From early 20th century until the 1970s people lived in very walkable neighborhoods and took the subways and street cars to work. Read this post of excerpts fro

From early 20th century until the 1970s people lived in very walkable neighborhoods and took the subways and street cars to work. Read this post of excerpts from a memoir of growing up in West Philadelphia circa 1968 -- https://devinhelton.com/lost-world-of-west-philadelphia https://devinhelton.com/lost-world-of-west-philadelphia Or better yet, read the book: https://www.amazon.com/Philly-War-Zone-Growing-Battleground-ebook/dp/B079JXKWTJ/ https://www.amazon.com/Philly-War-Zone-Growing-Battleground-... Here is a small quote: Around this time of day, I’d be taking my time walking home with my friends from Most Blessed Sacrament School, or “MBS” as everyone called it. Once home, I’d quickly get out of my school clothes, put on my play clothes, and be on my way to my favorite place in the world, Myers playground. I always felt so safe on Cecil Street. On warm summer nights, lots of adults would sit on soft cushions on the top step of the four concrete steps that led from the edge of our front porches down to the sidewalk. Neighbors would sit out for hours, talking with other neighbors, many of them enjoying a cold beer or some other cold drink. At least one neighbor would have the Phillies game blasting on their transistor radio. So we’d be able to keep track of the Phillies game while we were running up and down the street having fun. I knew everybody on Cecil Street, and they all knew me. In fact, I knew almost everybody in our section of the neighborhood. And I felt safe no matter where I went. All us kids knew that most parents around here looked out for all the kids, not just their own. The way I heard it: right after I was born, Dad simply didn’t renew his license, sold his big black Chevy, and never drove again. Years later, when I asked Dad about it, he said, “Kev, I could take the “13” trolley on Chester Avenue to work. I could walk to the grocery store. I could walk to the bar. And I was tired of driving your mom and Nonna all over the city. What the hell did I need a car for?” I have heard personal anecdotes from family relating similar stories.