Moving to Philly June 6 (Philadelphia, Springfield: apartments, leasing, lofts)

[tmellis8]

Hi, I'm starting medical residency at UPenn in mid june and am trying to figure out what neighborhoods/apartments are worth looking at. I've heard that a lot of residents live in rittenhouse, the art museum area, and center city - but I'm very confused by the other various neighborhoods.

When are you moving? Philadelphia (Center City)
Where are you coming from? Florida
Why are you moving? Work
Where will you be working? Hospital of the university of pennsylvania
Have you been here yet? no

Will you buy or rent? Rent

If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft?
I like lofts, but I'm open.

can you spend? 800-1550. 1200 is really the target.

Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? either

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single, no kids


Do you have pets? cat. spoiled.
Do you want or need a yard? no
Are you keeping a car? no
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? calm near activity?

What do you want to be closest to?
WORK
Nightlife
Train or subway stations

[FindingZen]

Center City is what we call our downtown. It is made up of many neighborhoods, including the Art Museum area, Rittenhouse Square and others. I would actually add Fitler Square as it is slightly closer walking distance across the Schuykill (SCHOOL-kill, SCHOOL-cull) River than Rittenhouse Square just above it. Rittenhouse Square is one of the more expensive and active neighborhoods in the city. The Art Museum is the furthest but is still fairly convenient and would give you access to biking and jogging trails along nearby Fairmount Park.

I'd also look into University City itself where Penn is located. You'll want to look due west of Penn, perhaps west of 43rd St to avoid antsy undergrads and east of 48th Street to avoid more challenged parts of West Philly. Locust St and Springfield Ave would be good northern/southern boundaries as well. Apartments are dramatically cheaper here; you may even end up leasing a floor in a house. You could take a quick trip on the light rail trolley or bus to work although you may even be able to walk on a good day, depending on how far out you are.

[newmarlig]

You should also check Washington Square West, which is also a part of center city. Public transportation to Penn is quick and simple by bus or subway.

[PhillyViaBoston]

Here's a web page that describes the various "neighborhoods" of Center City (though unfortunately it doesn't match them to street names): Center City District / Central Philadelphia Development Corporation Of Philadelphia

I also love the Washington Square West area. You can take a bus straight up Walnut Street to the HUP area, and when the South Street bridge construction is complete (November 2010?) you'd have the option of going straight up Lombard Street too.

The coolest lofts I've seen were in the area of Old City North of Market between Front & 5th Sts, though it's not a walk to HUP from there either.

In case it's helpful, the SEPTA web site has a good (Google-based) Trip Planner tool that shows you various commuting options. SEPTA | Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority This might help you figure out the shortest options of public transport to HUP.

Good luck!

[pman]

fitler sq or graduate hospital. once south st bridge is done you can just walk across the bridge.

[niceguy19125]

I too recommend Fitler Square.

Fitler Square is an amazing, oft-overlooked neighborhood just past Rittenhouse Square. Its a quiet corner of Center City with little traffic because most of the streets dead-end at the river. Yet you're very close (walkable)to the stores/restaurants of Rittenhouse and the rest of Center City. You can also easily bike/walk to Penn across the Walnut Street or South Street bridges, or a SEPTA bus along the same route. A lot of Penn grad students live in the area and it has a close-knit small town feel about it.