Can someone tell me what Philidelpia is like?

Answer 1

Depends on where you're from and what you're used to. Philly can be a large, scary and mean place if you don't know where you're at. On the other hand, if you know your way around, you'll find it to be a nice, homey kind of place.

I've been to NY and Chicago, and I rank Philly in the middle of the two. NY is too big for me, and it seems like I'd never figure my way out up there. It's too busy and the people are too unattached from anyone other than a very close friend. Chicago on the other hand seems to have that midwestern kind of charm to it. The women are just as beautiful as in NY but are a ton nicer too...Philly's kind of quietly chilling in the middle.

Philly is a working man's town with a lot of really rough neighborhoods and even rougher people...we're not just talking about the stereotypical ghetto either. I don't necessarily mean violent (though there is a violent trend in the city right now), but more like a calloused hands, chain smoking, say what you mean and stand behind what you say kind of folk. That's the living end of it though, and not the touristy end.

There's a ton of stuff to see, especially as it's so historical. The public transportation isn't as easy to figure out as Chicago's, but as a tourist, the trains are more than adaquate to get you to where you want to go. There's old school Philly and the newer artsy-fartsy Philly...a ton of museums, galleries and an emphasis on art in general. There's plenty of good eating...everything from high end steaks to out of the way BYO's and the nightlife ranges from local-yocal waterholes to high end clubs and lounges.

Philly's got a not-so-good name for itself, but it's really not so much "bad" as "misunderstood" in my eyes. Take our sports teams for example---we've booed in just as many good situations as bad. It's mostly because--like I said--it's a working man's city. We expect results for what we pay--be it money to sit at the game or just straight support. This is what the blue-collar have to unwind in a city like ours...football, baseball, hockey and basketball...all of which have huge bases in the tri-state area. This makes for a pretty uncut, uncensored kind of crowd. You want to see the TRUE Philadelphian? Stop by the Linc a few hours before a game and get a few beers in a parking lot...THOSE are native Philadelphians...not like the hoity-toity's who want to hide the Rocky Statue and not put it back where it belongs.

All in all....it's real, it's down to Earth, and has a little bit of everything for everyone. If you can't find something you like in Philly, you're either not trying, or some whole new type of weird.

Answer 2

Hey, WC Fields already told you. He said of anything unpleasant that it was better than being in Philadelphia. There is a running joke that in a contest, the first prize is a week in Philadelphia, and the second prize is two weeks in Philadelphia.

Actually, it's not such a bad place. At least it has its compensations. The Art Museum is great, the Franklin Institute, actually a good many interesting places. The Liberty Bell is there, and Independence Hall, and lots of history. They do tours at the U.S. Mint, and there are plenty of things to see and do. There are a couple of great old department stores downtown, and lots of places to shop. Check out the farmer's market in the lower level of Reading Terminal. The food is generally pretty good, and there are interesting nightclubs and cafes. Not up to the standards of New York, perhaps, but you can have fun there.

But don't try to use public transportation. Last I was there, the subways were horrible and the buses were, if possible, even worse.

Answer 3

It's a great city, despite what the people who've never been say, or those who haven't seen it in 10 years, or for those who work in the worst areas and live outside the city. Philadelphia shares similarity with New York, but resembles Boston the most. For the most part it's been a working class city, a city of immigrants (mostly Irish and Italian), African Americans and Hispanics. The current mix is around 50% Caucasian, 40% African American and 10% Hispanic. The dynamics of the core of Philadelphia, which is called Center City, has changed dramatically in the last 5 years. The population has increased 150% in the past several years...due to a wealth of new restaurants, shops, theatres, condo developments and a renewed interest in general for living in cities again. There has been an influx of people who used to live in NYC or DC, who have come to Philly because it's a happening city on the rise, and for the reasonable cost of living for where it's located...bit over an hour from NYC via Amtrak, 2 hours from DC. Philadelphia is full of history, and unlike most cities has preserved nearly all of it. Old City is similar to Soho in New York with tons of old cast iron buildings that have been converted to shops, restaurants, art galleries and residential lofts. Society Hill is a beautiful late 1700s-early 1800s residential area, thats well preserved with small cobbled streets, parks and formal gardens, beautiful architecture and a real feel of what colonial life was like. The Washington Square, Rittenhouse Square, Logan Square and Art Museum neighborhoods are full of grand late 1800-Victorian area neighborhoods, mostly 3 and 4 story tall brownstones. These areas are very walkable and attract tourists and locals who enjoy shopping, restaurants, nightlife or just plain walking around here. Other cool areas include the Ben Franklin Parkway area, which leads from City Hall out along the Schuykill River..along the way are the Philadelphia Museum of Art (The "Rocky" steps are here), the Rodin Museum, Boat House Row where one of the largest concentrations of Crew activity in the world takes place, as well as Fairmount Park. (Larger than Central Park in NYC, great for running, hiking, cycling....it's huge). Penn (an Ivy school),Temple, Drexel, LaSalle and St Josephs...as well as 4 major medical schools give Philly a vibrant academic feel too.
Come check it out!

Answer 4

The heart of the city is diverse, walkable, and filled with cultural things to do! It's easy to get around by bike, walking, and sometimes public transportation. I find that a lot of people who live in Philly are either people who have lived there their entire lives (and don't appreciate it), college students, and lawyers. It's only about 90 miles south of New York City. You can get there on the Chinatown bus round trip for $20! It's a great place to just walk around and find a cool shop, cafe, or restaurant. They also have some great bars if you like beer!

Answer 5

philly, just like anywhere else, is what u make it. i live in the "badlands" section. murders, robberies, arrests, harrassment etc. happen on a daily. i work in one of the busiest hospitals and see at least five traumas in a night....not to mention the DOA's that come in filled with bullet holes. but in the nice areas, it is a really nice place to be. south street is the spot, (not like it used to be) the clubs are "okay". my favorite part of philly is broad street...it stretches from one end of philly to the other and on the weekend, especially in the summer, it is packed full of guys, girls, nice rides...etc. been here all my life....will move from this area, but i dont think i want to move out of Philthadelphia totally.

Answer 6

I hate Philly. I was born and raised there. There are some nice parts, but I was raised in the ghetto, so I can't stand it. There's grabage everywhere, and the people suck. I'm never going back.

Answer 7

it depends at where you live at in philly.if you live in north philly you'll probaly wont like it cause its dirty and all.but if you live on chesnut hill or the main line you'll be alright.

Answer 8

It's okay. I mean nothing to brag about. It's probably like were you live.

Answer 9

its nice some place are nice it has nice parks and a place to have a party or to relax

Answer 10

like a large cess pool full of turds