<p>Okay everyone. I know we’ve explored this subject several times during the application process. Now that most of us on this board have made the decision to attend Penn (unless you are already attending), let’s re-open the issue of “safety” around the campus…at least for me.
A lot of my family members and various other adults are telling me that there are places in Philly that even cops don’t go into. Common-sense aside, which parts of Philly are not the best bet? I will be taking some of my classes in the evenings, so I need to know how fast I need to walk/run back to my room (Sansom Place) when class is over.</p>
<p>On a week night, I wouldn't walk past 40th alone. On a weekend, (thurs, fri, sat), up to about 42nd is safe by yourself, just because there are soo many people out. </p>
<p>In a group, up to about 42nd is safe on a week night, and probably about 43rd on a weekend.. probably farther, but we don't ever have need to go past 42nd really. </p>
<p>Anyway, common sense is the best thing.. police are everywhere, but crimes do happen (on and off campus), so best bet is to be aware of your surroundings and just use common sense. And call 898-ride or 898-walk (the two escort services) if you don't feel safe walking yourself.</p>
<p>past 48th street things get a little...different I guess
ditto for north of market once you get further west, lancaster further east.
You should be safe enough to roam around the campus at will.</p>
<p>Why does it have unsafe image...is it in hard-core downtown? or is it near a ghetto ("West philadelphia born and raised, in the playground where i spent most of my days"!!!) or stoner neighbourhood or what?</p>
<p>Things get different pretty quickly once you get to market. Or past 42nd.</p>
<p>What do u mean "different?""</p>
<p>is it really THAT dangerous..
comon..limiting penn walks to a street!?</p>
<p>How's the walk from 30th Street Station to campus? I heard its about a 15 min walk, but I would like to know how safe it is. Is it ok to walk it alone? What's the best way to get to campus?</p>
<p>Yeah, walking from 30th Station isn't too bad unless you're walking at midnight or something. Its probably easiest to get a cab instead (4 to 5 bucks, I would assume)</p>
<p>its $5.</p>
<p>And you are mostly walking through Drexel's campus then onto Penn's, so you have the same university-style infrastructure (street lights, blue-light phones, etc).</p>
<p>But let me just say that Philadelphia is not Sin City. The cops go everywhere.</p>
<p>All in all, Penn's best weapon is the slow but inevitable gentrification of West Philadelphia, that every university official must publicly speak against but privately prays for, I guarantee it.</p>
<p>I can't imagine ever going past 41st street on a regular basis anyway...</p>
<p>Oh and if you're taking classes in Penn's campus area and then walking back to Sansom Place, you're fine. That's the "core" area and well guarded. You can take your sweet time. I've been walking around that area at all hours of the day and night.</p>
<p>WAIT! i dont get this can someone explain to me?</p>
<p>what is the idfference between 42nd, 41th street, 39th street?</p>
<p>they're only 3 streets away!</p>
<p>can things change THAT Much on 3 blocks?
i mean, do worlds change every streeet u walk down?</p>
<p>Although I visited Penn last month, I didn't calculate how far Sansom Place was from the "main campus" buildings. There was so much to look at around Penn, I didn't pay attention to the distance from my room to my classes. If anyone has any information, please let me know.</p>
<p>Tom,</p>
<p>I went to Penn 25 yrs ago, when things were much worse in West Philly. I lived on 41st and later on 43rd. As long as you used common sense, there were few problems and things are a heck of a lot better now. I just visited with my daughter who will probably be applying next year. I wouldn't worry if I were you.</p>
<p>
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can things change THAT Much on 3 blocks
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<p>The campus ends on 40th and the further you get away, the less secure.</p>
<p>Chanman - No, although they could change that much...they don't.</p>
<p>lol reading this thread has made me glad im not going...at least nyc doesn't sound as bad as this lol</p>
<p>shostakovich, actually.................. </p>
<p>NYC IS just as bad, but it all depends on which areas you walk in and at what times. Same with Philly. It's just another urban area.</p>
<p>Harlem is right next to Columbia. RIGHT NEXT!!!</p>
<p>Columbia's pretty safe. Really. And the area surrounding Columbia is getting richer while growing... intruding into the Harlem area (which the residents are not too happy about).</p>
<p>In any case, go common sense!</p>
<p>"And the area surrounding Columbia is getting richer while growing... intruding into the Harlem area (which the residents are not too happy about)."</p>
<p>We call this "gentrification." The same thing is happening in West Philly.</p>
<p>See the new giant office tower they built around 30th street? That's the first tower built on Penn's side of the river. Real estate values are also steadily rising, and Penn grabs and redevelops areas of dilapidated ghetto buildings where they can (next project is around 40th & chestnut I believe)</p>