[Tallguy]

Philly's problems are a lot deeper than a corrupt mayor or crime. The demographic shift to the suburbs, which started in the post-War years, continues.

Philly's declining population is really just a technicality. If you include the population of the bordering counties (including S. Jersey), the population continues to grow. Can Phoenix say the same? Given their geographic limitations (Water), I'd guess not.

[gcruse]

Something like the shock a few years ago when San Francisco dropped out as the second largest city in California to San Jose. It wasn't so surprising when realized, though, that SF is on a peninsula and can't grow any more. Still, I was weird.