New York is the city that never sleeps. The constant, unyielding energy creates a 24-hour culture that Philly simply can’t compete with. By 12, the party is over and everyone goes on their way. However, for most New Yorkers that’s when the party starts.

What makes New York a great place to live in isn’t the museums, although they are abundant. It’s not the public transportation system either, which is easy to navigate and rated one of the best in the world. It’s not the restaurants, which are known for employing only the finest of chefs. It’s the people.

No matter where you are in New York, you will have a one in five chance of bumping into someone who has tickets to tonight’s Broadway show. You have a two-in five-chance of meeting someone who can get you a job in advertising, and, despite the stigma that New Yorkers carry, most are willing to do so. New York is home to the most generous and talented people in the world.

The diversity of New York is vast. One of the most pluralistic cities in the world, it is the only place where you can hear Chinese, Italian, and every other language conceivable blur into a unique, polyphonous melody. The yelling of construction workers, the sound of traffic jams; it’s beautiful when listened to the right way. When you walk down the streets of New York, you hear music. There’s no other way to take everything in. 

And William Penn? He’s not comparable to the Statue of Liberty. Liberty welcomes your tired poor and huddled masses. Penn’s only notable achievement was putting a curse on the Philly sports teams when someone built a skyscraper taller than his hat.

The eclecticism, vibrancy, and distinct personality of New York make it inimitable. To compare it to Philadelphia would be like putting an Andy Warhol next to an Andrew Wyeth. Cute, but jape.