Neighborhood Guide

Philadelphia may be one of the oldest cities in the United States, but its population is younger than the national average, with more than 40 percent of the population between the ages of 25 and 54. It's a great place to study - and to live.

The first step is to get a sense of where Penn GSE is situated in Philadelphia. This map of the city shows general boundaries for several neighborhoods favored by Penn students. Penn GSE is indicated by a blue pushpin at 37th Street and Walnut Street (in the red West Philadelphia area).

West Philadelphia

Terminology: You will hear parts of West Philadelphia referred to by a variety of names. University City is a general term used for the area surrounding Penn, Drexel, and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (out to 50th Street).

Overview: A great number of students choose to live in West Philadelphia, with undergraduates gravitating toward the region closest to campus (40th to 42nd Streets) and graduate students farther west. The concentration of Penn-affiliated residents tends to decrease west of 48th Street. Some students also opt for the area north of campus known as Powelton Village. For a thorough guide to living in West Philadelphia, visit Penn's Off-Campus Living site.

Accessibility: Unless you choose to live in the farther reaches of West Philadelphia, residences in this area will be the closest to campus. Most residents can walk to Penn GSE within 20 minutes, and it is usually less than a 10-minute drive. The area is served by a variety of public transportation options, and many students take advantage of Penn Transit‘s system of buses and shuttles, as well as the University City District's LUCY buses. These will take you just about anywhere in University City fairly quickly and easily.

Parking: Most areas off campus will have on-street parking (no permit needed), with some apartment buildings providing small parking lots and some rental houses offering driveways. If you decide to drive to campus, there are several parking garages as well as metered on-street parking. Generally, students who live in West Philadelphia tend to walk, bike, or take public transit to get to campus.

Pros:

  • Adjacent to campus
  • Lively and diverse atmosphere
  • Variety of housing options, from Victorian houses to modern luxury apartments

Cons:

  • Some find the high student population problematic

Photo: Sean Dorn

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Center City

Terminology: There are several subdivisions of Center City, but overall the area is cut into quadrants by Broad Street (north and south) and Market Street (east and west). Nearest to campus, the southwest quadrant (Rittenhouse Square) holds high-end stores and residences, while the northwest quadrant (Logan Square) contains several museums and high-rise apartment buildings. The northeast and southeast quadrants house a mixture of neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Old City (see section below).

Overview: Center City, especially west of Broad Street, continues to be a favored place to live for Penn graduate students, primarily because of its big city ambience. While West Philadelphia has a campus vibe and areas like Graduate Hospital and Bella Vista offer a more residential neighborhood feel, Center City provides the restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions typical of downtown city life.

Accessibility: Students who live in the far western portions of Center City might consider walking across one of the bridges into West Philadelphia, but others choose to bicycle or take public transit. Depending on which part of Center City you live in, there might be a convenient SEPTA bus (Routes 21 or 40>, or it might make more sense to use the subway lines, which run north-south under Broad Street and east-west under Market Street with stops every few blocks.

Parking: Generally on-street parking with permit required, except for some apartment buildings or the rare house with a garage

Pros:

  • A wide variety of neighborhoods from peaceful tree-lined streets to active metropolitan areas
  • Close to downtown attractions
  • Plentiful public transportation options

Cons:

  • Limited parking
  • Can feel far from campus

Photo: B. Krist for GPTMC

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Old City

Terminology: Sometimes referred to as Olde City, this area includes many historical attractions, like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as a cluster of bars and clubs that draw significant nighttime crowds.

Overview: A section of Center City close to the Delaware River, Old City is most recognizable for its blend of colonial charm (think red brick and cobblestones) and dynamic nightlife. Properties in this area skew toward high-priced single-family homes and condos, but rental units can be found.

Accessibility: The Market Street subway line can get you from Old City to campus in about 10 minutes. The Route 21 bus runs along Walnut and Chestnut Streets and takes about 20-25 minutes. Driving time is about 10-15 minutes.

Parking: Generally on-street parking with permit required, except for some apartment buildings or the rare house with a garage

Pros:

  • Vibrant atmosphere
  • Desirable properties on picturesque streets

Cons:

  • Distance from campus
  • High volume of tourists and partygoers

Photo: K. Ciappa for GPTMC

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Graduate Hospital

Terminology: This neighborhood has been developed in recent years and realtors have been trying out several alternative names (like South of South, or SoSo). But none seems to have gained supremacy, and Graduate Hospital remains the most recognized label.

Overview: Over the past few years, this neighborhood has become very popular with Penn graduate students. Located just across the Schuylkill River from University City, it offers a less campus-like atmosphere while still retaining a youthful energy. Full row houses and apartments are available for rent, and new construction condos and townhouses are always popping up for sale.

Accessibility: It's a healthy walk to Penn GSE from here (25 minutes and up), so many residents opt to ride their bikes. The quickest route to campus, the South Street Bridge, is scheduled to be closed for reconstruction in the near future. SEPTA's Route 40 bus will take you from 22nd and Lombard Streets (a short walk from Graduate Hospital) to Penn GSE in about 20 minutes. A Penn Bus also runs close to this neighborhood between 5:15 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. on weekdays. Driving times will generally be around 10 minutes.

Parking: On-street parking, with permit required on some streets

Pros:

  • Close to both campus and Center City

Cons:

  • Looming South Street Bridge closure would complicate commute

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Bella Vista and Queen Village

Terminology: These two neighborhoods serve as the gateway from Center City to South Philadelphia. Bella Vista is often referred to as the Italian Market area.

Overview: South Philadelphia has traditionally been comprised of ethnic neighborhoods, and while the metropolitan character of Center City has pushed into its northern sections, it retains much of that heritage. Longstanding institutions like the Italian Market and Fabric Row, coupled with a mixture of newer ethnic communities, give this area an authentic "real Philadelphia" feel-this is a popular destination for cheesesteaks, Vietnamese food, and a good old-fashioned brunch. Such attractive diversity has fostered a solid rental market.    

Accessibility: There is no simple public transportation route to University City from here. You can walk up to Lombard Street to catch the Route 40 bus or up to Walnut Street to get the Route 21 bus, or make your way to the Market Street subway line. Walking times to campus can be upwards of 40 minutes, and driving will take 10-20 minutes.

Parking: Generally on-street parking, usually with permit required, except for some apartment buildings or the rare house with a garage.

Pros:

  • "Old neighborhood" atmosphere
  • Expanding rental market

Cons:

  • Distance from campus
  • Lack of direct transit

Photo: B. Krist for GPTMC 

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Art Museum/Fairmount

Terminology: "Art Museum area" is a more general term for the neighborhoods to the east and north of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which include Fairmount and Spring Garden.

Overview: Formerly considered part of North Philadelphia, Fairmount is another area being claimed by the expanding definition of Center City. An ever-increasing number of sophisticated and/or quirky bars and restaurants points to the developing "village"-like tenor of the neighborhood. Large high-rises near the Art Museum give way to row houses and brownstones as you head north and east, and the rental market is very active.

Accessibility: There is no direct public transportation to campus-you'd likely need to take a combination of buses and trolleys. It's not a simple walk either, but there is a fairly easy bicycle route. Driving time is about 15 minutes.

Parking: Generally on-street parking, often with permit required, except for some apartment buildings or the rare house with a garage

Pros:

  • Hip neighborhood
  • Proximity to green spaces of Fairmount Park

Cons:

  • No direct public transit to campus

 

Photo: B. Krist for GPTMC

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Manayunk

Terminology: Some use the name Manayunk to cover the adjoining neighborhoods of Wissahickon and Roxborough as well.

Overview: This former working-class neighborhood in northwestern Philadelphia is now home to a dense concentration of restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries, and upscale retailers along Main Street, surrounded by row houses lining its steep hills. Popular with nightlife-seekers and commuters to Center City, Manayunk draws many young residents to its extensive rental market.

Accessibility: It is about a 30-minute trip on SEPTA's R6 Regional Rail line to 30th Street Station, which is a short walk or trolley ride from Penn GSE. Driving time is about 20 minutes, though traffic on I-76 can make this a much higher number.

Parking: The steep, narrow streets combine with the popularity of the area (especially at night) to make parking extremely difficult.

Pros:

  • Close to bustling Main Street

Cons:

  • Distance from campus
  • Parking and traffic woes

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