A few weeks ago, I posted this thread asking doper opinions about moving to Houston. Well, in case anyone is interested, the job did not turn out to be something I would’ve been suited for, and as that was the principle reason for considering the move I declined.
For the time being, I am living in Philadelphia. I just moved here yesterday and am couch-surfing at my brother’s house. I am not sure if this is going to be a long or short term stay. (Given the winter we’ve had in the northeast, moving down south looks mighty appealing - I have my eye on Atlanta.)
Anyway, I am staying in South Philly (Whitman to be precise.) The house my bro & sis-in-law have is pretty nice, even if the neighborhood seems a bit desolate (but then, I only just saw it during the night-time yesterday.)
So, any dopers in Philly care to share advice, living tips or just brag about your home town? I’d love to hear what you have to say.
philly can be a happening place. what part of the city are you in?
there is a cool lego exhibit at the franklin institute. and there is the mutter museum… the flower show is at the end of the month. always a good time there.
My son lived in Philly for two years, 10-12 years ago. He didn’t know it was for only two years so he bought a house. In Mt. Airy, the only racially integrated neighborhood in the city and it has been that way for 50 years he told me. There are two commuter trains lines to downtown (Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West). When I was growing up, I used to love the Franklin Institute and the planetarium. Downtown, especially the area around Rittenhouse Square, was a happening place, but I have not lived there for over 50 years so I can just describe my son’s experience. He liked it. Now he is buried under the snow in Boston.
Rodin museum. Museum of medical oddities. Cheesesteak. Take the Msin Line out to Bryn Mawr and marvel at the castle-referencing campus architecture. Be sure to stand in a quad and shout “Anassa kata, kalo kale, Ia ia ia Nike!” Trust me on this.
I’ve lived in NE Philly for around two decades. I second (or third) the recommendation of the Mutter Museum. They have the preserved conjoined liver of the original Siamese Twins. I also cannot endorse highly enough the Mummers. Last weekend I was at my girlfriend’s and discovered there is a cable channel apparently devoted to the Mummers. The Art Museum is free one day every month. They have one of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and his Rain (View From The Asylum Window).
Survey says, “XXX”. At least Pat’s was the original. However, for the best steaks, go to Dalesandro’s.
If you’re in Center City, there’s a vast underground concourse you can use to get around in the cold/wet weather.
For the time being, I am in South Philly. My brother & SIL’s house is actually quite nice, though the neighborhood is, well, nondescript. I don’t imagine living in this “john” for too long…
I knew the cheesesteak crack would stir up a few comments.
Don’t overlook the obvious touristy stuff. I’m glad living there for awhile I took my time at the area around Front street and the Independence Hall area.
Is South street from around 2nd to 10th (ish) still little funky stores, bookshops and bars?
yep, it is.
south philly is good, you are close to many things in philly. old city and the historic area. try melrose diner, because “everyone who knows, goes to melrose”; perfect for a sunday brunch.
When a friend of mine re-enlisted the ceremony was on the Olympic. The old geezers who were the docents loaded one of the guns and let him fire it. Too bad there wasn’t any live shells. Teach the people in New Jersey a lesson!
