Media Credit: Mike Ellis/SP File Photo Pat's King of Steaks, along with its arch-rival Geno's, are major tourist draws to South Philadelphia. The Delaware Valley has been receiving recognition recently for its high quality of life. [Click to enlarge]

From the Constitution Center to cheesesteaks, Philadelphia has something to offer almost every resident and visitor. At least, that's the stance several publications are taking as they recognize the greater Philadelphia area as one of the country's best places to live.

The region, which includes 11 counties within Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, has won top ranks for its businesses, sustainability, hospitals, quality of life and dating scene.

Money magazine ranked several parts of the greater Philadelphia area, such as Nether Providence, in Delaware County, and West Goshen, located in Chester County, as some of the country's best places to live.

And Penn students would agree with these rankings.

SustainLane.com also ranked Philadelphia eighth out of 50 for best sustainability of large cities. Sustainability rankings measure fossil fuel dependence by considering how a city manages public transit, renewable energy, local food and urban development.

This recent uptick in how others see the region doesn't come as a surprise to some Penn students, though.

"Philadelphia has the best of both worlds in that it has what a big city has to offer, yet it also has a neighborhood feel to it," said Alicia Marini, a graduate associate at Rodin College House who has been a Philadelphia resident for five years.

Rising college junior Liz Wayne agree.

"What I enjoy about Philadelphia the most are the parks and scenery. I also like the cultural events that it has to offer," she said.

Philadelphia has also received praise for its well-regarded health-care centers.

U.S. News & World Report ranked 10 Philadelphia area medical centers in its ranking of America's best hospitals.

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania placed 12th in the overall rankings, for instance. Hospital rankings were based on a particular center's ability to see the "toughest patients" with complex medical conditions as well as providing quality patient care and conducting bench-to-bedside research that leads to advances in practice and technology.

"As an employee of the University of Pennsylvania Health Care System, I agree with these [hospital] rankings," Marini said.

Philadelphia also tops the charts for its dating scene. Forbes magazine ranked Philadelphia 12th in its best cities for singles list, basing its decision on factors such as nightlife, culture, job growth and cost of living.

"Philly is great because of its diversity. No matter where you're from you can always find something that interests you. There is always something to do here," stated Rodin Allied Security guard Robert Robinson, who has lived in Philadelphia his whole life.

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