Housing to Center City

To the sheltered High Rise resident looking to move off campus, the prospects of living in West Philadelphia can be daunting. But for some, an easy alternative lies over the river and down the street. A small number of University undergraduates, and an even larger number of graduate students, have chosen to live in the land of Liberty Place and Independence Hall -- Center City. Living in Center City affords University students many opportunities which may not be available in West Philadelphia. But, most students just don't realize that they can afford it. "There are places in Center City that are cheaper than West Philadelphia because of the glut of students," said College senior Patrick Fitzsimmons. "I'm paying $390 a month for a really nice place. You have a lot of leverage with the landlord." Landlords seem to be another issue that are sending students across the Schuylkill. "They all seem to be better than the slumlords in West Philadelphia," said fourth year NeuroScience graduate student Reiko Maki. While most agree that affordability and Center City landlords are strengths of living downtown, there is some dispute over the level of crime and protection. "Center City is much safer than West Philadelphia," said Center City landlord William Kromboldt. "More than one applicant said that realtors in [West Philadelphia] tell them not to live there because of security. That stands out almost to a point of shocking me." The safety Kromboldt is referring to is often attributed to a Neighborhood Watch program that patrols the area. "[They] really have made a difference," said Center City Landlady Liz Trotman. Some students disagree. "Things can happen to you just as easily in Center City," said Ph.D candidate Dana Cummings. "The Neighborhood Watch once was held up at gunpoint." Living in Center City does have one distinct advantage -- it brings students closer to everything that downtown Philadelphia offers. "Many students prefer to be right here in the center," said Trotman. "They can turn one way and go to campus, and the other to the middle of Philadelphia."