Seth Higgins: An outsider’s view of Philadelphia

People from my hometown of Saint Marys, located in rural north central Pennsylvania, don’t often travel to Philadelphia, let alone move here. If folks from that part of Pennsylvania move to a city at all, it is usually Pittsburgh. This pattern reflects the stark economic and cultural differences that divide the commonwealth. However, two years ago I moved from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia after my partner took a job out here.

When people back home ask me about my new city, it is usually because Philadelphia made regional or national news. The latest incident that brought outside attention was the callous hit-and-run of three nurses rendering aid outside Penn Presbyterian. A couple weeks earlier, it was the mayhem brought by motor gangs throughout the city. So when faced with the question, “Is Philadelphia actually that bad?” I sadly reply, “Yes.”

This isn’t a response Philadelphians will appreciate. Residents have no issue criticizing the city amongst themselves but harbor no patience for criticism from outsiders. This is a noble impulse. Yet it fails to address how this city is viewed, sometimes correctly, by others. If Philadelphians can’t face this reality, moving the city forward will be that much more difficult.

One of my first impressions of Philadelphia was the level of public dysfunction residents are expected to tolerate. While it has leveled off, the increase in the crime rate over the last few years suggests my view isn’t without merit. Although I live near the properly vaunted Fishtown neighborhood, a couple months ago a man was gunned down a block away in a parking lot of a house of worship. My partner witnessed a hit-a-run a few weeks ago. Syringes are a common sight on the sidewalks and dirt bike gangs frequently menace drivers on an important nearby thoroughfare. Anytime my partner and I visit New York City, we always comment on how their metro system feels so much cleaner and safer.

After confessing that Philadelphia suffers from crime and quality-of-life issues, I assure those back home that Philadelphia, structurally, is among the best cities in the country. Owning a car is not necessary since the entire city is walkable and public transportation is available, the cost of living is relatively low, the food scene is actually as good as it is claimed to be, and the entire northeast is accessible by train. Economic opportunities await those who are willing to work hard, regardless of where they are from.

Despite my somber appraisal, I tell those with an open mind that Philadelphia is hopefully turning a corner. My worldview reflects my rural upbringing, so I don’t share the same politics as Mayor Parker. Regardless, she’s demonstrated that she’s a no-nonsense executive that is willing to confront challenges others have given up on. As a result, I’ve noticed a small but discernible improvement in some sections of the city. And as disheartening as hit-and-run and recent motor gang rallies are, I’m glad to see law enforcement is ready to confront criminals with the backing of city leadership.

Philadelphians need to be relentlessly honest with themselves and others about the state of the city.  Such honesty isn’t an act of contrition but a tough-minded realization that improvement starts with a candid assessment. Dreams are made in Philadelphia. After all, this is the birthplace of the American Dream. But to keep that dream alive, Philadelphia needs to face down its nightmares.

Seth Higgins, a native of Saint Marys, Pennsylvania, specializes in bringing conservative thought to local government. Seth is a former Tablet Magazine Fellow and a former Krauthammer Fellow with The Tikvah Fund.

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One thought on “Seth Higgins: An outsider’s view of Philadelphia”

  1. Seth,
    “Philadelphians need to be relentlessly honest with themselves and others about the state of the city.” Agreed. Roughly 25% of us live below poverty level. The government schools are the number one problem for Philadelphia as everyone recognizes them as trash (sub par.) If the Philadelphia government a.k.a. “public” schools were safe, above average, then the entire area would thrive beyond imagination.
    Krauthammer Fellows are accomplished young professionals pursuing careers in academia, law, journalism, public policy, Jewish education, and more. Interesting…
    You used 566 words and “partner” was only deployed 1/2 of a percent of the time. That is an example of apophenia or patternicity – because I still think “deployed” is a correct term in this instance. And I recognize I am probably wrong. Philadelphia still has a lot of totem poles with energy coursing thru them (we call them telephone poles now though.)

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