living near University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Washington: apartments, renters, condos)

[phpn10]

Good morning to all and a request for help in locating residential areas ..

for a single female in late twenties with workplace University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia

have a car but would like to use optimally

great love for outdoors, walks, running, hikes, sports and social outings

thinking of looking for renting an apartment in a complex to start with

have tried to give details to avoid too general a query and will answer more questions to help you help me..

Thanks in advance..

[bryson662001]

The area immediatly surrounding the u of p is a delightful neighborhood with upscale shopping (always reminded me of west London because of the mix of Victorian and Brutalist architecture) but it is very expensive with limited housing other than fraternitys and dorms (the U owns most of the land) More than a few blocks from the campus things go down hill fast and become ghetto so of course rents will drop. You will have much more to choose from across the river in Center City proper. Try www.4wallsinphilly.com and www.apartmentguide.com using zip 19103, 19102 or 19107. Walnut St is the main route west into U City and Chestnut St is east bound to come home.

[docindigo76]

Also consult the Penn Campus Office of Off-Campus Services for landlord reviews and a searchable database of rentals throughout the Philadelphia metro area: Off-Campus Services. Look for the link to search housing on the upper left. This will be good for finding landlords that prefer to rent to UPenn personnel. The links posted immediately above will also be very helpful in your search.

What is your budget? If you want to live immediately adjacent to campus, for apartments that are a mix of graduate students, fellows, and professionals, expect to pay upwards of $2000/mo. Parking will be an option though in dedicated lots at a fee of several hundred dollars more.

Apartments that are west of 40th St, from Locust St. south to about Baltimore Ave., are a mix of quality and price range. It is also undergrad central and can be rowdy at times. You may find something as low as $600 for a studio in a fringe area up to $1000-$1200 for a nicer 1 or 2 bedroom. If you are not familiar living in a more challenged neighborhood you would not want to go west of 43rd, where I think the Penn security patrol stops their coverage. Also parking is mostly street parking.

West Center City and Rittenhouse has a variety of options from brownstone to highrise, with better apartments starting approx. $1200-1500; you may score something nice for a little less but that's a decent ballpark figure imo.

[phpn10]

thank you bryson and docindigo..I hv started working on your leads..
can I ask another prelim question?
I might hv to at a later date split time between Valley Forge and U Penn area (20% Valley Forge/80% U Penn area) ..u think it will still be better to be on the East side of the river? I mean the longer work commute time will be worth the other 'locational' pluses?
Thanks

[bryson662001]

Most of the time the quickest way out to Valley Forge is the I-76 freeway. Access to that is at 29th St and JFK Blvd at the river's edge so whether you travel west from Center City or east from University City to hook up to it is a wash.

[rainrock]

The Schuylkill River is fairly small and has a half dozen bridges connecting University City and Center Cty. There will be no effect on a commute to Valley Forge in regards to being on a certain side of the river.

As bryson and docindigo mentioned the Center City neioghborhoods e.g., Rittenhouse Square,Fitler Square,Art Museum area sound like the best matches for you.

Fairmount,Washington West,Soceity Hill, Old City are close behind.

These neighborhoods are all close to the great social amenities of Center City and close to Schuylkill River Park. SRP is a recreational trail that runs from Center City to Valley Forge- running,biking,rollerblading etc.

Schuylkill River Park leads directly to Wissahickon Gorge and Valley Forge.

Good luck.

http://www.schuylkillbanks.org/hotSp...3&hotSpotID=12

Wissahickon Gorge

LocalHikes - Wissahickon River Gorge

[phpn10]

Thanks to those who replied so far and request to others who can..

any advice on the short list?


1) Chestnut hill ---Tower apartments

2) Cityline Avenue--Executive House

Presidential City

Imperial Towers

3) University City--Hamilton Court East

From-------------Center City-----------The following

1) Washington Square West--Ben Franklin House

2) Rittenhouse Square East---Newport

1500 Locust

3) Logan Square / Parkway--- Park Towne Place

One Franklin Town

Metropolitan

Windsor Suites

In Fairmount---may be 1 or 2

[bryson662001]

OK now it's time for www.apartmentratings.com
Keep in mind that satisfyed renters don't comment so the fewer comments the better. Also many comments are bogus, you have to kind of read between the lines. Also your list is kind of split between Center City where a car is an expense and more suburban settings where you pretty much need a car so that is somthing to decide.

[phpn10]

hello friends, I'm back..with more homework..
now I have shortlisted ..

1)2400, Chestnut Street, 19103

2)Edgewater Aprtmnts,
2323 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103


3)Benjamin Franklin aprtmnts 834 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107


4) The Versailles 1530 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102


5) Rittenhouse Claridge 201 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Call: 1 (888) 878-9894

6) 222 Rittenhouse

222 West Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103

7) 1500, Locust St 19103


8)Westminister Arch Apartments

2223 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) and



9) Wellington Apartments

135 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103



will be most grateful for views on ..
priority ranking

(and if I shd add or drop any?)


thanks a million..to those who helped so far in my reaching here and who I am sure will do so again..
(and with hopes of new helping hands)


thanks again..

[Tone509]

I used to live in Westminster Arch some 15 years ago. It's almost all studio apts albeit fairly larger ones. I think their rents used to be relatively low because of the then-abandoned building. I believe though that said building has finally(!) been rehabbed into apts and condos. I'd check the condition of WA though as the outside always seems a little shabby when I pass it. Hopefully the inside maintenance is better.

Overall, the other apts you're interested should be convenient and comfortable. Just be certain that you're comfortable with the amenities at whatever price point they're offering.