"Penn's City" Philadelphia by ianerin

This city will always be near and dear to my heart. I lived here for only four months, but have always wanted to move back. Philadelphia doesn't have a reputation as good as many other "lifestyle" cities in the country, but it is still one of my favorite cities in North America. This city has it all, from excellent parks, world-class museums and beautiful historic buildings to pro-sports teams, elite colleges and universities, and a great overall quality of life.

The city has struggled in the past. The city has lost about 40 percent of its population since 1950, though the surrounding suburbs have gained significantly in population. Revitalization efforts have gone a long way towards improving the face of the city. Today's Philadelphia is a far cry from the Philadelphia of 'Rocky' in the 1970s or even 'Trading Places' in the 1980s.

Philadelphia has a lot to offer for both visitors and locals alike. It is truly unlike any other place in the country, a unique urban experience.

Philadelphia is loosely organized into five general areas. The downtown area is Center City, located between the Delaware River to the east, and the Skyulkill River to the west. This area includes the central business district, as well as several residential neighborhoods. Most of the tourist destinations are located in this area.

South Philadelphia is a traditionally immigrant neighborhood, historically mostly Italian, and now there are a large number of south-east Asians moving in. The area has pleasant neighborhoods that eventaully turn into industry and the sports stadiums as you continue south.

West Philadelphia is located across the Skyulkill river from Center City. It is home to both the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. The eastern portion is dominated by these two schools, and has a number of nice victorian homes. The western portion (west of around 40th street) is a little grittier, and there is no real reason to visit the area.

North Philadelphia is also on the gritty side. It is a low-income swath of the city that is home to Temple University. Improvements to the neighborhoods are slow in coming, and unless you are visiting Temple, it might be best to avoid this area altogether.

Northeast Philadelphia is a suburban residential area that has little, if any, interesting sights for tourists.

Perhaps more than any other city, Philadelphia is a showcase of the history of American architecture. It is all here, from the original Federal and Georgian style colonial row-homes, to the majestic Second Empire style City Hall, many of the first international style skyscrapers, and the even taller post-modern office towers.

Also, Philadelphia is one of the best examples of early American city planning. It was laid down in a grid that fit between the two rivers by William Penn, with five major open spaces/parks. That grid has expanded in all directions from the original colonial city and is one of the hallmarks of the city.