February 07, 2017
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, but a recent study suggests that Philadelphians should consider leaving town to enjoy a romantic evening.
WalletHub, a personal finance website, analyzed the 100 largest U.S. cities and determined that the City of Brotherly Love was the eighth-worst place to celebrate Valentine's Day.
To compile the list, researchers judged cities on how well residents can get into the mood without breaking the bank. This year, Americans are expected to spend $18.2 billion - or $136.57 per person - to show their love. Factors included the average cost of wine, the average cost of a hotel room and the number of jewelry stores and florists in an area.
So, why is Philly a terrible place for a day of celebrating love?
One reason, which is out of the city's control, is the weather forecast. The website rated the expected weather in Philly on Valentine's Day as the worst in the nation. As of Tuesday evening, The Weather Channel is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 45 degrees, 12-mph winds and a 20 percent chance of precipitation.
Philly was also hindered by its rank as the 10th-most expensive city. Researchers calculated the cost of a three-course meal for a couple, prices for movie tickets and other related expenses.
The ratings weren't all bad for Philly, which scored well for offering couples plenty of things to do during a date. The website counted the number of restaurants, nightclub establishments and other entertainment options in the city.
San Francisco was recognized as the best U.S. city to celebrate Valentine's Day.
