Philly? Phooey! (Philly's the past. Phoenix is the future.)

The Arizona Republic ^ | Jul. 10, 2003

[presidio9]

W.C. Fields said it best: Better there than dead - but not by much.

There's a reason a half-million people have left Philadelphia over the last 50 years.

They don't want to be there.

This is not some new phenomenon. W.C. Fields would pick Philly only if the alternative was internment.

[Eagles2003]

You've obviously never seen the stacks of soft pretzels IN the street and the shady hawkers selling them on the street corner.

Remember the exhaust problem and the diesel fallout ON the "fresh pretzels".

Philly is one dirty town, like we said in the 'burbs, nuke em.

[radiohead]

ah, the wawa. i did 10 years in philly. for months i laughed anytime i heard people mention wawa.

naked pretzels on the street are fine. soot, exhaust, and dirty hand germs will make you strong.

i think philly has an attitude. when i moved to the midwest, then the west, i could tell that i was different from the natives, that i had an 'edge.' it took awhile to submerge that edge so that i didn't appear to be some kind of rude nutcase to these laid back people.

however, there's nothing wrong w/a 'tude. i miss philly. i raised my son there and was able to engage in the cultural life much more so than when living in dc. however, i don't think i'd move back there. i find the west captivating and hope to stay out this way when i finish my phd.

one thing that continues to stick in my craw is that the center city subway stations were terrible, full of homeless, filthy, smelly, etc. it didn't matter how regular taxpaying citizens felt, but put in the new convention center and rendell made sure the homeless were gone and the stations decontaminated. it was patently obvious that this was done only for the convention dollars.

it was this and other crap from rendell that finally made me officially switch my party affiliation. thanks ed.

[mathurine]

And you have Gilbert!

[wolficatZ]

..Phoenix doesn't have YOU. Thank God. Let's keep it that way.

[Tribune7]

The best convenience store in the country.

[ErinsDaddy]

Given their recent record I wouldn't be bragging about being home to two SC Justices!

[wireman]

Yep, the great southwest!

A cultural wasteland (it was 115 degrees today...but the humidity is low), with beans in every dish.

Every plant or animal has thorns or venom, and you can not get a decent sandwich anywhere in this country south of Baltimore (unless it's pulled pork).

I'm sooooo envious!

[wireman]

er...NOTHING!!!

[happygrl]

The best convenience store in the country.

Well I'm new to Philly and I have to agree.

Nothing like Wawa anywhere else in the country.

I gota say though, that I've joined Philadelphians for the honor of the Fattest City in the Country. LOL, I gotta shed some pounds now.

[speedy]

I've been there many times. The feeling is mutual, pal. No need to turn a routine smack session into something personal. Another reason I like Philly better -- they get stuff like that.

[speedy]

There is no other. Get your hoagie. Get your pretzel or Tastykake. Get your Wawa Iced Tea. Life is good.

[speedy]

The soft pretzel isn't really ready until it has absorbed Septa bus fumes. Otherwise, how do you get your carbon monoxide requirements?

[Tribune7]

ping

[Tribune7]

ping

[vrwinger]

The tourists around Independence Hall today were not exactly suffering from anorexia. If we had any sun, they would have blotted it out.

Obviously, Arizonans.

[MudPuppy]

Camden born and South Jersey raised here....now living in Virginia. We have lots of Super WaWa's in VA now...and Dominic's at Lowe's serves some fine cheese steaks. Almost like home and even better than Pat's.
Still haven't found a good stromboli or calzone down here, tho.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Quite true. Philadelphia is an AMERICAN City. One reason I live here.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

NY has the best food.

And its all $12 per entree!

[riri]

Naah, not if you know where to go. I have been to the best Italian restaurants on earth that served plates for 6 or 7 dollars. Little mom and pop places.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

On the other hand Philadelphia has major crime and street thugs.

Not really. Philly has always had a low crime rate among major cities. Tough police, dontcha know!