UPENN Housing

[joker]

To anyone going to UPENN next year or those that are there now....do you have any idea where you're going to live next year? I want to live somewhat close to campus, but really wantt to find a roommate (another med student preferred) so I can cut rent costs a bit...if anyone is interested, PM me. Also, if you have any suggestions on places to live, please post here or PM me! Thanks all!!

Oh yeah, anyone going to Penn Preview?

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[Dodohead]

Whatever you do, don't live in their grad housing (Sansom Place). I'm a 4th year graduate student at Penn, and I lived in Sansom my first year here. It is small, overpriced, and not worth the convenience of living close to campus.

If you are looking to keep costs down and still live close to campus, I would suggest checking out places in West University City (West Philly). You want to look at places above 42nd-43rd street, though, since all the ones further east (below 42nd street) are heavily populated with undergrads and fraternities.

If you have any specific questions, you can PM me.

- Katie.

 

[klooless]

I'm 95% sure I'll be at Penn next year. When I finished my interviews, I called my mother and was like, "I'm coming here." And though I don't quite remember why, I'm going to try to trust myself!

I'll def be at Penn preview.

And is the grad housing ridiculous because it's overpriced for its size, or is there something else lacking?

 

[luverofpenn]

sansom place is not that bad. some of my friends live there. only live past 42nd street only if you wanna gamble with your life or youre just used to the slums

try downtown. penn shuttle goes to 20th street

peace

 

[Dodohead]

Originally posted by luverofpenn
sansom place is not that bad. some of my friends live there. only live past 42nd street only if you wanna gamble with your life or youre just used to the slums

It all depends on your crossstreet. Avoid Market, Chestnut, and Wlanut past 42nd and you are fine (Osage, Pine, Spruce, Hazel are all fine).

I have 3 friends who currently live on 48th and Hazel. Its a very nice, residental area.

- Katie.

 

[Taleof50]

several med students also live at 2400 Chestnut...

 

[Anka]

I share a huge, beautiful house w/ 2 students (one nursing, one immunology grad) in West Philla. $450 per month. And it really is beautiful, with a garden and the whole bit.

Be prepared to shop around.

Realize that Philla housing is available usually the month you're looking at it (i.e., don't expect to see good deals for August in June).

There's a 'hotel' called the Divine Tracy which works out to $400/ mo. It's run by a very strange group of religous people, who will require you to wear a skirt if female and trousers (not jeans) if male. But it will give you a chance to shop around to find the housing, roommates, etc. you want. It's about four blocks from campus.

PM me if you've got any questions. Otherwise, it looks like I'll be seeing you at the preview weekend!!! Congrads everyone.

Anka

 

[beponychick]

Hey guys,

congratulations on your acceptance to Penn. I graduated from Penn undergrad in May 2003. I lived in Sansom West my last two years and I have to say, it is definetly a great place to live. It is very close to the med school (approx 10 min walk) and close to the library.

 

[Dodohead]

My problems with Sansom East:

1. The size of the rooms. A 10' x 9' room in a shared apartment (I was in the double apartment) was really too small for me.

2. The dinginess of the rooms.

3. The itty-bitty kitchenettes (we had a 3/4 height fridge for 2 people and a kitchen table that was no larger than a stool)

4. The tiny bathroom (standing shower with no places to put things, a toilet crammed in tight next to it, and no closet space or storage area).

5. The recirculated air (that caused me to be ill from about Oct thru Feb), and fact that my windows would shake and make a terrible noise whenever the wind blew.

6. The frequent fire alarms on Sat mornings.

7. The plastic matress on the bed which made a terrible noise whenever you sat on it, and was just generally uncomforatble.

8. Not having control over my heating. It was blazing hot all winter.

That being said, if you are used to living in a big city (like Manhattan, where I have friends who stay in similar places for twice the cost), then none of these things will likely bother you. Or if you have really low expectations, then you will also be fine. I didn't despise it there, I just would not have chosen to live there if I had visited beforehand.

I would shop around and try to find something nicer. I would even suggest doing as someone else suggested and staying at the Divine Tracy for a month, or with friends or something, before you decide. I moved into Sansom b/c I was out of the state right up until classes started and I didn't have the time to search for a better place.

Good luck!!

- Katie.

 

[Dodohead]

One more thought...

The bigger rooms in Sansom are much better. I had friends in the 1-bedroom/efficiencies, and also some in the married apartments, and they generally seemed to get more for your money (the rooms were MUCH bigger). The size of the rooms in the 2-bedroom shared apartments are really small.

 

[joker]

If anyone is looking for a roomate at UPENN for next year...PM me. I'm probably going to live at 2400 chestnut...but am open to other places...I'd like to share a 2 BR with somebody.

 

[2bkiddoc]

Congrats to everyone going to Penn! I'm applying this summer, but have been living in philly (while working at the Children's Hospt of Phila) for the past two years. I wanted to post some housing related stuff for yall.

First, check out www.craigslist.com and select philadelphia as the city. Create a post, mention youre a med student looking for another med student (or graduate student) and you will get a crap load of replies... you'll probably get responses from from healthcare professionals too... and you an anonymize your posting so people wont see your email until you decide you want them to.

Thats a great place to start...

I live in west philly now at 42nd inbetween woodland and chester in a great five bedroom house i share with four pharmacy grad students. You're all lucky cause there are so many medical schools in the area that you'll probably be able to find something.

If you have any q's about areas, etc, feel free to PM me.

Also, check out the penn transit page below and check out where the penn transit shuttle and bus run. As long as you stay within the designated areas you WONT have a worry abotu getting home safely. I often go home regularly (every night almost) after midnight and ALWAYS take the shuttle. They drive a little recklessly, but its a means to get home!

http://www.upenn.edu/transportation/schedules.html

Congrats again!!

 

[Taleof50]

www.pennforsale.com is also pretty good if you're looking for sublets or roommates. scroll down to 'rent' on the left scroll-down menu.

 

[ImmunoANT]

Everybody talks about renting an apt / living at dorm. Well, is anyone interested in buying a condo/apt? My dad thinks (and I agree) it'll be a good investment since I'm going to be at one place for so long (8 yr, am in MSTP). Any inside info?

 

[joker]

just checkin to see if any SDNers are looking to share a 2-BR apt in 2400 chestnut with me next year...PM me for more personal info....i'd be glad to get to know you guys/gals!

 

[Josh7]

Hello,
If u're looking to be at 27 and South, near HUP, I've a 2BR/2BA available beginning Aug 15, poss Sept 1.
It's 1550 plus utils. New rehabbed kitchen, fully repainted (in process), with basement and own washer/dryer. Let me know! [email protected]
I used to work at Penn and am looking for a responsible tenant, about 1000 sq feet. NO smoking, poss cat allowed with add. deposit.

Hopefully he's doing some sort of long surgical residency so he's at the UPenn hospital and wanting to live there... Seeing as it has been EIGHT YEARS

 

[brooklynblunder]

edit: wtf @this thread being upped

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Much appreciated

Dude what is with all these generic responses?