I honestly don't know how Germantown can be a good area..my mom is obviously not a youngin and isn't a hipster looking for a place to live, so the area around South St (shops+restaurants isn't for her..and probably out of the price range).
We drove through Germantown when we were coming into the city, drove straight down Germantown Ave..it is, well, awful. She currently lives in Royal Oak, MI. Before that, West Bloomfield.
I don't want to start any hate or seem racist, but the entire Germantown area seemed to be a big ghetto. She did not find it safe.
When you guys say West Philly, do you mean by UPenn? Baltimore Ave. area?