I'm Out Of Here.....

[Jazz Kat]

I never got to wish this guy a happy move!!

[.:.impossible]

Well its not too late... he's still here.

Maybe I'm a little hard on RI. It has been a good three years, but my philosophy is Rhode Island is best left to the Rhode Islanders. There are still plenty of unspoiled areas in Rhode Island that really amazed me. Such a varying terrain for such a small state.

[Ron S]

Guy, I'm curious what you found to be so terrible about it?

Seconds on the Monk's Cafe recommendation.

I am Philly born & bred. The usual things people complain about Philly: it's old and dirty and redevelopment is proceding in a pretty weird fashion in the downtown area--there are still wastelands 5 minutes from the most expensive real estate in the city.

The town kinda looks drab in many ways because a) the city has never gotten its act together on presenting itself well to visitors and b) it's an eighteenth century town and it's just hard to do a lot of things the twenty-first century demands. So there's a feel to it similar to say, New Orleans or the older parts of London. It seems decrepid. Myself, I LIKE that. But I also used to play in a junkyard.

Eric pretty much explained above what I didn't I like about Philly. To be honest New Haven (which is a 120K town, not a metropolis) is nicer, and I'm not the Haven's biggest fan. On the other hand I grew up in suburban CA from the age of 10 and my tastes are tainted accordingly.

Guy

I suspect you didn't see and experience of lot of the really nice stuff the Philly area has to offer. Unfortunately, for whatever historical or sociological reasons, a lot of Philly natives (Eric excluded, of course ) tend to see only the negatives of the city, and not the positives, and they FAIL to see that other large cities have many of the same negatives. As a result, I think, the rest of the country also has a blind spot to Philly's many amazing amenities. For example, did you hike in some of the more remote areas of Farimount Park? Watch rowing and skulling on the Schuylkill River, widely considered the rowing capital of the US? Visit the Chadds Ford/Brandywine area made famous by artist Andrew Wyeth and his family? Visit the New Hope area of Bucks County? Go to Valley Forge National Park? Visit the wonderful neighborhoods of Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, Society Hill/Washington Square, the Italian Market and South Philly, and Rittenhouse Square? Did you know Philly has the largest indoor Flower Show in the world during the darkest, coldest part of winter? Did you know the Philly area is home to more public gardens and aboretums--including some of the most famous--than any other area in the country? And that's just a start.

As you can probably tell, criticism of Philly hits a raw nerve with me. I'm not originally from Philly, and have lived as an adult in New York City, DC, Miami, and Texas. But I've been in Philly for 15 years now, and can say with great confidence that Philly's problems with crime, urban wastelands, poor city services, corruption, etc. are really no worse than any other major city's, and it has wonderful neighborhoods, streetscapes, and scenery both in and immediatlely outside the city that are truly special.

Now I'll shut up.

[Peter Johnson]

I suspect you didn't see and experience of lot of the really nice stuff the Philly area has to offer. Unfortunately, for whatever historical or sociological reasons, a lot of Philly natives (Eric excluded, of course ) tend to see only the negatives of the city, and not the positives, and they FAIL to see that other large cities have many of the same negatives. As a result, I think, the rest of the country also has a blind spot to Philly's many amazing amenities. For example, did you hike in some of the more remote areas of Farimount Park? Watch rowing and skulling on the Schuylkill River, widely considered the rowing capital of the US? Visit the Chadds Ford/Brandywine area made famous by artist Andrew Wyeth and his family? Visit the New Hope area of Bucks County? Go to Valley Forge National Park? Visit the wonderful neighborhoods of Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, Society Hill/Washington Square, the Italian Market and South Philly, and Rittenhouse Square? Did you know Philly has the largest indoor Flower Show in the world during the darkest, coldest part of winter? Did you know the Philly area is home to more public gardens and aboretums--including some of the most famous--than any other area in the country? And that's just a start.

As you can probably tell, criticism of Philly hits a raw nerve with me. I'm not originally from Philly, and have lived as an adult in New York City, DC, Miami, and Texas. But I've been in Philly for 15 years now, and can say with great confidence that Philly's problems with crime, urban wastelands, poor city services, corruption, etc. are really no worse than any other major city's, and it has wonderful neighborhoods, streetscapes, and scenery both in and immediatlely outside the city that are truly special.

Word.

[7/4]

The Philly Guitar show is better than the one in NYC and easier to get to than the ones on Long Island.

[alankin]

... For what it's worth, my wife went to art school in Philly and she loved the town. She keeps saying she wants to take me there soon. ...

Which one?

[alankin]

Philly ain't no theme park.

Thank god.

[Peter Johnson]

Philly ain't no theme park.

Thank god.

Sadly, Seattle is a bit of a theme park.

I miss the grit in a big way. Not one person has told me to shut the fuck up since I've moved out here!

[wesbed]

Not one person has told me to shut the fuck up since I've moved out here!

From a Southwesterner to a Northwestener... please, Johnson, shut the fuck up.

Feeling better?

[Peter Johnson]

From a Southwesterner to a Northwestener... please, Johnson, shut the fuck up.

Feeling better?

Home sweet home!

[Ron S]

From a Southwesterner to a Northwestener... please, Johnson, shut the fuck up.

Feeling better?

Home sweet home!

For complete authenticity, it needs a little fine tuning:

YO, YOUSE! Shut da fuck up, so's I can finish watchin' dis here movie:

[Jazz Kat]

[Hardbopjazz]

This is funny. You're lloking to come east, and I am in the mists of trying to move west, Phoenix area. What's the traffice like in Phoenix? It can't be as bad as the New York City area.

[catesta]

This is funny. You're lloking to come east, and I am in the mists of trying to move west, Phoenix area. What's the traffice like in Phoenix? It can't be as bad as the New York City area.

Don't kid yourself.

The freeway system in Phoenix, sucks.

It wouldn't be a big deal if everyone didn't live 20-30 miles from where they work and have only the highways as an option to get there.

It's 10-15 years behind the growth. Traffic is a real pain in the ass. It's also dangerous as hell here. People drive an average of 20+ MPH over the limit on the surface roads and then run the red lights. We rank number one in the country for running red lights. It's not uncommon for me to see two or three accidents each evening while drving home.

Phoenix is going to build a rail system. I think the first worthless stretch will be done in about 5-6 years. They will lose a few lanes of the freeways during construction, so that should be real pleasant.

Also if you move here, be prepared to replace a windshield every four or five months. You'll get cracks and chips every other week, but it usually tales a few months before it obstructs your vision.

If you want to talk about an amusement park atmosphere, Phoenix is it. We've got every chain restaurant, drug store, grocery store, and two convenience stores for every person here.

All the housing developments are nice little neat communities with the same stores and places to eat, little man made lakes filled with re-claimed water, and built to look like you just walked into Tuscany or Mazatlan.

And forget about live jazz, you'll be lucky to catch a half ass decent local act from time to time. Of course if the locals citizens of Phoenix catch anyone playing jazz they complain to management, and the next time you stop in the place, you'll find the man on the piano doing Barry Manilow numbers.

Air quality sucks here as well. It's not unusual to see the health and environmental department issue a dozen or so high risk air quality day warnings during the summer or when people decide to use their fireplaces because it's a brisk 60 degrees outside.

Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad, and I'm in a bit of a mood today. Do yourself a favor and do the research.

Phoenix may really be something in 10 years, that is if there is still any water here.

On the other hand, some people really love it.

For me, it's been fun to visit, but it never felt like home.

Edited March 24, 2005 by catesta

[minew]

Catesta, since you're leaving the state, is there good reason not to consider Arizona?

Oh I see, you wait until you find out I'm leaving.

Seriously, It depends on what your looking for.

Housing costs are still reasonable and the job market is good.

Plenty of future growth projected.

If you don't mind everthing being spread so far out it may be worth looking into.

Actually, the thought of Organissimo buddies made Arizona look better.

We definitely need good housing prices and available jobs. I don't know how a first time homebuyer could do it in California.

AB-

Has anyone suggested Oregon's Willamette Valley to you? Portland is pricey but the rest of it has a reasonable cost of living. Weather very moderate. Lots of cultural amenities and universities. Even some jazz. Stunning geography (really geographIES). Wide variety of people. Logs, logs, logs.

[7/4]

Has anyone suggested Oregon's Willamette Valley to you? Portland is pricey but the rest of it has a reasonable cost of living. Weather very moderate. Lots of cultural amenities and universities. Even some jazz. Stunning geography (really geographIES). Wide variety of people. Logs, logs, logs.

What rolls down stairs

and over the chairs

and into your neighbor's dog?

It fits on your back,

It's good for a snack,

Everyone knows it's log.

It's log, it's log,

It's big, it's heavy, it's wood.

It's log, it's log, it's better than bad, it's good.

[minew]

Has anyone suggested Oregon's Willamette Valley to you?  Portland is pricey but the rest of it has a reasonable cost of living.  Weather very moderate.  Lots of cultural amenities and universities.  Even some jazz.  Stunning geography (really geographIES).  Wide variety of people.  Logs, logs, logs.

What rolls down stairs

and over the chairs

and into your neighbor's dog?

It fits on your back,

It's good for a snack,

Everyone knows it's log.

It's log, it's log,

It's big, it's heavy, it's wood.

It's log, it's log, it's better than bad, it's good.

From BLAMMO!

[Soulstation1]

phoenix freeways are fucking dangerous and confusing....

coming back from a cardinals game a big ass rock cracked my windshield

kinda nice since i have replacement insurance for that kinda shit

tucson is in top 5 for runing redlights

ss1

[Ron S]

Speaking of excessive running of red lights, Philly--that backwards, rickety, corrupt city that fails to respond to 21st-century demands--has recently begun installing a high-tech system of cameras at traffic lights to record license plates of cars that run red lights, and then the registered owner gets a citation in the mail. Also, the Mayor is now pushing for the installion of a high-speed wireless network throughout the enitre city that could be accessed by all residents, making Philly the first big city to become one large hot spot. Not bad for a city stuck in the 18th century--although that also has its charms:

[Peter Johnson]

Ron, where is that? On/south of Pine somewhere around 4th-6th?

[SGUD missile]

Philly ain't no theme park.

Thank god.

Sadly, Seattle is a bit of a theme park.

I miss the grit in a big way. Not one person has told me to shut the fuck up since I've moved out here!

I'll make you a deal:

Drive about 87 mi N to Bellingham, and I'll be glad to tell you to go f**k yourself!

( Former LA, Dallas, and NYC guy GLAD to be in the cool green Pacific Northwest! )

BTW: Seattle may seem a bit of a theeme park to youse, but there are some M********R jazz players up here!!

[Ron S]

Ron, where is that?  On/south of Pine somewhere around 4th-6th?

It's actually Main Street, Disneyland, but I thought it looked cool.

Seriously, though, I don't know exactly where it is, other than somewhere in Society Hill--I pulled it off the internet.

[catesta]

Speaking of excessive running of red lights, Philly--that backwards, rickety, corrupt city that fails to respond to 21st-century demands--has recently begun installing a high-tech system of cameras at traffic lights to record license plates of cars that run red lights, and then the registered owner gets a citation in the mail. Also, the Mayor is now pushing for the installion of a high-speed wireless network throughout the enitre city that could be accessed by all residents, making Philly the first big city to become one large hot spot. Not bad for a city stuck in the 18th century--although that also has its charms:

We've had cameras here at some of the intersections for a few years now, photo radar as well.

I can't really say how much it's helped due to the severity of the problem.

[chris olivarez]

This is funny. You're lloking to come east, and I am in the mists of trying to move west, Phoenix area. What's the traffice like in Phoenix? It can't be as bad as the New York City area.

Don't kid yourself.

The freeway system in Phoenix, sucks.

It wouldn't be a big deal if everyone didn't live 20-30 miles from where they work and have only the highways as an option to get there.

It's 10-15 years behind the growth. Traffic is a real pain in the ass. It's also dangerous as hell here. People drive an average of 20+ MPH over the limit on the surface roads and then run the red lights. We rank number one in the country for running red lights. It's not uncommon for me to see two or three accidents each evening while drving home.

Phoenix is going to build a rail system. I think the first worthless stretch will be done in about 5-6 years. They will lose a few lanes of the freeways during construction, so that should be real pleasant.

Also if you move here, be prepared to replace a windshield every four or five months. You'll get cracks and chips every other week, but it usually tales a few months before it obstructs your vision.

If you want to talk about an amusement park atmosphere, Phoenix is it. We've got every chain restaurant, drug store, grocery store, and two convenience stores for every person here.

All the housing developments are nice little neat communities with the same stores and places to eat, little man made lakes filled with re-claimed water, and built to look like you just walked into Tuscany or Mazatlan.

And forget about live jazz, you'll be lucky to catch a half ass decent local act from time to time. Of course if the locals citizens of Phoenix catch anyone playing jazz they complain to management, and the next time you stop in the place, you'll find the man on the piano doing Barry Manilow numbers.

Air quality sucks here as well. It's not unusual to see the health and environmental department issue a dozen or so high risk air quality day warnings during the summer or when people decide to use their fireplaces because it's a brisk 60 degrees outside.

Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad, and I'm in a bit of a mood today. Do yourself a favor and do the research.

Phoenix may really be something in 10 years, that is if there is still any water here.

On the other hand, some people really love it.

For me, it's been fun to visit, but it never felt like home.

Mood or not you nailed it.

[chris olivarez]

Catesta, since you're leaving the state, is there good reason not to consider Arizona?

Oh I see, you wait until you find out I'm leaving.

Seriously, It depends on what your looking for.

Housing costs are still reasonable and the job market is good.

Plenty of future growth projected.

If you don't mind everthing being spread so far out it may be worth looking into.

Actually, the thought of Organissimo buddies made Arizona look better.

We definitely need good housing prices and available jobs. I don't know how a first time homebuyer could do it in California.

AB-

Has anyone suggested Oregon's Willamette Valley to you? Portland is pricey but the rest of it has a reasonable cost of living. Weather very moderate. Lots of cultural amenities and universities. Even some jazz. Stunning geography (really geographIES). Wide variety of people. Logs, logs, logs.

I used to vacation in Oregon all the time. Though I haven't done it in a while my memories of Oregon are those of a beautiful state.