Moving to Philadelphia
Penn is situated in the University City section of West Philadelphia, just across the river from Center City Philadelphia. The city’s neighborhoods and suburbs offer a wide range of housing choices, nightlife, culture, and recreation. We encourage you to visit Philadelphia and explore its diverse neighborhoods.
Housing
Online Housing Sessions for Incoming Students
The University is offering live, interactive, online sessions about housing for incoming graduate students, so you can get this critical information before you arrive on campus. These online sessions will be held in March, April and May, and you can log on from wherever you are in the world. See the online orientation sessions web page for more details.
On-Campus Housing
Graduate and professional students can choose to live on-campus housing in Sansom Place. Another option is to work as a Graduate Associate in the undergraduate College Houses or as a Sansom Advisor in Sansom Place in return for free housing.
Sansom Place is a great option for graduate students new to the University or the Philadelphia area. The Sansom Place staff can share their knowledge of the University’s many resources and opportunities. There are several styles of apartments and rooms to choose from in Sansom Place. Spouses or life partners may live with a grad student, but no children or pets are permitted. For additional information, please see the website.
Sansom Advisors, significantly comprised of graduate and professional students, live and work in Sansom Place to create activities and a welcoming environment for residents. Learn more about applying for a position.
Each of the undergraduate College Houses has a team of Graduate Associates (GAs) who advise, assist, and mentor the undergraduate residents, as well as organize activities. GAs are provided with a free single occupancy room and a generous meal plan in the College Houses. Learn more about applying for a position.
Off-Campus Housing
If you plan to live off-campus, there is a wide range of options and costs to consider in terms of location, convenience, type, condition of rental unit, and size. The Office of Off-Campus Services maintains an extensive database of rentals, including individual rental units, house share, sublet, and roommate opportunities. OCS can also assist with temporary accommodations. OCS provides general information on housing-related issues such as rental costs, student demographics, temporary housing, leases, utilities, renter’s insurance, transportation, safety, etc. OCS also reviews leases and offers counseling in landlord/tenant matters. The Comprehensive Guide to Off-Campus Housing provides details about neighborhoods, rental rates, and transportation. In the “Places to Live” section, view detailed profiles of landlords and buildings in University City and Center City with unit types and rents, amenities and more. Contact Off-Campus Services for more information at 215-898-8500 or ocliving@exchange.upenn.edu.
Short Guide to Off-Campus Housing for Graduate Students
Students living off campus will also need to sign up for local utilities:
Local utility companies include:
- Verizon provides local telephone service, access to a long distance company of your choice, and optional Internet service for students living off campus.
- PECO Energy Company provides electrical service.
- Philadelphia Gas Works
- Comcast Cable Company
- Philadelphia Water Revenue Bureau
In addition, the University has partnered with AT&T Wireless, Sprint, and Verizon to offer Penn students discounted cellular phone service.
Banks close to campus:
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