Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research institution, located in University City, Philadelphia. Founded in 1891 by a local philanthropist, Drexel University since its inception has distinguished itself with a commitment to incorporating practical applications into the learning environment.
Located adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), an ivy league school, Drexel is world-renowned for its cooperative education program, which enables undergraduate students to interchange their time in the classroom with up to 18 months of full-time work in a field related to their studies.
More than 24,000 students call Drexel University home, and today the school offers over 70 undergraduate programs, all of which have helped the university gain recognition as: #193 Best Colleges for Veterans in the U.S., #78 in Best Value Schools, and #2 for Internship and Work Placement in all of America.
Drexel also lays claim to one of the “Top 25 Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship” as awarded the school by the prestigious Princeton Review publication.
At the graduate level, Drexel University offers over 100 graduate programs, which have earned the school its highest accolades. Drexel University’s top graduate programs include:
- The Kline School of Law – Ranked in the top 100 list of best law schools in the U.S., The Kline School of Law is home to the strongest Trial Advocacy Program in the country, with its students consistently outperforming others at the yearly national competition in Washington D.C.
- The Dornsife School of Public Health – Ranked 19th out of all public health programs in the U.S., even above UPenn’s program, Dornsife has led the charge in helping Drexel become a leader in public health and policy-driven research. The school has also acted as a magnet for millions of dollars in research and development (R&D) funding.
- Drexel University College of Medicine – Drexel is also home to one of the best medicals schools for both research and primary care in the U.S.. Medical students are known to work very closely with students at the Penn School of Medicine
- The College of Engineering – Drexel’s engineering graduate programs in chemical, civil, computer, materials, and electrical fields have landed the school titles as one of the top 100 graduate schools of engineering in the country.
- Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health – Houses the Master of Science in Nursing Program as swell as Drexel’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, both of which are ranked among the top 120 schools in the U.S. The nursing school ranking #97 by U.S. News.
- The School of Education – Including its online programs, Drexel’s School of Education has experienced meteoric growth, now considered among the best grad schools across the globe for teachers, faculty, administrators and staff seeking certification into a myriad of disciplines.
- LeBow College of Business – Lastly, Drexel’s very own LeBow College of Business is #97 in Best Business Schools in the U.S., with its associated online MBA program also achieving elevated global status.
With is international recognition, multiple accolades, and ambitious programs, Drexel University and its surrounding areas are a welcoming haven for industrious, intelligent, and driven students.
Living by Drexel University
Drexel University is located a few blocks north of University of Pennsylvania, in the University City community of West Philadelphia.
A compact campus, Drexel University is loosely bounded by Chestnut Street to the South, 30th Street to the East, Spring Garden Street to the North, and 44th Street to the West.
While half of the undergraduate students, specifically freshman and sophomores, reside in on campus accommodations, the other half of the undergraduate student body, along with Drexel graduate students, nursing students, medical students, and fellows choose Drexel’s surrounding neighborhoods for off-campus housing.
Students looking for apartments near Drexel University often narrow their search to Powelton Village, West Powelton, University City Core, and Center City, the different neighborhoods of University City that each have their own distinct characteristics.
Powelton Village
Powelton Village is situated in the northwestern reach of Drexel University. Dominated by Victorian homes and turn of the century brick buildings, Powelton Village is a nationally registered historical district steeped in history.
Once an exclusive enclave of business tycoons of the 1800’s, Powelton Village has transformed into the epicenter of counterculture in University City. Multiple pizza shops, international food fare, and murals dot its landscape.
Apartments in Powelton Village are largely created from the conversion of old hotels and micro-apartments into modern apartment buildings. The most popular example is the Legacy at Powelton Village consisting of 1 bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments located in an old, yet recently renovated building, with each apartment equipped with modern kitchens, central heat and air, hardwood-style floors, and in-unit washers & dryers.
Due to limited supply of this style of apartments near Drexel, units like these are in high demand, and prices can climb to as much as $2,200 a month.
Fortunately, those seeking more budget friendly apartments in Powelton Village can find housing in 2-story Victorian row houses or larger traditional Victorian homes that have been subdivided into separate units. Many units available tend to be studios or 1-bedrooms, but lack luxury amenities, such as elevators, private laundry facilities, and in some cases sufficient light access and proper AC.
Additionally, because these buildings tend to be old, maintenance issues are commonplace and can lead to major headaches if management is unresponsive.
Overall, this helps keep prices of apartments in Powelton Village as low as $900 a month if residents are willing to share bathroom, laundry and kitchen facilities, all the way to $2,200 a month for the more up to date locations.
Source: Pexels Free Photos
West Powelton
West Powelton is the area nestled west of Powelton Village and west of the SEPTA subway-surface trolley Route 10 line. Along the main streets of West Powelton graduate students will find cozy cafes, lots of greenery, and a healthy serving of boutique shops.
Moving away from the colorful sidewalks and artistic murals of Lancaster Avenue, West Powelton residents enjoy a more nostalgic side of University City and Drexel living and will find Penn Presbyterian Hospital as well as the Vidas Athletic complex.
Both of which are mere minutes walking distance from the University City Apartments, one of the newer apartment buildings in the area.
Housing in West Powelton is largely characterized by 2-3 story row houses that have been converted into apartments, similar to what is available in Powelton Village.
However, prospective residents will also find one or two newly built luxury, modern apartment buildings dotting the landscape, like the University City Apartments.
As one of the newer apartment buildings to go up in the area, the University City Apartments offers both modern amenities and budget friendly prices starting as low as $1,300 a month.
University City Core
The core of University City, located largely south of the Drexel University campus and encompassing much of UPenn offers the broadest selection of apartments and off-campus housing for graduate students to choose from.
Within the University City Core, residents will find themselves amongst all the action and life that any city has to offer: high end art galleries, community events, gourmet restaurants, malls, high fashion boutique shops and more.
Housing in the University City Core ranges from Victorian row houses, Victorian single-family homes, apartments located withing traditional, dated red brick buildings (similar to what you would find in Powelton Village and West Powelton) in addition to high rise luxury apartment buildings oozing New York City vibes.
Driven by the growth of the local universities, the University City Core area has been heavily re-developed leading to the rise of sky high, newly built, luxury apartment buildings like Evo at Cira Centre South, The Radian, The Chestnut, The Axis, Domus, and The Hamilton.
Residents in this distinct type of housing enjoy the best amenities imaginable including rooftop decks, game rooms, co-working spaces, utilities included in rent, furnished apartments, modern interiors, and even concierge service.
All of which, however, come at a steep cost. Apartments in these buildings will start around $1,890 a month for a studio, and even reach as high as $4,200 a month depending on the bed and bath count and their premium features.
Additionally, because apartments in this area are located so close to the main college campuses, they are often filled with undergraduate students, who bring with them the traditional college rancor that graduate students and working professionals may not find agreeable when trying to study peacefully at home.
Center City
Center City is Philadelphia’s vibrant downtown area located on the other side of the Schuylkill River. Largely one of the last options that Drexel University graduate students contemplate for off-campus housing, Center City is an area that never sleeps.
Urban socialites adore the plethora of entertainment options including major nightlife, high end dining, designer shopping, high rise office buildings, and skyscrapers.
Graduate students looking for apartments near Drexel University are naturally gravitated to housing like that found in the Riverloft Apartment Homes featuring newly renovated units featuring keyless entry, brand-new kitchens with the latest appliances, wood flooring, soft-close cabinetry, and even a community pool.
Rent in buildings like these start around $1,799 a month before climbing to $4,500+ a month depending on size and building amenities.
While living on the river opposite of Drexel University might concern some graduate students, transportation in Philadelphia excels in providing access between Center City and the main campuses through a convenient network of subway, trolley, and bus routes.
There can be downsides to living in Center City. Parking is not always guaranteed in older buildings and may have to be paid separately, in addition to utilities.
Not all buildings are specifically catered to university students, so it is likely you will encounter more local working professionals in the area, diluting the communal feel one typically seeks while being a graduate student.
Furthermore, unlike West Powelton, Powelton Village, and University City Core, Center City is not patrolled by campus security, and walking in the local neighborhood at night requires a heighted sense of vigilance.
Overall, regardless of your preferences in terms of location, size, amenities or even price, when it comes to finding apartments near Drexel University for graduate students, medical residents, nursing students and working professionals, you have a variety of options to choose from.
Source: Pexels.com
The Best Value Apartments Near Drexel University
Graduate students and working professionals looking to live to close to Drexel University without punishing their wallets, will find the University City Apartments an excellent option for off-campus housing.
The University City Apartments are located a mere 15-minute walk from Drexel’s main campus, in the idyllic West Powelton neighborhood.
As modern apartments with luxury finishes, stainless steel appliances, in unit washer and dryers, and a community rooftop deck, the University City Apartments seamlessly enable residents, mostly consisting of graduate students, fellows, medical residents, and PhD candidates, to enjoy all the modern, creature comforts one could ask for without the undergraduate chaos typical to living in University City Core.
More importantly, residents of the University City Apartments, like David, have especially enjoyed the intimacy and true sense of home – detailing how “It’s been a tremendous experience being here and getting to know some of the neighbors and getting to interact in and around the community.”
Apartments at the University City Apartments begin at approximately $1,300 a month, making them the most ideal off-campus housing choice for Drexel University graduate students and working professionals.
To book your private self-guided tour today, visit us at: www.universitycityapartments.com.