Been there....ugh..don't recommend it to anyone
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5/11/2008
I have lived in a number of large cities and smaller suburban communites as well as a more rural area...Filthadelphia was the worst of them all. No vision in that city, disgustingly dirty, politicians the worst I have seen anywhere, very blue collar attitude pervades the city, NOT a city of neighborhoods no matter what it thinks, huge disparity between the have-and-have-nots and I have they ever heard of boarding up vacant, abandoned, burned out rowhouses? And their public education system is horrible - that might explain why they have so many private schoools. But don't think that's the solution for anyone in the middle class, many of those schools are in excess of $15,000 for kindergarten. Philly boasts the largest Catholic school system (the birth place of Catholic schools I heard) but just because its a Catholic school doesn't instantly make it good.
Suburbs can be nice, but many of the closer in ones you want to live are cost prohibitive - lots of "old" money in that area. If you work in Philly, you'll be hit with a ridiculous wage tax, slightly less if you don't live in the city. Its like doubling your state tax burden.
Also, PA is second only to Texas in guns per capita. Outside of the Philly suburban area, they call it Penntucky. I didn't experience much of the "redneck" scene, but it was something to see guys walking the roads in the country in cammo and slinging guns over their shoulders suring hunting season as you drove by.........Some of the more rural areas are undeniably beautiful, but too far out to actually work in the city unless you like two hour commutes. Seems like a great horse community, but again, you need some serious cash to take advantage of it.
All in all, I never, ever, ever advise someone to seriously consider Philly. The population continues to decline (is there any wonder???), it offers little that a weekend trip won't cover fully, and I know many, mnay unhappy people who have moved out. Sometimes the only ones I think that are happy are the ones who haven't lived anywhere else and don't know how ugye and depressing this town is. Don't get me wrong - I met some really nice people, but as a livable city - no way.
HC | Naperville, IL