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October 24, 2006
On the way to Philadelphia
After spending our post-college years soaking it up in LA, we left for Chicago where I went to grad school. We found it considerably colder than Southern California, as you might expect, and the whole time we were there we felt halfway home, which makes sense considering that we're East Coasters by birth. While in Chicago, we discovered that it's hard to really settle in and get to know a place if you feel like you're just stopping over, even if that stopover is nearly two years long.
But now we're moving Philadelphia with the idea that we could be there a while, "indefinitely," a word we're happy to be able to say after living out of boxes for months. We're excited about this move because it's situated nearly evenly between Washington, DC and New York, our two childhood homes, yet it is almost unknown to us. After a few visits there in the last few months to find an apartment, we've already taken a liking to the place. We're living near South Street in "Center City" as they call it. Though we've lived in cities before, we've never lived in a setting this urban, usually ending up in the grittier, cheaper outskirts of downtown areas. But Philly is small and compact, and we're a little tired of almost living in cities, so we'll be in the middle of it all, with dozens things to do just steps from our door.
The fact remains, however, that despite our being thrilled about our new city, we know almost nothing about it, and we know only a couple of people who live there, so, with that in mind, I'd love some suggestions from current or former Philadelphians. I'd especially love to hear about the city's best bookstores and good books that are about or based in the city, but I'll happily take recommendations on restaurants, cultural venues, and any other "must see" stuff in Philly. Any ideas?
- C. Max Magee @ 8:16 AM ~
comments: 12 ~ Links to this post
http://booksinq.blogspot.com/
SAND STORM @ October 24, 2006 10:18 AMpiksea, First Fridays sounds great. We were hoping there'd be something like that.
Anonymous, Rosenbach sounds cool, and I literally know next to nothing about things to check out in Philly, so thanks for the suggestion.
Any other ideas? Bookstores?
@ October 24, 2006 12:20 PM @ October 24, 2006 12:35 PM @ October 24, 2006 12:35 PMAs for events, every year there's the 215 Festival www.215Festival.com (unfortunately, just passed) but it's a three day long literature festival that hosts events at various venues throughout the city. In West Philly, the Kelly Writers House at UPenn has some great events. The Philadelphia Weekly is a great (free! every Wednesday) newspaper to find art events and readings.
I lived in Philadelphia for a year, moved to NJ, and decided to return. My husband and I love living in Center City. It's great to be back. Welcome to you and the Mrs.!
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