As long time residents of Center City Philadelphia, we often encounter people with misconceptions about security, sense of community, and a feeling of belonging related to urban living. City dwellers and residents of smaller towns and rural areas alike can often have both extremely negative perspectives as well as overly enthusiastic ones about the nitty gritty details of life in a major hub. We started this blog in part to share experiences in dealing with the super mundane issues we have experienced raising two young dogs deep within the grid. Our particular spot, Fairmount – Philadelphia, has many distinctive characteristics that appeal as well as challenges to overcome. It has been extremely worthwhile to have interacted with many, many folks through the blogosphere who have visited and lived in Philadelphia that enjoy learning about what’s new and happening in the city of Brotherly Luv. So, in the spirit of connecting with Philadelphians at heart, we continue our blog series on reasons to move to Philly – from our urban dog lifestyles perspective. Please share your reasons too!
21. The Schuylkill River Park is open and fabulous. One can enter the park at the Walnut Street bridge in the Rittenhouse area and make use of paved trails all the way to Manayunk and beyond. The Friends of Schuylkill River Park have a great website that shares the details about its features and ways you can get involved in keeping it beautiful. Sadie and Lily love to take long walks at the River Park
22. Philadelphians organize. The city is home to many community organizations that address the needs of local areas to have a voice in government, engage citizens in addressing many difficult problems related to social inequality, and providing alternative systems for supporting education, health and welfare of our residents. Many residents are proud of the long-standing tradition we have of getting and staying involved in communities. West Philadelphia’s New Community Radio is just one example of this tradition. Even our dog park has a Facebook page.
23. The International House. Located between the campuses of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, Philadelphia’s I-House is a cross between youth hostel, rustic dorm, and international cultural center. The I-house has a wonderful international film series and low cost facilities that foster a robust international exchange of students and scholars through the area’s institutions of higher education.
24. Related to #23, Philadelphia is an international city. It is home to over 30 consulates, as well as hosting a regional passport agency at historic Custom House. These facilities, along with the International Airport, make Philadelphia a great place to live if travel convenience matters. (Yes, we are talking to you, New Yorker friends.)
25. Related to 24, we are a Bolt Bus hub. In case you have missed it, there are many bus services that connect Philadelphia with other East Coast cities at extremely low costs. Bolt stands out because of the free Wi-Fi and ridiculously low prices for those who plan well in advance. We have seen $5 dollar one way tickets from Philly to the Big Apple. Considering that tolls alone for drivers would easily quadruple that sum, not to mention sky-high parking rates, we wonder why people drive between the two cities at all.
26. First Fridays and Second Saturdays. Old City is home to First Friday, a once-a-month opportunity to visit galleries and participate in free open house events. Second Saturdays are in Manayunk, from April through October. Shoppers get discounts for purchases, and performers and street cafes are extra busy. Little dogs, like Sadie, are welcome in most every venue.
27. Detroit has Motown Records but we have the Sound of Philadelphia – Philadelphia International Records. Rhythm and Blues recording artists have launched careers and captured classics at Gamble-Huff music studies for three decades. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were recently named to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Broad Street studios are a must visit for tourists and residents alike if you are a music lover! Do you have your copy of Love Train yet? Philadelphia is a mecca for African American Culture, click here to see a full list of activities and destinations.
28. Philadelphians Farm – and we students to do so at the W. B. Saul High School for Agricultural Sciences, the nation’s second agricultural sciences high school. Here is a link to their exhibit in the Philadelphia Flower Show.
29. Related to 28, The Philadelphia Flower Show, sponsored by the Philadelphia Horticultural Association is the largest indoor flower show in the world and one of the most anticipated events of the year. The photo above is a topiary of a dog- we found that delightful at this year’s event held two weeks ago.
30. Philadelphia is a city of murals. The Mural Arts Program has been in place for 25 years, creating public art through community involvement and bringing new life to old walls in the process. Over 2800 murals are found throughout the city, making Philadelphia one of the most welcoming to public art in the world. You can get involved in creating one in your community; visitors can tour them when they visit the city. Here’s a link to UPenn’s Cartographic Modeling Lab’s inventory of murals in the Fairmount-Art Museum area - home of the Fairmount Dogs.
See Reasons 1-10 here.
See Reasons 11-20 here.
