Does Philadelphia have the best downtown in the US?

[Lenses & Lights.]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

I agree with what you said about University City not being part of Downtown/Center City but West Philly does not extend all the way to the Airport. Southwest Philly is not part of West Philly as they are two distinct sections of the city.

I humbly disagree... There will probably always be debates on sections of the city. Like Logan/Nice Town/ Hunting Park/Feltonville/Olney/ Kensington/etc; as being part of North Philadelphia or being their own sections. I'm "KNOWING" that back in the 70's early 80's residents of Olney would NEVER identify with their section of town as being a part of North Philly. Heck even Nictown & Logan residents claimed that they were their OWN city sections akin to Germantown..., back THEN anyway.

I have family all over West Philadelphia, South Side and North. Anything north of Market or across the "El Tracks" was the North Side and anything South of Market was the South Side. Back in our youthful days we used to ride bikes and sometimes walk all over those neighborhoods from 52nd & Master to 52nd & Woodland Avenue. I had family over at 54th & Trinity and 54th Bartram Avenue, even up in Wynnefield around 54th & Berks. It was ALL West Philly to US, meaning my friends, family, and neighbors. We talked the same, dressed the same, acted the same, same streets names & numbers, etc.. Funny thing though is my Wynnefield family swore up & down that they weren't located in West Philly...., BUT loved to shout it out at parties or tell others when it was asked "Where's Wynnefield?" & most people would say "Oh, you mean West Philly right?"

Back then when it seemed to matter, we recognized that South, North, Germantown, Mt. Airy, Oak Lane, etc; had Very Different personality's, dress styles, etc.
Back on topic, I think Philly has one of the best downtown's in the US and hopefully it'll continue to build. I would love to see Penn & Drexel continue to build and invest as well as outside investors who'll create jobs and new residents. It has a lot of potential to become a force of it's own with IT's OWN identity.