More than any city I’ve lived in, Philly makes it clear that it values and supports its student population. After a year at Penn, I am continually struck by Philly’s affordability and refreshed by its patchwork of diverse neighborhoods. Its people and places resonate with a sense of authenticity and a DIY attitude that is exactly what I was looking for. Assuming you choose Philadelphia for grad school, take advantage of my experience and check out these tips.
Getting Around Town 
All-nighters are never fun, but
round-the-clock transit service makes my 4 am trips to Kinko’s
that much easier (and less expensive). SEPTA and PATCO,
Philadelphia’s public transportation providers, accommodate
a grad student’s unpredictable hours with late-night and
24-hour service on many of the busiest subway, bus, trolley,
and train lines. Checking schedules on the run? Go to isepta.org
for instant train info that’s perfect for the iPhone and
iPod Touch.
www.septa.org
www.ridepatco.org
www.isepta.org
Fun on the Cheap
Setting aside fun money can be hard for a grad student, but Philadelphia’s restaurants and bars make it easier with deals that fit any budget. The Philadelphia Weekly keeps track for you in their online Happy Hour Guide, where you can search by time of day, neighborhood, or day of the week (who says you have to wait til Friday). The Campus Philly discount program hooks students up to area parties, museums, plays, shows, food, clothes, and even haircuts. I keep the Campus Philly discount tag on my key chain at all times to take full advantage of the rotating freebies and deals offered.
www.philadelphiaweekly.com/happyhour
www.campusphilly.org/discounts
Yes, You Can Afford to Live Here
Having spent the last six years in Boston, I was amazed at the relatively low cost of housing throughout Philly’s neighborhoods. Turns out my new classmates were equally, and pleasantly, surprised. Christy Kwan, a first-year student in the City Planning program at the University of Pennsylvania, was thrilled to find a spacious
3-bedroom apartment for only $500 per person. “It’s great. We’re a ten-minute walk from
Rittenhouse Square, and the apartment came with a washer/dryer and a deck overlooking the Center City skyline,” says this native of Los Angeles and recent San
Diego transplant.
Great cities for young college grads with the average cost of a two-bedroom apartment.
*FMR/2-bedroom monthly rent
- Philadelphia $ 932
- Los Angeles $1,300
- Manhattan-N.Y.C. $1,318
- Washington D.C. $1,324
- Boston $1,353
- San Francisco $1,592
Source: HUD data as of 10/1/07
*Fair market rate (FMR) is rent plus utilities for privately owned, decent, safe, non-luxury housing with
suitable amenities.
4wallsinphilly.com
Philadelphia.craigslist.org Cultural Treats
As a big fan of theater and live music, I’m glad I live
in a place that makes cultural events accessible to everyone. The Kimmel Center, home to the world-famous Philadelphia Orchestra among others, sells $10 tickets to most of its performances a few hours before curtain. The city’s numerous local theater companies all offer student subscriptions or last-minute rush tickets (you can’t beat $5
Saturday tickets to The Arden, a professional
theater company in Old City).
www.kimmelcenter.org/planning/tickets.php
www.ardentheatre.org
Philly Food, Fresh & Local
I hardly have the time to buy groceries, but eating out adds up. This is  why I love Philly’s booming farmer’s market scene: if I’m going to run errands, I might as well have fun doing it while supporting local farmers and businesses. When crowds and tourists overwhelm the popular Reading Terminal and the festive Italian Market on 9th Street, you can always turn to the weekly markets across the city’s neighborhoods. My favorites are in Clark Park, Headhouse Square, and the courtyard of City Hall.
www.thefoodtrust.org/php/headhouse/
www.farmtocity.org/FarmersMarkets.asp
Getting Out of Town
When I need a
total change of scene, Philadelphia’s East Coast
location makes it easy to get away. In a New York state of mind? The Bolt Bus can get you there for as little as $1 (my record is $7). Feeling lucky? Hop an $8 train to Atlantic City. Fear of commitment? Take a spontaneous road trip with PhillyCarShare, a local non-profit that offers free membership and cars by the hour, including eco-friendly
and fun-to-drive Mini Cooper convertibles and Smart Cars!
www.boltbus.com
www.njtransit.com
www.phillycarshare.org
Philadelphia Is One Big Campus
Looking for fresh ideas? Check out Campus Philly, the go-to information hub for students of all ages. In addition to the discount tag (referenced above), you’ll find a year-round schedule of internship fairs, networking events, happy hours, back-to-school concerts and festivals, which means I’ve always got something to do (even when I should be studying). Just one more reason, you too will understand how Philly earned its reputation as One Big Campus.
www.campusphilly.org
For more information on becoming a Graduate student in Philadelphia click here.
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