<p>A word on Penn and Urban Outfitters: Of course there is an Urban Outfitters near Penn. For many years, the world’s ONLY Urban Outfitters was near Penn, basically 41st and Locust. Urban Outfitters was founded by Penn grads as a store for Penn students.</p>
<p>Commenting on the fact that there is an Urban Outfitters in University City is like commenting on the fact that there is a big Borders in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Litlhurry - hehe maybe we’re getting a bit off topic here, but I still think Lorenzo’s offers the best pizza on South St (and some of the best greasy, satisfying pizza in Philly). I’ve never been to Lickety splits though, so I should definitely try that soon. What Middle Eastern and Vietnamese places do you like in the South St area? I’ve been to Shouk, which is kind of a cool hookah lounge.</p>
<p>Also, Litlhurry, I completely see what you mean with your reasoning to apply to U of C and not Penn. In comparing cities, while West Philly may boast more student-oriented activities than Hyde Park, I vastly, vastly prefer the city of Chicago to the city of Phila. Now, don’t get me wrong, Phila has definitely grown on me as I’ve spent more time here, but I LOVE Chicago, and did so from the moment I first arrived. Phila has a “grittier” feel, whereas Chicago gave me more of the “WOW Big city” feel with so much to see and do. (Also, don’t for a second think I’d have rather done my undergrad at Penn rather than Chicago - in being a grad student at Penn, all it showed me is how much I appreciated my undergrad years at the U of C. :-)</p>
<p>In a way I supoose, as a pretty studious undergrad who sought out social activities in the city of Chicago, it was nice in a way to go OUT in the city, and then come back late at night to the cozy, residential HP area. It was like coming home. </p>
<p>Again, don’t get me wrong, I like HP a lot, and I’m growing to like it more and more as I’ve gotten older. When I was there though, I always wished there were a few more amenities available (a CVS right near campus that was open late, a Chipotle-like place that was open late, maybe like a 4-screen movie theater). I guess one of my biggest memories is seeing how early (for a student) everything closed in Hyde Park, whereas at Penn, most of the big staples for students (College Pizza, the Philly Diner, etc. are open very late). It seems like for college kids, there should be at least a few nocturnal options.</p>
<p>JHS - you’re completely right about Urban Outfitters - founded by Penn grads who still live in the Phila area I believe. Now though, somehow the UPenn area is supporting all sorts of other retail options though… Eastern Mountain Sports, Gap, Limited, etc. I’m not sure exactly when all this stuff was built, but they all seem to do pretty good business. Also, UPenn has one of the largest campus bookstores I’ve ever seen, and it sorta serves as a bit of a hub on campus too during certain points of the year.</p>
<p>An ABSOLUTE favorite middle eastern restaurant of mine isn’t exactly on South St, I don’t really know the street it’s on, but it’s called Alyans. It is very small but they have the best hummus around! Yes, sorry we are getting off topic but now I’m hungry haha 
Never heard of Shouk, but unfortunately I don’t get into the city as often as I wish I could. Maybe twice a month or so, if I’m lucky. It’s called Nam Phou’s (Sp?). If you find it, I recommend the beef cubes on lemongrass and definitely get the vietnamese spring rolls! :D</p>
<p>Haha, I hear you. I love Philly, don’t get me wrong, but there was nothing more exciting for me then going to Chicago. Firstly, I’ve never been out in the midwest, secondly I’d be planning the trip for months 
I was the most obvious kind of tourist, literally taking pictures of anything and everything (Including the (in)famous deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s pizzeria (And it certainly did not disappoint!) And the water in Chicago is blue 
I was so surprised, you have no idea haha. In Philly it’s either brown or has “things” floating in it, haha.</p>
<p>I see, so you were an undergrad at UofC and now you’re a grad at uPenn? I was actually considering something…just in case I don’t get into UofC for undergrad. I’m also applying to the University of Rochester, and I think my plan of action is to go to UofR (If I don’t get into UofC that is :p) as an undergrad, then still go to UofC for grad school.</p>
<p>Do you know anything about Chicagos grad school? Or if you don’t mind me asking, why you switched to Penn? I’m not very familiar with the grad school process, but I’m looking into it, since I want to get a PhD to become a professor 
Now in what subject is another matter, but that’s what I’ll spend the time as an undergrad figuring out, I suppose.</p>
<p>Oh my, listen to me, I’m rambling again >.< Sorry and thanks for the replies :D</p>
<p>JHS-- Wow, I didn’t know that!! I just thought, “What’s the absolute sign that the college kids have arrived?” and Urban Outfitters seemed to be that answer. Maybe I should have chosen a chain with less local history!</p>
<p>My dog poops in the founder’s flower beds many mornings. (I pick it up.)</p>
<p>Almost 30 years ago, when my wife moved to Philadelphia to start law school, Urban was a lifesaver, and incredibly cool, to boot. We had never seen anything like it.</p>
<p>I would take the combination of Chicago’s lame official bookstore/tourist trap, Sem Co-op, and Powells, over Penn’s suburban box-farm quality Barnes & Noble bookstore, although it IS attractive. Book buying is one area where Hyde Park whips U-City’s butt.</p>