3 year review of Philadelphia (Elim, Girard: house, buses, rail)

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by TaiChiMaster

Thanks for the detailed review of Philadelphia. While I am not concerned about the grid system, I do have a concern about constantly living on edge. Having lived under similar conditions for many years, I know the wear and tear it had on one's physical and mental health. Coupled with this the unavailability of healthy food options had to give one pause, since health is what matters most to me.

Can you share with me where you found your modern apartment at a reasonable rate? My own research has revealed only small modern apartments at quite expensive rates, though not nearly as expensive as NYC.

Do you know what your budget would be? There are literally hundreds of thousands of us that don't "live on edge" but it's alright to have your concerns. We would never direct you to live in a bad neighborhood.

[TaiChiMaster]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Do you know what your budget would be? There are literally hundreds of thousands of us that don't "live on edge" but it's alright to have your concerns. We would never direct you to live in a bad neighborhood.

Thanks for your offer of assistance.

There only modern apartments I can locate are in the Center City area and smallish 2br/2ba (~1000 sq ft) seem to be going for around $3000/month+parking. This is actually more expensive than what I am experiencing here in Metro NYC area. Currently I am paying $3000 (including parking) for 1350 sq ft. From what I can discern, the crime rate where I live is approx 1/3 that of Center City largely due to the high property crime rate in Center City.

Thanks again.

[MB1562]

Originally Posted by branh0913

I think when you start getting towards West, South, and Southwest Philly it starts to get very confusing. And let's not get started on places like Mt. Airy which appears to be a completely different grid altogether.

I still don't understand this. Almost all of South Philly is still on a grid, as are the parts of West Philly that are worth going to. I don't know about Southwest as I've barely ever been there.

The only real difference between Manhattan's and Philly's grid is that we have a lot of random back alleys and side streets in between the main ones, but that doesn't effect the navigability of it. Yes, you have to somewhat memorize the names of the "named" streets, but it really isn't that difficult.

Like I said before, try going going to Boston or London and you'll never complain again, lol.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by branh0913

I'm far more use to, and more familiar with Manhattan's Grid, which could be figured out in less than an hour. I guess my issue with Philly's grid is that the street numbers don't seem to be in any dicernable order.

What are you talking about? Numbered streets go north/south in big chunks of the city. Sample. Front (1st St) all the way to 68th St in Overbrook/ Overbrook Park. Named streets, generally, go east/west. Broad St would be 14th if it was numbered.

Manhattan isn't especially or perfectly grid-like in the Lower East side or the Financial District.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by branh0913

I'm far more use to, and more familiar with Manhattan's Grid, which could be figured out in less than an hour. I guess my issue with Philly's grid is that the street numbers don't seem to be in any dicernable order. Also some streets exist in parts of Philly that don't exist in other parts. so to me it seems mostly based on memory. This is also a critique of the overall grid system in the entire city. Center city is actually easy to navigate, even if you have to remember the names of the streets.

I think when you start getting towards West, South, and Southwest Philly it starts to get very confusing. And let's not get started on places like Mt. Airy which appears to be a completely different grid altogether.

What may be confusing to you in S. Philly are, probably, Passyunk and Moyamensing which are at angles.

[Pine to Vine]

The responses to this thread are one of the things I like about the city. Despite all this talk of "Negadelphians," when someone offers their view of a less than positive aspect of the city, natives rise to defend their city. "Whoa, waddayamean the grid system is awful!!"

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by branh0913

I'm far more use to, and more familiar with Manhattan's Grid, which could be figured out in less than an hour. I guess my issue with Philly's grid is that the street numbers don't seem to be in any dicernable order. Also some streets exist in parts of Philly that don't exist in other parts. so to me it seems mostly based on memory. This is also a critique of the overall grid system in the entire city. Center city is actually easy to navigate, even if you have to remember the names of the streets.

I think when you start getting towards West, South, and Southwest Philly it starts to get very confusing. And let's not get started on places like Mt. Airy which appears to be a completely different grid altogether.

The numbers are in order though. I don't like NYC grid because the addresses make no sense and are not viewable on the street signs. Philly on the other hand, has a very consistent and easy to follow address system (N-S streets increment according to their distance from Market Street and E-W follow according to the numbered streets.). So even in Mt. Airy a 7200 N block means 7.2 miles (straight shot) from Market st. In most of the city with numbered streets it couldn't get easier. Northwest and Northeast do have a seperate grid but E-W streets increment according to distance from Main Street/Ridge, Germantown Ave or Roosevelt Blvd and N-S again are incremented according to distance from Market.
I have no idea why most cities do not show the address block on the street signs (well I guess to save costs) but I've always thought Philly has the best marked and easy to read street signs of any city.

[moneymkt]

I agree 100% about septa and it's rude employees. They don't want to give you any information in regards to a question about what bus or trolley is running which has me close to going off on them. So many septa employees seem so miserable which is surprising since they make good money and have great benefits.

[chessimprov]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

I agree 100% about septa and it's rude employees. They don't want to give you any information in regards to a question about what bus or trolley is running which has me close to going off on them. So many septa employees seem so miserable which is surprising since they make good money and have great benefits.

SEPTA is short for "SEPtic TAnk", didn't you know that?

[ionlyused59]

Originally Posted by TaiChiMaster

Thanks for the detailed review of Philadelphia. While I am not concerned about the grid system, I do have a concern about constantly living on edge. Having lived under similar conditions for many years, I know the wear and tear it had on one's physical and mental health. Coupled with this the unavailability of healthy food options had to give one pause, since health is what matters most to me.

If you find the right neighborhood fit for you, you absolutely will not have to live on edge. Street smarts are a must anywhere here (or in any big city) but there's plenty of places you won't have to worry about being a victim of crime.

Healthy food options are certainly available at restaurants, grocery stores or for take out. It's just that there's a plethora of unhealthy, yummy food. Haha! But..you can choose to be healthy and well anywhere.