University City, Philadelphia — An Introduction


It’s not just “Philly’s first suburb” anymore. Its been more than a century since people started moving west to find sanctuary from the bustle of downtown Philadelphia and, though the word suburb no longer applies, folks still desire to cross the Schuylkill for some of the same reasons. People walk a little slower on this side of the river. They can comfortably shed their suits and ties and find themselves in a greener pasture. Home to some very respected institutes of higher learning, from whence its name, University City is a progressive, thriving neighborhood that refuses to be singularly defined by its moniker. Beyond academia the spirit is hip, without being pretentious. The people are friendly, they care about their neighborhood and they take an active role in shaping its trajectory.

U City is the area bounded east-west by the Schuylkill river and 50th street, north to Spring Garden Street and south to Woodland Avenue. Its 2+ square miles beg the designation of “diverse,” applicable to both the landscape and the people. It is a self-sustaining area, replete with varied dining, shopping, hospitals, parks, and events which coax people from all over the City and beyond to come join its experience. Take a tour and see what makes University City one of Philadelphia’s most unique neighborhoods.

The Namesake

Home to world-class institutes of higher learning including The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, currently ranked #5 and #108 respectively in the country (US News & World Report), University City draws much of its flavor from its schools and their interaction with the surrounding neighborhood. These schools attract students from across the globe, creating an international atmosphere. They also provide many activities open to the general public including performing arts and sporting events and have community partnership programs to extend their reach beyond their students and faculty. Along with UPenn and Drexel, U City is home to The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, Lincoln University Urban Center, and the Community College of Philadelphia West Regional Center.

Neighborhood in Flux

Change is a constant in University City. An obvious example is the yearly exodus and influx of thousands of university students. This turnover commands change on campus and beyond. There is also much renovation and restoration in U City. New buildings pop up every year around the universities and old homes are restored to their original beauty to the west. The abundance of community groups continually work to improve the look and feel of the varied neighborhood. Progressive ideals shared by the populous materialize in aesthetic and social betterment in the area. University City has actively adapted since its inception, and this spirit shows no signs of tapering.

Parks and Recreation

Along with transportation, the physical landscape is perhaps the most attractive facet of U City. It is a fantastic locality to spend time outdoors. Clark Park is certainly one of the best neighborhood parks in the city. It is home to a playground that includes swing sets (harder to find in a Philly public park than you may think), a basketball court, historic monuments, plenty of benches and picnic tables, a volleyball area, and a large multi-function “bowl” where kids can run and play and dogs can socialize off-leash. Clark Park also features summer outdoor movie screenings and a farmers market. Bring your dog, the kids, or a book to Clark park and enjoy! Other U City parks include Barkan Park and Cedar Park. Cedar Park, recently reconditioned with more improvements on the way, includes built in chessboards and a playground as well as hosting a summertime jazz concert series on Friday evenings. University City is also home to public pools, and several school playgrounds and courts.

Family Life

Due in large part to its walk-ability and quality of green spaces, University City is a wonderful place to raise a family. Children are both seen and heard in this area. There is adequate local daycare and an abundance of community programs and non-profits aimed at children and family. The universities also offer ways for kids to get involved and be exposed to an early taste of academia.

The quality of schools in University City varies. Early education is a strong point. The Penn Alexander School, serving K-8 for a stringently designated fraction of U City, is a success story. There are several other public, private and religious schools in the neighborhood as well.

Religious houses of worship are plentiful in U City. A wide range of denominations have congregations in the area.

Rates of community involvement are high and diversity is wide-ranging.

A Note on Diversity

It is not just the Universities that bring an international flavor to U City. Completely independent of education, this neighborhood is home to large populations of East African and West African descent as well as people from Asia, Europe, and South and Central America. Walk down Baltimore Avenue and you are guaranteed to hear a mix of languages including French, Spanish, and Mandarin. This diversity extends to organizations, businesses, and local cultural activities.

Politics

There exist, in many ways, two University Cities when it comes to politics. One university, one city. Although the universities would like nothing more than a seamless cooperation with the neighborhood, this is real life and things are not that simple. UPenn alone has an operating budget of over 5 billion dollars per year and with this comes a great deal of influence. At times the influence is used for the benefit of everyone, but often it produces intense debate. The area outside of their direct sphere of influence is very politically active, progressive, green, and democratic. There are as many differences of opinions as there are opinions themselves. This invites an active political life in University City, with no shortage of places to meet, volunteer, or caucus. Whether you wish to get involved in a movement of the people, or work within the local political structure, University City is an ideal location to make your voice heard.

Transportation

Almost always mentioned when asked about their neighborhood are the modes and quality of transportation. In University City, transportation is a huge selling point. Public transportation is an incredibly attractive feature of University City. A quick glance at the SEPTA Subway Surface Lines map (http://www.septa.com/maps/subway_surface.html) shows the sprawling reach of trolley service in and beyond the “streetcar suburb.” The Market-Frankford (Blue) line cuts through the heart of U City as well. These services as well as LUCY, bus loops around University City, and SEPTA Buses 30 and 42 make it easy to go anywhere in the City. Proximity to 30th Street Station (Philadelphia’s railway hub) and easy access to the Philadelphia International Airport make it easy to go anywhere in the region or the world.

Aside from mass transit, University City is also known for its “bike-ability.” Cyclists out for fun, health, or earth-conscious transportation enjoy the fact that so many U City streets are lined for bike lanes. Share the road, drivers!

Walk-ability in this part of town is also very good.

Link to PhillyCarShare in University City

Link to Zip Cars in University City

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