Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Philly has some significant Healthcare Tech companies, more behind the scenes than known mainstream
Also has large activity with Comcast and GE and biotechnologies, it also does have Amazon by way of an acquisition
Also SAP N American HQ is in Philly
Philly is larger in tech than you think, though probably more in Chicago
both are among the top ten cities in VC funding this year
The other problem I see with Philly is unlike Chi jobs are not concentrated in the city, but spread all over the metro, which makes for rather tough commute. In fact living in most places in popular Bucks or Chester county towns commuting to Philly is a nightmare, even trains don't help, because they are slow and no express trains.
Philadelphia traffic patterns are a bit weird as I believe more people go from the city to outside (i.e., reverse commute) than go from the suburbs to the city (I'm originally from Philly, but I could be wrong on this). SO rush hour is usually quite crowded in both directions. The traffic in Philly isn't terrible, but is consistently meh most of the day.
I think Philadelphia is in a much better location having proximity to the Poconos,NYC, DC, and the beach and Chicago can't match that. I also think much of Philly has a dense feel that feels denser than much of the Loop does in Chicago (I think this is just feel though; I don't believe the statistics bear this out).
Otherwise, Chicago is better in most ways and neighborhoods in Chicago are generally much more interesting than those in Philly.
Philadelphia traffic patterns are a bit weird as I believe more people go from the city to outside (i.e., reverse commute) than go from the suburbs to the city (I'm originally from Philly, but I could be wrong on this). SO rush hour is usually quite crowded in both directions. The traffic in Philly isn't terrible, but is consistently meh most of the day.
Commuters into the city from the 'burbs still outnumber reverse commuters, but you are correct about rush hour being crowded in both directions.
But that's less true on the Delaware Expressway (!-95) than it is on the Schuylkill (I-76). That's because I-95 serves none of the major outlying employment centers save downtown Wilmington and the airport, and you have decent rail transit to both of those.
Not to mention that those two employment centers combined don't equal King of Prussia, the third-largest employment center in the region after Center City and University City. Guess which road connects all three?
Call me a homer, but I prefer Philadelphia. I did a three week internship in Chicago and my brother went to law school at UChicago where I visited him a few times. I love both cities, and in some regards they are quite similar. Both cities are in the top 5 of urban built environments. I'd say the two run neck-and-neck for claiming the #2 best downtown after NYC. To top it off, both are bargains compared to other cities of their size.
I prefer Philly for a few reasons. Firstly, it is one of the most historic feeling cities in the country, specifically in center city. The availability of affordable historic housing is highly attractive to someone like me who loves old houses. Secondly, I just find the city's environment one of the most charming in the country. I love our rowhouses that give residents a hybrid lifestyle somewhere between single-family home living and apartment dwelling. I love the charm of the trolleys and the neighborhoodsy feel of parks like Clark Park where residents play chess and go to community events. I also just prefer the topography of Philly. Chicago is pretty flat. Philly has many bluffs and small hills, especially around places like Manayunk.
I will say, with all this, Chicago often offers "double" what Philly does in regards to many amenities. But I personally cannot think of something major Chicago offers that Philly does not. Extensive public transit, walkability, sports teams with dedicated fans (Philly fans being even more ravenous), thriving nightlife, museums (I love both cities museums, but yes I do think Chicago's are even nicer.), etc. I do understand the appeal of the Lake, and it really does make for some beautiful views of downtown and summer fun. But, I personally think Philly residents get a better deal in regards to access to nature on the whole.
That last bit leads me to the final point that is so contentious. Whether one can "include" regional advantages. While it is clear to me that in regards to offerings within city limits, Chicago comes out on top, everyone knows that your life is impacted by what is accessible to you within your region. I personally think Philly has one of the best locations of all major U.S. cities. You have extremely easy access to NYC (I just took a bus there for a long weekend costing me ~$20) and D.C., the two most influential cities in the nation. By car, you have access to the ocean, mountains, and cute Pennsylvanian towns within 2-3 hours. Regardless of whether you think this all should count in comparing just Chicago vs. Philly, it clearly has real-life impact on the quality of life of residents of the cities. And, by the way, only on city-data do people think this gives Philly some sort of inferiority complex in regards to its position between the two major cities. I have yet to meet someone in Philly who wishes our city were more like either city, or feels inferior for living here. In fact, I really notice a growing pride in the city, influenced by its growing economy, population, super bowl victory, and more.
I think both cities are fantastic places to live affordably while enjoying their urban offerings. I personally prefer Philly.
Being a native of another city with a world-class municipal inferiority complex - I compared my forever and adopted hometowns on this score in a Phillymag essay in the summer of 2013 - I think I need to clear up what looks to me like a misconception you may have about inferiority complexes, or at least the municipal variety, Muinteoir.
Residents of a city that has one don't wish they were living in, or that their city were, some other larger / higher-profile city. On the contrary, they think they live in a great place.* Their beef is that they feel their city doesn't get the respect or attention it deserves. They usually sing its praises to high heaven in the face of criticism or indifference. They are homers par excellence.
*So why did I put in this asterisk? Because Philly's inferiority complex really was a little different, or at least it was when I moved here 35 years ago. My ex often compared the place he has lived just about all his life unfavorably to the city 90 miles up the road. I've heard plenty of other Philadelphians down this place over the years on any number of attributes: insularity, provincialism, corrupt politics, crime, trash ("Philthydelphia"), you name it.
No Kansas Citian I've ever met is so hard on their hometown. On the contrary, they all seem to love the place to death even if they'll never live there again. That certainly describes me.
But I do think there's been a subtle shift over the past 20 years. What I hear now I'd often characterize as "tough love" or "local privilege" on the part of the locals: "We can talk trash about this place all we want, but don't YOU dare."
And, of course, the ranks of those who simply sing its praises to high heaven have grown exponentially. Funny thing is, those ranks include several transplants from New York.
On the whole, though, I still tell newcomers, "Philadelphia is underrated, and nobody underrates it more than the natives."
Being a native of another city with a world-class municipal inferiority complex - I compared my forever and adopted hometowns on this score in a Phillymag essay in the summer of 2013 - I think I need to clear up what looks to me like a misconception you may have about inferiority complexes, or at least the municipal variety, Muinteoir.
Fair enough. I still think this idea that Philly is "trying" to be like other major East Coast cities is false. I laugh at how often people on City-Data say Philly is "trying" to be like New York. I also think Philly has a great reputation from people outside of the city, especially my friends/family (both native and transplant) who live in NYC. However, I do see some of this underrating happening from born-and-raised Philadelphians myself too.
On the whole, though, I still tell newcomers, "Philadelphia is underrated, and nobody underrates it more than the natives."
It's really time for you to stop saying that. Natives who have that attitude are dying off. The generational shift between GenX, Millennials vs Boomers is picking up steam as it should. I don't know a single millennial in Philly who feels that way. The evidence is right before your eyes. Pay attention to it.
Fair enough. I still think this idea that Philly is "trying" to be like other major East Coast cities is false. I laugh at how often people on City-Data say Philly is "trying" to be like New York. I also think Philly has a great reputation from people outside of the city, especially my friends/family (both native and transplant) who live in NYC. However, I do see some of this underrating happening from born-and-raised Philadelphians myself too.
I wouldn't say trying to be like New York, but I think New York is a great model for Philadelphia to take notes from.
I wouldn't say trying to be like New York, but I think New York is a great model for Philadelphia to take notes from.
Really? I think most who inhabit Philadelphia would prefer it stay more similar to Philadelphia with its distinct local culture, affordability, and charm. I see no reason for Philly to take notes from New York.
Really? I think most who inhabit Philadelphia would prefer it stay more similar to Philadelphia with its distinct local culture, affordability, and charm. I see no reason for Philly to take notes from New York.
Ever heard of gentrification? You have no power to stop that since it’s already entering Philly!
But I will say Philly and NYC have a distinct unique culture that makes both cities great.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
