Conservatives in the Philadelphia area? (York, Ardmore: neighborhoods, college, living)

[GoneNative]

I know that the Philly area is predominantly Democratic, and the city is especially so. But are there any areas where particularly social conservatism is quite common? I'm trying to gauge Philly's brand of liberalism--whether the typical East Coast urban, sophisticated, hipster, socially liberal, etc. sort of liberalism or the more blue-collar, union-oriented variety that you'd find in Cleveland, St. Louis, etc. Any thoughts? Is Philly anywhere near the liberalism of Boston, DC, or New York?

Thanks for your help.

[FindingZen]

You'll want to look at neighborhoods in the Far Northeast (e.g. Mayfair, Somerton) as well as Chestnut Hill for the more conservative parts of the city. There are likely even a fair amount of social conservatives living right in Center City (downtown) that just happen to enjoy the convenience of urban amenities.

As far as what kind of liberals you'll find in Philly, I believe it's a mix of the two scenarios you presented. There's certainly a strong blue-collar tradition in the city with its trade unions, although one could argue many of said union members are fiscally liberal for self-preservation but socially conservative. In more recent times as Philly has been able to retain college grads and even attract other younger professionals, more neighborhood revitalization has radiated out from Center City attracting the "hipster quotient." Philly cultural and nightlife scenes certainly hold their own.

If one is a conservative who wants/needs to live in the city but don't need to go "out on the town" much, the Far Northeast may be most to one's liking. If one prefers to have decent options reasonably close, Chestnut Hill isn't bad...that is, if you've got the $$$.

[rotodome]

Chestnut Hill is very liberal (politically, socially), in my experience. I think the only way it might be viewed as "conservative" is relative to (adjacent even more liberal neighborhood) Mt. Airy.

[aquest1]

Hmm, conservatives. As already mentioned, Mayfair and Somerton? Based on interactions, I've always been under the impression that Chestnut Hill was fairly liberal.

I do think many areas have conservatives, but they tend to be overshadowed. For example, the Main Line, which tends to be more expensive, has its fair share of conservatives in parts of Gladwyne, Radnor, Lower Merion, etc. For what it's worth, I saw plenty of Mitt Romney signs around Bryn Mawr during the last election. As far as the flavor, I honestly feel like social liberalism is pretty prevalent everywhere, but outside of center city, things will lean more toward fiscal conservatism.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by aquest1

Hmm, conservatives. As already mentioned, Mayfair and Somerton? Based on interactions, I've always been under the impression that Chestnut Hill was fairly liberal.

I do think many areas have conservatives, but they tend to be overshadowed. For example, the Main Line, which tends to be more expensive, has its fair share of conservatives in parts of Gladwyne, Radnor, Lower Merion, etc. For what it's worth, I saw plenty of Mitt Romney signs around Bryn Mawr during the last election. As far as the flavor, I honestly feel like social liberalism is pretty prevalent everywhere, but outside of center city, things will lean more toward fiscal conservatism.

There is a vocal conservative (though usually fiscally and very seldom socially) minority in Lower Merion, but they are just that. A minority. You are right, however, that certain parts of the Main Line do lean red. Though Lower Merion went 66% to President Obama last election (it stands among the more Democratic suburbs) Romney did end up winning parts of Gladwyne, Haverford, and Rosemont:

Red Racing Horses:: Mapping MontCo- Lower Merion Township in 2012

A lot of it can probably be chalked up to the half that the Eastern Half of the township is, aggregately speaking, moderately wealthy and extremely Jewish, whereas the Western half is extremely wealthy and moderately Jewish (the African American parts of Bryn Mawr basically cancel out the African American parts of Ardmore).

[FindingZen]

I believe a broader swath of the suburbs are conservative. I just thought that the OP was asking about the city, specifically.

That said, I'll concede to possibly being wrong about Chestnut Hill.

[bryson662001]

I was born into a Republican family and when I moved to Philadelphia 25 years ago I was treated like a creature from outer space. People were polite enough but they had all kinds of questions for the first Republican they had ever met. After a few years I changed my status to Democrat so that I could have a voice because all Philadelphia elections are decided in the Democratic primaries. A year ago I moved to Montgomery County and now it is the opposite reaction. When I went to vote and they found out I was registered Democrat all conversation stopped and they stared at me as if I was......from outer space.

[maf763]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

A year ago I moved to Montgomery County and now it is the opposite reaction. When I went to vote and they found out I was registered Democrat all conversation stopped and they stared at me as if I was......from outer space.

Do you know that Abington has two (D) state reps to one (R), a (D) state senator, and its US rep is Allyson Schwartz, who the republicans barely put up a fight against? Hardly a place where people never see democrats.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by maf763

Do you know that Abington has two (D) state reps to one (R), a (D) state senator, and its US rep is Allyson Schwartz, who the republicans barely put up a fight against? Hardly a place where people never see democrats.

Abington went 63% Obama last election--just a little bit less than Lower Merion, though a Republican stronghold or two wouldn't be especially surprising.

In any event, MontCo as a whole decisively (though not overwhelmingly) leans Democrat these days--57% to Obama in 2012.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

I was born into a Republican family and when I moved to Philadelphia 25 years ago I was treated like a creature from outer space. People were polite enough but they had all kinds of questions for the first Republican they had ever met. After a few years I changed my status to Democrat so that I could have a voice because all Philadelphia elections are decided in the Democratic primaries. A year ago I moved to Montgomery County and now it is the opposite reaction. When I went to vote and they found out I was registered Democrat all conversation stopped and they stared at me as if I was......from outer space.

Us too. When In Philly we were Dems, now Republicans. And my town is a total republican run town too and I run the polls every year in my district. . In my experience Philly is mostly liberal Dems and the burbs are mostly conservative Republicans