1. Philly Is A Big City With A Small City Feel
Source: Manayunk.com Facebook
It’s the fifth-largest city in the country with around 1.5 million residents, but somehow Philadelphia still maintains a small-city feel.
Residents are fiercely loyal to their neighborhoods and whether you live in South Philly or the Northeast, you have what you need close by and it’s probably at a deli.
2. It Should Be Called The City Of Brotherly Love And A Little Bit Of Attitude
Source: Pinterest
Philly is filled with good-hearted people but with that also comes a little bit of attitude. They don’t sugar coat things and they don’t need to talk behind your back.
They’ll tell you straight to your face what they think. But they’ll also help you out if you need it.
3. The People On Your Block Are Now Your Extended Family, So Be Nice
Source: Manayunk.com Facebook
Neighborhoods can vary block to block in a lot of parts in the city. So when you move here, it’s a good idea to get a feel for your block first because that is what will make or break your Philly experience.
Pick a good one, be friendly and trustworthy and your neighbors will watch out for you, your home, your car, and your kids. You might get a pretty sweet block party every summer, too.
4. Philly Is Really Hip These Days
Source: Philadelphia – visitphilly.com
The city’s growth has made Philly ridiculously hip. The Riverwalk, the Made In America tour, the newly launched bike-share program, the endless museums, the food, and all those pop up beer gardens! Hipsters officially love Philly.
5. But It’s Also Family-Friendly
Source: Philadelphia Museum of Art Facebook
Thanks to museums like the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch, the Philadelphia zoo, cool urban playgrounds and mini golf found at Franklin Square, seasonal favorites and awesome events, Philly is definitely a city where there’s no shortage of things to do with kids.
6. The Truth About The Cheesesteaks
Source: Philadelphia – visitphilly.com Facebook
Okay, could you eat cheesesteaks every day for the rest of your life? Of course you could. From the right place (not Pat’s or Geno’s), they’re to die for. But you won’t.
Why? Because they’re only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the food to love in Philly and the truth is that roast pork sandwiches are a million times better than the cheesesteaks. There, I said it.
7. Get A Gym Membership And Use It
Source: Flickr user Martyn Smith
Otherwise, you’re going to need to buy bigger pants fast. The food doesn’t just stop at cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches.
Hoagies are a Philly institution as well as tomato pies, soft pretzels, water ice… You get the idea. This isn’t Los Angeles – salads are a side, not a main course in Philly.
8. The Hardest Decision Of Your Day Will Be Made At Wawa
Source: Wawa Facebook
Hoagie or a meatball sandwich? Iced tea or an ICEE? Should you go for the 20 ounce coffee or the 16? French roast or Hazelnut? Krimpets or Peanut Butter Kandykakes? Fill it up regular or premium?
These are tough choices. But don’t worry, tomorrow is another day and you’ll be back.
9. Everything You’ve Heard About Philadelphia Sports Fans Is Complete Bull
Source: trbimg.com
Philly sports fans are not the monsters they’ve been made out to be. They’re fiercely loyal and full of passion. Sometimes that means booing a player who decides to quit on his team.
10. …Except When It’s Not
Source: CBS Philly
Okay, Eagles court at Vet Stadium didn’t exist for no reason. Yeah, you can find the occasional rowdy fan in the crowd but I dare you to visit any stadium in the country and say different.
But for the sake of discretion, leave the Cowgirls gear at home.
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11. You’d Do Well To Learn The Eagles Song
Source: Tumblr page Philly Founder
This really is Eagles Country. The fastest way to fit in and make friends is to get a jersey and head to your neighborhood dive during a game.
But don’t go without knowing how to “E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!” or you’ll be marked for life.
12. Why The Philly Phanatic Is The Mascot Of All Mascots
Source: Philadelphia Phillies Facebook
Whether the Phils are winning or losing, there’s never a drop of love lost for the Phanatic (of course, it’s always better when they’re winning.)
He’s Philly’s homeboy, just as misunderstood and awesomely strange as they are and they’ll never quit him, whatever he is.
13. The Dive Bars Are The Best Bars
Source: Dirty Frank’s Facebook
Don’t turn away from the bars that look a little rough around the edges. They’re usually the best ones in the city.
Philly’s dive bar scene is top notch so don’t waste your money in those uppity joints.
14. And There’s A BYOB Almost Everywhere
Source:
Because PA’s weird liquor laws make it hard to get a license to serve, the city has over 250 restaurants where you can bring your own, saving you major bucks.
Show your Philly love and bring some local selections like Yards, Philadelphia Brewing, Victory, or the PA favorite, Yeungling.
15. About That Accent
Source:
Philadelphians will fight you on this one hard. “Water” becomes “wooder” and “dog” become “dawg” and the really thick accents even change “Eagles” into “Iggles.”
Hardly anyone in Philly admits to having this accent, of course, but almost everyone who grew up here has at least a touch of it.
16. And Then There’s This Jawn
Source: Philly Mag
Speaking of accents, Philly has a smidge of its own language, too. The plural of “you” becomes “youse” or even “youse guys.” And when someone says the word “jawn,” they’re just describing a thing that they probably couldn’t think of the word for immediately.
So, “hey, check out this jawn” basically means “look at this.”
17. Philly Is Way More Progressive Than You Thought
Philadelphia was just named the sixth gay-friendly city in the country, so fly your flags proudly while you’re here. Everyone is welcome.
18. And History Is Way Cooler Than It Was In High School
Source: Philadelphia – visitphilly.com Facebook
Being the first for everything? It’s kind of special. And one stroll through Old City and you won’t forget it.
Granted, the last time a Philadelphian visited the Liberty Bell was during their 5th grade field trip, but they all love having it and the rest of the country’s history right here.
19. Don’t Believe The Crime Hype… Well, Not All Of It
Source: Visit Gay Philly Facebook
Philadelphia has definitely had its share of crime issues. But what big city hasn’t? This is not the war zone outsiders think it is, but if you don’t have common sense, develop it fast.
Pay attention to your surroundings, keep your head up, walk with a partner at night, avoid obvious red flags, don’t keep valuables in your car and you’ll be fine.
20. Be Careful How And Where You Park That Car Unless You Want A Ticket
Source: Philly.com
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (locally known as the PPA) is not messing around. If you think you can park in that handicap space on South Street for two minutes to grab a cup of coffee, you’re going to come back to find a $300 ticket.
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21. You Never Have To Worry About Getting Sick
With CHOP there for your kids and other prestigious medical facilities including those at Hahnemann, Temple, UPenn, Jefferson and more, you’ll rest a little easier knowing that if anything were to happen, you have the best care available.
22. Looking For An Education? You’re In The Right Place
Source: University of Pennsylvania Facebook
Become a lawyer, a doctor, or an engineer at prestigious colleges including The University of Pennsylvania, Temple, and Drexel University.
Or become a professional dancer, musician or artist thanks to schools like Tyler and The University of the Arts. Whatever you’re here to learn, Philly’s got it.
23. Only Your Neighborhood Is Walkable
The city is surprisingly big and it’s very spread out. Even walking downtown from one end to the
other becomes a mission.
Your neighborhood will still be walkable, but unless you have a car, you’ll want to look into public transportation or the new bike share program.
24. SEPTA Will Get You Where You Need To Go, But You’ll Probably Be Late
Source: Biconews.com
You’ll curse SEPTA out at least three times a week. But it’s still a pretty great way to get around the city.
And if you work downtown, it beats finding and paying for parking every day. Just allow yourself extra time.
25. You’ll Never Get Lost
Source: Philadelphia – visitphilly.com Facebook
The city is set up in a nearly fool-proof grid pattern with every other street running one-way east, the other one-way west. This is great because even when you don’t know where you’re going, you’re never really lost.
But the commutes around the city will still test your patience, especially when the Schuylkill, the Blue Route, and the evil Boulevard are involved.
26. You’ll Become An Art Snob Whether You Want To Or Not
Source: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Facebook
With a city full of murals, the Avenue of the Arts, art students attending the top-schools, museums, galleries, and random guerilla art, it’s impossible not to love art when you live in Philly.
27. Philly Had The Italian Market And Reading Terminal Markets Long Before Farmers Markets Became Trendy
Source: City Data
But don’t worry, from spring through fall, there are a ton of farmers markets, too. But you’ll still find yourself at the Italian Market and Reading Terminal more.
28. Philly Hates Jersey But Loves The Jersey Shore
Source: Triporati
And not the show. Summers are spent dodging Tram Cars and seagulls at the Jersey Shore boardwalk.
29. Philly Is Really Weird… And That’s A Good Thing
Source: Visit Gay Philly Facebook
Philly is undoubtedly one of the quirkiest cities in the country, and I mean that in the best way possible. The stuff that makes it weird, like the Mummers, is exactly what makes it so cool.
30. Do Philadelphians Really Love Rocky?
Source: Lindsay Fincher
In a word? Yeah.
31. When You Hear “Drums, Please!” Drop Everything And Represent
Will Smith is Philly’s golden child. But you don’t need to get jiggy with it. And if you don’t know the words to the full Fresh Prince theme song, you’re not alone.
But when you hear the intro to “Summertime,” you roll down the windows, turn it up, and cruise the streets, proud to call Philly home.
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