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.
As for the question? The answer is fairly obvious. Philadelphia is tainted (from a NY reference) by New Jersey. Boston is further away, and thereby not associated with areas more intimately tied in with New York. It's far enough away to be seen as a respected (though diminutive) rival, whereas Philadelphia is just across the river from South Jersey -- why would NYC compare itself to that?
So you're saying New York doesn't take Philly seriously because of its suburbs on the Jersey side? That's not fairly obvious at all haha, I don't think it even really makes sense. I doubt the average New Yorker even knows what South Jersey is or that it has an unique identity.
If any city is "tainted" (lol) by New Jersey, it's definitely NYC. All you hear about in sports, media, tourism, etc. is "the NY/NJ region." Outside the Philadelphia region, I don't think many people even realize that Philly has Jersey suburbs. A lot of people seem confused when I say I spend most of my time in the city (Philadelphia), their geography gets completely thrown off.
I think on the sports end of things, this thread is now an amusing relic as Philly has fully stepped up its baseball and football games to unprecedented heights.
The Eagles need to win something first........................................
From my observation, Philadelphia has more of a national recognition than Boston. I have traveled to many cities and everyone immediately knows about Philadelphia when I tell them it's my former home town. Boston on the other hand is quite different. Most people, outside of New Yorkers and Philadelphians do not know very much about Boston at all. In my opinion, Boston is one of those cities that you don't really appreciate or realize how large or cosmopolitian it is until you go there to visit. Then, one realizes " wow, Boston is a big city". At least that's how it was for me. For years I followed Celtics/Philadelphia Basketball and for some reason, thought Boston was a small "whole-in-the-wall" town....until I made a visit.
Now, to answer the original question...I believe the rivalry between Boston and New York than Philadelphia (in sports, economy, etc) has a lot to do with the large Irish influence and presence which both cities shared during the early years. I believe Bostonians and New Yorkers recornize that and gravitate toward each other. Being from Philadelpia, I can hardly distinguish the difference between a New York and Boston accent.
Just my opinion.
I've seen a lot of Americans who know about Boston... tons.... most people know of Philadelphia being where fresh prince was born and raised and on the playground is where he spent most of his days....
I agree.. LA doesn't concern itself with NYC.... i'm not even sure it does with SF...
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.
