I was born and raised in Philadelphia. My family has called the Pennsylvania city home for generations, ever since my great-grandparents fled persecution in Europe.
We developed deep, permanent roots in the City of Brotherly Love that welcomed us with open arms — until I broke family tradition and left.
About 20 years ago, I moved to Washington, DC, for law school. I still thought I’d end up back in Philly, but I got married, had children, and laid my own deep roots in DC instead.
I love the life I’ve built with my family here and have no plans to leave — but when I visit Philadelphia, I’m reminded of everything I miss about my hometown.
Philadelphia has a much stronger sense of community
Like my family, many Philadelphians have roots in the city that go back 100 years or more. As a result, even though Philly is about twice the size of DC, it has a small-town feel.
Whenever I visit Philadelphia, it’s not unusual for me to run into someone I know from high school or a family friend when I’m dining out or running errands.
So, yes, local connections are strong, but that doesn’t mean outsiders aren’t welcome.
Transplants to Philadelphia are almost always warmly embraced as part of the community. There’s a real sense that we look out for our own in Philadelphia that I haven’t experienced in DC.
I think the transient nature of DC makes it harder to replicate the sense of community I’ve found in Philadelphia.
Although there are many families who have lived in the nation’s capital for generations, people frequently move in and out of my Northwest DC neighborhood.
My children are constantly saying goodbye to good friends because their parents’ jobs that brought them to this city are now taking them elsewhere. I’ve also lost many good friends this way.
Although it’s nice always being able to meet someone new, I miss the community that comes from spending years going through different stages of life together.
DC has incredible restaurants, but I still think the food is better in Philadelphia
Washington, DC, has many great places to eat, including several with Michelin stars. I especially love dining at the many legendary José Andrés restaurants scattered throughout the city.
Plus, it’s hard to beat local favorites like Ben’s Chili Bowl and the famous slices of “jumbo pizza” that are bigger than my head.
Although Philadelphia doesn’t have any Michelin stars yet, I think its food scene is superior to DC’s.
It has plenty of world-class restaurants that are on par with the best of José Andrés’ DC empire — but it’s impossible to match Philly’s famous local specialties like hoagies, cheesesteaks, tomato pie, and water ice.
There’s no place quite like Reading Terminal Market, an atypical food court full of authentic Philadelphia specialties and local vendors.
I also haven’t come across anything like Philly’s charming small restaurants where patrons bring their own alcohol, thanks to Pennsylvania’s strict liquor laws.
People in Philly don’t seem as obsessed with their careers
It’s an annoying truism that in Washington, DC, people are more likely to ask what you do for a living before they ask your name.
Since nearly everyone I meet moved here for a job, it makes sense that career choice is top of mind when meeting someone new.
However, I think most people are far more than their work, and deeply dislike that many people in DC prefer to be known by their profession.
In Philadelphia, there are plenty of people with successful careers. However, what they do to earn a living isn’t usually the first thing you learn about someone.
Instead, Philadelphians are more likely to ask what you do in your free time, your favorite restaurants, or your family background as a way to search for common ground.
Although I miss a lot about home, I have no plans to leave DC
These are just a few of many things I miss about my hometown. I don’t have plans to move back, but I’m grateful I still get to visit often and have as much tomato pie as I’d like.
My life would be wildly different if I’d never left Philadelphia, but I’m glad DC has been such a great place to land.
And even though my kids are all native Washingtonians, you can find our family wearing green anytime we head back to Philly for an Eagles game.
Read the full article here
