Philadelphia finds its way into the heart of residents, whether they grew up here or ended up in the city for work, school, or a change of page. Once you’ve lived here, there’s no stopping it – you’ll quickly become a Philadelphian, and suddenly every other city just won’t measure up. Here are a few reasons why Philadelphia will grab a hold of you and stay in your heart for the rest of your life.
- Life without cheesesteaks would just be… sad.
Facebook / Jim’s Steaks I’m sure you see it when you travel outside of Philly - “sub shops” in Madison, Wisconsin trying to pass off their strange sandwich as a Philly Cheesesteak, or a cheeky sign in Baltimore claiming they have “Wiz.” Good try, guys, but it’s just not the same. Living in Philadelphia means great cheesesteaks whenever you want them, and that’s hard to give up.
- You can’t find Mummers anywhere else
Flickr / PrettyKateMachine The Mummers Parade is the oldest folk festival in the country, and there’s nothing more entertaining than dragging yourself out of bed early on New Year’s Day to watch the comics, fancy brigades, string bands, and fancies compete for the top spots. What would New Year’s Day look like without Mummers? I don’t want to know!
- No other sports fans can compare.
Flickr / SLGCKGC Hands down, Philadelphia sports fans are the most passionate sports fans. While that has sort of led to a bad, battery-snowball-fueled reputation, that’s just because other cities don’t understand what it is like to really live and die by your team’s successes (…or failures).
- Citywides.
Flickr / Paul Sableman I tried to order a beer-and-bourbon in Hoboken a few weeks ago and ended up having to take out a second mortgage to pay for it. Why haven’t other cities picked up on the $3-$5 citywide special? It’s one of the best parts about going out in Philly!
- The history is unbeatable.
Flickr / Celine The nation was founded in the streets of Philadelphia and the Revolutionary War was fought right in our neighborhoods. You can’t help but feel the spirit of freedom in Philadelphia, and it’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
- Other city markets can’t compare to Reading Terminal or the Italian Market.
Flickr / Peter Miller Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market are two of the best urban markets in the world. You can find pretty much any food you want at Reading Terminal, and I can guarantee it’ll all be good. If you’re not walking through regularly, you’re doing it wrong!
- Somehow, Philly keeps up its small town feel.
Flickr / Ralph Reiring Despite being the 5th largest city in the country, you can get to know your local barista pretty easily, and it’s not uncommon to make friends with people you regularly pass on the street. Philadelphia’s residential neighborhoods are close-knit communities, despite being just a small piece of the gigantic 1,500,000-person puzzle.
- The art scene is among the most impressive in the world.
Flickr / Michael W. Murphy Between the Art Museum and the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia has enough art to rival any European city. But the real treasures lie in the streets - the Toynbee tiles, the Magic Garden, the hundreds of murals that show off the city’s culture, heritage, and spirit.
- You will simply never find another city that compares.
Kim Magaraci / OIYS Philadelphia will always be home, because no place compares to the spirit of this city. Between the art, the food, the neighborhoods and communities, it’s easy to proclaim that Philadelphia is the best! When you wander the streets and get to know the people and stories that they tell, you’ll really feel at home in the City of Brotherly Love.
It’s easy to fall in love with Philadelphia, but it’s much, much harder to let it go. In fact, we hear it all the time – people who’ve left Philly struggle without soft pretzels, DiNic’s, and the rest of Philadelphia’s iconic dishes. What’s the reason that Philadelphia will always have your heart?
Facebook / Jim’s Steaks
I’m sure you see it when you travel outside of Philly - “sub shops” in Madison, Wisconsin trying to pass off their strange sandwich as a Philly Cheesesteak, or a cheeky sign in Baltimore claiming they have “Wiz.” Good try, guys, but it’s just not the same. Living in Philadelphia means great cheesesteaks whenever you want them, and that’s hard to give up.
Flickr / PrettyKateMachine
The Mummers Parade is the oldest folk festival in the country, and there’s nothing more entertaining than dragging yourself out of bed early on New Year’s Day to watch the comics, fancy brigades, string bands, and fancies compete for the top spots. What would New Year’s Day look like without Mummers? I don’t want to know!
Flickr / SLGCKGC
Hands down, Philadelphia sports fans are the most passionate sports fans. While that has sort of led to a bad, battery-snowball-fueled reputation, that’s just because other cities don’t understand what it is like to really live and die by your team’s successes (…or failures).
Flickr / Paul Sableman
I tried to order a beer-and-bourbon in Hoboken a few weeks ago and ended up having to take out a second mortgage to pay for it. Why haven’t other cities picked up on the $3-$5 citywide special? It’s one of the best parts about going out in Philly!
Flickr / Celine
The nation was founded in the streets of Philadelphia and the Revolutionary War was fought right in our neighborhoods. You can’t help but feel the spirit of freedom in Philadelphia, and it’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
Flickr / Peter Miller
Reading Terminal Market and the Italian Market are two of the best urban markets in the world. You can find pretty much any food you want at Reading Terminal, and I can guarantee it’ll all be good. If you’re not walking through regularly, you’re doing it wrong!
Flickr / Ralph Reiring
Despite being the 5th largest city in the country, you can get to know your local barista pretty easily, and it’s not uncommon to make friends with people you regularly pass on the street. Philadelphia’s residential neighborhoods are close-knit communities, despite being just a small piece of the gigantic 1,500,000-person puzzle.
Flickr / Michael W. Murphy
Between the Art Museum and the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia has enough art to rival any European city. But the real treasures lie in the streets - the Toynbee tiles, the Magic Garden, the hundreds of murals that show off the city’s culture, heritage, and spirit.
Kim Magaraci / OIYS
Philadelphia will always be home, because no place compares to the spirit of this city. Between the art, the food, the neighborhoods and communities, it’s easy to proclaim that Philadelphia is the best! When you wander the streets and get to know the people and stories that they tell, you’ll really feel at home in the City of Brotherly Love.
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