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Agree. While I understand Atlanta has some lovely suburbs, Philadelphia's can make a claim of walkable/dense railroad-era suburbs, loads of historic charm, and extensive pernanently-preserved open space. Honestly don't think Atlanta is much the bargain that it used to be.
Both areas lay within the Piedmont region, though, which provides a very appealing, rolling hill aesthetic.
Philadelphia's suburban counties are far nicer, have a higher QOL, and have considerably better schools.
I prefer the city of Philadelphia over Atlanta, however, I vastly prefer the overall metro of Atlanta to that of Philadelphia.
And Atlanta is a lot cleaner. There’s plenty of large cities that are clean. Even San Francisco, NYC and others seems like very clean cities to me. Philadelphia and it’s suburbs are are just too dirty to me. And I care a lot about that.
I'm genuinely curious about your suburban Philadelphia experience. Litter in the city proper? That comes as a shock to literally no one. It continues to be a work-in-progress.
But where exactly was your "dirty" suburban experience? I only ask because the suburbs are overwhelmingly well-manicured. Classically middle-to-upper-middle class communities with a lot of emphasis on maintaining a bucolic character.
Philadelphia's suburban counties are far nicer, have a higher QOL, and have considerably better schools.
That's my impression, too. Philadelphia is just a much more mature/established metro area, so in many ways, it's difficult to compare.
Economically, it's also important to note that the growth rate is actually quite healthy and reasonable for such a mature urban area. With annualized job growth of 1% versus metro population growth of approximately 0.3%, that equates to an economy growing at 3 times the rate of population growth.
Not exactly a negative for someone looking for a job.
I prefer the city of Philadelphia over Atlanta, however, I vastly prefer the overall metro of Atlanta to that of Philadelphia.
And Atlanta is a lot cleaner. There’s plenty of large cities that are clean. Even San Francisco, NYC and others seems like very clean cities to me. Philadelphia and it’s suburbs are are just too dirty to me. And I care a lot about that.
Personally I dont think Philly is that dirty like it used to be.
No more than NYC though Philly hoods are worse than anywhere in the US
The suburbs vary from high brow to older closer to almost urban.I would never say dirty unless you mean Camden as a suburb
I would say Atlanta wins this one. Atlanta has more going for it at this point, and is becoming more prominent. I like that Atlanta offers more upward mobility for minorities and lower cost of living.
Public Transit:Philadelphia
Universities: Atlanta
Economy: Atlanta
Wealth: Atlanta
Vibrancy: Atlanta
Character: Philadelphia
Suburbs: Atlanta by a lot
Schools: Not sure
Urban Cores - Philadelphia
Diversity - Philadelphia
Shopping - Atlanta
Food - Philadelphia
Road Network/Traffic - None
Sports - Atlanta
Quick Getaways/Recreation/Parks - Atlanta
Economic Future - Atlanta
Job/Housing Market - Atlanta by a lot
Nightlife/Entertainment - Not sure
History/Museums - Philadelphia
Theater/Art - Philadelphia
Media - Atlanta
Universities to Atlanta?
Philly has:
Drexel
U of Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr
Temple
Schools bad in both-Tie
Night Life- Atlanta
Diversity -Philly but not integrated as Atlanta
I agree with everything else
I prefer Atlanta overall
Last edited by CleverOne; 02-18-2020 at 08:40 PM..
My knowledge on Philadelphia is pretty limited but I'll give this a shot:
QOL: - Atlanta
Public Transit: - Philadelphia
Universities: - Atlanta
Economy: - Atlanta but Philadelphia is pulling very strong especially for a rust belt city overshadowed by NYC and D.C..
Wealth: - Atlanta
Vibrancy: - Philadelphia
Character: - Philadelphia
Suburbs: - Atlanta
Schools: - Atlanta
Urban Cores - Philadelphia
Diversity - Tie
Shopping - (I can't accurately judge this one)
Food - Philadelphia, although Atlanta is no slouch here either.
Road Network/Traffic - Philadelphia
Sports - Atlanta
Quick Getaways/Recreation/Parks - This is also a hard one for me to judge - Pennsylvania is a beautiful state and I'm sure there has to be recreation amenities within the vicinity of Philadelphia. I'm going to go ahead and say Atlanta but only by a slight edge mainly because the presence of the blueridge region.
Economic Future - Atlanta
Job/Housing Market - Atlanta
Nightlife/Entertainment - Atlanta
History/Museums - Philadelphia
Theater/Art - Philadelphia, UNLESS we're also considering the Hollywood scene, if so then Atlanta.
QOL: Philadelphia - lower poverty, better public schools
Public Transit: Philadelphia
Universities: Rankings are similar but Philadephia has more schools. University of Pennsylvania is best out of both. Atlanta has better engineering programs, but liberal arts, business, medicine, etc. is way in Philly’s favor.
Economy: Atlanta has a faster growing economy, but Philadelphia’s is larger
Wealth: Philadelphia’s median income is higher
Vibrancy: Philadelphia
Character: Philadelphia
Suburbs: Philadelphia
Schools: Philadelphia
Urban Cores - Philadelphia
Diversity - not sure
Shopping - not sure
Food - Philadelphia
Road Network/Traffic - not really sure, but I would assume Atlanta.
Sports - Philadelphia is one of the premier sports cities
Quick Getaways/Recreation/Parks - Atlanta has a better airport with cheaper flights for get aways. A lot further from the beach though.
Economic Future - Atlanta is primed to grow more.
Job/Housing Market - Atlanta
Nightlife/Entertainment - Philadelphia
History/Museums - Philadelphia
Theater/Art - Philadelphia
Last edited by thedirtypirate; 02-18-2020 at 09:10 PM..
Universities to Atlanta?
Philly has:
Drexel
U of Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr
Temple
Schools bad in both-Tie
Night Life- Atlanta
Diversity -Philly but not integrated as Atlanta
I agree with everything else
I prefer Atlanta overall
Don't forget SJU and Villanova for Philadelphia. ATL has Emory and Tech. Philadelphia is definitely top 5 for higher ed in the US.
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