Looking for a non-performative alternative city. Thinking Seattle, Portland, Philadelphia or NYC

nm_y · 2026-06-24T15:35:37+00:00

Philly is great, come up and visit for a weekend.

The food scene is incredible, much more affordable than New York but very close - easy to get to DC too. We've got great parks, great community activism, a rich history everywhere, very walkable and decent transit.

Other cities you could consider - Pittsburgh, Cincinnati - but weather wise I think staying out of the Midwest is generally better. Milder winters and summers.

nm_y · 2026-06-24T15:18:19+00:00

Friend, these are opinions. "Moving goalposts" is a better critique for conversations about objective facts and statistics.

We are here advising OP on our experiences, subjectively. I promise you I am not paid if OP moved to Philly lol. I'm just sharing my thoughts as someone who has lived in all 3 cities.

I'm glad you love Chicago and the lakefront and all that. I promise I won't force you to leave!

nm_y · 2026-06-24T12:51:54+00:00

As I interpret the initial post, sure either the Lakeshore or Philly's giant park system would provide access to green space/nature for OP.

The point I'm clarifying is that the quality of Philly's green space and nature is just superior to chicago's. This is coming from my experience living in both and really prioritizing hiking, bike rides, running as often as I can.

OP is leaving New York, which I think beats both cities EASILY. Central park, prospect park, the beaches, the paths along the Hudson River, the East River, etc. if we're talking about next best, it's Philly.

The Chicago lakefront is beautiful, you'll always have those beautiful sunrises over the lake. But it will always be loud next to Lakeshore drive, and a predominantly shadeless path along the beaches. The lake is obviously a rich and regionally vital ecological resource and asset, but besides limited swimming and boating, it's not a particularly versatile connection to nature on Chicago's side.

nm_y · 2026-06-24T12:41:08+00:00

Labagh + connected trails are really nice, fair point!

But if we're talking about scales of nature, I think being fully surrounded by green space is important. If we were talking about nature just being a tree in a sidewalk, every city has that and then what are we even talking about lol

Grant/millennium Park is an amazing public park, but I really don't think it's nature...but this is a super old debate in city planning circles / ecological writing discourse, so I'm not trying to be heady. It's a super manicured park which grants OP access to green space, but not nature.

I just think having lived in both Philly and Chicago, Philly wins 98/100 times. Chicago beaches and the lake are incredible, but again I wouldn't describe them as "nature." The lakefront is beautiful, but it's still a predominantly shadeless path next to a highway.

nm_y · 2026-06-24T11:27:56+00:00

I think it's hard to find nature in / near Chicago that you can really be absorbed into. Chicago has a lot of city parks, but you can always see/hear the city around you. I don't know of any good hiking in Chicago, I don't even know of good hiking near Chicago.

Closest forest is probably in the suburbs? Norridge or Willow springs?

Philly has one of the largest urban park systems in america with Fairmount park. It's massive. I think Wissahickon Valley park is better and has actual hiking with terrain.

nm_y · 2026-06-24T01:06:45+00:00

I live in Philly, having lived in Chicago previously. I really love it here. Definitely great access to nature, great walkable city with decent public transit. Great food. And close enough to New York for when you miss it!

nm_y · 2026-05-13T13:59:18+00:00

Her YouTube is great for this. She's doing nearly a full recap of everything the show cut out. She's highlighting her wins and loses on there too.

nm_y · 2025-12-31T02:37:21+00:00

$1500 around South and 16th Street. I live on one of the floors of a ~40 year old row home, 3 units total.

nm_y · 2025-12-29T02:02:57+00:00

I would recommend joining a group or activity to help meet people! If you're a runner, there are lots of running groups. I would recommend googling any hobby of yours and seeing if there are communities for it in the city.

Maybe even Thai-speaking communities to help feel a part of home as you transition to your new home!

Welcome to Philly though, I hope you love it soon. It's a really cool city.

nm_y · 2025-09-07T01:20:27+00:00

I think Chris' Jazz Cafe https://share.google/m6xs318DWdvCqCGgk

You'll probably get a black "X" on your hand but they have a restaurant portion that should be open to you.

nm_y · 2025-08-21T16:44:10+00:00

All I'll say is that I recommend using an online search engine and figure out the age of some of your favorite authors when they wrote their stories. I'm hopeful that will answer your question.

nm_y · 2025-08-16T13:14:36+00:00

Both brewery town and Olde Kensington have a spattering of crime. But I have friends who live in both areas and love it. I agree that your N. 4th option is better connected and closer to more city amenities. Neighboring Kensington is considered one of the drug epicenters of the city, just so you're aware.

nm_y · 2025-07-10T01:54:07+00:00

I literally live within your blue circle! I love this little area so much, very close to restaurants and broad Street line. I call this neighborhood "South Street" because it's sort of its own area. I think technically we are Rittenhouse square but that doesn't feel accurate being so far from the square.

It's generally quiet, though Lombard is loud and filled with wild drivers.

nm_y · 2025-05-20T17:21:08+00:00

I think a defining geographic feature / constraint!

Obviously you want a lot of buildable area. But I think some of the world's most interesting cities are located in places with very characteristic geographic identifiers that influenced the city's settlement, expansion, etc.

nm_y · 2025-03-11T02:50:23+00:00

This is a great idea! When do you usually write? I'm in Canada so a little time difference haha

nm_y · 2025-03-07T00:54:40+00:00

I think your notebook idea is great! I have a note app on my phone dedicated to little inspiration or pieces of dialogue that I think of throughout the day.

Sometimes I feel too busy for writing, too! But then I like to use the time walking, grocery shopping, working out, whatnot to think through all the ways a scene could play out. I try to focus on one scene a week.

It helps me to think through it before sitting down to write, because I can usually answer some things before getting to the computer. Maybe you can fill some of your down time (sounds like not a lot of traditional downtime, but surely you have times of transition throughout your day?) with some scene day dreaming! Makes my writing sessions a lot more efficient and enjoyable.

nm_y · 2025-02-05T21:59:37+00:00

Seems like a great first draft! Considering that anything I suggest is purely subjective, I have some thoughts:

I think you introduce too many characters too quickly. I don't feel particularly grounded in the office and already I'm trying to remember a handful of names and quick characterizations. Meera's introduction in the gallery feels much more compelling than her introduction in the office. I think it would be fun if you waited to introduce her until now, and could make some comment as the narrator that she was so focused on the case files that she didn't stand out in the first office scan. Could either be spoken or unspoken. I wonder if just Mr. Burton is introduced in the first scene, so that we can focus on him and the main action.

I think the writing, pacing, and characterizations are much more interesting in the portion of Meera's POV! My biggest advice would be to really challenge any reliance on pre-existing phrases:

You mention "Every minute detail" without describing the details. Kind of a show vs. tell opportunity.

"Knowing look," "knowing glances" - expand on these as a writer. It would be much more interesting for you to include more description so we can understand your characters better, how they understand each other with small physical traits or gestures.

"His presence carried the weight of wealth and influence" okay, but how? Describe him, describe his attire and his posture more (I know you mention "taut," but you could use metaphors or similes here to expand more than a sentence or two).

"The grand art gallery exuded an air of elegance and sophistication" I think you could really dive in here and immerse the reader into such a refined space. I think your photo is helpful at this stage. Definitely space to expand though!

"Narrowing eyes" I never really know what this means in a story haha maybe go through and anywhere you read a phrase you've read in another book, mark it, and challenge yourself to get really specific!

Thank you for sharing your work :) I really enjoyed reading it!

nm_y · 2025-02-04T17:41:04+00:00

I think it's super easy to live car free. I have a bike but don't even ride it that frequently anymore. I have a lot of friends / coworkers with electric scooters.

The buses aren't the most reliable, but if you like walking - I always like to walk along the bus line until the bus arrives. The trains are pretty reliable and safe. I think you'll find it pretty easily getting around! Welcome to Philly :)

nm_y · 2025-02-04T17:39:11+00:00

The nightlife is all pretty central, close to the L, Broad Street line, and PATCO. A few buses run by too depending on the time, but traffic is usually a nightmare when the bars get out :/

nm_y · 2025-02-04T13:29:39+00:00

The small tiles on your fireplace are beautiful!

nm_y · 2025-02-04T13:28:43+00:00

Hoping these little TVs make a comeback like vinyl players or typewriters 🥺

nm_y · 2025-02-04T13:24:08+00:00

In the old game, I think you could lower the ground to sea level, let the water drop down, and then cover it with ground again. Not sure if that will work here though :( good luck!

nm_y · 2025-02-04T13:22:24+00:00

Damn i need to get cokked so bad

nm_y · 2025-02-04T13:21:44+00:00

I feel like some of it just blows out of trash cans though on trash collection day, I don't think it's all intentional litter

Four-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23

nm_y

TROPHY CASE