Living in Philadelphia is something everyone should experience in their lives, but be warned – some things about this city stick around no matter where life leads you. Whether you grew up here or have moved here recently, you should be aware that there are a few ways that living in Philly will ruin you for life.
- You no longer recognize seasons based on weather.
Flickr / Dmitry K. It’s either football season, baseball season, hockey season, or basketball season. Sometimes they overlap, but we all have our favorites.
- You’ll never enjoy a “Philly Cheesesteak” again.
Flickr / Wendy Even in Philadelphia, you can tell if you’re getting the good stuff by looking to see what you’re ordering. Steak sandwich? The best. Cheesesteak? Yeah, of course. “Philly Cheesesteak?” Someone’s trying too hard. And forget about ordering them anywhere else in the country… you’ll just feel let down.
- Every other city is just… boring.
Flickr / Dave Z. There’s really no other city in the country that’s as historic as Philadelphia. Where else can you be on a major interstate one minute, and then the next you’ll be bumbling down cobblestones that have been here since the nation was founded? The mixture of history and modern architecture really makes Philly one of a kind.
- Somehow, you’ll always love being a Philly sports fan.
Flickr / slgccgc Yeah, our teams crush our hearts (nearly) every year, but it’s almost a part of the charm.
- You’ll find yourself looking for people crewing on every river you drive past.
Flickr / Don Robson It becomes a habit after years of sitting on I-76 watching the rowers move faster than your car ever does.
- Auntie Anne’s just won’t cut it.
Flickr / Peter Miller When people come to visit Philly, it’s probably strange to see us buying bags of pretzels from random people on street corners, but there’s nothing like some fresh baked Federal Pretzels. Soft pretzels anywhere else are a joke.
- You will get spoiled by your access to nature.
Flickr / Pauline Rosenberg Wissahickon, Fairmont Park, and The Heinz Preserve at Tinicum are all easily accessible to anyone in Philadelphia. Not to mention the Poconos, the Jersey Shore, and the Amwell Valley, which are all just short drives away. While you’re living in one of the largest cities in the country, you’re also never far away from some gorgeous landscapes.
- Nobody is as entertaining as Philadelphians.
Flickr / Lulu Hoeller If you don’t keep an eye out for the “[Neighborhood] Sign of the Day” on /r/philly, you’re missing out on some of Philadelphia’s most creative creations.
- You will come to expect the most amazing food on every corner.
Facebook / Jims Steaks Philadelphia’s food scene is one of the best i the country- even our corner restaurants serve up better food than you will find outside of the city.
- You can actually afford to live here.
Flickr / Simon Philly is one of the most reasonably priced cities in the United States. For a quarter of what your friends in Manhatten are paying for a room the size of a closet, you can get a decent loft in Chinatown that’s close to everything you need.
You know what, none of this sounds too bad! I’ll stick with the City of Brotherly Love if it means I can always find great food without having to go far!
Flickr / Dmitry K.
It’s either football season, baseball season, hockey season, or basketball season. Sometimes they overlap, but we all have our favorites.
Flickr / Wendy
Even in Philadelphia, you can tell if you’re getting the good stuff by looking to see what you’re ordering. Steak sandwich? The best. Cheesesteak? Yeah, of course. “Philly Cheesesteak?” Someone’s trying too hard. And forget about ordering them anywhere else in the country… you’ll just feel let down.
Flickr / Dave Z.
There’s really no other city in the country that’s as historic as Philadelphia. Where else can you be on a major interstate one minute, and then the next you’ll be bumbling down cobblestones that have been here since the nation was founded? The mixture of history and modern architecture really makes Philly one of a kind.
Flickr / slgccgc
Yeah, our teams crush our hearts (nearly) every year, but it’s almost a part of the charm.
Flickr / Don Robson
It becomes a habit after years of sitting on I-76 watching the rowers move faster than your car ever does.
Flickr / Peter Miller
When people come to visit Philly, it’s probably strange to see us buying bags of pretzels from random people on street corners, but there’s nothing like some fresh baked Federal Pretzels. Soft pretzels anywhere else are a joke.
Flickr / Pauline Rosenberg
Wissahickon, Fairmont Park, and The Heinz Preserve at Tinicum are all easily accessible to anyone in Philadelphia. Not to mention the Poconos, the Jersey Shore, and the Amwell Valley, which are all just short drives away. While you’re living in one of the largest cities in the country, you’re also never far away from some gorgeous landscapes.
Flickr / Lulu Hoeller
If you don’t keep an eye out for the “[Neighborhood] Sign of the Day” on /r/philly, you’re missing out on some of Philadelphia’s most creative creations.
Facebook / Jims Steaks
Philadelphia’s food scene is one of the best i the country- even our corner restaurants serve up better food than you will find outside of the city.
Flickr / Simon
Philly is one of the most reasonably priced cities in the United States. For a quarter of what your friends in Manhatten are paying for a room the size of a closet, you can get a decent loft in Chinatown that’s close to everything you need.
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