Basically, I've briefly lived in Philadelphia before. In early 2018, I had a bad manic episode from my bipolar/schizoaffective issues being neglected and took a Greyhound out there with the last of my money. I figured I was homeless anyway, I might as well go through that somewhere...for lack of a better word..."better."

I did appreciate the culture and how people believed I didn't deserve to just die because I have problems. I was also overjoyed at how my activism was still treated as valid even though I am poor and disabled, etc. I did not like the places I had to live while I waited for my SSI benefits, though. They were spaces intended just for the mentally ill.

I also had trouble finding the right medication combo. I grew super frustrated and went off all my meds and ended up living in and out of wards for a while. Once I was moved to a residential rehab recovering from my psychotic break, I doubted my decision to start a new life.

For whatever reason, I grew nostalgic for the city I was born- particularly the university I dropped out of over a decade ago and the surrounding area. As soon as I started to receive benefits, I begged my parents to help me come back to Albuquerque. For a multitude of reasons, this was mostly a terrible mistake and caused me further trauma.

A few months ago, I did get help through the system here into a beautiful apartment. A real one. I feel like it would almost be wasteful to abandon the place I worked hard to obtain. At least right away.

Here's the thing, though: I don't have many real friends here in Albuquerque. I am much more loved by several people I met in Philadelphia. I feel like I should make it a point to go where I am celebrated and there will be more happening for me besides simply housing. It's also easier to get around without a car there than it is in Albuquerque.

One thing that might keep me in New Mexico for a while is the education situation. Several colleges are completely free here. I don't know if my status as a disabled individual would grant me a scholarship of some sort in Philadelphia or not.

I might see how I even do at this point, get some credits down and find out if they can be transferred to somewhere in Philadelphia after I save up a bit of money.

Now that I have SSI, am on medications that work for me, and am in a better headspace to make decisions/participate in life, it would be possible to afford rent a room at a house with a friend who is rather special to me.

I basically would love to come back to Philadelphia someday, but not if it means sacrificing my access to higher education. I never thought I'd be in the position to go back.

TL;DR-- Does anyone know if I would somehow be able to afford college in Philadelphia? If yes, what would that entail? Are any of the schools out there free in some way like is the case here in Albuquerque?