I've lived way southwest my entire life (72nd and buist). It's not nice here, stay away. I'm moving to 11th and washington monday (whoo!) and I really dig that area. However, I wouldn't concider it older architecture at all. It's almost a little too intercity. If your looking for older houses that are not crazy outside of philly, I would look no further than west phil, as previous posters have suggested. Specifically between 40th and 50th and market and springfield. There are some really kick ass homes there. There are some nice parts northwest, but its a hike from the city. My whole life I always wondered why philly spreads so far north. Its really just richie sprawl.