i live in austin, tx. where it seems to be always hot. when once in a blue moon you might think it feels like winter for like a week and then summers all of sudden back.

i am moving to philadelphia this summer. in time to beat the heat...even though playful days at the lake are wonderful ways around the misery of 100 temperatures that seem year around...

i have to admit i am kinda tired of people telling me i will hate moving to philly because of the weather.

thinking first when texans tell me that....do they consider how hot this place really is and how long those days last.
and second does winter really last 12 months out of year in philadelphia and so therefore i should not consider relocating?
and when it is cold and snowy or rainy and icy is that really a reason to say no to everything else the city has to offer.

i just would like to hear from people who enjoy living there and who encourage others to check out the east coast despite natures wrath because besides a few west coast locations the weather is never perfect.

So would you really tell someone from austin to not move there based on the weather...really??

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**philly or bust**

Well,be warned, Philly DOES have summer heat- especially important because Philly creates its own "heat island" that drives summer temperatures about 10 degrees higher - Basically, you have to think of Philadelphia as being the northernmost Southern City. I love the anectdote that the British Navy's lend lease program considered Philadelphia "tropical duty" and the british navy showed up in Philadelphia wearing Bermuda shorts and toting quinine water - but, if you're ever in South Philly in summer, you'll understand why the little old Sicilian grandparents feel right at home - Philly and Texas are both hot in the summer- but when the heat that's backed by humidity it's entirely different. It's like the difference between plunging your hand into the hot air of an open over versus into the hot water of a pot of boiling water-

For example, September of this year, I vistited my sister in Phoenix AZ. Truthfully, I was pefectly comfortable driving around in the car with the windows open and the temperature around 115. The difference is that in Philly, if you STOP moving, you immediately feel the heat. And there's no evaporation- you don't perspire, you sweat- sit in a naugahide chair, and the chair stands up with you.

I WAS amazed at the difference shade makes in the West - literally, once you get in the shade of a ramada in the park, you're comfortable. Doesn't work in Philly- geting into the shade in Philly has the same effect as putting on a hat in AZ (and I assume Texas). Shade in AZ is like A/C in Philly. The only cool place you'll find in Philly in the summer are air conditioned spaces and shady groves.

Well, truth be told, Philly really isn't that bad for winter- winter doesn't really start until you get about 20 miles north of Philly- basically, if you're south of I-276, you're not going to see snow on the ground for most of the year (this last few weeks being an obvious exception)

But, you will get blasts of wind and a damp cold that tend to surprise most people, because it really saps the heat out of you.

Of course not silly, that's why humans have evolved clothes, and hats and air conditioning. Come to Philly, experience what REAL weather is like-

Winters that are really cold, Summers that are really hot. . .
I spent a few years after college working days as a landscaper& tree climber by day and working nights in Real Estate and finance-
So I can tell you, from the vantage point of somebody who has worked
8 - 12 hours a day outside, and done it all year round that there's NOTHING that compares to really experiencing the seasons, feeling temperature changes, to make you appreciate the experience-

I will say, I' don't know of many other places where you have 100 degree differences in the season- (with wind chill) from minus 15 in the depths of winter, to 105 to 110 factoring in the humidity.

Hal

Everyones got an opinion about geography especially if your leaving people behind. My advice is if you move here and just live in the burbs you'll be missing out on the big advantage that cities like Philly have over newer cities out west. Once your in the city where it's warmer, in the winter and the summer you may not even dwell on it. Now if you like desolate spread out desert communes connected by miles of 200 degree blacktop then your not going to like it here.

Every place has its pros and cons. I prefer to be out west in the winter and here in the summer. I've lived in places where it was 115 in the shade year after year and it gets to be a huge drag. The heat in PA has never bothered me. I'm sure your only concerned about the winter. Well it really only got uncomfortable the last few weeks, according to my wife, and springs just around the corner.

At least here you won't have to worry about coming home to find your dogs bleached bones in the back yard if your gone all day.

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Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard. - H.L. Mencken

thanks....it's nice to hear things for exactly what there worth....a good old fashion HONEST opinion.

i think a lot of the heeds & warnings come from the unknown and since most people i know in austin have never been to philly and all they see is snow news after snow news on television these days i think that has everyone in a frenzy..and of course the obvious is that family and friends don't want to see me leave home.

did i mention i have never really seen snow in my adult life either....that might have something to do with all the you're gonna hate it's i get here and there about philly winters.

truth is, i think me not getting to experience snow in my twenties is going to make me love it! Besides I am just ready to be back in the hustle and bustle of a city...and i like the idea of being so close to nyc or dc. it really isn't fun living 3 1/2 hours from the next biggest city in your state...and it isn't much better to have to drive in some case 8 or more hours just to cross a state boarder...aarrrgghhh

since i grew up in houston, tx i am use to the humid summers which are no pretty than any summer you can describe. actually my last trip out to philly was this past june and it was fine. it was definitely better than a texas june hands down.

i can't wait to be there....

thanks again! questions on areas to move too....coming soon....

having been a texan, lived in MI, and a Philly resident I'd have to say ...it depends. I grew up in Houston where hot and muggy was the norm, Hal, think of Philly in August and mutilply by five months. I used to swim outdoors ni Nov. and break out my "ski" jacket when temps went below 50. It took me years to get used to the winters here. I thought below freezing meant certain death. One thing I have learned, ntihign is certain about Philly's winter. One iwnter it's 40/50's the next it dumps piles of snow on you, th enext its freezing, etc. On esummer it rains, the next it's hot, the next it's beautiful. Spring can be invigorating or depressing (last year). Relative to SC, summers are mild. Realtive to NE, winters are mild. Realtive to chicago as well. San FRan may have great weather but a flat does not cost $800k here. maybe you could move to MI or Mainefirst and then winter here will be cake. I def think thhis city is worth putting up with a change in weather.

I think I had that mindframe before I even made the announcement to everyone that I was moving. I think you are 100% correct. It's good to hear another persons take on this whole weather change thing especially someone who understands texas weather. i think texas weather can be pretty awful but that's just me. I am welcoming the change of seasons...in Texas it's pretty much the same most of the year around. I think I like Texas winters the best...the whole sporadic 5 days on - 5 days off kinda winter months. ya know what i mean.

i don't think i have to move somewhere else first.....I think I am ready for philly!

smile
jr

I lived with a kid form Austin and he loved it here. Now I work with another kid from Austin and he too loves it. Don't let the weather stop you. Philly is the best of everything.

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Jason
Lynn Swann 06'

"Individualism is absent when other peoples' standards, not reality and reason, are ones primary guide."

i think so too.

you live in south philly. i spent most of my time in south philly when i was there last...there and center city i guess. i haven't even had a chance to really explore what the city has to offer.

i know a lot of people in austin that are from philly...at least 10 people..it's funny to hear of people in philly from austin. perfect!

smile
jr

I'm not making any assumptions about you, but both that I know are gay. And they both said that there were just not enough hot gay guys in Texas.

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Jason
Lynn Swann 06'

"Individualism is absent when other peoples' standards, not reality and reason, are ones primary guide."

If all you saw was south philly and you liked it then your gonna really love it here. #;@]>

We nearly moved to Austin recently. Housing is cheaper and you can climb and mtn bike pretty much year round. Not to mention Mexico is an 8 hr or so drive and there are/were? lots of tech. jobs there. I also like oppresive heat more than the bitter cold. At some point I realized Austin just wasn't what I wanted. I really would prefer Bend, Oregon. Austin is neither small and rugged like Bend where you can be climbing or mtn biking in beautiful high desert within minutes of downtown nor is it large and vibrant like any number of cities on the east coast. It's like a hip Albuquerque, Tuscon, Phoenix etc. with more vibe and attitude and a better school. If you miss it move back if not you'll find plenty of trouble to get in around here. Nothing wrong with trying it for a year.

And your right about being landlocked. There ain't nothing around Austin. Also Sandra Bullock lives there. That is enough to make me stay away. Your not Sandra Bullock are you?

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Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard. - H.L. Mencken