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West Philadelphia
*** Shopping-Tip: West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia is a region of the
City of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
United States. Though there is no set official definition on the boundaries of the region, the region can be described as western side of the
Schuylkill River to the city line the
SEPTA R3 (SEPTA) being used as a reference for the southern border of the region. Occasionally West Philadelphia is described as being the area west of the Schuylkill River, this definition would also include the region of
R3 (SEPTA) being used as a reference for the southern border of the region. Occasionally West Philadelphia is described as being the area west of the Schuylkill River, this definition would also include the region of
Southwest Philadelphia and its neighborhoods.
West Philadelphia's population expanded significantly in the late 1800s and early 1900s and the area was home to a large segment of Philadelphia's middle-class population communting into the Central Business District a few miles to the East. The Western portion of the neighborhood was once home to some of the most expensive real estate in the country, but over the last 50 years has declined in prominence as crime rates have increased and much of the cities middle- and upper-classes have migrated to the suburbs and other sections of the city. Striking Victorian architecture remains, recalling the area's glorious past. In recent years, parts of West Philadelphia have undergone "Penntrification," a term that reflects the University of Pennsylvania's role in
gentrification of the neighborhood. The area has experienced a resurgence in popularity with young professionals and families.
West Philadelphia is the home to several universities, including the
University of Pennsylvania,
St. Joseph's University,
Drexel University, and the
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
To people outside of Philadelphia, West Philadelphia is widely known from being mentioned in the theme song to the television series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in which
Will Smith sings the lyric "In West Philadelphia, born and raised", reflecting his origins in the
Overbrook neighborhood.
West Philadelphia is also the neighborhood of the Pryor family in the
NBC drama
American Dreams, which is set in the mid-1960's.
External links
- University City Historical District - history of the area now known as West Philadelphia
- City of Philadelphia neighborhoods - West Philadelphia - official city website's neighborhood web page with related links
- West Philadelphia Data and Information Resources - University of Pennsylvania
- West Philadelphia On The Web - a collection of 200 links to community resources
- The building of West Philadelphia
Category:Philadelphia neighborhoods
