As a resident of South Philadelphia for 16 years, I take personal offense when someone says that cities suck. All of my favorite places are cities, and that is no coincidence.
Living downtown, I see something new every single day. Whether it’s an art show or Lady Gaga strolling down the street, the wonders of the city can not be replicated by the suburban lifestyle. These sights also provide me with countless memories. 

The average teenage employee’s work stories typically revolve around rude customers. In contrast, working in the city has given me stories of all the bizarre things I see parading in the streets through our restaurant’s massive windows. One time, I watched two women try to steal a block of cement, hauling the 50-pound block down the sidewalk outside our restaurant.  

Not only does the city have plenty of sights to see, but it has plenty of things to do as well. There are countless stores, activities, and museums in the sprawling urban environment. Not to mention the impeccable flavors from thousands of restaurants. Plus, life is so much more convenient. If you need something, odds are it’s just a block away, instead of a 20-minute drive. 

Even for the nature-inclined, cities provide no shortage of parks, stacked with places for reading or socializing and far fewer bugs than dull parks in the country. Urban parks are also full of performers, vendors, monuments, and even zoos (there is literally a zoo in Central Park– Valley Forge would never have a zoo). 

However, I will admit, sometimes the performers in city parks are far from entertaining. Dancers like the Michael Jackson cosplayer in Rittenhouse Square are certainly a deterrent for many. Even I avoid Rittenhouse when I hear the sound of his remixes through his crackly speaker. But to be honest, the occasional bad music is negligible when compared to the endless positives offered by cities. 

Sure, they’re loud, and some say they smell bad (although, personally, I don’t agree, but I may just be used to the stench), but living surrounded by bright lights and voices is exhilarating. Also, if cities were really so horrible, why would so many people live in them?