Thoughts on Philly (King of Prussia, Willow Grove, Plymouth: sales, high school, income)

[thesixth]

You know... we get it... you ^^^ don't like delaware county. But not ALL of it is filled with rude people. There are some very nice places to live in Delaware county (media, havertown, broomall, springfield, edgemont, swarthmore, etc.) filled with nice people too.
I have travelled to Downingtown and Coatesville area and Phoenixville & not every fast food place or grocery store out there is filled with shiny happy people singing while they emtpy the trashcans or take my order!
Get a grip...maybe a poor attitude comes from having a very menial, unfulfilling job. And there are plenty of those in every county in PA.

[vizanje]

We recently researched the area for 2 months, did a couple of visits, and chose the Mainline, in Wynnewood ( near Bala Cynwyd/Ardmore). We love the area, maybe a little too suburban for us since we are from Manhattan, but since we now have kids, it's fantastic. You get the best of both worlds, just a short jump into the city if you choose, you have areas like Manayunk nearby that are cool to hang out and bar hop, you can go west and get more open space, hit the trails in Wissahickon, plenty of parks and things to do. We like it...

Originally Posted by MNtoPhilly

Well, so far I really liked Ardmore-Bryn Mawr-Haverford-Narberth-Bala Cynwyd area. Unless I overlooked some aspects of it, it seems one of the nicest areas immediately adjacent to the city, safe and super convenient to the city via SEPTA. I stayed around University City- Spruce and 40th and although the neighborhood is not bad at all, I did not feel 100% safe in some areas. I visited Temple because I am planning on going there for graduate school and was a bit disappointed, I guess you can call that area a "ghetto" but even the university is all guarded and secured, you can't just walk in and use the library, they have guards everywhere and at the door. A bit disappointing!

[john_starks]

Originally Posted by orrmobl

That's about it except I would say the tolerance for people different than whatever neighborhood you are in can be low.

So if you fit into any minority group based upon color, religion, or sexual persuasion make sure you have a thick skin and choose your neighbors wisely...

i fit this bill and i'm doing alright, but then again i live in the QV/BV area. the right neighborhood IS definitely everything. like many have said before, neighborhoods in the unofficial "extended" center city area will give you the best QOL and all the amenities of a the city.

[herenia]

just don't leave your radio in your car. if it has a faceplate, take it off. that should save you from a break-in.

[dubs08]

your perceptions are accurate. philadelphia is all of those things: soul, romance, cobblestone, neighborly...fun! i understand what you are hoping for and philadelphia does meet your requirements, all philadelphia story around rittenhouse and then down dirty hipster in fishtown. its all here. philadelphia yields wonders to those who are open to it. not everyone gets it, but those who do are forever in love with the place...and the food!

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by MNtoPhilly

I have lived in places like Phoenix, Albuquerque, Dallas and Houston and Philly is superior to any of these cities.

In what ways? How are they inferior?

Originally Posted by MNtoPhilly

Although the city is big, people still talk to each other, it is not as impersonal as NYC and it is a bargain compared to places like NYC or Boston.

Better but not a bargain. NYC is NYC and Philly is Philly, in classes of their own.

Originally Posted by MNtoPhilly

Can't wait to start over in Philly!!!

Get ready to stuff your face and eat like a gavone. Like a gavone.

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Its a great place to live and work..

Like Denver perhaps?

Originally Posted by Pilot1

It has its issues like any big, metro area and suffers a little bit of envy of NYC.

Envy of NYC? Who cares, who needs NYC anyway?

Originally Posted by Pilot1

However, the cost of living is lower than NYC, its close to the beaches, has a pretty diverse economy, great educational institutions, great history and somewhat decent climate. Philly is positioned central to the eastern megalopolis.

The economy is diverse and its not all finance or tech like NYC.

Originally Posted by Pilot1

You can get from Boston to Atlanta pretty conveniently from Philly.

I assume too you can get from Newark to WPB/FLL pretty conveniently as well.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

Like Denver perhaps?

I moved to Denver from Philly because my company transferred me. I didn't really want to leave Philly, but it was a good career move. Now that I'm in Denver, I don't want to go back to Philly. Love it here. Nothing wrong with Philly though.

Envy of NYC? Who cares, who needs NYC anyway?

Not saying I like NYC as a place to live, just saying Philly has been in its shadow for years. NYC is just that big and famous. Its a world entertainment, news, publishing and financial capital.

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

I moved to Denver from Philly because my company transferred me. I didn't really want to leave Philly, but it was a good career move. Now that I'm in Denver, I don't want to go back to Philly. Love it here. Nothing wrong with Philly though.

What are the pluses of Denver relative to Philly? What are the pluses of Philly relative to Denver? I am curious b/c I have resided near both places myself (e.g. Boulder and Hackensack) and am eyeing a move again soon.

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Not saying I like NYC as a place to live, just saying Philly has been in its shadow for years. NYC is just that big and famous. Its a world entertainment, news, publishing and financial capital.

NYC is a crock of _-_-_-_ IMO. Philly blows it away on all fronts. Again NYC? Who needs it?

[john_starks]

Not saying I like NYC as a place to live, just saying Philly has been in its shadow for years. NYC is just that big and famous. Its a world entertainment, news, publishing and financial capital.

i do agree that's been true for a while. but hopefully, Nutter is aggressive in courting fortune 500 businesses away from NYC & Jersey with the tax and real estate incentive. in terms of real estate prices, its a steal to live & work here (hopefully with the potential tax breaks) compared to the rest of the northeast corridor.

NYC is a crock of _-_-_-_ IMO. Philly blows it away on all fronts. Again NYC? Who needs it?

ha, i've got Philly pride too, but LOL

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

What are the pluses of Denver relative to Philly? What are the pluses of Philly relative to Denver? I am curious b/c I have resided near both places myself (e.g. Boulder and Hackensack) and am eyeing a move again soon.

Well its very subjective and it all depends on what you like. Both areas offer tremendous advantages. I'll try to do a quick list but its relative to what I like, not you, so....

Denver/Colorado advantages:

Outdoor activity and lifestyle
Foothills and Mountains
Climate - No humidity, very few bugs, lots of sunshine year round and often moderate temps even in winter
Beauty of the Southwest - once you get used to the lack of green it really is spectacular
People in general are a bit more friendly and somewhat laid back and into recreational activities


Philly advantages:

Diverse economy in the middle of the Northeast megolopolis
Wonderful educational and cultural opportunities
Near the beach - Easy to go "down the shore"
Lots of diversity in culture, foods, and entertaiment
Good value in cost of living compared to other Northeast areas


So, that's all I can think of right now. If you're into the outdoors or even just beautiful views its hard to beat Colorado, but if you've lived in Boulder you already know that.