Anyone know about housing near Penn?

[Esco]

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To those definitely going to Penn or attending Penn right now, what is the housing situation like over there near the university. I heard most grad students live in center city? How far is that from the school and do you think the sacrifice of convenience is worth living in the downtown area where there is a lot more going on? Also, how much does a nice (read clean) apt. in university city usually run?

 

[lub]

Not only am I most probably going to PENN (unless Harvard comes through), but I attended PENN undergrad as well, so I am pretty familiar with the housing in PHilly.
Umm...I have heard that most people live in Center City as well. You should expect to pay about 600-700/month (not including utilities).
I've also heard that a handful of people live in teh Grad Towers. Although the location is ideal (right smack dab in the middle of penn's campus), the rooms suck, and the building is pretty crappy...it is cheaper (500/month), and has ethernet access though.
I am also udner the impression that a good number of students live in West Philly (which is also where I will probably live if i attend penn). The housing is a lot cheaper (300-400/month for a nice place). The only problem is that a lot of undergrads live there, so housing goes really fast! And one word of advice, although people will tell you west philly is unsafe, don't listen to them...As long as you are living east of 43rd Street (43 and below) on either Walnut, Spruce, or Chesnut Streets, you should be totally fine...

If you have any other questions, let me know...

 

[Esco]

Sooo, you can find a real nice place in west philly? I figured a lot of undergrads live in that area, but I also assumed that they would probably be dingy since landlords could take advantage of their situation (having to live close to campus) and not really maintain the property. If I did choose to live in Center city though, is that a reasonable walk to campus, or would you bike it...or better yet, does the shuttle system serve that area? Thanks...& G'luck with the Big H...they gave me the BIG R (rejection)

 

[lub]

It depends where you live in Center City. You can always bike it, and if you live between 20-23rd, you can easily walk it (Philly is a bit strange the next street after 23rd is 30th, not 24th).
Shuttle is also an option, but it may be a bit of pain because it runs every 15-20 minutes...

So, if you live in center city, my advice is look into housing in the twenties...I think a lot of med students live in 2200 Chestnut.

As far as west philly, I currently live there, adn live in an amazing building...My apt is as expensive as center city, but its on 39th Street, which is three blocks away from Stemmler Hall, so its really close to campus. You do have to be careful with west philly. Some housing sucks, but other places are really nice. Ideally, if possible, I would suggest making a trip to philly if you can. Otherwise, do you knwo anyone in Philly who could check out a few places that sould reasonable?

 

[chgpwd]

Hi again,

Are either of you going to Penn Preview? Part of the weekend will be spent looking at housing in West Philly and in Center City.

 

[chgpwd]

For me personally, I will DEFINITELY be living in a $900/mo center city high rise. 😎

 

[Thewonderer]

I differ in opinion in that a friend living around 42nd and spruce had her house broken into during spring break. On the other hand, I have another friend who has living in grad tower for 2 straight years and heading for a 3rd one. Grad tower is not that expensive because $450 for a room that shares a bathroom would include ethernet + phone + utilities charges. One single bedroom is not bad either. But double-bedroom apartments suck!

 

[lub]

Like I said, I think you have to check out any place before committing to staying there. If you're on Walnut or Chestnut, you're pretty safe even if you're on 42nd. Walnut is pretty busy, and there's a police dept on 40th and Chestnut. Spruce is a little sketch, but if you're careful, you shouldn't have any problems. (Just my opinion--I mean, I am 5'1" and female, and have never felt unsafe around 40/41st streets--I personally wouldn't live past 41st, but I know lots of people who do)....

I haven't quite decided whether I am coming to PENN Preview or not...i have lived in Philly for five years, adn know that I am coming to PENN...So, it doesn't make much sense to take two days off from work...

 

[Dr. Kermit]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Thewonderer:
•I differ in opinion in that a friend living around 42nd and spruce had her house broken into during spring break. On the other hand, I have another friend who has living in grad tower for 2 straight years and heading for a 3rd one. Grad tower is not that expensive because $450 for a room that shares a bathroom would include ethernet + phone + utilities charges. One single bedroom is not bad either. But double-bedroom apartments suck!•••••My boyfriend is currently at Penn for grad school. He lives in the Grad Towers. Originally, he was set to share a two bedroom/one bathroom with another grad student. You do not get a choice of with whom you live. They try to match up student by having "floors." However, he was on the law floor with another engineer.

(You do rank which room you'd like there is a really small efficiency with a bathroom for ~$400/month. A really nice one bedroom with a small living room and kitchen for $800/month. Then, there are the two bedrooms apartments for ~450/month. I think there may also be apartments without kitchens, but my boyfriend didn't look into those.)

My boyfriend lucked out because in July he got moved to a one-bedroom apartment. It's a nice size, but a little old and dingy. The oven doesn't work that well and the bathroom is tiny. Every time you enter, you'll have your student ID card swiped by security. You'll have to wait for paper and package delivery. And, if you have visitors, you need to sign them in and if they stay over night, it can't be for more than four consecutive days. Finally, there are 20 floors of the high rise (I think), so good luck getting to class if you live above the 5th floor 🙂

 

[Esco]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by chgpwd:
•Hi again,

Are either of you going to Penn Preview? Part of the weekend will be spent looking at housing in West Philly and in Center City.•••••chgwpd,
I see you made your decision, you couldn't go wrong with either one...I'll see you at the preview weekend I guess!!