Nyer's rather visit Boston than Philly? Why? (Philadelphia, Harrisburg: violent crime, houses)

[Soju]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-y...nnecticut.html

Boston is a nice SMALL clean major city but its way overrated. Its alot smaller than Philly. But it seems to get alot of positive publicity. The main reason why I think is that Boston is not in the shadow of NYC, being 4 hours away gives it its own character where Philly has been overshadowed by NYC for so many years due to our close distance ,only 2 hours.

[solibs]

Boston is a nice town. Boston proper is small but it's no different than if West Philly and South Philly were different cities (Cambridge, Chelsea, etc). The metro areas are very similar in size and the transit systems are very similar. Boston's T has the edge over our subway/trolley network but our regional rail network is superior IMO.

The only real differences between the two places is money. Philly is probably 20 years behind Boston. Reason being is that Boston was a textile center and that industry moved to the South a few decades before deindustrialization hit the manufacturing sector of the Delaware Valley. So, when Philly was at its peak in the late 50's, Boston was looking rough around the edges.

As far as New Yorkers go, most of them don't know anything about Philly. For most of them, when they think Philly, they visualize some place like Harrisburg or Wilmington. I don't know how many NY'ers have said to me "you guys have a subway?"

For others that know it is a big city i think a lot of them feel threatened by it because they don't know anything about it. There's a whole lot of New England money in NYC so there's a lot of back & forth. There aren't many NY'ers who don't have friends from the Boston area or friends who went to school there.

[john_starks]

Boston's OK. i grew up in CT so I used to frequent the city a lot. had family & friends there. they lived in Coply Square and Breacon Hill. i found it very college-y and irritating. Can there be anymore people wearing either J Crew, LL Bean or sweatshirts and jeans? it has decent clubs & bars, i'll give it that. i also found it racist...very white, wealthy with a sprinkle of international students... waay too New Englandy for my taste.

that's why i loved NYC....its the bomb!

granted Philly is more rudimentary than NYC, Boston & DC. but its far grittier and cooler than Boston imo...it just fits me better...reminds me more of parts of Brooklyn/Queens.

Boston is not in the shadow of NYC, being 4 hours away gives it its own character where Philly has been overshadowed by NYC for so many years due to our close distance ,only 2 hours.

that has a lot to do with it too. Philly is a stop in the NE corridor where Boston's considered the capital of New England. not in southern CT its not

There's a whole lot of New England money in NYC so there's a lot of back & forth. There aren't many NY'ers who don't have friends from the Boston area or friends who went to school there.

another good point

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by solibs

Boston is a nice town. Boston proper is small but it's no different than if West Philly and South Philly were different cities (Cambridge, Chelsea, etc). The metro areas are very similar in size and the transit systems are very similar. Boston's T has the edge over our subway/trolley network but our regional rail network is superior IMO.

The only real differences between the two places is money. Philly is probably 20 years behind Boston. Reason being is that Boston was a textile center and that industry moved to the South a few decades before deindustrialization hit the manufacturing sector of the Delaware Valley. So, when Philly was at its peak in the late 50's, Boston was looking rough around the edges.

As far as New Yorkers go, most of them don't know anything about Philly. For most of them, when they think Philly, they visualize some place like Harrisburg or Wilmington. I don't know how many NY'ers have said to me "you guys have a subway?"

For others that know it is a big city i think a lot of them feel threatened by it because they don't know anything about it. There's a whole lot of New England money in NYC so there's a lot of back & forth. There aren't many NY'ers who don't have friends from the Boston area or friends who went to school there.

Interesting post and thread. I've frequented the Boston area a few times over the past year and I definitely see a lot of similarities (something also reciprocated when I toured some older suburbs around Philly with a friend from the Boston area). Although I no doubt agree that Boston is a gem of a city, I think you're right that -- due in no small part to Philly's rougher reputation -- people that are only familiar with the city through media reports will first think of images of decrepit row houses and violent crime, as opposed to the Liberty Bell at the well-manicured Independence Mall or the leafy, cobblestone streets of Society Hill. Not to mention relatively isolated Boston is the official capital of the Northeastern sub-region of New England, whereas even a 1.4 million person metropolis is going to seem like a cow town compared against our nation's largest city that lies no further than 80 miles away.

Also, when you're dealing with people who have provincial attitudes -- that are found in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia -- people will obviously only recommend and elaborate on what they're familiar. So, I really don't take it as a mystery if someone doesn't realize that Philadelphia has just as many attractions as Boston -- or a subway system for that matter. It's just a matter of making people more knowledgeable.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Duderino

Although I no doubt agree that Boston is a gem of a city, I think you're right that -- due in no small part to Philly's rougher reputation -- people that are only familiar with the city through media reports will first think of images of decrepit row houses and violent crime, as opposed to the Liberty Bell at the well-manicured Independence Mall or the leafy, cobblestone streets of Society Hill. Not to mention relatively isolated Boston is the official capital of the Northeastern sub-region of New England, whereas even a 1.4 million person metropolis is going to seem like a cow town compared against our nation's largest city that lies no further than 80 miles away

a 6.8 million person metropolis.

[bryson662001]

The thread you are refering to has no scientific evidence as to how many NYers prefer one destination over the other. I would guess more come to Philly just because it is so much easier to get to. Also Philly has had more media coverage recently because unlike Boston, it has just been "discovered" in the last 5-10 years. Why more Boston lovers chose to respond to that particular thread really doesn't prove anything.

[Blackbeauty212]

Ny'ers are already living in Philly. Philly is easily a 6 borough to NY, it would shock you if you knew how many people commute from Philly to NY to work everyday. Its insane.

That's why people prefer to visit Boston to Philly, they already know Philly.

[DC's Finest]

I would take Philly anyday over Boston. I like Boston but Philly just seems like an undiscovered jewel that needs a little polishing.

[MoorestownResident]

Philly has more potential than Boston but I think any cosmopolitan media source would suggest Boston is in front of Philly. I think it goes back to quality of schools and wealth. Philly has a lot of problems that aren't easily correctable though it is making some progress in certain areas. Having a more substantial skyline in the coming years will help improve Philly's small time image. Fixing the city's public schools is a major structural problem that will take decades to fix. In addition, the amount of poverty that exists within the city limits is just deplorable. Some progress is being made. The City has a very poor tax structure, was run horrendously (bankrupt less than 20 years ago) and is held victim to unions. Philly has to care about itself before others will care about it.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

Philly has more potential than Boston but I think any cosmopolitan media source would suggest Boston is in front of Philly. I think it goes back to quality of schools and wealth. Philly has a lot of problems that aren't easily correctable though it is making some progress in certain areas. Having a more substantial skyline in the coming years will help improve Philly's small time image. Fixing the city's public schools is a major structural problem that will take decades to fix. In addition, the amount of poverty that exists within the city limits is just deplorable. Some progress is being made. The City has a very poor tax structure, was run horrendously (bankrupt less 20 years ago) and is held victim to unions. Philly has to care about itself before others will care about it.

Wow, an excellent post (seriously).