Philadelphia

[LoveNDino]

So, to the residents and frequent visitors to Philadelphia. What is your favorite neighborhood and why? Cheers!

[JayCeeKy]

As a former inhabitant of Filthadelphia I would vote for Rittenhouse Square. City bustle and sometimes cruisy. The rest of Philly is best viewed from one's rear-view mirror.

[Good Grief]

A traveler to Philly, I agree on Rittenhouse Square.

 

Have rented a nice (small) Airbnb above in the same building as, supposedly (and may well be having dined there - though somewhat surly staff ) one of the best restaurants in the city - Vernick Food & Drink. Have also stayed at the Palomar.

[Good Grief]

Last visit, had Sunday brunch at Talula's Garden, on Washington Square.

 

Nice, quiet upscale area with historical sites. Dates from 1682, the area, not the restaurant!

[+ WilliamM]

When I moved to Philadelphia I lived in a small apartment on South 3rd Street near the historic sites. Hamilton lived near there when he served in Washington's cabinet. That area is called either Society Hill or Olde City. Further south from Center City, Queen Village and Pennsport might be a bit cheaper.

 

The gay neighborhood is around 12th Street from Walnut to Lombard. Recently Penn students are living around 20th and Walnut rather than 34th and Walnut where the University of Pennsylvania is located. I am leaving out much of the city where families tend to live and the near suburbs (on the main line --named for the commuter trains).

[+ WilliamM]

As a former inhabitant of Filthadelphia I would vote for Rittenhouse Square. City bustle and sometimes cruisy. The rest of Philly is best viewed from one's rear-view mirror.

 

How long ago did you live in Philadelphia? I rarely go near Rittenhouse Square. The area around Fitler Square is more interesting now that the bike path extends over the river to South Philadelphia. Also the Barnes Foundation has revitalized the area around Logan Square. Barnes Foundation draws people from all over the world because of the A+ art museum. I live near the Barnes -- much more interesting neighborhood now.

[Bearofdistinction]

As a former inhabitant of Filthadelphia I would vote for Rittenhouse Square. City bustle and sometimes cruisy. The rest of Philly is best viewed from one's rear-view mirror.

 

Since you obviously have no appreciation for history, architecture, world class museums, amazing dining, a renowned Orchestra, top universities, more outdoor art than any other US City, bike and car share programs, dedicated bike lanes and paths, magnificent parks and squares spread across the city,

a walkable city, with reasonable housing costs and property taxes, and top professional and collegiate sports, jazz cafes and casino gambling -- we won't miss you at all - BYE-BYE.

 

I nearly forgot to mention a nationally respected Prize-Winning LGBT Commmunity Newspaper and the nations 2nd affordable LGBT Friendly Senior Living Community - located in the Gayborhood, which currently provides housing for the original leaders of the LGBT communities who sacrificed careers, family and friends to COME OUT and fight for the rights we enjoy today.

 

Y'all head on back to Wal-Mart World!

Edited October 9, 2017 by Bearofdistinction

[Bearofdistinction]

So, to the residents and frequent visitors to Philadelphia. What is your favorite neighborhood and why? Cheers!

 

LnD let me know more about what is important to you and what you are looking for. Feel Free to PM Me!

[+ bashful]

with reasonable housing costs and property taxes

 

Until you said this, You could have been talking about Chicago. I live in a condo in a close in suburb, with easy access to the city via the train, and more and more, when I walk through my parking garage, I see more and more Chicago city stickers on cars (just another tax we all pay, not limited to Chicago, but Chicago's "car" tax is in the hundreds, ours just went up to a little less than $50). I seriously considered a move into the city, but a recently passed property tax hike in Chicago, made me think I'll stay put.

[+ WilliamM]

I nearly forgot to mention a nationally respected Prize-Winning LGBT Commmunity Newspaper and the nations 2nd affordable LGBT Friendly Senior Living Community - located in the Gayborhood, which currently provides housing for the original leaders of the LGBT communities who sacrificed careers, family and friends to COME OUT and fight for the rights we enjoy today.

 

Yes, I am certainly aware of the Senior Living Community. But, could you describe how residents were selected? Wasn't there federal money involved? If so, there had to be more complicated selection of tenants than you mention.

[Bearofdistinction]

Yes, I am certainly aware of the Senior Living Community. But, could you describe how residents were selected? Wasn't there federal money involved? If so, there had to be more complicated selection of tenants than you mention.

 

Yes this was a public/private project involving the city/state and feds -- there are minimum and maximum income restrictions and overall asset limits.

 

See the website and the application process and ph # for questions

 

https://pennrose.com/apartments/pennsylvania/john-c-anderson-apartments/

[JayCeeKy]

The typical Philadelphia household earns only $41,233 a year, well below the statewide median income of $55,702. Goods and services are about 12% more expensive in Philadelphia than they are nationwide, and after adjusting for the city’s relatively high cost of living, the median income in Philadelphia is only about $41,200, one of the lowest of any U.S. city. Philadelphia’s status as one of the worst cities to live in is underscored by the city’s high poverty rate. More than one in four city residents live below the poverty line, well above the 14.7% U.S. poverty rate.

 

Philadelphia is also a relatively dangerous city. There were 1,029 violent crimes in the city for every 100,000 residents in 2015, nearly three times the violent crime rate nationwide.

 

--- Wall St. 24/7 (June, 2017)

 

I worked in Philly for one year in the mid 1990's. That was enough time for me to figure out that I never want to live there again. If you love it, good for you. De gustibus non est disputandum

[+ WilliamM]

Come on. We both know if there was federal funds involved the selection process could not favor "the original leaders."

 

I know Jacob Fisher from Pennrose, but forget whether he worked on the John Anderson project.

 

I apologize for questioning like this, but I worked for one of the city housing agency (not PHA), so am aware of the rules.

[+ WilliamM]

 

I worked in Philly for one year in the mid 1990's. That was enough time for me to figure out that I never want to live there again. If you love it, good for you. De gustibus non est disputandum

 

It took me a while to like Philadelphia too. I liked the location, near New York and Washington and the low cost of housing. And the people.

[Bearofdistinction]

The typical Philadelphia household earns only $41,233 a year, well below the statewide median income of $55,702. Goods and services are about 12% more expensive in Philadelphia than they are nationwide, and after adjusting for the city’s relatively high cost of living, the median income in Philadelphia is only about $41,200, one of the lowest of any U.S. city. Philadelphia’s status as one of the worst cities to live in is underscored by the city’s high poverty rate. More than one in four city residents live below the poverty line, well above the 14.7% U.S. poverty rate.

 

Philadelphia is also a relatively dangerous city. There were 1,029 violent crimes in the city for every 100,000 residents in 2015, nearly three times the violent crime rate nationwide.

 

--- Wall St. 24/7 (June, 2017)

 

I worked in Philly for one year in the mid 1990's. That was enough time for me to figure out that I never want to live there again. If you love it, good for you. De gustibus non est disputandum

 

JAYCEEKY -- To bad you did not stick around to be part of the renaissance - I moved back to Philly from Florida in the mid-90's and Mayor Rendell was turning the City around including openly supporting the Gayborhood and the Gay community and asking us publicly to keep our homes and businesses here and promising us a seat at the table and a voice at the table as the City revitalized and laws to protect our rights - and he kept his word. And when he ran successfully for Governor he bragged about his support for the LGBT Community in places referred to as Pennsyiltucky. and told those voters I will work for your community just like I did for that community and keep my word to you just as I did to communities in Philly. He won in two consecutive landslides.

 

In addition to my full-time job I remodeled and renovated multi-unit homes and commercial space in different Center City neighborhoods and continued to do so until 2015 when my health restricted my activities. As such I have a lot of experience with HUD/PFHA/Philly L&I/Housing Authority/Neighborhood Associations and the Zoning Board.

 

And WILLIAMM if you have specific questions about admission to Anderson House I suggest you contact them directly -- I included the link

 

I have friends from NYC and SF and Florida who were original founders and workers in the LGBT movement who were living in squalor having been priced out of the neighborhoods they helped make possible --- who are now living in the Anderson House Apartments with the quality, dignity and respect they and we all deserve.

 

Some of the other tenants only came out after they moved in - being free of fear of losing jobs/family/etc for the first time in their lives.

 

Their are excellent articles in The New York Times and The Philadelphia Gay News archives on the original tenants.

Edited October 9, 2017 by Bearofdistinction

[+ WilliamM]

@Bearofdistinction listed many wonderful thing about Philadelphia, I agree.

 

Most important to me: history, museums. universities.

[ericwinters]

I visited Philly often growing up in the 70s and 80s. Lived there in the 90s before university and after. And spend many days before returning home for visits and remain a fan. All of the reason above in addition to The Wanamaker Organ, Reading Terminal Market, 30th Street Station, La Colombe Coffee, and I'm still mourning the closure of Little Pete's on 17th.

 

If I could secure a job just over 6 digits, I'd be back for my third go around.

 

Oh and Premier... Maybe I could bring them back.

[marylander1940]

I don't know about neighborhoods but I love history, among all the things pointed by @Bearofdistinction I would suggest:

 

Philadelphia water works, nearby museum, Rocky statue, park, etc.

 

 

Eastern State Penitentiary

 

http://www.visitphilly.com/resize/587x391/136/r/http/photos.visitphilly.com/eastern-state-penitentiary-int12-900vp.jpg

 

 

http://www.easternstate.org/sites/easternstate/files/2017-03/BT31-forweb_0.jpg

[+ WilliamM]

http://media.philly.com/images/445*327/20110422_dn_0lk0tb9l.jpg

 

Only Philadelphia would remember Kate Smith with a statute. Even she was surprised.

[LoveNDino]

Big plus, this...

Walkability

A 2015 study by Walk Score ranked Philadelphia the fourth most walkable major city in the United States

[Deadlift1]

I love beautiful Philly. But there is more crime than you think including an up tick in gay bashings over the last several years. But they keep building $500k town homes in Kensington so it must not bother some.

[Bearofdistinction]

"addition to my full-time job I remodeled and renovated multi-unit homes and commercial space in different Center City neighborhoods and continued to do so until 2015 when my health restricted my activities. As such I have a lot of experience with HUD/PFHA/Philly L&I/Housing Authority/Neighborhood Associations and the Zoning Board.

 

And WILLIAMM if you have specific questions about admission to Anderson House I suggest you contact them directly -- I included the link"

 

@Bearofdistinction, I am confused. In what capacity did you do so much remodeling and renovation? But never with the Redevelopment Authority, Philadelphia Housing Development Corp. or the lead agency a year or two ago, The Office of Housing and Community Development? Few people want to deal with PHA, so it's red flag.

 

Also, the Philadelphia Gay News is something of a joke because it has supported a few candidates far removed from the gay community.

 

I believe it's only fair to point out the gay community is divided, with Bill Way and John Anderson universally recognized as heroes, but not the publisher of The Philadelphia Gay News.

 

I did not say that I was Dan Keating - I financed my first project myself a 2 unit home from there I moved up to larger projects

sometimes leveraging/sometimes working with an investor/sometimes working with HUD or FHA. At times I had to deal with L&I and the ZBA along with Neighborhood Association and Council Offices.

 

Some people like Marc Segal the PGN Owner/Publisher - Others do not -- There are politics in any active gay community in the country.

[+ WilliamM]

http://cdn.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/JoeyStefano21.jpg

 

Philadelphia's own porn star: Joey Stefano RIP

 

@Bearofdistinction

 

I looked back at some old photos of Mark Segal. My main objection: he apparently never cared if a politician was honest and worthy as long as it helped the gay community. The result -- too many photos with politician he never should have trusted

Edited January 19, 2018 by WilliamM

[Pepper Young]

This thread came just at the right time for me. I'm visiting a friend there in a few months and since my retirement is looming, was looking at houses in Center City on Realtor.com (and men on RM). I love the fact that Philly is walkable and lowrise, has an NBA team (important to me), quick access to NYC and lots of culture. Does it have a downside? Of course, all cities do. But it seems to me there are lots of things to like, as well.

[MikeBiDude]