The State of Unemployment and Economic Growth in Philadelphia (and why I’m still broke)

okay, so like, the rain in Philly right now? it’s not rain. it’s this… viscous grey. like someone spilled a giant bowl of lukewarm oatmeal over the whole city. you know, that kind of thing. it’s clinging to everything, making the brick buildings look even sadder than usual. and honestly, it smells faintly of pretzels and regret.

I was scrolling through Reddit r/philadelphia last night - yeah, I know, I’m a mess - and everyone’s talking about the job market. it’s… rough. the Bureau of Labor Statistics says Philly’s unemployment rate is hovering around 5.3%, which isn’t terrible, but it’s definitely a slow burn. a lot of the openings are in, like, logistics and warehousing. which, let’s be real, isn’t exactly glamorous. I’m talking forklift operator, mostly. I’m a freelance illustrator, so my ‘skills’ aren’t exactly in high demand right now.

Speaking of demand, let’s talk about rent. Seriously. I just checked Zillow, and a decent one-bedroom in Fishtown is, like, $2,200 a month. Two? $2,700. I’m currently crashing on a pull-out couch in South Philly, thanks to my cousin Vinny. He’s a bartender at McGillin’s - you know, the oldest Irish pub in the country? It’s a dive, but the cheesesteaks are solid.

Here’s a little data dump for you, because I’m apparently obsessed with spreadsheets:

Yeah. It’s a struggle. I’m trying to hustle, you know? I’ve got a few commissions lined up, but it’s not exactly a steady paycheck. I’m also thinking about trying to sell some of my vintage clothes on Depop. I’ve got a serious collection of 90s flannel - it’s a whole thing.

I overheard some guys at a bar in Passyunk Square the other night - they were talking about how the tech scene is booming in Center City, but it’s mostly attracting people who can afford to live in Chestnut Hill. Like, seriously, Chestnut Hill? It’s basically a gated community for trust fund babies.

Pro-Tip: If you’re looking for cheap eats, check out Reading Terminal Market. It’s a chaotic, beautiful mess of food vendors. Just brace yourself for the crowds. And don’t even think about going during lunchtime.

Another Overheard Rumor: Apparently, the Mural Arts Program is getting some serious funding, which is cool, but it’s also driving up property values in some of the neighborhoods. It’s a weird trade-off.

I’m thinking about taking a weekend trip to the Jersey Shore. It’s a solid 90-minute drive, but it’s a good way to escape the oatmeal rain and the existential dread. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g42868-Philadelphia_Pennsylvania.html

And if you’re looking for a good dive bar, McGillin’s is always a solid bet. Just don’t ask me to pay for a round. I’m broke. Seriously.

A Local Warned Me About: Don’t go to Manayunk on a Friday night unless you want to deal with a massive crowd of twenty-somethings and overpriced cocktails. https://www.yelp.com/map?1=yes&2=Manayunk%2C%20Philadelphia%2C%20PA

I’m also trying to get into some of the underground art shows in Kensington. It’s a bit sketchy, but the art is usually pretty good. https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/

Okay, I’m gonna go refill my coffee. It’s black, strong, and probably the only thing keeping me sane right now.

And finally, if you're looking for a good place to grab a bite, check out Pat's or Geno's. It's a Philly tradition, even if the cheesesteaks aren't amazing*. https://www.patsburgers.com/

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