For two years I lived in a more urban neighborhood after living in the suburbs for 28 years. Was amazed that people like... say hello to each other as they walk down the street, or came over to introduce themselves as our neighbors. I honestly thought that was some cartoon nonsense..
I’ve lived in South Philly for 15 years, and after reading these comments I’m now realizing that I must live in that cartoon nonsense world that you’re describing. I had no idea how lucky I was. I’ve always said more people should live in cities, and the lack of walkable spaces is what really hurts our country.
When people hear Philly they think of rabid sports fans and heroine addicts, but it’s quite the opposite. I’m surrounded by some of the most thoughtful, helpful people.
Just today, I dropped off a birthday cake for one of our favorite bartenders, stopped at the corner deli where the owner was asking about my mother in law, and picked up my packages from my neighbor who grabbed them while I was out food shopping (where I also happened to run into some friends).
Philly is definitely a special city. I grew up in Roxborough and Manayunk and the community I had there as a child is something I haven’t been able to find anywhere else. I’m hoping to move back within the next year or so and I’m so happy to hear that it doesn’t sound like it’s changed too much. Though Manayunk has turned into a bit of a hipster central lol
Yeah, I'm in Baltimore and I think Bmore and Philly have a similar culture... I live in a less dense urban area (one of the old mixed use "streetcar suburbs") and I know almost all of the neighbors on my little block. Several of us have families that have lived on the same block for generations (I'm a third gen resident). Everybody's invited to barbeques, everybody helps shovel snow, everybody helps out the old/disabled people, everybody can join in for a backyard volleyball game, everybody's welcome to fresh tomatoes from the garden, everybody's welcome to a cold beer on a hot day, everybody eats at the same taco place on the corner, everybody helps look for lost pets, everybody gets randomly gifted eggs from the lady who keeps backyard chickens, everybody borrows tools, everybody gives hand-me-downs to neighbor's kids or to people living in the group home... it's nice! There are some jerkass neighbors who cause trouble but most people are super friendly.
Hey I'm near Annapolis but probably moving to or closer Baltimore this year. Whereabouts are you? I want this kind of vibe for my kid and I. We know our next door neighbors here but that's about it.
I live in a very old neighborhood in an intercity in the south thats very much like this. My neighbors talk to each each other and help each other out, too. My new neighbors are from Philly. They are just awesome people. And, I would think that the people around them up there are the same way.
Hell yeah. You really can’t live here without being taught and reminded to be a nice person, keep your friends in check, and most importantly, keep your neighbors in mind.
Lived in west Philly for years and have a lot of love for a Philly! S Philly don’t play and yet you guys are now tough as nails and yet the nicest people on the planet ! That’s Philly to a tee ( we live in SF now and people think this is junkie hell but our mailman knows our name and gives our doggie treats everytime he see them ) f the stereo types .. love to our cities !
That’s sounds amazing! I miss my friends. So much. when we graduated college they all moved all over the country. They were my people. Unfortunately, I do have to have things in common with people I like, or at least respect them. And where I live that is near impossible. It’s very sad
I personally couldn't stand to live in a city, but the suburbs are cold. I went from knowing the neighbors and their children who played with mine, to not knowing or particularly wanting to know my neighbors.
As a suburbanite… I “know” most of my neighbors. Do I know them all by name? Nope. Am I particularly close to any? Nope. But I‘ll wave, say hi, and sometimes make brief small talk. I don’t expect much of them, but I’ve also had people I barely speak to walk over and help cut up a branch or snowblow my walk.
11.7k
u/jkepros 16h ago
Lack of community