Moving to UPENN .. What is the best safest nearest apartments? (Philadelphia: lease, house)

[drothman]

I am moving to UPenn and am looking for the best , safest , nearest apartments to upenn some people recommended DOMUS AND LEFT BANK ... please tell me what do u recommend + I need to know what are the safe area and what are the dangerous area in phily .... i would really appreciate your answer

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by drothman

I am moving to UPenn and am looking for the best , safest , nearest apartments to upenn some people recommended DOMUS AND LEFT BANK ... please tell me what do u recommend + I need to know what are the safe area and what are the dangerous area in phily .... i would really appreciate your answer

If you can afford Domus or Left Bank, that's among the best there is University City. Most other housing is in low-rise apartments and converted homes. If Domus appeals to you, the other alternatives may not impress you as much. Some students choose to cross the Schuykill River (SCHOOl-kill) River into Center City (downtown) neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Square and Fitler Square.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Tone509

If you can afford Domus or Left Bank, that's among the best there is University City. Most other housing is in low-rise apartments and converted homes. If Domus appeals to you, the other alternatives may not impress you as much. Some students choose to cross the Schuykill River (SCHOOl-kill) River into Center City (downtown) neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Square and Fitler Square.

Domus is nice but if you can afford it then you can afford Center City which offers so many more choices and is just a short bus ride to UPenn. Left Bank is sort of in a no man's zone by itself between the two neighborhoods so it isn't close to anything. Having said that Domas is actually great, nice neighborhood, well located and convenient to everything.

[drothman]

thank u very much for ur help, but is it a safe area there, so i can walk around and go to upenn walking ???? and also for my wife who need to go to drexel by walk ? and what are the dangerous area that i shouldnt go to ?

[newmarlig]

I would look in the Rittenhouse Square area. It's relatively safe and convenient to both Penn and Drexel.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by drothman

thank u very much for ur help, but is it a safe area there, so i can walk around and go to upenn walking ???? and also for my wife who need to go to drexel by walk ? and what are the dangerous area that i shouldnt go to ?

Yes that portion of University City is as safe as Center City. That's why it is expensive. I tell people don't go west of 40th st, south of Spruce (except for HUP) or north of Market. If you are an urban pioneer with good street smarts and a high tolerance for rough areas then you can venture a little further.

[docindigo76]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

Having said that Domus is actually great, nice neighborhood, well located and convenient to everything.

Take it from a resident--Domus is terrible. It looks pretty on the outside, sure. I would never recommend anyone live here and I cannot wait to leave when my lease is up this year. It is a waste of money and mismanaged and not all that safe. There are security holes all over the building, the interiors are very poor quality. False fire alarms are a problem. I have cracks in my ceilings and have had cabinetry collapse. I could find something more suitable in Center City for 1/2-2/3 of the cost of my place about the same size or maybe even larger.

The Left Bank isn't really any better. I had some colleagues who lived there who had a severe mold problem which was not solved until the Philadelphia Health Department stepped in.

So drothman--take this from a Penn faculty--look elsewhere. Penn has a decent Office of Off-Campus Living--use it as a resource for your apartment or house search. As for what is "safe"--that's somewhat relative and may vary with what you are used to where you are from. There is Penn security on nearly every corner where you'd have business walking in this part of the city, and where they are not, they can call the University City Patrol to escort you to where you need to go. I know the Penn security guards are out as far west as 43rd--probably a block or two farther. We also have shuttle service in the evenings that can take you right to your door in areas not immediately off campus (like further West in University City, or in Center City west of Broad Street to the river). Check the Penn public safety website for definitive information about this. Drexel I think also has similar services.

Originally Posted by newmarlig

I would look in the Rittenhouse Square area. It's relatively safe and convenient to both Penn and Drexel.

I would second that and hope I can find something in that neighborhood when the time comes!

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by docindigo76

Take it from a resident--Domus is terrible. It looks pretty on the outside, sure. I would never recommend anyone live here and I cannot wait to leave when my lease is up this year. It is a waste of money and mismanaged and not all that safe. There are security holes all over the building, the interiors are very poor quality. False fire alarms are a problem. I have cracks in my ceilings and have had cabinetry collapse. I could find something more suitable in Center City for 1/2-2/3 of the cost of my place about the same size or maybe even larger.

The Left Bank isn't really any better. I had some colleagues who lived there who had a severe mold problem which was not solved until the Philadelphia Health Department stepped in.

So drothman--take this from a Penn faculty--look elsewhere. Penn has a decent Office of Off-Campus Living--use it as a resource for your apartment or house search. As for what is "safe"--that's somewhat relative and may vary with what you are used to where you are from. There is Penn security on nearly every corner where you'd have business walking in this part of the city, and where they are not, they can call the University City Patrol to escort you to where you need to go. I know the Penn security guards are out as far west as 43rd--probably a block or two farther. We also have shuttle service in the evenings that can take you right to your door in areas not immediately off campus (like further West in University City, or in Center City west of Broad Street to the river). Check the Penn public safety website for definitive information about this. Drexel I think also has similar services.

Thank you for your "insider' view on Domus and Left Bank. Apparently all isn't well behind their shiny exteriors.

Thanks also for suggesting Penn's Off-Campus Housing office. I keep forgetting to mention that when we get Penn/Drexel students on this board.

I would agree that one's comfort with the area surrounding Penn depends on one's previous experience. If one has lived primarily in the suburbs, going west of 43rd St may be uncomfortable. On the other hand, anyone with moderate street wisdom will be alright up to 48th St, albeit preferably below Walnut.

[docindigo76]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Thank you for your "insider' view on Domus and Left Bank. Apparently all isn't well behind their shiny exteriors.

Thanks also for suggesting Penn's Off-Campus Housing office. I keep forgetting to mention that when we get Penn/Drexel students on this board.

I would agree that one's comfort with the area surrounding Penn depends on one's previous experience. If one has lived primarily in the suburbs, going west of 43rd St may be uncomfortable. On the other hand, anyone with moderate street wisdom will be alright up to 48th St, albeit preferably below Walnut.

You're very welcome--even though Domus is still nice and clean inside (no mold like my friends had down the street!), it's a corporate managed apartment with most of the decisions about what is done here made at the parent company's headquarters many states away from here. Our on-site management doesn't do a whole heck of a lot per setting any policies or what they deem the "market rent" (which is suspiciously similar to this company's other buildings across the country, regardless of the locale). I could not believe they opted for a year-round pool the first year I lived here--now I am from the deep South, and even down there we don't keep our pools open October-April!! About the only things it has going for it for many people are the pet policy and location to work, and it's nice to be near a variety of food options (but I tend to be selective about those and avoid Mad Mex and New Deck when the fratboy meatheads overrun the places).

A place that our original poster might like is 2400 Chestnut, just on the banks of the Schuykill River within easy walking distance of the Penn and Drexel campuses. It has decent reviews on the apartment ratings website and while still expensive (~$1400), isn't Domus or Left Bank insane. It also has its own dedicated van that makes rounds around the universities and isn't far from a drugstore for basic food/living items.

[newmarlig]

Originally Posted by docindigo76

and isn't far from a drugstore for basic food/living items.

or from Trader Joe's.