Negadelphians (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, York: crime, layoffs, neighborhood)

[Marius Pontmercy]

I just had to make a thread about this, because the constant negativity of some posters, and many "Philadelphians" (I use this term loosely here because many of these people aren't from Philadelphia) is really gratingly negative. Not even negative in any constructive way. I find most people who have generally favorable views of the city are still critical of the city, which is helpful. However, negadelphians aren't critical, often they don't seem to be on the same planet, painting broad brush pictures of doom, gloom, death and destruction. Really, reading some of the posts on this forum makes me think people actually have this image of Philadelphia as a kind of Mad Max post-apocalyptic wasteland of crack, shootings, and welfare fraud. It bothers me because for those people who do come through this forum looking for views of the city from those who are purported to actually live here (I'm sure many don't) see these things, and even if they aren't really discouraged (because this is the internet after all) it still does the city a disservice by portraying it in such a pessimistic and narrow-minded way.

I may be, perhaps, too idealistic. I may love this city too much, and the people in it. I may value the city too much, and the ideals it was founded on and the stories of the people who came to live here and those who still live here. But I think there's still enough good in this place that it deserves more than to be labelled as a "wasteland".

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

It's very true. I was born in New York City, but grew up in Berks County, PA. I just recently moved to Philadelphia. We came here a couple time a year when I was a kid, and I always loved it so much. I'm really happy to live here.

The negativity doesn't bother me too too much. But I spent the past couple of years in college in Minneapolis. And let me tell you what: It's a nice city, but a lot of things about it suck. They have a lacking transit system. Super hard to live without a car compared to Philly. Their downtown was completely knocked down in the 60's, and has a lot of bleak modernist architecture. The only "hip, active" neighborhood is filled with drunk yuppies and college kids every weekend, making it a really undesirable place to live, in my opinion. The commericial corridors are all made up of strip malls with chainstores, nothing classy like Center City , Passyunk, Germantown Ave, or anything. Their idea of a "walkable" neighborhood is a walking path around a lake...not actually being able to walk or take a train to things to do. Yet...they all love it. And if you criticize it at all, in the tiniest bit, you're ostracized. You're the devil. Literally.

So after coming out of that group-think environment, I don't care if people say bad things about a place which is OBVIOUSLY pretty good. The problems Philly has are the problems every city has. That doesn't take away from the positive things about Philadelphia that most cities don't have.

[*Sweetkisses*]

I wouldnt let it get to you although see what you are saying.

[algia]

I think it is because of people's level of culture/education and overall laziness. How they grew up, were they directed by their parents towards appreciating the arts? we're they listening non stop about how the parents wanted to move to Florida? I think that matters a lot in the overall opinion some form.

"I" for one appreciate the area's culture, history, for me that entire area has a million things to do....others just want to lie on the beach here in FL and do nothing but enjoy chain foods!

I am one of those naysayers here in FL because all I hear (read) from ppl wanting to move here is how they are looking for public transit, culture and generally things that just don't exist down here! especially if you come from NYC, Philly, Chicago etc etc etc I tell ppl, we are an endless sprawl, you have to drive to just get bread! everything artistic is expensive because it is not local, it comes touring and what's local barely exists bc ppl could care less about it......ohh and the "warm" weather...we are in the 30's and 40's...and while I know that's no match for minus anything, for FL that's not warm! LOLOL People isolate themselves a LOT here....driving distances is one reason why...then things become "been there done that"...and you're done. Unless you're into water sports and fishing...there is not much diversity down here. I rather fish for trout.

In Philly and around, there is ALWAYS something going on...and if you exhausted everything that was there (which would take years), you're only a ride away from NYC and a few hrs to DC for more things to do.


Crime wise, Philly is no match for the number of uninsured drivers in Florida for example.....cause it is a crime to an extent to drive uninsured....or without a license which seems to be a sport here. We had things stolen from a gated with barrier and 24/7 security! Imagine that!

"Wasteland" have these ppl never driven up 322? OMG that area all the way up to Bradford is GORGEOUS! scenery wise, cities....been to Ridgeway? GORGEOUS Little town.....

Originally Posted by Marius Pontmercy

I just had to make a thread about this, because the constant negativity of some posters, and many "Philadelphians" (I use this term loosely here because many of these people aren't from Philadelphia) is really gratingly negative. Not even negative in any constructive way. I find most people who have generally favorable views of the city are still critical of the city, which is helpful. However, negadelphians aren't critical, often they don't seem to be on the same planet, painting broad brush pictures of doom, gloom, death and destruction. Really, reading some of the posts on this forum makes me think people actually have this image of Philadelphia as a kind of Mad Max post-apocalyptic wasteland of crack, shootings, and welfare fraud. It bothers me because for those people who do come through this forum looking for views of the city from those who are purported to actually live here (I'm sure many don't) see these things, and even if they aren't really discouraged (because this is the internet after all) it still does the city a disservice by portraying it in such a pessimistic and narrow-minded way.

I may be, perhaps, too idealistic. I may love this city too much, and the people in it. I may value the city too much, and the ideals it was founded on and the stories of the people who came to live here and those who still live here. But I think there's still enough good in this place that it deserves more than to be labeled as a "wasteland".

[Craziaskowboi]

Pittsburgh seemed to have the same problem about 10 years ago, although it's slowly begun to change in recent years. I agree that there's a fine line between constructive criticism and destructive criticism.

[Boompa]

Most Negadelphians are from Jersey or the suburbs, have never ridden on the subway and only drive in for sports events and leave. That's OK though I'd rather live in the city than in their suburbs. I grew up in North Philly, and never knew I was poor until I left. There are people on this board who bash every major city, that's their problem

[rotodome]

I think that a lot of the things people complain about in Philly seem to betray a lack of perspective.
Things you always hear, like "Septa is the worst, most expensive, most mismanaged transit system in the country!!" (when it's actually one of the best by far, is comparably priced to most, and shares the same management/budget issues with like every public transit system I can think of).
Or "the Schuylkill Expressway is the worst, most inadequate highway in any major city!" (ever see the BQE...or like any highway in NYC?).
Or complaining about traffic (as if it's something unique to Philly), or about parking in Center City (Really? You want more parking lots for cars in the middle of an historic pedestrian downtown?).
Or complaining about how the sports teams "always lose" (when at least two of the city's teams are in the playoffs pretty much every year and all 4 of our teams have gone to championship games in the last decade - not too many places can say that). Etc, etc...
So many people never seem to appreciate or take pride in all the obvious legitimately great things they've got in Philly, but are so quick to rip on any random perceived deficiency.

Really the only negativity train I ever get on in regards to Philly is the performance of the sanitation workers. Because it is truly absurd and not at all normal the way they seem to prioritize distance-tossing trash cans and scattering trash all over street over actually picking it up, as if they don't care at all what their actual job function is. But...maybe it's just because they're Negadelphians too!

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by rotodome

I think that a lot of the things people complain about in Philly seem to betray a lack of perspective.
Things you always hear, like "Septa is the worst, most expensive, most mismanaged transit system in the country!!" (when it's actually one of the best by far, is comparably priced to most, and shares the same management/budget issues with like every public transit system I can think of).

Yeah, this is something that does bother me. If you think SEPTA is bad, move to almost anywhere in America besides New York (or maybe Chicago or Boston - I've never used their system, but it seems decent). I count my blessings everytime I have to take SEPTA.

Public transit is in a pretty bad state all over the country. So I have no doubt that transit may have been better here at one point. But having a real transit system that's something more than just a "charity" for poor people is an amazing thing after moving here from Minneapolis. Trains, trolleys, light rail that actually goes places...a regional rail system...a whole bunch of buses that run 24 hours a day. It's a wonderful thing. I don't care if I have to use a token instead of a computer-chip. Big deal. I care about what happens after I give them the token. SEPTA is one of the best things about Philadelphia.

[Duderino]

Good, important topic. I wholeheartedly agree that, for many in Philly (and the general area), complaining about everything under the sun seems to be a time-honored tradition. Thankfully, there are enough positive thinkers/outsiders that tend to keep things in perspective.

That is not to say there aren't issues that deserve to be complained about, but there is a middle ground (acknowledging the good but offering constructive criticism) that many Philadelphians seem incapable of subscribing to. I think in order to combat blatant negativism, it is critical to constantly offer a positive voice and highlight the city's many assets. That way outsiders will have a realistic perspective that the city is somewhere between purgatory and paradise.

[BPP1999]

Sometimes I refer to Negadelphians as Loserdelphians, because that's what many of these people are (losers).