I am wondering how bad was the city of Philadelphia in the 60's and early 70's? (Liberty: money, cities)

[Hedonism]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

My comment was no joke. I had to live here and use septa during the 70s and 80s. Nothing was funny about riding in filthy, graffiti covered trains. A city where you paid taxes yet received diminishing levels of service. Where the teachers went out on strike seemingly every 2 or 3 years.

There was nothing romantic about it, regardless of your rose colored memory. Philly is a hundred times better today, yet retains all the grittiness a big city can have and not be located in south america.

Remember the SEPTA and sanitation workers strikes?


Fun times.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by Hedonism

Remember the SEPTA and sanitation workers strikes?


Fun times.

was it a lot in the 70's?

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

was it a lot in the 70's?

Almost every contract.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Hedonism

Remember the SEPTA and sanitation workers strikes?


Fun times.

I remember them vividly.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Almost every contract.

the 1998 strike ruined my summer

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

the 1998 strike ruined my summer

The strike in the autumn of 1969 is seared in my memory.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

The strike in the autumn of 1969 is seared in my memory.

My family always talks about the 1983 strike

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by moneymkt

My family always talks about the 1983 strike

The trash strikes were always prize winners. The 1969 trash strike was my personal prize winner.

[LiveFrom215]

Philly had some bleak days in the 60's-70's-80's, similar to what NYC and other cities were experiencing during the same stretch. In fact, in many ways, NYC and other cities were in as bad, or even worse shape. Most older, industrial cities were in relative decline then. Drugs and drug related crime and violence really began to get out of control here towards the end of the 80's-mid 90's. Again, similar trajectory to other urban centers.

It wasn't all bad, but as myopic and provincial as some of our leadership and citizenry can be now: it was much worse then. Which imo exacerbated the problems, and contributed to the lag-time in recovery/renewal relative to some peer cities. Since the late 80's-early 90's attitudes in the city towards the city itself have (for all the 'Negadelphia' sentiment that remains) gradually improved markedly, I believe. Scrapping the ridiculous 'Gentleman's Agreement' that stifled the growth of the skyline removed both physical and psychological barriers as to what is possible here. The trend ever since has been (setbacks and all) generally positive.

Even with the challenges currently posed by the covid pandemic and the overall chaotic political situation of the last several years (which do bear at least some cursory resemblance to previous eras of social upheaval and economic downturn: although this era is its own unique historical moment) this is a far more cosmopolitan and dynamic city than it was back then. And still very resilient.

[moneymkt]

Originally Posted by LiveFrom215

Philly had some bleak days in the 60's-70's-80's, similar to what NYC and other cities were experiencing during the same stretch. In fact, in many ways, NYC and other cities were in as bad, or even worse shape. Most older, industrial cities were in relative decline then. Drugs and drug related crime and violence really began to get out of control here towards the end of the 80's-mid 90's. Again, similar trajectory to other urban centers.

It wasn't all bad, but as myopic and provincial as some of our leadership and citizenry can be now: it was much worse then. Which imo exacerbated the problems, and contributed to the lag-time in recovery/renewal relative to some of peer cities. Since the late 80's-early 90's attitudes in the city towards the city itself have (for all the 'Negadelphia' sentiment that remains) gradually improved markedly, I believe. Scrapping the ridiculous 'Gentleman's Agreement' that stifled the growth of the skyline removed both physical and psychological barriers as to what is possible here. The trend ever since has been (setbacks and all) generally positive.

Even with the challenges currently posed by the covid pandemic and the overall chaotic political situation of the last several years (which do bear at least some cursory resemblance to previous eras of social upheaval and economic downturns: although this era is its own unique historical moment) this is a far more cosmopolitan and dynamic city than it was back then. And still very resilient.

I was wondering if the 1st rocky movie was the turning point for the city