Is Philly a cosmopolitan city? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: city hall, home, income)

[rotodome]

Cosmo? Nah, I think it's a Vanity Fair city.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by ZonaZoo

For me, Philly, Baltimore, and Providence are easier pills to swallow because they're less cosmopolitan than Boston, New York, and D.C.

Philly is certainly more cosmopolitan than Providence and Baltimore. Give it some credit, it can hold ground against Boston and DC.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

I think philly represents a lot of nationalities. Look at 69th station, nothing is written in the english alphabet there. We walked through the odunde festival and it was the first time in america I thought I was in another country. I think what makes it hard to notice is how subtle and laid back everyone is about it.

Technically, 69th Street is just a few blocks across the border into Delaware County but I understand what you mean.

There are a lot of West Africans in West Philly plus (I'd imagine) a number of African-Americans who are interested in their ancestral history; thus, you have the Odunde Festival.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by rotodome

Cosmo? Nah, I think it's a Vanity Fair city.

Zing!

[rainrock]

I was in the Costco at KOP yesterday and I hardly recognize the place from 10-20 years ago when it was 99% white. The biggest change is the citizens of Asian and East Indian descent. The word is out. This region is changing pretty quickly from its parochial past.

KOP area seems to be a pretty big hub of newcomers I suppose from the pharma and tech industries.

The 2020 and 2030 census reports are going to shock a lot of people. The days of 80% white majority are over for the Philadelphia region. Although i suspect those opposed to integration will have their strongholds probbaly on the outskirts. Chester County Central/Upper Bucks /Montco etc.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by rainrock

I was in the Costco at KOP yesterday and I hardly recognize the place from 10-20 years ago when it was 99% white. The biggest change is the citizens of Asian and East Indian descent. The word is out. This region is changing pretty quickly from its parochial past.

KOP area seems to be a pretty big hub of newcomers I suppose from the pharma and tech industries.

The 2020 and 2030 census reports are going to shock a lot of people. The days of 80% white majority are over for the Philadelphia region. Although i suspect those opposed to integration will have their strongholds probbaly on the outskirts. Chester County Central/Upper Bucks /Montco etc.

Yes, that's definitely the trend. I think what makes Philadelphia interesting is that it has always been fairly ethnically diverse (among whites -- consider the numerous types of European-American communities here), but it's also attracting a diverse set of new immigrants. Whereas other cities tend to have immigrant communities dominated by a couple of ethnic groups (Hispanics/Latinos in particular in the Sun Belt), Philly is attracting immigrants from many different areas across the globe.

So, to answer the OP, Philly is certainly not on the cosmo level of NYC or DC, but -- like all major metros -- the trends are moving in that direction. Considering that all of the growth in the region is being made up either by births (which are more likely to be from racial minorities) or immigrants, diversification is happening more quickly than people think:

"The number of immigrants arriving in Philadelphia annually has jumped from about 5,000 people a year to over 7,000 a year."

Philly gets more diverse, stays forever young

Regionally, the Philly area has added 38,000 immigrants in the past 2 years. This ranks the region 11th nationally and puts it very close to the levels of fast-growing cities like Dallas and Atlanta -- and even ahead of Seattle. I can assure you that wasn't the case 10 years ago.

http://www.governing.com/blogs/by-th...tro-areas.html

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by Duderino

"The number of immigrants arriving in Philadelphia annually [ B]has jumped from about 5,000 people a year to over 7,000 [/b]a year."

And Add the influx of 2nd 3rd generation minorities that are/will eventually find Philadelphia more livable & affordable than NY-Dc..


That article I believe is talking about Philadelphia County alone. From what I am seeing out in KOP this looks like a hub of 2nd 3rd generation newcomers. Think 2012 Lexus,BMW's,Land Cruisers.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by rainrock

And Add the influx of 2nd 3rd generation minorities that are/will eventually find Philadelphia more livable & affordable than NY-Dc..


That article I believe is talking about Philadelphia County alone. From what I am seeing out in KOP this looks like a hub of 2nd 3rd generation newcomers. Think 2012 Lexus,BMW's,Land Cruisers.

Yes, you're correct. The Philly region is now attracting around 20,000 immigrants per year.

I think we can put to rest this tired notion that the Philly region is stagnant and "provincial."

[soug]

Eh I love Philly's provinciality. I love asking for lager and getting Yuengling without hesitation. I love our sports reputation, and I love when outsiders complain that everyone wears Philly sports apparel too much.

That said, Philly most certainly has a very underappreciated cosmopolitan air that you can find if you dig just a bit below the surface.

Also, just to clarify, when I say provinciality, I'm not talking about race or ethnicity, as the OP seems to be. I'm just referring to the general mannerisms/trends/whatever of people from this region.

[john_starks]

That said, Philly most certainly has a very underappreciated cosmopolitan air that you can find if you dig just a bit below the surface.

that's my take on the city having grown up in CT and NY

it's still defintely rough around the edges, but that's the appeal imo
i've said it before, but it reminds me of a nyc boro