Only in Center City, Philadelphia

Ok, so maybe it could happen anywhere, but here we go…

I’ve been on a search to find the best place to live within the city limits of Philadelphia.

Yesterday, I was set up with several appointments to view some properties around town. I absolutely love the first place. It’s a row house with a tiny yard AND it’s in my price range! I put in an application on the spot. I told the potential landlord that I am scheduled to view other apartments today, and he said he would hold the application until Monday morning.

I had some time to waste between appointments, so I walked around the city for a little bit and stopped at a local chocolate and coffee shop called Naked Chocolate Cafe for a bite to eat. Everything in the display looked tasty, so I ordered the chocolate chocolate cupcake and a small iced mocha coffee drink. I was so excited to eat it. Chocolate upon chocolate? Who wouldn’t be excited? Then, I looked a little closer and thought to myself “I bet this is gonna be dry.” Sure enough, it was dry and the chocolate wasn’t chocolate enough. What a let down. Well, at least I only spent $5.75 for the cupcake and the drink. I checked my iPhone and found that it was time for the next appointment.

The second place – I didn’t like so much. It is a studio apartment in Center City with approximately 312 square feet for $975 dollars. I’ll admit that the utilities are included, but I would also have to pay for parking. If I’m going to pay $975, I need to at least have room for a couch AND a bed in the space. This place comes with a mini fridge, and a 2 burner stove top. There’s not even room for an oven! Needless to say, I will not be renting this place, and from the looks on the other people’s faces that were viewing the studio with me, neither will they.

I walked out of that building on a mission.

After eating a dry cupcake and viewing a tiny apartment, I decided it was time for some real food. I walked over to 500 degrees, a local burger joint, to have something to eat. Before I could get there, a man on the street handed me a sticker that said “Mean People Suck” and asked me for some money. I told him that I don’t carry cash, and he wanted to know if I had any pennies. I said no and started walking away. He gave me the bumper sticker anyway. Now, back to the food. I finally reached my destination. I placed my order and sat down to wait for the food to cook. I was minding my own business, but could here the counter staff talking about calling 911. They kept talking about it and looking out the window, so finally I asked them what was going on.

It seems that a patron and her friends had just sat down to eat, when a man came and sat down beside her. Supposedly, this young woman did not take notice of the man until he snatched her purse and ran off. Now, she and her friends are standing outside waiting for a law enforcement officer to assist them. I will never understand the woman who leaves her purse on the back of her chair or unattended in a public place. In general, women carry a mini representation of their entire life in their purse, and it should be guarded at all times. I wish the young lady well in retrieving her stolen purse.

As I was settling in to eat my meal, the phone rang. It was exactly 2:15PM. I answered:

Hello?

A man said, “Hello, are you scheduled to view an apartment today on ABC street at 3:15PM?”

Yes.

“You were supposed to call me exactly one hour prior to confirm.”

Really, dude? You are calling me at exactly 1 hour prior to the appointment and talking to me as if I have done something wrong? You didn’t give me a chance to dial the number! I told him to cancel the appointment and I don’t need to see his property.

At that point, I couldn’t take much more of center city and decided it was time to drive home.

I walked back to my car to find a huge VIOLATION ticket on my car. I’d forgotten to pay for parking! So, instead of paying $2-4 for street parking, I now have a $36 ticket care of the City of Philadelphia. Great. The fun doesn’t end there. Halfway home, I started to shake and have stomach cramps. I think the girl at the coffee shop gave me soy instead of skim milk. Soy protein and I do not get along. *sigh*