Visiting Philly

[solibs]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

I don't want to hijack this thread with a discussion of the merrits (or lack of) of the Convention Center. However I must refute this one line since I moved here just about 20 years ago. At that time Society Hill, Washington Square and everything west of Broad St was always desirable real estate. East Chestnut was as good then as it is now. The area north of Market where the Center was built was the only neighborhood where it was possible to use the bulldozer for block after block with no one complaining. No one knows if it would have gentrifyed on it's own but I don't think so. (Callohill would have been too far away)

I moved here just about 10 years ago when people were still scared to cross South St. and when the whole length of Lombard St. looked nothing like it does today. When house there sold for $160k. When Old City was a swath of vacant warehouses with a few dive bars. When 20th & Fairmount was edgy and when 17th & Spring Garden was danger after dark.

What constitutes "Center City" these days is much, much bigger than it was a decade ago, let alone two decades ago. All of Chestnut St. is much improved from 10 years ago.

Callowhill is two blocks from where it is now . . . too far away from what?

[FindingZen]

Neraida, thanks for the report! Glad to see that you enjoyed yourself and could respect the imperfections. Hope you're able to hop back over the pond to see us again someday.

[citygal121]

NERAIDA, ditch the car rental...and I'm not talking expense-wise. Parking in downtown Philadelphia is somewhat of a nightmare, often garages are full during peak party hours.There is nothing NOTHING more frustrating than finding the perfect spot to hang out - and nowhere to leave your car (driving around for another 20 minutes looking for a spot or an empty garage tends to put a damper on things). If you visit the suburbs and to-from airport, I'd definitely go the rental car route, but in the city do yourself a favor and cab-it. Have fun while visiting!! You're gonna love the city of "brotherly love."

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by citygal121

NERAIDA, ditch the car rental...and I'm not talking expense-wise. Parking in downtown Philadelphia is somewhat of a nightmare, often garages are full during peak party hours.There is nothing NOTHING more frustrating than finding the perfect spot to hang out - and nowhere to leave your car (driving around for another 20 minutes looking for a spot or an empty garage tends to put a damper on things). If you visit the suburbs and to-from airport, I'd definitely go the rental car route, but in the city do yourself a favor and cab-it. Have fun while visiting!! You're gonna love the city of "brotherly love."

Too late.....she has already come and gone.

[Neraida]

Haha! Very true, but thanks anyway!
The car was useful in the end and as parking was pre-arranged and paid for, not a problem.
Managed to drive it over a kerb, into another lane (not opposing) on the way to the airport though.
Those NYC roads really need some work. Couldn't see a thing in the rain