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

Remember that show with Will Smith, the Fresh Prince? The song started out "In West Philadelphia, born and raised". Yeah, I had an apartment there for a while, there is a reason Will left for California. Nothing like getting off the city bus at 1am in your uniform on a Saturday night when all the local kids are still hanging out and bored(not waiting to help Grandma cross the street I might add). TARGET! TARGET! On the other hand I did enjoy Center City and some of the other areas around Philly.

A nice place in the city proper is not going to be cheap either. Add in parking (for the offensively early or late shows) and it might break the bank. I would strongly recommend you consider the suburbs of PHL. West Chester is a college town with a good bit to do. Manayunk is a hoppin place too that is closer to the city with mass transit access.

A very good friend of mine is based in Philadelphia and lives in Media which is in the suburbs. He loves it there as it's a nice town and not far from the airport either.

I can vote for Manayunk, oh my god was it awesome. Close to the city, yet it felt like a different town. The women there were amazing, and it felt like a pretty cool place. The bars are great, and the women, again, awesome. I really did enjoy that place. One bit of advice, alot of crashpads are in Essington, stay far, far away, depressing isn't even close to being able to describe that miserable part of town.

Firts of all thank you for all the replies. I really appreciate the feedbacks and they sure are helpful.

I'm starting to have an idea of the places. Let's see, all the Center City are aso is good, Art Museum good...how about Fairmount? It's pretty close to Art Museum. At first I saw a couple of apartments at good prices in Camden, the unfortunately I read about all the crime etc and avoided. I'll look to Manayunk, I heard good things about it also before writing here. From what I aslo understand I probably should avoid west Philly.

As far as the price goes it's not the biggest problem. I'm planning to spend somewhere around 1500 per month on the rent only, and possibly I'd like to find something with a parking. I saw some ads and you can find some good things for that price. Mostly I want it with parking because what I'm going to spend on that I'm going to save it on car insurance.

Now I'm probably never going to use the public transportation if I'm coming/going back to work, is there employee parking at the airport? And also, after reading G2TT's comment this is the question...let's say again I come back at 11 pm or so and I'm going back home nice and happy in my car...before getting home I stop at a store to buy a couple of things...is it like somebody is going to assault me because I have the uniform still on? Obviously it depends on the area, so let's take in consideration the areas we mentioned before as safe.

As far as eating goes, Zero1Niner, I am Italian. So I'll sure try out the restaurant you pointed out. This is also one of the reasons I'm looking to go living in Philly, lots of flights to Europe compared to the other bases. That sure helps if I have to go visit family and friends.

Any other suggestions?

EDIT: forgot to ask...how about nightlife? good places around the area to have some fun without getting killed when you get out? Aviatiormar you seem like the expert about this subject :)

If you have a choice, be based in INDY. This town is very underated, low cost of living, vibrant areas like broad ripple, and a lot less crime. I like Philly, but would never live their. Indy on the other hand I would consider.

The Fairmount area is (relatively) clean, lots of good and cheap pubs, easy to get on freeway (676), and lots of young people. Its a revitalized neighborhood with lots of apartments for rent all the time. Parking sucks horribly if you try to find a spot after 5pm.

I don't drive on my days off because everything you need is withing walking distance. It's close to the Schullkill River bike/run path, and close enough to enjoy the city skyline, but not deal with the city.

I avoid walking around in uniform, or walking in unfamiliar places at night. It's called Killadelphia for a reason ;)

Oh, and the airport sucks with delays, lazy ground handlers, bad employee parking and poor runway layout.

It's funny, everybody is telling me how lazy the ground handlers are, every single person that I talk to about the airport.

Fairmount sounds like a cool place, the park also looks nice. Do you know how the Park Towne Place apartments are?

Bu-bu-buttttt Indy is a boring midwestern cowtown :rolleyes:

The women are all fat, pregnant, or fat and pregnant :rolleyes:

The bar scene sucks, everybody is poor :rolleyes:

I left DC Metro for the midwest and though I enjoyed my time in Maryland, I don't ever want to ever go back living there...

Indy has the Monon Trail, Broad Ripple, Murat Egyptian Room, Verizon/Deer Creek Music Center, the Colts, a CHEAP cost of living and you're 3 hours from Chicago if you still aren't satisfied....or 2 hours from the KY Bourbon Trail!

But what do I know, I only lived in Central Indiana for 5 years...

Fairmount is pretty nice. It is close to the art museum. Its pretty close to the Spring Garden area. Someone else mentioned that the nicer areas are pricy...I think they are right about that. I dont know the current market prices, but I do remember those nicer areas being relatively expensive.

Forgot about Manayunk. Manayunk is amazing.

This is true for pretty much anywhere in the City. Parking totally sucks. Another thing that I am sad to report is that my family has had their cars broken into numerous times when parked out on the street. Make sure you dont leave ANYTHING that has value laying around visible in the car.

West Chester is a cool town, but its getting pretty far from the airport. Can take you a while to get to the airport, especially in traffic.

Media is great. Next town over from Media is Broomall (my parents live their now). Both are great suburbs. Virtually crime free, MUCH less expensive than the city, decent restaurants, but not much night life.

Broomall is only about 13 miles from the airport if I remember correctly, and its all highway.

Springfield is cool too. Just like Broomall and Media. Thinking about it, the suburbs is really the way to go.

Zero1Niner you're the man...thanks for all the great inputs.

So what's so great about Manayunk? Everybody has great things to say about it.

Again consider that I'm willing to spend more to stay in a safe place, and again I'm NEVER going to leave the car on the street. Also because what I save in parking I spend it in insurance (which doesn't refund that much if you actually get you car stolen or broken into). So it's going to be for sure a condo or something like that with gated parking, possibly covered.

Consider also that I'm really young, only 20, so nightlife and stuff like that plays decent role in the decision. I definitely would like to live in a place with some life, with people around and stuff to do.

Don't bring an expensive car to the employee parking lot at PHL.

I came back to the lot to my car, my Capt came back to a pile of glass and part of his door handle.

My two pesos worth,

FF

PHL employee lot...the most unsecure secure parking lot I've seen in my life! I'd say 1/4 of the cars in that lot piggyback to get in and out of the gate.

******, that's not a good thing 'cause my car is fairly expensive. Any other options in the area to park the car while away without spending a lot?

I can't believe my ears that people actually like the City of Phila. I lived there for four years while attending Drexel U. I lived in the Spring Garden area, yeah on Powelton Ave. The curbs are covered with the glass of broken car windows from all the scumbag thieves. Ive had my truck broken into three times, attempted to be mugged once, and was almost rundown by some lady, screaming racist slurs at me, while riding my bike to crew practice.

The airport is a nightmare. I think everyone knows what kinda cluster that is.

I do not want to spread rumors, but I heard that Southwest hired philly resident ramp personel to do their 20 min turns. They couldn't do it and fired them all, and rehired. Their new workers couldn't do it either, fired them...now they positive space workers in that can do it everyday.

Not to mention that hole is number 9 in cities with highest murder rate. And is the number 1 city with population over 1million. Im gonna have to put a vote in that Abner's and Pats has the best cheesesteaks, and Ed's has the best wings! But you can keep the food, Ill never go back.

That's funny right there.

One night the rampers all left at once with no backups. There was a Eagles game that night or something so everyone called in sick. The folks who work ramp tower came out to do the push, and the captain and I had to load bags on the plane. Lame.

Otherwise, there is only a handful of people who work hard there. Everyone else just thinks they are doing you a favor by waving you into the gate and doing their job. :rolleyes:

Manayunk is amazing I'll say it again. It feels like a whole different city, not even a part of phl. There is the main drag which has plenty of bars, and the women there are just hot, I mean really good looking. Plenty of eye candy, and it was just a blast. I few too many tough guys (forggattabouitt) for my tastes, but god the women. I think it's a pretty rad place, I really liked it the few times I went out there, plus it didn't hurt the fact that I went out with an old "friend" from high school that got really hot during the college years.

Philly is overall a great town. Like any other major city, it has good parts and bad parts. Personally, I think its a great town and has an undeserved bad reputation. If you can afford it, I would recommend the Rittenhouse square are (very, very nice) or Chestnut hill (still within the city limits, but has more of a small-town feel). The only downside is that most of the places downtown will be rather pricey. However it is a great city, and you'll have an awesome time there I think.

MikeB... Where in Easton do you work? Moyer Aviation?

You do realize this is about what you'll be making a month after taxes?

Its not that bad. I live just west of Coatesville and can make it to the parking lot in about 1 hour on average. Most of the RW PHL shows are off rush hour, very rarely do I hit any major traffic. Going home can be a different story, but I'm not fighting as much of a deadline then. I drive past West Chester and it takes me about 30-40 minutes to get to the airport from there.

Yes I do sir, that's why I'll instruct on the side (not in the airplane)...plus as I said I have some money I saved with time that I'm going to use for the first year living. I did my calculations. Obviously I'll try to avoid spending 1500 per month, that's the maximum I can budget.

So, how about this airport parking lot...is it really so dangerous to leave the car there? Is there any alternative to that?

Hey I live in Manayunk. I have lived there for 3 years. It was sweet when my brand new audi got broken into and 3000 of damage and 3500 of stollen goods..... right off main street....then it was cool when my apartment got broken into a week later.... It seems like a safe area however the hobo's are right around the corner... I subletted my apartment a week later after the car and house were broken into. Made me VERY nervous waking up in the dark to walk to my car for an early report or getting back late (i am a girl)

and ps the girls in yunk are NOT HOT at all.... yunk is fun to go out in, I love it there, I love main street, but dont have a car that you value, or anything nice in your house, OR expect to park anywhere NEAR your house..... Hence... I am moving to the suburbs...... new hope.... same main street feel, minus the crime... :)

PS Bike Race is the most amazing day of the year :)

PSS my two other roomates ALSO had their cars broken into, one had a logbook stollen

So, what do you suggest? What if you live like in a condo with gated parking and stuff like that? I really don't want to leave the car on the street.

A logbook stolen?!?! What the hell do they need that for?

Well my last post sounded witchy, which it was bc I LOVED MY apartment (and my car) and I LOVVVVVVVVE PHILLY. I have a 3 floor, 3 bedroom house with a backyard, front porch, basement, fully remodeled 1.5 bath for $1500 a month, right off main street (bars resteraunts etc).....u cant beat that... but

I just got sick of it after a while, (getting in at weird times from trips with parking) There are nice apartments up the hill from manayunk with parking gated etc... parking is a big thing, I would suggest manayunk, fairmount is also REALLY NICE, but i found as an airline pilot who needed my car, parking was too bad in center city. or just have a car u dont give a crap about, and dont leave ANYTHING in it.... the thing that tricked me is it FEELS really safe there bc its all rich college kids from nova, st joes, etc....

if you think a logbook being stollen is bad, they stole all of my horse back riding equipment and competition clothes.... what does a gangster want with my collared riding shirts?

so anyways I would suggest philly just be wise, olde city is my fav

I guess they'll just steal everything that it's in there, they're probably going to throw away most of it.

So, Fairmount, Art museum, Old City, Rittenhouse are suggested. How about South Street, Bella Vista and that general area?

Dont know much about them, old city and ritten house are pricey and parking is tough (easier in olde city prob)... if you are in center city you dont NEED a car.... on that note, yes....

they stole my roomates redbulls when they broke into her car

ps the cop yelled at my boyfriend when our house got broken into, bc we are both pilots there was mail out front and she said thats why they broke in, and yelled at him that he should stop the mail everytime he goes on a trip haha