If you are moving to Philly there are a few things you should know right off the bat:
- I know people always say traffic is bad wherever they live, but driving in Philly is like driving in another country. People don't pay attention to red lights. It's a very common occurrence for cars to be parked in traffic, blocking a whole lane. I'm talking about at least 15 just to go pick up Brad from school. Usually right next to an open parking spot. Pedestrians do not look before they cross the street. Take any estimate of driving time and at least double it and you'll be closer to the truth. There aren't turn lanes usually. You just block traffic until you can go. Traffic is truly awful.
- Also, don't turn right on red. You will get a ticket. I'm serious.
- One way roads. Which can turn into two way roads. And then back to one way. All in a 2 miles stretch. You'll get used to it.
- You know how you complained in drivers ed that you'd never use parallel parking? Well, you'll use it multiple times a day here.
- Did I mention traffic is awful?
- It's a good idea to carry cash. There are a good number of things you'll need it for.
- Be safe. I can't count how many friends were robbed while we've lived here. Things can be stolen right out of your hands. Or even your car (not just what was in your car, but your actual car) from the street. Brad was assaulted on the street. Philly didn't get the name City of Brotherly Shove for nothin.
- Housing out here starts at about 80-90 years old so rentals are a little outdated. Don't expect A/C, garbage disposals, gas heating, doors that close properly, floors that are even, bathrooms that are updated, etc. It's just not very common.
- Go to craft night and book club. Not only are these great nights to get out of the house, but these ladies will be your closest friends.
Things you'll know after 4 years:
- Some seriously good eats.
- In four years, you'll call the cops more times here than you've ever had to in your entire life.
- There is amazing medical care to be had here. We've had some seriously wonderful doctors through CHOP and Penn. Both are top in their field.
- The trees. Oh the beautiful trees. People rave about New England fall, but spring is my favorite. Magnolia, cherry, and dogwood trees all in bloom. It's gorgeous.
- We had a friend who introduced us to Philly as "the armpit of America." Sandwiched between two world famous cities of New York City and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia is a city with a lot of problems.
- Potholes will not be filled for at least a month. Please memorize we're they are if you don't want to burst a tire.
- So much history. Philadelphia was once the capital of the US and as such a lot of very important historical events occurred here and in the surrounding areas.
- Snow shuts down the city. Even if there is the threat of snow, the mayor will declare a "snow emergency." I'm not making this up. And often there won't be any snow and people just get the day off work.
- You are needed at church. It's so different than a Utah ward. There are not enough members to fill all of the callings in our ward. You will have a calling or two. At one point Brad had 3 callings. But the opportunity to serve has made church much more meaningful to me. You see the gospel in action.
- The wards here are very diverse. The ward boundaries cross a lot of different neighborhoods. You have everything from wealthy suburbs to inner city projects. We have a lot of converts. Having gospel singing as the special musical number is not odd. You have people from all across the world. It's such a unique group of people, but we're all united in the gospel.
- Your friends here will become like family. No one has family nearby so you rely on those around you. I can't tell you how many times I've had to rely on my friends out here. They are seriously wonderful people.
Living here has had its good and bad. While I've wondering many many many times, "Why did we move here?!?" Philly has been the right place for our family to be. Nathan wouldn't have been diagnosed as early if we were someplace else and we wouldn't have had as many services. We've been needed in our ward. Brad's been at a great program. I'm so grateful for the wonderful friends we've made. Heavenly Father had his reasons for directing us to go to Philadelphia.
- I know people always say traffic is bad wherever they live, but driving in Philly is like driving in another country. People don't pay attention to red lights. It's a very common occurrence for cars to be parked in traffic, blocking a whole lane. I'm talking about at least 15 just to go pick up Brad from school. Usually right next to an open parking spot. Pedestrians do not look before they cross the street. Take any estimate of driving time and at least double it and you'll be closer to the truth. There aren't turn lanes usually. You just block traffic until you can go. Traffic is truly awful.
- Also, don't turn right on red. You will get a ticket. I'm serious.
- One way roads. Which can turn into two way roads. And then back to one way. All in a 2 miles stretch. You'll get used to it.
- You know how you complained in drivers ed that you'd never use parallel parking? Well, you'll use it multiple times a day here.
- Did I mention traffic is awful?
- It's a good idea to carry cash. There are a good number of things you'll need it for.
- Be safe. I can't count how many friends were robbed while we've lived here. Things can be stolen right out of your hands. Or even your car (not just what was in your car, but your actual car) from the street. Brad was assaulted on the street. Philly didn't get the name City of Brotherly Shove for nothin.
- Housing out here starts at about 80-90 years old so rentals are a little outdated. Don't expect A/C, garbage disposals, gas heating, doors that close properly, floors that are even, bathrooms that are updated, etc. It's just not very common.
- Go to craft night and book club. Not only are these great nights to get out of the house, but these ladies will be your closest friends.
Things you'll know after 4 years:
- Some seriously good eats.
- In four years, you'll call the cops more times here than you've ever had to in your entire life.
- There is amazing medical care to be had here. We've had some seriously wonderful doctors through CHOP and Penn. Both are top in their field.
- The trees. Oh the beautiful trees. People rave about New England fall, but spring is my favorite. Magnolia, cherry, and dogwood trees all in bloom. It's gorgeous.
- We had a friend who introduced us to Philly as "the armpit of America." Sandwiched between two world famous cities of New York City and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia is a city with a lot of problems.
- Potholes will not be filled for at least a month. Please memorize we're they are if you don't want to burst a tire.
- So much history. Philadelphia was once the capital of the US and as such a lot of very important historical events occurred here and in the surrounding areas.
- Snow shuts down the city. Even if there is the threat of snow, the mayor will declare a "snow emergency." I'm not making this up. And often there won't be any snow and people just get the day off work.
- You are needed at church. It's so different than a Utah ward. There are not enough members to fill all of the callings in our ward. You will have a calling or two. At one point Brad had 3 callings. But the opportunity to serve has made church much more meaningful to me. You see the gospel in action.
- The wards here are very diverse. The ward boundaries cross a lot of different neighborhoods. You have everything from wealthy suburbs to inner city projects. We have a lot of converts. Having gospel singing as the special musical number is not odd. You have people from all across the world. It's such a unique group of people, but we're all united in the gospel.
- Your friends here will become like family. No one has family nearby so you rely on those around you. I can't tell you how many times I've had to rely on my friends out here. They are seriously wonderful people.
Living here has had its good and bad. While I've wondering many many many times, "Why did we move here?!?" Philly has been the right place for our family to be. Nathan wouldn't have been diagnosed as early if we were someplace else and we wouldn't have had as many services. We've been needed in our ward. Brad's been at a great program. I'm so grateful for the wonderful friends we've made. Heavenly Father had his reasons for directing us to go to Philadelphia.
2 comments:
I second all of that!
I love reading these lists. So many of them remind me of Chicago- Particularly the driving and the wards. I've lived in a lot of cities now and found that they become like family. You know the best and worst of them. And whether you'd choose to live there again or not, nobody better talk bad about your family! ;)
So happy that you guys got to have this great experience in Philly. You'll hold it and the friends you made dear for the rest of your lives!
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