Why is Everyone Leaving Philadelphia? 📦🏙️

[@kathylee1261]

New Jersey mom here letting you know that my son just bought his first home in Philadelphia. He loves it there.

[@LivinginGPP]

Congratulations to your son on his first home! Some people LOVE it in Philly!

[@Hanover-ek4jy]

What are some of the things he loves about Philly?

[@kathylee1261]

@ he found a church and a neighborhood with people willing to help each other and socialize together. Young families, poker night, a guy with a truck. Also public transportation

[@theresapeticca8411]

Dumb

[@kathylee1261]

@@theresapeticca8411 in what way?

[@ContrarianExpatriate]

I left Philly in the 1980s. Each time I go back, I am reminded why I left. The energy of the region is just too negative.

[@Demosthenes409]

Realized that after my first year of living in philly. Too much incessant honking and inpatience from dangerous/ careless drivers... and for what, to get to the next stop light faster in order to wait again? The overall inconsideration of others as a whole turns me off, be it disregard for safety or simply trashing one's own backyard

[@davidcarlin3850]

If you left then you shouldn’t degrade the city that you had once loved. Phila is still a world class city

[@DeRussellMasina]

Soft, visit upper NJ and NYC

[@mbbno]

Obviously we're glad you left. Haha. It's a great city and region. If you're unable to realize that it's your problem.

[@aayotechnology]

Where did you move to?

[@natanpierce495]

My family lived in Philly for over 17 years, having moved from New England in the early 90's. I went to Philly to continue with college (Temple) then went to University of the Arts (Philadelphia College of Performing Arts- Academy of Music) now closed. I moved out of Philly because of job offer. I had a nice home in West Mt Airy, and did not want to leave. At all. No safety concerns. We loved our neighborhood. I loved all the things to do, the city garbage removal, tree services and SEPTA. But jobs. Taxes keep going up year after year, and income cannot keep up. This is not just a Philadelphia problem. It is an American city problem. There is NO way that good governing people who work for the city's should be so short sighted to not see that competition will doom the cities. If good jobs and only great paying jobs would be found in the city, no one would leave. The best income SHOULD be from city dwellers. Once the good jobs go- and schools close, people move out and gentrification moves in. CVS, Wall-Mart, banks and the like, while somewhat important, cannot not pay what those city jobs use to pay. And here is the demise; when the lower chain jobs come into a city instead of the big business mom and pop places/ small corporations and independent schools; i.e., Wanamaker's (now Macy's) University of the Arts and the Merriam Theater (now Miller Theater) and all the nooks and crannies that are either empty or "up for lease" the city is doomed. When will the governing officials get it? Have incentives for these places to pay the highest wages, offering a diversity of workers (laborers, tech and everything in-between) so that the thought of moving isn't even on the radar. Harrisburg, Allentown, Lancaster/ Lititz- all going through the same thing. Cities are becoming ghost towns with tons of abandoned places, and the urban sprawl is widening, where dependency on gasoline, cars and higher taxes is the norm. Eventually, everything is going to look like King of Prussia. Which I hated when I lived in Philly.

[@joegreen7616]

Resident of 67 years here…never had a problem and never entertained the idea of moving out.

[@theblockcat-ain1572]

Depends on what area too

[@RodgerMudd]

@@theblockcat-ain1572 Sure does.

[@The_Philly_Bruja]

Philly born and raised. I will always love you philly and i still own property there. I left because of the violence it was moving closer to my suburb. I am raising children. So i decided to buy another home in a different state. Philly will always have my heart. I still go to visit my family but i dont stick around to long. When we went fulltime remote i got outta there. The energy is off and its depressing for me.

[@rezclips]

What suburb?

[@The_Philly_Bruja]

@rezclips I moved from West philly to Delaware County in 2004. Moved to a different state a while back. My properties are still in WP and D- County. 🙂

[@tracywalker244]

@@The_Philly_BrujaI’m in Delaware County too and yes Philly has lost its magic.

[@LivinginGPP]

I don't blame you! And you were smart to keep your properties. Prices around greater Philadelphia just go up and up.

[@The_Philly_Bruja]

@@LivinginGPP my equity is amazing in those properties. I have no desire to sell them and hopefully in this economy I never have too.

[@SheilaLJones]

I left Philadelphia in 2016 for university of South Carolina med school and stayed in Columbia ever since. But now I'm contemplating moving back to help take care of my great grandmother who's almost 100 years old

[@LivinginGPP]

God bless you for doing that for her! I moved in with my grandmother for the last few months of her life so she could pass in her home like she wanted to.

[@MichaelKane-i5y]

I wish I could move. Born lived in Philadelphia for 52 years. I hate it so much

[@LivinginGPP]

What's stopping you? At 52 you should have the freedom and the means to leave if you hate it so much.

[@argo9330]

I worked in Philadelphia for 17 years since 2005 and don’t want to come back. The parking always was an issue and it seems like PPA is a cat and mouse game and sooner or later they are going to ticket you. Part of the bigger reason why they ticket so much is to make up the difference for loss of tax base from companies leaving over the years due to their business tax. So companies like SAP got smart and simply set up their business location in the surrounding suburbs still reaping the benefits of what the city has infrastructure wise. Honestly if you feel like the city is taxing you and not providing adequate return on those taxes just look at your broken down residential roads and crime rate while they take that tax money and spend it on bike lanes and entitlements that just add to quality of life to crime correlation. If you want a better city break off parts of neighborhoods and see to it yourself otherwise expect the city to keep taking your taxes and padding their 6 figure salaries and finding ways to waste your money anyway they dream fit.

[@LivinginGPP]

Yup and all the traffic and parking tickets are just one more form of tax, all of which is wasted by a bloated out of control city government.

[@tres5533]

I grew up here. Temple U grad. I moved to NYC: #1 Crime !!!. #2 Career (media/creative). #3 People - Real "Lack of attractive ppl", Working class mentality. If you're a healthcare worker, 9-5 type or a working class Joe, Philly is a really great town. If you want a sophistication, world class anything, attractive ppl and a "get shit done" vibe, then move away.

[@LivinginGPP]

NYC is no better if you want to talk about crime. But I do agree people here don't know how to get shit done! LOL

[@AmericaWorker100]

Stay in New York.

[@NicholeRojas-r8i]

I'm moving in! but I'm from Colombia (32 yo), it's for a job offer as a researcher (Temple), I completed my PhD so I'll have my postdoc there. Previously I lived in Japan so I'm very happy to experience another foreign country but closer to mine. I hope to do it well while I'm there!! I was concerned about how walkable the US is, but Philadelphia seems pretty walkable!! The library also looks very beautiful, thank you for your honest videos!

[@LivinginGPP]

I'm glad you're enjoying my videos and I hope you love it in Philly!

[@JonathonDenson]

I have long wanted to move to Philadelphia from the Pittsburgh area. I feel like Philly has so much more to offer. My dream is to live in Center City and I have noticed some affordable studio condos there. I just need to take the leap.

[@LivinginGPP]

Stop dreaming and start living! Come for a visit for a long weekend sometime soon. And you are right, there are some VERY good deals to be had in the Philly condo market. I'm here for you when you're ready to help you devise a plan!

[@highlymedicated2438]

have you tried living in the Pittsburg City center to see if you like the idea?

[@tracywalker244]

I like Pittsburgh.

[@JonathonDenson]

@ Pittsburgh city center doesn't have a gayborhood, and does not have the same amenities that Philly has in its center.

[@my2cents945]

Philly wage tax, deplorable public schools, lack of public safety, dysfunctional criminal justice system, dysfunctional city govt.

[@tracywalker244]

Yup

[@theblockcat-ain1572]

Depends on the area. Temple University area is the worse. NP, SW , uptiwn are dangerous. There some nice areas like far NE. But its definitely getting worse. City of Brotherly love it's not. Im leaving soon. Probably city ave area or far, far, Far Ne.

[@rhondahopkins4366]

Philadelphia used to be nice. The crime is higher. The streets are dirtier and so much trash is not being picked up. The suburbs in Philadelphia the property taxes are going up some 25%. I live in Delaware now. Horrible here to over populated.

[@LivinginGPP]

I think all cities go through ebbs and flows. I agree the taxes, like most places, have gone up quite a bit. So you're in Delaware now and you think it's too congested?

[@edr.3229]

Because they made us a sanctuary city. That made it degrade quicker.

[@tracywalker244]

Nothing to do in Delaware

[@GeldaStPete]

@@tracywalker244 i live in Claymont, only about a 20-30 minute drive to philly (with actual things to do), plus we have a train station only 1 mile from my home. Agreed, delaware sucks lol "i just reside here"

[@benjamindover5355]

Philly is like any other city. There are good and bad neighborhoods. But Philly has ALWAYS been known for the “brain drain”. New graduates want better housing options. Philly’s row home housing stock is outdated, typically small and congested. Forget about parking. Most folks who make it migrate to either the Suburbs or South Jersey burbs. If you’re young and enjoy the social scene Philly is a decent option.

[@Slaythehippies]

I spent my childhood in Kentucky then my teenage and young adult years in South Jersey. Lived in Philly since 2019 because it's simply more affordable to live here. But this isn't the life I want to live forever. Especially with the parking and lack of space. I'm set on moving to Coastal Alabama in the next year and restarting down there.

[@LivinginGPP]

OMG I absolutely LOVE Alabama! One of my best friends moved to the gulf coast of AL and I go for visits often. I just helped a client sell her home in PA and move there in 2024. The homes down there are super affordable! Let me know how I can help... I can hook you up with a top agent anywhere in AL and if you own a home here we can coordinate both transactions for you.

[@edwardhill7045]

its simple PROPERTY TAXES KEEP RISING

[@LivinginGPP]

I hear you, but that is happening everywhere.

[@soapgirlsrule]

I loved it there but the job situation was impossible if you're not in healthcare. It would be hard to move back bc my one bedroom apt there is now $3000+.

[@LivinginGPP]

Wow! What neighborhood were you in previously?

[@CC-tw5gx]

Healthcare, education and tech.

[@NorthPhillyNif]

I was born/raised in Philly and hv bn in TX for 25+; but considering moving back to the area whn i retire in 2026. However, the weather has me thinking long and hard about it

[@LivinginGPP]

@NorthPhillyNif I hear you! I do not like the cold. But I can tell you that winters here are no where near as bad as they were back then when you left 25 years ago! I've been here my whole life (52yrs...shhh don't tell nobody 😉) and there haven't been many major snow incidents in I don't know how long...many years. But it still gets cold at times.

[@BROWNBROWS]

Latest & constant property tax increases is making my mortgage less manageable. Crime prevents me from doing simple things like sitting on my steps. Every other week I get a new S.O has moved in. PECO has me tempted to do things I would have never done just to afford the monthly $340 bill. When I had a PECO assessment done I was told we should bathe less , like WTH. Philly NOT RECOMMENDED

[@NickatLateNite]

Philly born, raised & lived for 50+ years, have lived in the Rockies for 20 years now. I bleed Eagles Green, but I'm never moving back. I love the slower pace of life I'm living!

[@lorenalittlejohn7379]

No one’s leaving Philly…matter of fact more people are running to Philly. This city is one of the less expensive compared to NYC, DC and Bmore-which are within 3 hour distance. I love it here… this has been my home since 2017 and I don’t see me going anywhere. 😊

[@karinprovaznikova8345]

Exactly, they keep building new condos around Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Penn Treaty Park, those areas getting very expensive and overcrowded.

[@lorenalittlejohn7379]

@@karinprovaznikova8345 Yes, unfortunately that is the downside of gentrification. The people who have lived there for generations can no longer afford it. 😔

[@kimmy722]

Born and raised in Philly. My parents and grandparents are native Philadelphians. But to be honest , the democrats have run this city into the ground. They pander to one race only , the city forgets the northeast except when it comes to raising property taxes. It’s so sad. All of our history is being re written and it just heart breaking. Not to mention , even the charter schools absolutely suck. Mayor Kenny decided it would be a great idea to not prosecute criminals . Why? He thought the laws were racist. 😂😂😂. If you can leave , do it. It’s not getting any better

[@pburn883]

Wife and I own a house in South Philly. Love the city. But we'll be leaving in the next 3 years. We have 2 kids that start kindergarten in 3 years. We want to raise them in the traditional suburban experience. Outside of that we love the city and plan on moving back as soon as the kids are out the house

[@LivinginGPP]

A lot of city dwellers choose to do that too! If I can be of service when the time comes, reach out. I've helped many families trade in their city house for a suburban oasis.

[@angelamwatts]

I live here in Philadelphia and there are lovely parts of Philadelphia and then there are other parts of Philadelphia that are so scary that I wouldn't drive through those neighborhoods. There are a lot of conveniences in Philadelphia and it's nice. Crime is a big concern of mine. I don't feel safe using public transportation anymore with the exception of regional rail. The beverage tax and the plastic bag ban is really annoying. The public schools are terrible but overall, I am happy here in Philadelphia. I am 58 years old and I don't have kids to worry about or anything like that so I am okay with it. I have lived here all of my life and so I consider this home. Oh, I forgot to mention that the food in Philadelphia is amazing. We have every restaurant you can think of and Wawa is a really good sandwich convenience store.

[@skeptick6513]

Mom was from west Philly, I was born in upper Darby. Our family moved to the western suburbs in the late 1960s. Thank god, the city is a dirty dangerous expensive mismanaged crap hole. Only go there reluctantly any more.

[@xavierjones5076]

It's a horrible place to live. The people are mean, nasty and unfriendly. The crime rate is astronomical. The city is perpetually dirty. The school system is one of the worst in the country. Consumer goods of relevancy is only in the suburbs- healthy options are limited in the city. Philly is a dump. The only good thing about Philly, is leaving it.

[@reesebrown5081]

Ain’t nobody leaving Philly ppl coming back to Philly facts making this fake news about 🫡

[@Generation3electric]

Great video Dawn. Love the Way you put together. We have helped to many clients move from the city to the suburbs. Mostly we see people moving with young families. I have noticed more kids and families staying in the city in recent years. Are you see that too?

[@LivinginGPP]

Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed the video. No I would say I am more often helping families with kids move out of the city. I'm seeing young people w/o children moving in... and surprisingly, older retirees who want to downsize and have easy access to lots of things to do.

[@tracywalker244]

@@LivinginGPPWhat area are the retirees moving to?

[@boom410_]

I love living here in Philly, it’s a great city.

[@LivinginGPP]

I'm happy to hear that!

[@donalddavis6689]

I'm A New Jerseyan Of Central Jersey!! My Family Are From Greater Philadelphia 🏙️!! Get Philadelphia Back To Where It Once Was!! Clean Up Certain Spots In Philly!! Let's Improve Philly So People And Live In!! Just As The Rich People Are Moving Into Philly.. Fair Is Fair.

[@LivinginGPP]

I agree!

[@MbisonBalrog]

Are they just moving to the burbs?

[@LivinginGPP]

Yes some are and I do talk about that in my video.

[@Talkswithtee302]

I left ten years ago, but I half of my friends stayed

[@LivinginGPP]

Some stay some go.. Where did you end up? How do you like it?

[@richiemochi]

Grew up in Philly and I know exactly why people are leaving. Main issue is city taxes, crime infested neighborhoods, drugs in Kensington and making its way to Far Northeast. Lack of educational funding for public schools. Teachers are not being paid enough for wild children. Parking authority. What are city officials doing with all the tax money? I left Philly in 2006 for Austin, TX and returned in 2021 only cause of senior parents. If it were not for them I would not return. Austin, TX is the place to be if you want to be able to save money. The Northeast corridor is great for senior living and retirement cause of public transportation and healthcare.

[@josephbuzick975]

Ask the same question of Macys!

[@Matthew-i3h]

Cuz it's a dump like every other major city. All is has to offer is sports. Which is unaffordable now anyway

[@davidcarlin3850]

Dawn you need to back up your statements will real verified statistics and sources. Phila saw an influx of New Yorkers move in during the COVID lockdown period. It created a hot real estate market. Also take note of all the high rise new apartments now along the Delaware’s River

[@manmasher]

We lived in Philly while my husband did his fellowship at CHOP and I loved the city! I did not want to leave but when your spouse is a sub specialist, you go where there’s an opening. Currently on the west coast and as retirement approaches,I’d like to return. I love all the cultural amenities and the walkability,plus reasonably good public transit. Yes,Philadelphia has issues but what major city doesn’t? Philly has great potential but more importantly it is real,flaws and all.

[@LivinginGPP]

I agree, no matter where you live there will always be flaws. And yes Philly is "real"! We would love to have you back. 🙂🙂

[@michealhughes9413]

we left for Atlanta so much nicer then philly and more vibrant..mild sunny winters that feel like spring...love Atlanta

[@tracywalker244]

How’s the crime in Atlanta?

[@mbbno]

No one is fleeing Philly. Your headline is clickbait.

[@tracywalker244]

It’s not click bait

[@NathanPease]

Does Philly still have the 7% (or is it 9%?) city tax? That was extremely annoying and has kept me from going back to work there.

[@LivinginGPP]

Philly's wage tax is 3.75% for residents and 3.44% for nonresidents and it has been for 3 decades. It was never 7 or 9%.

[@NathanPease]

@@LivinginGPP , I guess it just felt like 7%. 🙂

[@LivinginGPP]

@@NathanPease i hear ya!

[@karinprovaznikova8345]

7% is a sales tax right?

[@jesusclass2484]

I’m from Philadelphia live in Polk county Florida for 8 years yoooo Florida move here good luck 👍 it’s like 400 for a house insurance policy Florida hurricane bro I know from Milton too Helena

[@cleopatrajones2024]

These channels just sit up and tell you all of these people are leaving these cities and they actually aren't. People do move but people do come also. I had been hearing how everybody was fleeing Los Angeles for the past 3 or 4 years and I went a few weeks ago and the population and the traffic is horrendous. I can't tell anybody has left Los Angeles. To go 10 miles takes an hour and a half. Everyday I was there, most of the time was spent sitting in traffic. It is crazy crazyly overly populated there. So I'm deleting this channel now. You just don't know what to believe anymore. This internet is a fool now. Everybody has a narrative. I mean everybody.

[@LivinginGPP]

If you actually watched the video, I do talk about people moving in as well. But you should definitely leave anyway - Bye Bye!

[@highlymedicated2438]

I think with LA is even if people were leaving like they say theres so many people and tourists I dont think you would ever feel it.

[@kellyupshaw6598]

Philadelphia's jobs tend to be low paying.

[@LivinginGPP]

@@kellyupshaw6598 i agree that is true in some industries.

[@WillMag]

I ended up in philly after the pandemic when I lost my business and my nice place in the suburbs. Have been robbed blind by the junkies. Thousands in tools and catalytic converters and when its not the junkies its the city. The city is completely out of control with the parking authority. They've taken two cars and its almost impossible to go anywhere in the city without getting winshields full of tickets or getting hit with a traffic cam tickets. Center city is a horror show that way. They steel cars by the hundreds if not thousands every day from people who cant afford to get them back and they make sure the price tag to get them back is out of control too. Every time you turn around its more camera's more meters and more ticket writters in areas they have no business ticketing, the city was not designed for this many cars. They do things like send people around with leaf blowers so they can then write every one tickets for not having lids on their trash cans when theyre in the middle of the hood. Its a dark dirty depressing sht hole and dont even get me started on my kids school Looks like a prison, there is no play ground and he comes home every day telling me how much he hates it. Hes 5 years old. Can't wait to get out of this city but making enough money to do so in construction isnt easy. All of south eastern Pennsylvania seems to prey on its citizens with over policing. Thats the only good thing about philly. The cops are to busy with real crime to harass working people unlike the surrounding areas. If you have alot of money there are plenty of nice rich historic places way out around the city but you basically have to be rich. There's are some blue collar places around like levittown but with inflation you and your wife better be pulling in some high end blue colar cash or you aint making it. Im looking alover the country for a better place to move. And the weather blows here its either freezing or sweltering in smoggy dirty air you can barley breath. Lol but if you got money and you can bring your enthusiasm with you. Youl do alright. There's some nice neighborhoods in the city but. $$$$$$$$$$

[@skeptick6513]

Go south young man, just not too far. Maybe north Carolina.

[@PhillyHardy]

Leaving Philly? Are u high? Philly is more popular than ever!

[@LivinginGPP]

I'm always high... and you obviously didn't watch the video so why bother commenting?

[@irocitZ]

Here's a large group of people you forgot to mention that existed the city, I think anyone who knew how to drive a car moved out. All that remaines are a bunch of idiots and a shitload of speed bumps installed all over the city. I'd love to know where all the good drivers went because I wanna go there. I can barely take it anymore, whatever licensed drivers that are left should consider taking SEPTA and voluntarily surrender their licenses because you really suck at operating a motor vehicle. Lastly, if any officers read this, I'm begging you to impound these A-Holes vehicle's via the PPA.

[@Buzz_Kill71]

Simple census data check shows Philadelphia's population GREW by almost 100k between 2010 and 2020... That makes me wonder what the time scope of your minus 10k statement is drawn from?

[@brotherfuture]

It’s too dangerous

[@dannythunder3180]

I've visited quite a few times. It's a great city

[@LivinginGPP]

I agree. It's got it's problems but I've been to many cities all across this country and Philly has a feeling like no other.

[@philosopher1a]

Funny she has to state " Its not my opinion, ..." yeah we all know but some people are in denial about that reality

[@joimprove]

Yea no one’s leaving

[@rickbar123]

News to me. They can’t build fast enough.

[@Blackcloud1776]

It's a POO-Box... Prices, parking,conjestion, and schools suck, and it takes too long to get anywhere. Oh, and Southwest is gone... It looks like a 3rd would dump. (I have been around the world to some 3rd world dumpster spots) Before anyone gets their pants in a bunch. I'm from Bartram village. I know Philly. Go west (chester county is better imo. I'm not trying to be negative here... I'm just being honest.

[@Dontbelieveinme__wrldwide]

Nahh !! I feel like this video is just to make people stay in Philly or make em move here !!!! But she doesn’t say the rise in crime !! The real reason y people leave !!! Some people live in Philly and at 9 yrs old experience someone dying in front of them !!! All those things sound good !! But what about the reality of living in Philly !!! I’ve been here 31 years !!! So I’m speaking from experience!!!

[@onestunningdude9445]

Ninjas are leaving Philly and moving to the county. Caspers are moving to the city

[@philosopher1a]

Demographics aka Violent Crime .. taxes .. incompetence its dying It may be a upgrade for some people not all

[@DollarBill01984]

Crime, taxes and car insurance

[@jarvisstradford7211]

I see why you're moving to Charlotte and the North Carolina area

[@craigbrown8984]

Why because it's cleaner safer greener and meaner.😠

[@RSeaker]

Suburbs are great. The city, not so much.

[@ronaldmillsip9206]

Greattt City 🌆

[@RodgerMudd]

I was car jacked in 1999 never going back to black philly

[@jwhowuntit9359]

Philly is having nothing but bad people moving in because it has pretty much has become the drug capital of America. If this wasn’t so this is the best city I love Philly but I wasn’t raising my kids there.

[@randolphsrants]

You should have eliminated the 'jerk' comment....it's nasty and unprofessional.

[@LivinginGPP]

LMAO, it's to prevent people who are easily offered...like you... from contacting me :)

[@YzeGuyVex]

Philly sucks...

[@phillydreams25]

Good, stop all the trust fund dorks from raising our rent

[@frankieC1023]

NEGADELPHIA!