Finding a Home in Philadelphia
Looking for a place to live can be difficult, especially when you are unfamiliar with your new hometown. The following sections provide information on city locales that may be of interest to you in your home search. Keep in mind that parking costs and restrictions may limit your ability to drive to and park at Children's Hospital. The locations of Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) public transportation depots should be carefully considered as you choose your home.
If you're looking for temporary housing in Philadelphia while you search for an apartment or home, consider the options presented on the University of Pennsylvania Off-campus Living Web site. The International House additionally provides students, scholars and interns with a unique opportunity to live in a multicultural atmosphere near Children's Hospital.
Understanding the Lay of the Land
The city of Philadelphia is generally divided into "districts" based on either the location or the landmarks found within a particular area of the city. Many apartment search tools use these districts to describe property locations. The following descriptions will help you to identify each of these districts and determine which one is right for you. Refer to this street map of Philadelphia as you read the following sections to get your bearings and an idea of where you should look for apartments or housing in the city. You can find additional information on the on the Neighborhoods page of phila.gov.
West Philadelphia and University City
University City is a section within West Philadelphia that houses a number of major universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, and The Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania. Due to its proximity to these educational hotspots, it has become a very popular residential area for both students and professionals. The majority of the area's housing is made up of low-to-moderately priced apartments, but there are also home buying opportunities. The University of Pennsylvania stations uniformed security professionals throughout the University City area.
Center City and Old City
Center City is the downtown and business area of Philadelphia. With close access to a multitude of high end restaurants, bars, shops, theaters and other sources of entertainment, this area is a highly sought after place to live. Apartments abound in neighborhoods throughout Center City, but are often more expensive than in districts to the west and south. The eastern region of Center City is known as Old City. This area is home to many historic monuments and homes, including the Liberty Bell. As with Center City, the benefits of living in Old City must be weighed against the high price tag of apartments and housing in the area.
North Philadelphia and the Art Museum Area
North Philadelphia is undergoing rapid redevelopment, and many locales boast apartments with low rent costs. The Art Museum Area, home of the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art, includes moderate-to-high priced apartment complexes that are within walking distance to Children's Hospital. The area includes Fairmount Park and offers easy access to the Schuylkill River trail, making it an ideal location for those who are interested in outdoor recreation.
South Philadelphia and the Italian Market Area
The Italian Market area in South Philadelphia consists of numerous outdoor vendors selling fresh seafood, meats and vegetables. Area properties are popular among renters and homebuyers, and remain affordable compared to Center City and other centrally-located neighborhoods. With the Broad Street rail line running into this area, transportation to areas in Center City is easily accessible.
Popular Locales Outside of the Philadelphia City Limits
Many Children's Hospital employees choose to live in the suburban areas of the city. With the accessibility of Children's Hospital via SEPTA regional transportation and the Children's Hospital Transit Benefits, commuting from areas outside of Philly is easy and affordable. In addition, limited parking is available in the Hospital parking lots for a monthly fee.
Please contact a real estate agent for more information on popular locales.
Public Transportation in Philadelphia
SEPTA public transportation includes multiple bus routes, trolleys, regional rail lines and local rail lines. Bus routes generally run throughout the city while trolleys provide more limited transportation within the city. Regional rail lines connect the city to most suburban areas surrounding Philadelphia. For more information, visit the SEPTA Web site and refer to the street map of Philadelphia.
If need to travel within the Philadelphia city limits, the local rail lines provide convenient transport. There are two main SEPTA rail lines that span the city:
The Market/Frankford Line — East/West and to Philly Suburbs
The Broad Street Line — North/South Through Center City
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provides a transit benefit plan. This plan is valuable for those who frequently use local and regional public transportation. The transit benefit plan cannot be used in conjunction with Children's Hospital parking options.
