I nearly bought a new townhome at the edge of Fairmount Park in the late 80's. I changed my mind and went out to the 'burbs and never moved back to Phildelphia. I loved living there in the 80's but I had enough brushes with crime that I figured my time was up. I think it was the right decision. Of course now our son has moved into the city . . . hard to argue with him when he's doing just what I did at his age.
Cities are exciting and great places to live pre-marriage. The Art Museum area was the best of urban living; minutes to center city, boat house row, Fairmount park. University city was just a bike ride across the river, lots of great eateries and pubs but if you are at the wrong place at the wrong time your life can be change forever.