About Off-Campus Housing Near Philadelphia University

Philadelphia University, now the East Falls campus of Thomas Jefferson University following the 2017 merger, sits on a scenic 100-acre hilltop at 4201 Henry Ave in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. The campus is celebrated for its professional programs in fashion design, architecture, textile design, and health sciences. The merger united Philadelphia University's design and professional focus with Jefferson's health sciences strength, creating a comprehensive university with two Philadelphia campuses. The East Falls location borders the Schuylkill River and offers easy access to Center City via the SEPTA regional rail and bus lines. Campus housing is available for some students, primarily underclassmen, but East Falls has no universal freshman live-on requirement. The surrounding residential neighborhoods of East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough offer a range of rental options for students seeking off-campus living near the hilltop campus.

Philadelphia University Housing Requirements

Freshman Live-On Requirement

Philadelphia University's East Falls campus does not impose a universal freshman live-on requirement. Incoming students are encouraged to consider on-campus housing but are free to arrange off-campus living from their first year. First-year students interested in campus life should apply for housing early, as space is limited.

Off-Campus Eligibility

All students, regardless of class standing, are eligible to live off campus. The neighborhoods directly surrounding the East Falls campus, including East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough, are popular choices for students. Students with a car or comfortable using SEPTA have additional options across northwest Philadelphia.

Lease Timing

Most landlords in East Falls and Manayunk begin listing available units for the following fall in January and February. Students who wait until spring often find fewer options and higher prices in the most desirable locations. Signing a lease by March is advisable for students who want walkable proximity to campus.

Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Philadelphia University before signing a lease.

When to Start Looking for Housing Near Philadelphia University

Early Searchers

Students who begin searching in November or December gain access to the widest selection of apartments in East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough. The rental market near the East Falls campus is relatively modest in size, meaning desirable units close to campus go quickly once they hit the market. Starting early also allows time to tour multiple properties and compare lease terms without pressure. Early movers often secure the best prices before peak-season demand pushes rents upward.

Peak Demand Window

The busiest stretch for apartment searching near the East Falls campus runs from late January through March. During this window, landlords release most of their available inventory for the coming fall, and competition among students and young professionals is at its highest. Students who delay past March may find the most walkable and affordable units already leased. Acting decisively when a good unit appears is important during this period.

Last-Minute Options

Students who find themselves searching in May, June, or July will encounter a thinner market but are not without options. Some landlords in Manayunk and Roxborough hold units longer or list them closer to summer. Subleases from graduating students can also surface during this period and often come furnished. Flexibility on exact location or unit type will significantly expand available choices for late searchers.

Neighborhoods Near Philadelphia University

East Falls

The immediate neighborhood surrounding the campus, East Falls offers a quiet residential feel with row homes, small apartment buildings, and direct walkability to Jefferson's East Falls campus. Rents are generally moderate compared to trendier Philadelphia neighborhoods, making it a practical choice for students.

Manayunk

Located just over a mile southwest along the Schuylkill River, Manayunk is a lively neighborhood with a well-known restaurant and bar strip on Main Street. Students here enjoy a more social atmosphere, a variety of apartment styles, and access to the regional rail stop for easy commuting.

Roxborough

Bordering East Falls to the north and west, Roxborough is a quieter residential area with affordable row homes and apartments. It draws students who prefer a low-key neighborhood with good SEPTA bus access and shorter commutes to campus than more distant options.

Germantown

Germantown lies east of the campus and offers some of the most affordable rental options in northwest Philadelphia. Students who do not mind a slightly longer bus ride to campus can find spacious apartments and houses at lower price points than in East Falls or Manayunk.

Frequently Asked Questions: Off-Campus Housing Near Philadelphia University

Common questions from students searching for housing.

Studio and one-bedroom apartments in East Falls typically rent for $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Manayunk and Roxborough offer similar ranges, with shared houses sometimes bringing per-person costs closer to $700 to $900 per month. Rents in this part of Philadelphia are notably lower than Center City.

Other Universities in Philadelphia

Other universities in Philadelphia share a similar off-campus housing market.

Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia is the largest community college in Pennsylvania, serving students from its main campus at 1700 Spring Garden Street in the Fairmount neighborhood. Founded in 1964, CCP sits within walking distance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The college offers…

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Drexel University

Drexel University is a large private research university in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood, on Chestnut Street near the Schuylkill River. With roughly 24,000 students and a flagship cooperative education program that rotates undergraduates through paid work placements, Drexel runs on a schedule unlike most…

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Holy Family University

Holy Family University is a small Catholic school of about 3,087 students tucked into the Torresdale neighborhood of Far Northeast Philadelphia, a wooded pocket along the Delaware River. It's a heavily commuter campus, so the rhythm is calmer than a big-city college: leafy streets, single homes, and parks rather than…

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JNA Institute of Culinary Arts

JNA Institute of Culinary Arts is a small, specialized culinary school located at 1212 S Broad St in the heart of South Philadelphia, offering hands-on professional training in culinary arts and pastry arts. With an enrollment of roughly 150 students, JNA provides an intimate learning environment where students work…

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La Salle University

La Salle University is a Catholic institution in the Christian Brothers tradition located in the Germantown and Olney neighborhoods of northwest Philadelphia. With approximately 6,500 students across undergraduate and graduate programs, La Salle offers degrees in business, education, nursing, the arts and sciences, and…

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Moore College of Art and Design

Moore College of Art and Design is a private women's art and design college located at 1916 Race St in Philadelphia's Logan Square neighborhood, steps from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With an enrollment of roughly 500 students, Moore offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fine arts, illustration, graphic…

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Peirce College

Peirce College is a small, private institution in Center City Philadelphia dedicated to providing accessible higher education to working adults and nontraditional students. Founded in 1865, Peirce focuses on career-relevant programs in business, technology, and legal studies, enrolling approximately 1,000 students who…

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Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is one of the oldest and most respected art schools and museums in the United States, founded in 1805 and located in Center City Philadelphia at Broad and Cherry Streets. PAFA enrolls a small undergraduate student body of approximately 300 students pursuing the Bachelor…

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Temple University

Temple University packs about 37,000 Owls into a Main Campus that sits right in North Philadelphia along North Broad Street, with no walls or gates separating it from the city. That's the whole vibe: you're not in a college bubble, you're in Philly. The Broad Street Line subway stops at campus, so the entire city is a…

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The Art Institute of Philadelphia

The Art Institute of Philadelphia was a private art and design college located at 1622 Chestnut St in Philadelphia, PA, operated by Education Management Corporation. The school permanently closed in April 2018 following the collapse of EDMC, which had faced years of federal scrutiny and enrollment decline. Students who…

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