Who's saying it isn't?

Also usually people not in/from Philadelphia will say "the city" meaning center city and surrounding area. I don't like it or say it myself but recognize the difference. They're not saying x neighborhood isn't in Philadelphia but are making a distinction between neighborhoods and downtown.

Should they just say Center City or Downtown, Yes. But if they want to pretend this is New York City where Manhattan is "the city" who am I to stop them.

People who say it to mean not that but are trying to say x or y neighborhood isn't or is "really Philadelphia" are moronic hipsters who exist in the same handful of neighborhoods and are scared to take the bus.

On the other hand, old farts that are afraid of leaving their neighborhood who refer to there NEIGHBORHOOD as a town are equally fucking stupid. You live in a neighborhood in a city not a separate town. The words you say matter you fucking troglodyte.