Philadelphia
 

Hello, I don't know exactly where to post this since there's not a specific session so I'll put it here.

I'm starting class with RW on 4/21 and I'm getting info on the bases. My best bet right now is PHL since Denver is impossible to get, I will probably be the least senior in class. DC is very expensive, Indianapolis and Columbus are a little small. Pittsburgh I think is pretty senior.

So my choice right now would be PHL. I heard good and bad things about it. I like the fact that is a very big city with a lot of life. And also I like the fact that is not far from NY and DC and that has a pretty big airport. But I heard pretty scary things about it. I know there is a lot of crime, and I guess it's normal since it's a big city.

I was looking for some opinions from any of you who live/lived there. Is it really that unsafe if you live like in Center City/Art Museum or these kind of areas? For example, let's say I come back from a trip and on the way home I stop buying something in a shop, it's not like I'm going to get robbed just because I'm in uniform and I look wealthy? I would just look wealthy :D

Any info on the other bases is also really appreciated.

I've never lived in PHL or IND but if I had a choice, from the time spent in each, I would live in IND.

Then again I lived in CLE for 6 years...what does that tell you about my logic? ;)

Emh...I'll be honest I don't know much about Cleveland except that it's like on of the cities with the most poverty in the US. Other than that I don't know much. ;)

Don't look at Philly itself. You can live farther away, and PA overall is very nice place to live. I just got a job with a company in Easton, PA (about 90 min north of PHL) and it's very nice overall. Go out to the suburbs or semi-rural areas and you should find reasonably-priced apartments with nice PA scenery.

That is actually what I'm trying to avoid. I really like living in the city where everybody is, and the rent price is not that huge of a problem since for the first year I'm going to use some of my savings. I'm really trying to live in the city, possibly a big one.

At first I was shooting for Shuttle in Chicago but then I got Republic so now I'm trying to understand a little bit about its bases. Thank you very much for your help anyway.

Philly is a great town. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Philly, and I have a ton of family that still live in the Spring Garden area which is in center city near the art museum.

There are plenty of places in the city that are safe. The Spring Garden area is decent, and the Rittenhouse Square area is pretty nice. There are some newer areas going up down near the waterfront that I have heard are pretty nice also.

You should definitely take some time and get to know the city. In the name of self preservation, there are some really rough neighborhoods that you'd be wise to stay away from unless your packing (or even if you are packing). Just like any other big city, you have to pay more attention to your surroundings, but it is an amazing place to live.

Actually, I also would also suggest you check out some of the suburbs. There are some really cool places to live that are still very close to the city, but with a little more space. You can typically find a larger place for less money, and still be within very close proximity to all of the city life. You could do this on the PA or the NJ side.

BTW: stay away from Chester. Rough neighborhood.

One more thing about Philly....the food. Oh God...the food is incredible.

For anyone that has some time to kill in PHL, you have got to check out this restaurant in Prospect Park PA called 'Trieste Italian Restaurant'. Its only a few miles from the airport, and it is some of the best Italian food you will find ANYWHERE. Its a little family owned hole-in-the-wall place that's been around since the 60's (by the same family I think). I grew up just a few miles from this place, and my family has been eating here for over 30 years...almost weekly.

My all time favorite dish there is the Lasagna...I know seems too obvious, but I have never had a Lasagna anywhere (including Italy!) that can hold a candle to theirs.

This place is amazing. http://www.triesterestaurant.com/

Ah, Filthadelphia: The City of Brothers on Drugs.

Stay away from South Philly, near the airport..it will depress your spirits..also don;t let working at the airport have any weight on your opinion of the city, that is not Philly, it is the Hood, and those residents work(TSA, etc..) at the airport. The burbs to the north and west are very conducive to a nice life. Good luck