Although I'm still loyal to this great, historic city, I will now mention that I do think there is a sizable problem with what they would call "atty-tood." While there are plenty of friendly (Friend-ly) people there, I sure found some of the most hostile people it has even been my misfortune to deal with there. Bostonians and New Yawkahs are legendary for the chips on their shoulder, but I gotta admit, I met some transit workers and parking lot attendents who outdid them both for sheer nastiness, almost to the point of viciousness. Hope it wasn't my N.C. license plate, but coulda been (I've lived in Philly but don't now).

I must agree with the majority here. Philly is by FAR the most unfriendly, rude and down-right frightening "big" city I've visited. You truly couldn't pay me to visit again. Well, maybe you could....

Hey Me you've blasphemed my beloved Chicago in saying that you had a bad experience at the <United Center> in Philly. Chicago!! Home of the United Center and great Bulls memories.

Why are Philly residents so rude? Because they live there. People in Philly are jealous of NYers and Bostonians because those cities are seen as more cultured and sophisticated. (Chicken or the egg?) They know they live in a second class city and they get tired of hearing about it and they bust on anyone who opens themselves up, especially visitors. Yes, that's a generalization and there are some good people ther (more good than rude) but the rude people there really stand out.

Sorry StraightScoop! Didn't mean to associate the good Chicago United Center with the Philly First Union. Please accept my apologies. (BTW how's the new season gonna be there?)

Philly: I think the reason everybody (at least for me) kept bringing up LA was because Rex asked why the GOP had its convention there, and the Democrat's is in LA next week. . . you get the picture.

I live in Indiana and I have to agree that Gary, IN is the scariest city around. I had a friend that was afraid to go to Gary but her boyfriend's parents lived there and wanted them to come over for Christmas Eve...she said okay, since they lived in the "nice" part. However, they parked on the street and were mugged before hitting the driveway! You couldn't pay me to go to Gary. However, I drove through Philadelphia once, and I didn't like it much either - very industrial and dirty - but I'll admit that it was probably the PART of Philadelphia that I happened to be going through. I'm not hurrying back for a second look, though.

Did you people know the same Philadelphia I know? I worked there for 8 years. I think it's a beautiful city. I spent every lunch hour walking through the city. How can you ignore Rittenhouse Square or Old City. What about the beautiful murals that are everywhere. Of course there are slummy parts just like any major urban city. Especially if you drive from Abington through North Philly (the drive someone above noted). I just spent two weeks in California. I took the bus from Union Square to Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Does anyone honestly think this is beautiful. Yes, if you like strip shopping centers. Or the drive to Venice Beach near LA. And though San Francisco was beautiful, I was amazed at the amount of trash on the streets that I walked along. And yes this is compared to most of Center City Philadelphia.
As for the people, again in San Francisco I was actually yelled at by the National Car rental guy at the airport. This after he gave me the wrong kind of car and I politely informed him of his mistake. You see, it was obviously my fault.

Sorry I didn't finish my rant. At least in Philly people will actually hold the door for you. When I lived in Southern Connecticut (Fairfield) for 11 years, the people there would wait till you walked up and then basically slam the door in your face. Everytime my mom visited from Central PA, she complained about the rudeness of everyone there.
I have worked in NY and visited Boston, Washington DC, Houston, San Francisco, and LA. I don't feel that Philly is significantly uglier than any of them.
And unlike Houston and LA you can actually walk to get someplace. (Note: see previous posts re fat Americans)
And guess what- despite many evenings out and working there everyday, I never experienced any crime. Unlike a day trip to NYC, where I witnessed a purse snatching in broad daylight on a major street.
If you didn't appreciate the city, you obviously didn't get out of your hotel much.

Another strike against Philadelphia is the way the fans there would mercilessly boo Mike Schmidt during batting slumps. Schmidt is not only the best thrid baseman of all time, he is the greatest Phillie of all time. What a nasty crew of people.

Howdie partners...

Well, considering Philly from a Scottish angle, and as a typical tourist - I spent 2 weeks last month in Philly (South), and loved the place. Yes, it's quite rough, it has it's not so nice area's - but as has already been mentioned the main part of this city is incredible. It has great builings, great history - something many US cities lack unfortunatly. The folk who work in the city know how to treat tourists, there are ample things for kids to do (That Ben Franklin Inst. is amazing), I have been to Philly 3 times, and can't wait to get back.

Regards Ken from Edinburgh, Scotland.

I'm from the Northeast and I'm going to add 2 cents to this dicussion that haven't been addressed.(for out of towners the "Northeast" is a part of Philly) As a liftime resident I will readily admit that all of North philly and most of west Philly are wastelands. However South Philly is a unique clean and safe neighborhood. Additionally, Northeast Philly (Bigger than Center City, North Philly And most of West Philly combined) is a part of the city that no tourist ever sees because it is all residential. This part of Philly is clean ,safe and great to raise a family in. There is open space, nice homes and parks everywhere(Pennypack)Before you pass judgement on a place you should consider the whole scenario. Plus for the guy that was stupid enough to actually drive through north philly with out consulting someone knowledgable from the suburbs, you deserved the tour you got. You decision to drive on the regular streets of N. Philly is akin to driving through the bronx on side streets to get to
Manhatten rather than taking the West Side Highway

Rex (and all you other Philly haters), I am from the Philadelphia suburbs and recently decided to move into center city Philadelphia because I have fallen so in love with the city. Although you sound like you have formed your opinion (and I'd love to know where you are from that is so much better - sounds like NY attitude to me) I urge you to give the city another shot.

The republicans picked this city for the same reason I am so excited to live here, the history, the culture, the fantastic reasturaunts and most importantly the small town feeling that most large cities are lacking!

Philly has had alot of problems in the past, but has seen alot of improvement over the past few years. I am very proud of the job that was done during the recent republican convention. I think the city and the police did a fanmtastic job.

I think next time you guys come you may need a better tour guide, because if you came away with such a negative impression, you and I were apparently looking at two different cities.

I made the mistake of driving through philly with texas tags on my rental car....not a good idea??? as far as cities I love.... #1 Denver #2 L.A. #3Miami

I lived in Philly until 1995 and like any city it has good points and bad points. There are many great areas, Society Hill, Penn's Landing, the Ben Franklin Parkway, Chestnut Hill and Manyunk, and several slums like most big cities. Yes there are some rude people and it is certainly not as friendly as Midwest cities like Milwaukee and Chicago, but definitely not as rude as Boston or Springfield/Hartford (where people waiting on you don't even talk to you or look at you). Very few cities have food anywhere near as good (Phila Cream Cheese is NOT from Philly, focus on the cheese steaks, soft pretzels, ice cream, Italian restaurants), except maybe Kansas City or Birmingham. While it may look scary in places it is definitely safer than many other cities, taking Atlanta for example, a place I would never return to for any reason. It is a great place for a few days of visiting (historical sites, Art Museum, Science Museum, colonial areas) and enjoying the food. On my return visits, it is noticable how the city had a rebirth under Mayor Rendell. Don't be scared off from visiting. If one is treated bad going to a 76's game remember that is an area way away from the center part of town that has no concern for visitors and leaving any professional game is always a hassle for everyone no matter where I have been.

Philly is the second worst city I've ever been to. The worst is Detroit. Milwaukee was also a totally disgusting as well.

I love Philadelphia and got exactly what I expected during my last couple of trips there. The downtown market in the old train station is a treasure. The art museum is wonderful. I love the historical sites and ate some fine food there. I suppose you can find an ugly side to almost any place you visit. Don't understand why someone would come on this board just to diss any place.

....in order to warn others about possible disappointment or to reshape their expectations. That's what this board is about. Dissing can be as valuable as praise if it saves someone from making mistakes planning their travels.....

Okay, you're right. I forgot about Gary, Indiana. Are ALL of the buildings in that city a dirt brown color? Also, Newark, New Jersey, is worse than Philly. Ick.

But Philly still remains a solid third.

I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN PHILLY FOR 38 YEARS, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DISLIKE THIS CITY, STAY AWAY........YES, I WILL AGREE THAT SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE IN NEED OF A FACELIFT, BUT WE ARE WORKING ON THAT, HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY OTHER AREAS IN THIS CITY THAT ARE NICE TO VISIT.....MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE TO WALK SOUTH STREET, WALNUT STREET, RITTENHOUSE SQUARE, AND AT CHRISTMAS TIME,THE CHESTNUT HILL AREA IS GREAT FOR SHOPPING.....OF COURSE YOU SHOULD USE PRECAUTIONS NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE....BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, IF YOU DON'T LIKE OUR CITY, STAY AWAY......

I lived in Philly for 7 years, and I miss it very much (now in NY -- people who are looking for rude people, please look no further). Philadelphia is a wonderful city, with terrific restaurants, great universities and beautiful architecture. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum and the Franklin Institute are some of my favorite museums in the world. The Philadelphia Orchestra is fantastic. And one can actually live in the city at a reasonable price -- something that can't really be said for NY. People who deride West Philly should check it out for themselves, as it is a growing area which has really changed in the past few years.

As for Philadelphia Eagles/Phillies/Flyers/Sixers fans, these are people who have spent their entire lives watching their teams get beaten by teams like NY which have enough money to operate a small country -- yet they stay loyal to their teams for generations. I'd be bitter, too.

You're calling Philly ugly?? If you want ugly, I suggest that you check out the facial expressions of New Yorkers shoving their way through the Times Square subway station at rush hour, and admire how unreasonably pissed off people get if a person walks slowly. That's pretty ugly.

Please visit Philadelphia again -- I think that you find a very different place from the ugliness described here.