Housing in PA & Other Essential Info.

[AggieMed05]

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Before we get started, I'd like to let you all know that I do, indeed, realize that this thread has already come up. Unfortunately, due to the absense of the forum search capability, I'll have to assume my alter-ego today. Greetings, I am Captain Redundancy.

Now, let's get to the topic at hand.

As we are nearing the fall start for many of the PA postbacs, UPenn and Drexel in particular, many of us from the other side of the nation are thinking about housing. My situation is this:

I'm hoping to be admitted to the UPenn PreHealth program, but my interview isn't until this Friday (7/29). As a result, I probably won't know whether or not I'm in until mid-August. This wouldn't be as big of a problem if I didn't live in CA and if I had some knowledge of the area around UPenn. But, as my luck would have it, I'm from Davis and I've never, ever, been to PA. Yipes!

I know that a lot of other folks are in my same predicament. We will be moving out to PA probably a few weeks before classes start, hoping feverishly that we will be able to find safe/affordable/decent housing, cheap furniture, the right books, classrooms, etc. Some of us are going alone (me), and some of us aren't. Some of us are bringing cars, and some of us aren't (me, again). Whatever our situation, we are all in for quite an adventure. That being said, I think that we need to stick together. If you are in a similar position and find good housing, cheap consignment stores, the campus bookstore, or anything else worth mentioning, please, for the love of dog, post it here! I've already seen a few threads where people have mentioned some different areas such as Center City, Rittenhouse, and others. Could somebody brief me on what areas are around/closest to UPenn?

And for those of you who actually live in PA and/or know your way around the city, this thread is for you, too! Let us pre-Philadelphians know about good and bad areas, the local transit system, or even your favorite coffee house. Honestly, any information is good information. I don't care if your post is "don't eat the shrimp at Joe's Grill" or "the potholes on 76th street will eat you alive." Let's just get something out there, people! And while I would appreciate hearing from anyone, I would especially like to know what the other UPenners are doing!

Besides the general stuff, I would also like to know:
1) are there any 24-hour gyms near the Penn campus?
2) what are some good thrift stores?
3) is there a time of day when I shouldn't be walking around by myself?

Let the enlightenment begin!

P.S. Feel free to post your own PA questions!

 

[Jack1919]

Hiya,

First of all, you'll probably hear sooner than mid-August after your interview. I had an interview last Friday and I received word on Tuesday. I think they realize that it's coming down to brass tacks for us so they're giving notice ASAP.

Anyway, the area that Penn is in is called - University City. Other areas close by but across the Schuykill (prnounced Skoo-kull) and worth looking in are Rittenhouse Square, Graduate Hospital, and Art Museum/Fairmount Park. Check out craigslist and Phialdelphia Weekly or City Paper.

All of these areas are pretty safe. Like any big city, if you stay aware and savvy then you should be just fine. The neighborhood around Penn is real safe. During the Fall and Spring it's packed with so many students between Penn and Drexel that you really shouldn't worry. My advice to everyone is get a bike. That's how I get around everywhere in Center City.

-Sorry I don't know of any 24 hour gyms by Penn, but there could be a bunch for all I know. I know there's a popular gym called "Sweat" on South 24th, which is real close to Penn. And then Penn is suppossed to have a real nice gym.

-I do know there is a lot of consignment shops around South Street - Greene Street and Philly Vintage are two of them. If you've never been to Philadelphia you'll get a kick out of South Street. After living here for awhile you might not.

Ok, well best of luck to you.

 

[vir0n]

I have a couple of rooms available in my beautiful furnished 3600 square foot town home. However, my place is not in the city. If you are interested, private message me. A lot of my renters are young professionals who work at the area's pharmaceutical companies. ie. Merck, GSK, etc.

Vir0n

 

[sendwich]

could someone comment on where i can find mid to large-sized grocery/supermarkets around center city? the only ones i've bumped into are the "hole-in-the-wall" type deli markets or liquor store-types of places.

thanks!

 

[Jack1919]

There is a freshgrocer/Whole foods on 40th & Walnut, a Whole Foods on 10 and South Street, and another one on 22nd and Callowhill. There's also a Trader Joe's around Market and 22nd.

 

[LAcmw]

you know i've never been to davis, but i live in LA. i can tell you that i used to live in phila also when i was a freshman at temple. although, it was over 10 years ago, i highly doubt the city changed that much. anyway, my point here is that phila is definitely not on my top 5 fave list by any means, but the schools are great in that area...but, coming from CA and being a resident of the state--did you ever think about schools here? i'm originally from NJ and turned down a postbacc program at rutgers because when it comes to postbacc ...it just wasn't worth it even with in-state tuition. actually, all my education is from the east coast..graduated from NC. did you apply anywhere here in the state?