Should I move to philadelphia?
Jan 24th, 2003, 08:55 AM
#2
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I'll take a stab at this one. I think Philadelphia is one of the most livable cities in the U.S. It has outstanding cultural offerings--the Art Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Philadelphia Orchestra, etc. It has some of the country's best hospitals--i.e. Pennsylvania Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Beautiful parks all over. Rittenhouse Square is one of the most vibrant city parks in the country. Excellent restaurants at all price ranges. The people are pretty friendly and very down to earth. Shopping is good, there's very little available in the U.S. that you can't find somewhere in the Philadelphia area. It also has a real sense of history and place. People are generally proud of Philadelphia but conversely don't mind that it's also often under-rated.
Housing is getting more expensive, but compared to other places along the East Coast, it's still pretty reasonable. (the last time we lived in Philadelphia, 1999, we had a 3 bedroom, 3 bath 2000 sf duplex apartment one block from Rittenhouse Square in a turn of the century "graystone". We had hardwood floors, walk in closets, a fireplace, central air, full size W/D, eat in kitchen, etc. and paid $1600 a month in rent--compare that to prices in NYC or DC and you'll see what a bargain Philly can be).
Job wise, no place in the country is booming, but Philly seems to have held on, because it's a major center of the healthcare industry. Siemens Medical Systems, for example, recently relocated to the Philly suburbs from northern NJ. Medical publishing is very strong in Philly and various other healthcare related employers (medical professional associations, testing boards, medical schools, etc.) also are thriving.
Mass transit is not bad--we lived in Philly without a car and managed fine (but I wouldn't do it if we had kids).
Downsides? It can seem a little provincial--Philadelphia doesn't have an international feel like NYC or SF. Many of the Philadelphians you meet were born and raised in the area and plan to stay there (which isn't a bad thing, really). Strikes can be a problem--we lived through garbage strikes and mass transit strikes and they both made life rather annoying. It has the usual crime problems associated with big cities, plus some rather more colorful organized crime (at one time, you could take a tour to see all the places where various goodfellas got "whacked").
Although we now live in Europe and plan to move back to the Pacific NW when we return to the U.S., I'd still give Philadelphia an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.
Housing is getting more expensive, but compared to other places along the East Coast, it's still pretty reasonable. (the last time we lived in Philadelphia, 1999, we had a 3 bedroom, 3 bath 2000 sf duplex apartment one block from Rittenhouse Square in a turn of the century "graystone". We had hardwood floors, walk in closets, a fireplace, central air, full size W/D, eat in kitchen, etc. and paid $1600 a month in rent--compare that to prices in NYC or DC and you'll see what a bargain Philly can be).
Job wise, no place in the country is booming, but Philly seems to have held on, because it's a major center of the healthcare industry. Siemens Medical Systems, for example, recently relocated to the Philly suburbs from northern NJ. Medical publishing is very strong in Philly and various other healthcare related employers (medical professional associations, testing boards, medical schools, etc.) also are thriving.
Mass transit is not bad--we lived in Philly without a car and managed fine (but I wouldn't do it if we had kids).
Downsides? It can seem a little provincial--Philadelphia doesn't have an international feel like NYC or SF. Many of the Philadelphians you meet were born and raised in the area and plan to stay there (which isn't a bad thing, really). Strikes can be a problem--we lived through garbage strikes and mass transit strikes and they both made life rather annoying. It has the usual crime problems associated with big cities, plus some rather more colorful organized crime (at one time, you could take a tour to see all the places where various goodfellas got "whacked").
Although we now live in Europe and plan to move back to the Pacific NW when we return to the U.S., I'd still give Philadelphia an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.
Jan 24th, 2003, 09:15 AM
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I relocated to the Philly suburbs many years ago from the West Coast. I suppose a lot depends on where you are coming from, likes and dislikes. All and all I would say BT-sums it up quite well in his thoughts. I have learned to live here, I enjoy the 4 seasons with the exception of the extremely cold winter we are having this year but so is everyone else. We typically do not get that much snowfall in comparison to other East coast cities. It is close to the beach, close to N.Y.City. There is a lot of history, culture, and you can also live not far from the city and feel you are in the country. Of course much of that land is being built up upon but it still exists. All and all I have been happy living here and have no regrets to moving here.
Jan 24th, 2003, 12:28 PM
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Thanks so much for the feedback. I've posted on these boards before about this and love to hear good things about Philly. I was up there two weekends ago and absolutely loved it. I had drinks at Alma de Cuba and the shopping is wonderful. Center city is like its own little Manhattan.
As far as industry goes...I currently work for a large newspaper in Washington DC. I'm hoping to find something in publishing so medical publishing might work. I know that Comcast is there as well.
I think I'm going to start looking for places to live on the mainline and in Center city. It's such a great town. I'm glad that it hasn't been noticed yet. And having a bunch of locals who stay there is going to be a nice contrast to Washington.
Thanks for your feedback!
As far as industry goes...I currently work for a large newspaper in Washington DC. I'm hoping to find something in publishing so medical publishing might work. I know that Comcast is there as well.
I think I'm going to start looking for places to live on the mainline and in Center city. It's such a great town. I'm glad that it hasn't been noticed yet. And having a bunch of locals who stay there is going to be a nice contrast to Washington.
Thanks for your feedback!
Jan 24th, 2003, 02:33 PM
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Jobwise, Philly does have many medical and science-related publishing jobs that are relatively easy to come by if you have experience in the field. There are also the 2 large dailies: The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News. In addition to Comcast, TVguide is located in the Mainline area, as are a number of smaller publishing companies.
Good luck finding something - I currently work as an editor and always keep my eyes open for postings, but it's a tight field right now.
Good luck finding something - I currently work as an editor and always keep my eyes open for postings, but it's a tight field right now.
Jan 24th, 2003, 02:41 PM
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For some reason, I always had a negative impression of the area until two weeks ago, when my wife went down there for an interview. I was surprised at the affordability and quality of rentals in the surrounding suburbs. Now that I think about it though, I'm coming from Northern New Jersey so how could anything be worse?! ha ha! So depending on where you're coming from, it may or may not be the right fit. I would think that if you're coming from Miami's South Beach, you would be disappointed.
Jan 24th, 2003, 03:02 PM
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only a few cities in the US still are maintaining their character. most others have been commercialized (florida cities), disneyfied (new york) barbed wired (washington dc) and increasingly mexicanized (west coast, southern and midwest cities)
philly..like new orleans is a ghetto gem....that hasnt been compromised. philly is the soot covered stepsister who stays home from the ball. she is cinderella in all her insecurities and for the visitor or resident with an attention to detail..in all her beauty. i wouldnt live anywhere else.
philly..like new orleans is a ghetto gem....that hasnt been compromised. philly is the soot covered stepsister who stays home from the ball. she is cinderella in all her insecurities and for the visitor or resident with an attention to detail..in all her beauty. i wouldnt live anywhere else.
Jan 24th, 2003, 03:18 PM
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TVGuide is not likely to have anything that is not drudge work and pays fairly poorly. Better to check out the following: University of Pennsylvania (they usually have a few editorial type positions), Merion Publications Inc., Springhouse Publishing and the various medical textbook publishers. (I don't know what kind of clips you have.) North American is another publishing company that may have work but...
The Inky and Daily News would be a very tough nut to crack for a full time job but they do use stringers for their suburban stuff. Would be a good way to build some local clips.
BTilke
The Inky and Daily News would be a very tough nut to crack for a full time job but they do use stringers for their suburban stuff. Would be a good way to build some local clips.
BTilke
Jan 25th, 2003, 03:05 PM
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We moved to the Philadelphia suburbs 20 years ago and love it. Philadelphians tend to stay and not move around as much as other cities so you get a real sense of community.It is a great location in terms of being within 1 - 2 hours drive from the shore, the mountains, New York and Washington.
In terms of travel, you have a lot of direct fights to many locations.
Good restaurants, theater, bars, museums, galleries.
Downside.If you have children, schools within most areas in the Philadelphia city limits are not as good as those in the suburbs. Many of the suburban shcool districts are excellent. Philadelphia also has a wage tax for those people living in the city boundaries.
In terms of travel, you have a lot of direct fights to many locations.
Good restaurants, theater, bars, museums, galleries.
Downside.If you have children, schools within most areas in the Philadelphia city limits are not as good as those in the suburbs. Many of the suburban shcool districts are excellent. Philadelphia also has a wage tax for those people living in the city boundaries.
Jan 25th, 2003, 09:04 PM
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BTilke sums up Philadelphia very well.
In terms of jobs in publishing, you also may want to look into WB Saunders and Company as well as Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins which both are publishers of textbooks in the medical field and are located here in Piladelphia.
By the way, the Philadelphia wage tax applies to all people who work in Philadelphia, whether you live in Philadelphia or not. If you live in town the tax is about 1/2% higher than if you live in the suburbs.
In terms of jobs in publishing, you also may want to look into WB Saunders and Company as well as Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins which both are publishers of textbooks in the medical field and are located here in Piladelphia.
By the way, the Philadelphia wage tax applies to all people who work in Philadelphia, whether you live in Philadelphia or not. If you live in town the tax is about 1/2% higher than if you live in the suburbs.
Jan 27th, 2003, 01:55 PM
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Thank you all for your feedback. Especially that relating to the publishing industry in Philly. I work on the business side, specifically Marketing, so I'm hoping to be able to use this experience outside of this industry if necessary.
This has been a big help to me. Thanks for the positive feedback.
Regards,
Jodi
This has been a big help to me. Thanks for the positive feedback.
Regards,
Jodi
Jan 28th, 2003, 10:04 AM
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Philadelphia -- I saw a movie about this place once. It was terrible what happened there. Two very rich old men who called themselves the Dukes played a trick on this young fellow, trading his life for that of a terrible black man. To make a long story short, the two young men team together and after a bizarre train trip they make the old men poor and themselves rich.
I'll probably get banned for this.
I'll probably get banned for this.
Jan 28th, 2003, 10:10 AM
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Great Sports Town? Do you mean because they have to have a Judge at all Eagles home games to lock up the bad boys?
I'm actually a Redskins fan. Washington DC has everything you are looking for. Job market, culture, and cost of living is what you make it.
I'm actually a Redskins fan. Washington DC has everything you are looking for. Job market, culture, and cost of living is what you make it.
Jan 28th, 2003, 11:35 AM
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Yes I currently live in D.C. and I've been here for 7 years and it's old. It doesn't have a sense of community, the job market isn't by any means great these days yet the housing prices keep going up and up. There aren't really suburbs and no one is from here or stays here.
Not to mention the traffic and anger issues everyone has here.
Not to mention the traffic and anger issues everyone has here.
Feb 2nd, 2003, 08:05 AM
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I moved to the Philly area 2+ years ago. While I agree with ALL the positives above, please take this into mind:
People from this area are lifetime friends from high school, and usually don't expand their social group to include outsiders. It is hard to break into a group, and takes a lot of effort to create one. All my friends are people who are not originaly from Philly. Also, be sure you're ready for "the shore" -- lots of people go to the NJ beach for the weekends, the city practically empties out during the summer (which creates traffic nightmares on Friday nights).
City wage tax: not a good thing. There are a couple of great places to live right outside of the city line, make sure you investigate those.
Since you're from D.C., I don't have to tell you about the horrible traffic, bad parking, and constant construction.
I visit D.C. a lot, and it is much cleaner than Philly. The 2 cities are close enough together, hopefully you will be able to stay close with friends.
Good luck!!
People from this area are lifetime friends from high school, and usually don't expand their social group to include outsiders. It is hard to break into a group, and takes a lot of effort to create one. All my friends are people who are not originaly from Philly. Also, be sure you're ready for "the shore" -- lots of people go to the NJ beach for the weekends, the city practically empties out during the summer (which creates traffic nightmares on Friday nights).
City wage tax: not a good thing. There are a couple of great places to live right outside of the city line, make sure you investigate those.
Since you're from D.C., I don't have to tell you about the horrible traffic, bad parking, and constant construction.
I visit D.C. a lot, and it is much cleaner than Philly. The 2 cities are close enough together, hopefully you will be able to stay close with friends.
Good luck!!
