reserve a spot in most places. If I have to stress about stuff like that in order to get to work even before or after I leave work, the cons would outweigh the pros for me sadly.

Also, when it snows, the parking spaces are less in numbers too.

[skintreesnail]

I've been working from home for the past 2 years. Before then my office was in center city and I walked to work. We've been told we will be in a hybrid work mode at some point, but still remote for now. Pre COVID the commute was easy as I just walked, but still prefer working from home. I have no desire to go through the stress of changing jobs, but even so I would have a bias for a company in center city, followed by some other population center, maybe as small as Lancaster. I wouldn't even consider a suburban based company. I would want to be able to commute without a car since I hate driving. I love living in a place where I can walk or bike or take transit everywhere, be able to visit museums, see a show/music/ballet go out to great restaurants and bars and shop nearby. The recent crime spike is concerning but I have hope it will improve. I also miss the festivals, but maybe this year will see more. Before the pandemic when I worked at the office I would try and get out to eat, or visit the art museum and during the holidays visit the Christmas village and see the Macy's light show after meeting up with my family. Can't do any of that in the suburbs, and working from home makes it even easier. I work in an industry that is more open to asynchronous working, which seems more compatible to remote or hybrid scenarios. I think hybrid work will be fine, as I do see some value in being in the office Maybe once in a while for team meetups.

[selhars]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I get the feeling selhars was looking for an "Amen" from someone.

Given that this forum tends to tilt pro-urban, I'm not surprised that none has been forthcoming.

And as with you, it's no sweat off my back that he's not feeling it. There are indeed many others like him. But at least here, they're in the minority.

I really didn't know what people would say. I really was just curious.
And Philly did lose more jobs during the pandemic than some other cities. That news story was about a new weeks back. So I wondered about people's thoughts of not wanting to come back in town. IF that's the case.

But I will add that I have been considering whether I want to commute (driving) to a job downtown.
I don't. But have been wondering whether committing to CC should be as much of a potential deal breaker as it is for me...given that it's not really that far.

But I'm thinking now that 1) I don't really have to have a justifiable reason in my own mind that I don't want to...and 2) if I don't want to go to CC, why would that be any different from any other location I don't want to commute to .....such as Trenton, or Fort Dix, or Elkton or Coatesville, or Norristown.

Mind you no one has asked me to justify it (It would be a longer, AND more costly commute. And who in their right mind would really want that?)...I personally just like to know my own reasoning for my decisions. But I've been told more than once that I over analyze things. It's maddening not to know your own mind about things.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by selhars

I really didn't know what people would say. I really was just curious.
And Philly did lose more jobs during the pandemic than some other cities. That news story was about a new weeks back. So I wondered about people's thoughts of not wanting to come back in town. IF that's the case.

But I will add that I have been considering whether I want to commute (driving) to a job downtown.
I don't. But have been wondering whether committing to CC should be as much of a potential deal breaker as it is for me...given that it's not really that far.

But I'm thinking now that 1) I don't really have to have a justifiable reason in my own mind that I don't want to...and 2) if I don't want to go to CC, why would that be any different from any other location I don't want to commute to .....such as Trenton, or Fort Dix, or Elkton or Coatesville, or Norristown.

Mind you no one has asked me to justify it...I personally just like to know my own reasoning for my decisions. But I've been told more than ones that I over analyze things. It's maddening not to know your own mind about things.

Your preferences are your preferences, and I think we are all agreed that you're entitled to them.

I do think it interesting in light of the above, however, that most of the respondents so far (a) don't mind commuting into the city (b) still want to do so every so often even now.

But: Yeah, it really doesn't matter whether where you're commuting to is Center City, or any of the other places you mention, or even King of Prussia — if you don't like commuting, you don't like commuting, and this new work-from-home world is (or ought to be) just what you've been praying for (or hoping for if you're not terribly religious).

[selhars]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

....
I do think it interesting in light of the above, however, that most of the respondents so far (a) don't mind commuting into the city (b) still want to do so every so often even now.
........

And that's a good thing for the city! Definitely good to hear.

[Avalon08]

I've been retired for awhile, but when I last worked, it was in a field office where folks mostly worked at home or at client sites. Once in awhile, you'd have an office day. But on those office days, you didn't get much done because other people who happened to be in the office would be happy to see you and catch up. So it was a mixed bag.

Working at home: I worked many more hours because there was no "going out to lunch" or "leaving for the night". I'd be on e-mail all evening, even while watching TV. On the other hand, there was no commuting and I could work all day in my jammies if I felt like it.

Working in the office: Much more team camaraderie. Easier to consult with co-workers, just walk into their offices or pods.