<p>I’ll just go to Temple for classes as a graduate student, nothing more. So I guess if I don’t hang out around that neighborhood, I’d be okay.</p>
<p>According to you, a bad neighborhood is only 1 mile north from Center City; that’s not far at all. What about east, west and south of CC? I hope Center City isn’t like an “oasis”. </p>
<p>When I was in 7th grade, we had a moment of silence for one of our alums murdered in Philly. He was one of the brightest ever coming out of the school. He was doing PhD at UPenn at the time and was beaten to death by a group for no apparent reason. I was in Hong Kong and that’s the first time I heard of the city. Kinda interesting how I still remember this.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there aren’t many master programs in acturial sci and even fewer in big cities. Columbia has one but it’s too expensive for me. That’s why I am hoping I will like Philly.</p>
<p>I remember that – it occurred only a few blocks from where we lived at the time. It was very sad, and unusual for that neighborhood.</p>
<p>If you look at a map of Philadelphia, “Center City” is the area where the two rivers (Delaware and Schuylkill) come closest together, then separate a bit until they converge at the city’s southernmost tip. East of Center City is the Delaware River, then New Jersey. West is the Schuylkill, 30th Street Station, Penn and Drexel. In general, the poorest parts of the city are in the area north of the Center City area and in the northern parts of West Philadelphia, although that doesn’t exhaust the “bad neighborhood” list.</p>
<p>Center City isn’t much like an oasis – it’s pretty vibrant. There are lots of transitional neighborhoods that buffer it somewhat to the north and south. But the area due north along Broad Street used to be somewhat industrial, and a lot of those properties are empty and ramshackle, and by and large the recent wave of condominium retrofits hasn’t made it up very far. People are trying to do development – one of our clients just built a multiplex theater a couple blocks down Broad from Temple, and is starting on a new supermarket there – but there’s a lot of blight and brownfields properties to hack through.</p>
<p>Temple is a little oasis-like, though: a cluster of impressive buildings surrounded by decay. With klieg lights along Broad Street so bright it’s like noon at midnight there. There’s no problem hanging around Temple, and frankly there’s not much reason to leave the campus area unless you’re headed a fair distance away.</p>
<p>Sometimes people post threads asking to compare one college to another, and some annoying poster always pops up with other college suggestions that weren’t even being discussed. I’m about to be that annoying poster this time. :)</p>
<p>I think you should look at Atlanta. Housing prices better! Large gay community! Public transportation (albeit not at the Philly or DC or NYC level.) But really, a much nicer place!</p>
<p>Atlanta was in my radar but there’s no act sci program there unfortunately. Probably reconsider it once I am done with school (hopefully the last one–I got 3 degrees already).</p>
<p>But you brought out an interesting point: public transportation. I was told just last week by someone that it’s just like LA. Maybe he had an outdated info?</p>
<p>That’s comforting if you remember it because that means it’s not like there were many from Hong Kong that got killed and you don’t remember which is which. ;)</p>
<p>My kids friends go to Temple. One of my kids is probably going to Temple as a transfer. Philly is a great city. Lots of free and fun stuff to experience all year long.Yes, Temple is in a crummy area and I wouldn’t venture into the surrounding neighborhood but you are adult enough to handle the safety issues of a large city. Come, enjoy a great city.</p>
<p>I don’t expect you to know this. Do you know if the city has good number of insurance companies–not those little offices with punch of sale people but corporate offices that hire actuaries?</p>
<p>They now call it Killadelphia for a reason.</p>
<p>Mayor Nagin was right–it is also called Filthydelphia for a reason.</p>
<p>I’m a city person; I want to love it, but I can’t.</p>
<p>The politics alone are so depressing.</p>
<p>I’m sure you can make it work for you,after all, you’re attending school there, not buying real estate; but if I had a choice I’d choose another city for sure.</p>
<p>I, too, really want to like Philadelphia, but I don’t. I grew up in the suburbs and my son is in Phila for college. I was there last week and I hated it. I loved being at Penn Relays (once I navigated the impossibility of parking), but hated almost every other aspect of the city. I travel a lot, and I truly believe the Surekill Expressway is the worst highway in the country. On this latest trip, I found the people I encountered in the city, for the most part, abrupt and surly. I practically kissed the jetway when I landed back in Nashville Sunday night. Remember- I spent most of my life in the Philadelphia area, so I am not some soft southerner getting kicked around up there. I’m really wondering if part of my son’s issues with his college have to do with some of the same things that I find so distasteful. Also, no matter how hard Penn and Drexel are trying, it is NOT a safe area and the crime rate is terrible. All that said, when I die, please bury me at the King of Prussia Mall!</p>
<p>Philadelphia does have it’s good points and bad points, but you gotta visit the lovely 'burbs to really experience Pennsylvania! ( little plug for my lovely Chester County)
MOWC - I totalled a car on the Surekill while commuting. It really is a hellacious road, even for those of us used to it! Glad you enjoyed the Penn Relays though ( one of the good points LOL )</p>
<p>If you’re buried in the King of Prussia mall no one will be able to find you to lay their sales receipts on your grave ( I guess it would be a crypt buried in the wall :). Unless of course there is a sign that says “You are here.”</p>
<p>It pleases me to know that the surekill is viewed as the worst becasue I can’t imagine any other highway with short on ramps and NO merge lanes. What’s with that?</p>
<p>Anyway, I love the Phillies stadium, I love the Kimmel Center, I love the museums,I love the Zoo, I love old city, I love all the art and talent showcased many nights of the week at the huge # of venues. And there is nothing more entertaining than the politics.</p>
<p>And I have been here too long. I am used to the “attitude”</p>
<p>There’s a lot of property and casualty insurance companies here, and I suspect that there’s still a fair number of smaller life insurance companies, but I don’t know for sure. There are also some fairly sophisticated life insurance brokers who may use their own actuaries.</p>
<p>Philly hataz:</p>
<p>Gosh, I never knew I was so miserable! I really enjoy it here! I’ve been to Nashville – and to the suburbs – and I like both. But I like living and working in Philadelphia more.</p>
<p>JHS - There’s lots to love - but I guess it can seem a little different to those not accustomed to it. My younger d must be used to the attitude as well, because she actually felt a little freaked out about the “friendliness” of some of the people at her sister’s school in the south LOL
I also enjoy the arts venues, great parks, awesome historical sights, and world class dining. Don’t love the roads, the airport, the politics, and the lack of responsibilty for cleaning up the city. You gotta admit there’s a world of difference between one part of the city and another.
I’ll be on South street this weekend for D2 to get another piercing ( don’t ask! ) and for the Broad Street Run…I’ve got love for your town!</p>
<p>My friend from NYC told me there’s less attitude in Philly than NYC or LA. I guess that part will actually be an improvement for me. It’s all relative.</p>
<p>I grew up about 40 minutes from downtown Philly, and loved it. We used to go in for shopping, concerts, movies, restaurants and my favorite, The Franklin Institute (science museum). We now live near New York. New York City is known as “The City” and Philadelphia is known as “Philly.” I remember seeing more historic, colonial red brick buildings in Philly than I’ve ever seen in NYC.</p>