Philly Days
Center City for three years (1973-76): the 500-south block of Juniper Street; then a year on the western fringe of University City (47th and Baltimore).
Before and after: the Bucks County suburbs, commuting (on the former Reading RR) back into the city to work - until six years ago, when I moved to Penn State country.
It's remained second-favorite of all cities I've ever been in (Chicago is #1), and I can still navigate the streets like a native.
"Straight off the boat" from where?