big dane

I'm looking to take a month-long break from the midwest and I'm looking into living in Philadelphia for that month. I would like you Philly people to tell me what is good about the city. I ride fixed, I'm vegan, I love shows, and I'm going to be 20. How easy would it be to get temp work, and what are the hostels like? Or would I want to a month-to-month apartment? Would it be fairly easy to get by on little to no money?

What's Philadelphia like in the summer? Is the music scene cool? How easy would it be for me to visit Boston, Baltimore or DC on the weekends?

lrzipris

Hmmm. I've lived in and around Philadelphia and worked here for ~20 years, but I'm not a big fan of Philadelphia, a mid-sized city suffering an inferiority complex from comparison with NYC, to the north, and DC/baltimor, to the south. But, although I may be wrong, I believe there's an active underground culture: vegan restaurants, a lively and varied music scene (new-wave, punk, singer-songwriter, folk), some neat bookstores, a diverse art scene. Someone your age might enjoy Philadelphia more than I do.

As for hostels/apartments and little/no money, can't help you there at all, as I'm deeply immersed in the middle-class suburban existence of a poorly-paid public servant. Lots of colleges, so cheap digs might be gotten with students--Temple, Penn, Drexel, LaSalle, St. Joseph's being the major local schools. An active local bike scene (both clubs, racing, and messengers all over the place), although I find the best riding out in the surrounding countryside (where you probably would want some gears).

As for going to Boston, Baltimore, DC, NYC, etc., there's lots of public transportation, but the train (Amtrak) is not cheap, nor are the buses. Within the city, public transportation has some of the highest fares in the nation. For going out-of-town, you might find ride-sharing advertised at various places--campuses, co-ops, etc. By car, Baltimore is ~90 away and DC another 20-30 miles south (I believe), an easy drive down I95 except when traffic builds up.

Philadelphia? No place to raise a guinea pig. One citizen's opinion.

BTW, ever been to Beloit?

-=(8)=-

I grew up in that area.
To be short and to the point, I hate Philly.
One of the worst cities on the East Coast, in my opinion.
If you like cities I guess you'll find something to like but it
is no NYC or even Pittsburgh.
It is very easy to visit the other places you mention, though.

kennykaos

i was born and raised here and work as a messenger her and i love philly. the music scene is awesome here and very vegan friendly. you could probably find work on craigslist and about houseing i'm sure u could find a room for a month, or couch surf. my house has plenty of sofas so for a price you could crash with us. as for getting to dc/nyc its really cheap if you take chinatown buses. like 20 bucks round trip to dc or nyc. pm me.

-=(8)=-

Philly does have wkdu, though.
The best station in the history of the world

big dane

Thank you! That was extremely informative. And I'll be leaving my guinea pig with a friend so he's ok.

And I don't think I've ever been willingly to Beloit... I tend to avoid every area of Wisconsin outside of Madison, Green Bay, Sheboygan and of course Milwaukee. It's all farm otherwise.

lrzipris

Beloit was once an exciting place, just a notch below Madison, for the arts, politics, all sorts of cultural cutting edges, and around the late '60s, a couple of friends started a bike shop in a basement dorm room, Yellow Zucchini Bike Shop (I think it still exists, somewhere in town). Beloit College used to have a big bike race every summer, both fun for the race and opportunity for a big, happy party on campus. I often have to curb my nostalgia by reminding myself that that was 35 years ago. In any event, I wish you joy for your month's Midwest break, wherever you go.

Aves

Two big reasons I regret moving away from Philly are the vegan restaurants and the music scene. So if you're anything like me, you'll enjoy your time there. I will probably end up back there within the next few years.

big dane

Awesome I really am looking forward to this.

Aves

For a good list of restaurants..you can use happycow.net

joejack951

My girlfriend (now fiancee) DJ'ed for WKDU for a few years (2001-2003).

MTBLover

I think you'll be fine. I've live in Philly (in the city, not the 'burbs) for over 35 years and I am very happyt here. Like any town, you'll find people who love it and those who hate it. To each his/her own, I guess. BTW, the show scene here is good for some things, not great for others. If you're into hardcore, grind, noise, power violence, etc., you'll find yourself traveling to Baltimore or Pittsburgh more often than not. No problem, though- it's easy to get rides. The only reason I know this stuff, BTW, is that I two kids who are very heavily into it- yeah, they listen to 'KDU, especially John Paul.

As to food, we're all vegetarians, but I can tell you that Philly is equally friendly to vegans and vegetarians. It's easy to live here and eat well. And for that special (really special) night with a special ((really, really special) someone, there's Horizon, probably the best upscale vegan restaurant on the East Coast.

Philly is pretty bike friendly too. Good trails and decnet network of bike lanes (if you're into those).

Enjoy your stay here- I don't think you'll be disappointed!

team bio cycle

you should love philly, for it is easy to fall in love with. lots of culture with music, bikes, etc... i have a house if you need a place to stay!

big dane

Oh snap. That would be so rad! I've added you on AIM, I'm gonna hit you up.

BSLeVan

Live right outside the city and have worked downtown for years. It is a great city. The music scene ranges from great jazz to indie stuff that is pretty cutting edge. Like any city in the NE, there is something to be said for spring, summer and fall over the winter months. It may be one of the most vegan friendly cities you'll find anywhere. In terms of living with little money.... sounds like you've got some housing options being offered, and there are inexpensive markets for fresh foods at very low prices.

lrzipris

Considering the spectrum of replies, big dane, if you come to Philadelphia, you have to report back to us and tell us what your experience was with "the place that loves you back," Philadelphia's offical slogan.

tolfan

South street in philly is littered with fixed gear bikes chained up and so is most of the surounding area. Also south street is a graet place to bar hop and see bands. There is a cool bike shop on 9th st just off south but there prices are rediculus, good place to brows if your into classic stuff. Up in northeast philly there is pennypack park it has a realy nice bike trail. The china town busses are by far the cheapest way to get to new york baltimore or dc.Make sure you have a good lock for your bike and use it always even if your just going into a store for a minute.

WishYouWasMe

yea that's kinda the oddball thing about it. Philly is in the middle but its not the cheapest to travel from.If you want to go to all the cities in the northeast its best to live in DC or New York. They have the best travel fares and easy access to europe as well $162 flights to London. For an interesting comparison..a round trip from DC/Baltimore via greyhound is only slightly less than roundtrip DC/NY. I dont recommend greyhound/amtrak because their pricing structure is wack and doesnt make any sense.

xkwox

philly sucks, go somewhere else...

if your a real man, you would eat meat, therefore i see no point in caring about vegan places. Goto jims on south street for some tasy dead cow

MTBLover

Jim's is the absolute worst. Stay away... stay far, far away.

xkwox

if you think that, you got issues man!

xkwox

i bike all the way to jims from the suburbs sometimes.

booby

Big Dane: Philly has a ton to offer. Check out uwishunu, shows that R5 is putting on...in case you haven't already, BF search 'Pretzel Ride' and 'Thrashin Thursdays'.

For Hostels, I can't really give any good advice, as I've never stayed in one anywhere, let alone here, as I am a native. However, I did stumble upon this place, Chamounix Mansion hostel on a ride last summer. Its kind of hidden in Fairmount park, and about a 4-5 mile ride from center city. Although I can't vouche for the prices or quality of the place, It seemed to me to be an interesting place to stay.

best of luck.

MTBLover

I do indeed! As a 35-year resident of center city, I can tell you from experience that there are many, many, many better (higher-quality, bigger, better-value, and of course, cheaper) cheesesteaks to be had from a multitude of lesser-known steak and hoagie shops. Every time I walk by there on a weekend and see the (sorry, but it's true) suburbanites and tourists lined up clear around the corner, I shake my head in pity. Their product is so mass-produced, and they don't even caramelize their onions- they're like, steamed! As are their steaks. A good steak has a bit of caramelization on it- it shouldn't look gray. Ugh!

Jim's is a tourist trap. Try branching out and you'll be very pleasantly surprised, I assure you!

MTBLover

Good, but try going off the beaten path for a much better cheesesteak. Check out Pine Street Pizza at 10th and Pine or Evan's Varsity at 43rd and Locust. Or, if you don't want to venture off South Street, try Ishkabibbles: https://southstreet.com/index.php?opt...=265&Itemid=40