Philadelphia is a vibrant, welcoming city that gives you the best of a major East Coast hub without the overwhelming scale. It’s lively and diverse, rich with history, and just a quick train ride from New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Penn sits in University City, a friendly neighborhood filled with cafés, shops, and green spaces, and just a short walk from Center City, where ~90% of Wharton students choose to live.
Because most students are new to Philadelphia, you’ll be joining a community that’s eager to connect. It’s easy to settle in, explore, and start building lasting friendships from the moment you arrive.
Neighborhoods to Consider
You’ll find varied and affordable housing options accessible to Wharton, from high-rise apartments to single-family homes. Below are a few neighborhoods that are popular with Wharton students.
In the spring, current students build a Housing and Roommate Matching Spreadsheet to pass along information about rentals that will become available, or open spots for roommates.
University City
Home to Penn’s campus, University City offers convenience and a short walk to class. Housing options range from high-rise apartment buildings to townhomes on quieter residential blocks.
Rentals in University City can be found using your favorite apartment search websites, or on Penn’s Off-Campus Housing Website (requires PennKey).
Center City / Rittenhouse Square
Center City offers a classic downtown experience with great restaurants, parks, fitness studios, and easy transit connections. Most Wharton students live in Rittenhouse Square, a Center City neighborhood known for some of the city’s best dining, shopping, and nightlife. The area features luxury high-rises with beautiful park views and quick access to public transit, making the commute to campus simple, about 25 minutes on foot or 10 to 15 minutes by public transportation or bike.
Fitler Square
Graduate Hospital
Graduate Hospital is a quiet, walkable neighborhood with historic rowhomes, modern shops, and family-friendly streets. It offers easy access to nearby areas like Rittenhouse and Fitler Square while maintaining a mostly residential feel. Its mix of charm, culture, and convenience makes it a popular choice for those seeking a peaceful community close to the heart of the city.
Wharton MBA Housing Guide
The Wharton MBA official Housing Guide (www.VeryApt.com) will assist you in finding a suitable apartment in Philadelphia. Started by two recent Wharton MBA grads, VeryApt offers trusted apartment reviews based upon price range and amenities.
Daily living in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a highly livable city, offering convenient shopping, simple transportation options, and quick access to major travel hubs. As you get settled, you’ll find that everything from groceries to airport connections is close by. Here are some of the most useful tips and resources for new arrivals.
Grocery Stores
- Trader Joes (Center City)
- Whole Foods Market (Fairmount)
- Giant Heirloom Market (University City and Graduate Hospital)
- Acme (University City)
- Aldi (Graduate Hospital)
- Sprouts Farmers Market (Southwest Center City)
Furniture & Household
- Ikea (South Philadelphia)
- Target (Southwest Center City and South Philadelphia)
- Home Depot (South Philadelphia)
- Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia ReStore (Graduate Hospital)
- Wharton Market Facebook Group
Philadelphia Public Transportation
SEPTA Public Transit Options:
- Market Frankford Subway Line (L) – Main subway line from east to west
- Broad Street Subway Line (B) – Main subway line from north to south
- Trolley Lines – Street level and underground connection lines with stops in West Philadelphia and Center City
- Regional Rail – Train service to PHL Airport and Philadelphia area suburbs
- Busses – Most common bus lines between University City and Center city are 21, 40, and 42
- LUCY Gold Line and Green Line – Complimentary UPenn bus system through campus and nearby areas
Full-time Penn students can save 10% on SEPTA fares with the Semester Pass, good for the entire semester. (PennKey is required to purchase)
Amtrak Travel to Nearby Cities
William H Gray III, 30th Street Station is a main Amtrak hub for the Northeast Corridor, offering frequent service to:
- New York City (~1 hour 10 minutes)
- Washington DC (~1 hour 45 minutes)
- Boston (~ 4 hours)
- ~1 hour 45 minutes
- ~1 hour 45 minutes
- ~1 hour 45 minutes