Why so much hate for Philly? (Philadelphia, Reading: elementary school, living, restaurants)

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by rotodome

Another new account with a very short and very "consistent" posting history.

We seem blessed with them in the last few weeks. I notice many use similar spelling and syntax when posting. What are the odds of that?

[Clark Park]

Originally Posted by South Philly bro

Yo, didn't you read my post? If I had the doe, I'd do it in a heartbeat! I'm flat broke and I blame the this city for it. No opportunity for me to make the money and get out. I love to head to the west coast or Florida. I even wish I could live in New York City but it's too expensive. I would love to check out Portland or San Diego if I could. My city is just to dreary and just a loser town.

I lived for big portions of my life in both New York City and Miami. I grew up near Miami went to college there and stayed until I was nearly 30. The next 10 years I lived in New YorkCity. Now I'm in Philly.

South Philly, they say "the grass is always greener on the other side."

I believe you might be happier living somewhere else if Philly is all you know.

I don't want to live in Florida even though nearly my entire family is there ... the summers, which last from April until November are super hot and humid and sticky, and also very rainy - not to mention hurricanes. There are bugs everywhere - these big ugly roaches on steroids called "Palmetto Bugs". No thanks. I can tolerate visiting for a week or two.

New York is just too damn expensive. It is so crowded, it's almost overwhelming. If you live in Brooklyn, Bronx or Queens (I lived in a really nice part of Queens called Fresh Meadows) ... but if you work in Manhattan, I tell you that running down the stairs to catch the subway train, the crowded trains, some creep groping your crotch while you're packed in like sardines, driving a car in New York, is really a hassle. Everything costs $$$ in New York - much more than Philly. Try working long hours at two jobs just to afford for $1,800 a month rent on a small one bedroom apartment. And yes, even though it's only 90 miles north of here the winters are colder and they usually get more snow than we do (check out the climate statistics and gardening zones - Philly is in a warmer zone than NYC).

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by South Philly bro

Yo, didn't you read my post? If I had the doe, I'd do it in a heartbeat! I'm flat broke and I blame the this city for it. No opportunity for me to make the money and get out. I love to head to the west coast or Florida. I even wish I could live in New York City but it's too expensive. I would love to check out Portland or San Diego if I could. My city is just to dreary and just a loser town.

Your not from south philly, and it is not a loser city, there are tons of hardworking and successful people here, that make it a great place.

[South Philly bro]

Dude, I know they are bro. The whole city sucks and people argue about the smallest things. I'm not from South Philly? Are you sure about that? I wish! I am not a happy camper guy! I wish this city was exciting and world class with friendly people, not!!

[kidphilly]

Charles A. Birnbaum: City Shaping III: The Philadelphia Story

[catocat]

I really liked Philadelphia Center city the first time I visited in 2005 and I feel very lucky that I have had the chance to actually live here. From all cities I have been to it, reminds me most of Boston and parts of London...very neigborhoody. I can understand people's points about the crime, but the good news is Philadelphia is on an upward trend. I hope it keeps getting better.

[Acristal]

I've lived in Philly for over a year and hate it. It gets a little worse for me everyday. Center City is okay. There are nice shops, and it's somewhat hip but lacks excitement. You meet some nice people, but on average people are hard and big on alliances. I hate to admit it, but I find men more attractive here than men on the west coast - they seem sturdier to me, but my admiration stops there.

In general, people are very judgmental, drama queens, and assume way too much. I could deal with the weather if the city had more to offer, but the provencial mindset ruins it for me. It's hard to get around the city. There's a lot of petty crime and murders for a city this size. I don't get it and no longer want to.

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by Acristal

I've lived in Philly for over a year and hate it. It gets a little worse for me everyday. Center City is okay. There are nice shops, and it's somewhat hip but lacks excitement. You meet some nice people, but on average people are hard and big on alliances. I hate to admit it, but I find men more attractive here than men on the west coast - they seem sturdier to me, but my admiration stops there.

In general, people are very judgmental, drama queens, and assume way too much. I could deal with the weather if the city had more to offer, but the provencial mindset ruins it for me. It's hard to get around the city. There's a lot of petty crime and murders for a city this size. I don't get it and no longer want to.

Just curious as to where you live in Philly now and where you are from? The East Coast is always going to be more provincial than the West Coast. Some people have been here for generations and identify themselves completely with their city (I'd say this includes Boston, NYC, Phila, Baltimore even DC to an extent). You do not get that on The West Coast because mostly everyone is from somewhere else.

Oh and I strongly agree with at least one thing you wrote:

In general, people are very judgmental and assume way too much.

[aldamon]

Originally Posted by dreamingofsunshine123

theres hardly any vegetarian places or healthy eating places in philly. FACT.

This is a great discussion, and even though I'm out of state, I thought I'd chime in on this comment. We just visited Philly for the first time in May and we had no trouble finding vegetarian/vegan restaurants. We even found fresh tofu burritos at the airport. Seriously, you're not looking hard enough or looking at all really. We had a great time and loved the city. The vegetarian/vegan options were great.

[Acristal]

Visiting is different than living here. I had visited Philly several times and it was fun to visit. Living here is depressing to me. I've tried a lot of things to get involved and I've met people, but it's a boring and crass little city to me.