Finding your home away from home can be hard, especially when you have to decide so early. With Temple being a very large school, there are tons of places to live, but there are also a lot of people looking for housing. Here is a guide to follow if you are looking for housing for next year.
If you are looking to live off campus in an apartment or house:
We recommend staying between Cecil B. Moore and Norris St. While yes, student housing goes further than that, you want to make sure you aren’t walking 20 minutes to class every day. This is the area that the majority of Temple students chose to live in, which means you wouldn’t have to be walking far to see your friends. We would also recommend not going any further than 19th St., because that gets out of Temple’s territory, which means you wouldn’t be around many Owls and Temple’s shuttle services don’t go that far.
I know many people (or their parents) are scared to live off campus because of the potential safety issues, but you just need to be smart about it and find the right place. There are tons of safety precautions to take, so when searching for housing, make sure to ask realtors and tour guides what kind of safety features the apartment or house comes with.
If you are looking for a quieter street:
We recommend Willington St. because it is right between 16th and 17th but it also is home to many North Philadelphia residents. It also runs right past the police station, which makes it feel a lot safer because you know that the police are right there.
If partying is a major priority for you:
So you want to live close to the party scene? There are definitely plenty of streets for you. Some popular streets are Bouvier, Gratz, and 18th Street. While yes, portions of these streets are quiet, a lot of the houses are known to have parties on the weekends (including Thursday, of course). I would definitely avoid these streets if you aren’t a big party girl, because you will probably hear people on the streets at all times of the night. You could sell drunk food out of your apartment and make a fortune, though.
Leasing Agents:
There are plenty of leasing agents to go through who will help you see places that fit your needs. Some of these include Temple Villas, Temple Nest, Temple Town and Govberg Realty. Calling these places and explaining what you are interested in will help you see your options and what fits your budget.
Drawbacks of leasing an apartment or house off-campus:
Off-campus housing also has its downfalls. You have to worry about safety more and making sure your doors are always locked. We recommend getting your packages sent to the leasing office of your agent so they don’t get stolen. You will also have to walk further to your classes, which can be annoying when it’s the dead of winter in the wind tunnel that is North Philly.
If you’re looking to live in an off-campus apartment building:
If living in an off-campus apartment isn’t for you, Temple also offers other options that are closer to campus, such as The View at Montgomery, Kardon Atlantic, University Village, The Edge and Oxford Village.
The View at Montgomery is located right on Temple’s Campus on Montgomery Ave., which is convenient for students that are looking for a place close by. While these places are conveniently places, they come at a steep price.
A small room in The View at Montgomery, Kardon Atlantic, or University Village is more expensive than most apartments off campus, but those apartments come fully furnished. The View pays all utility and electric bills, and all of these come with laundry services (at a price). While yes, you get certain amenities at these places, you have to determine if it is worth paying more per year.
Drawbacks of living in an off-campus apartment building:
Also with places like The View, UV, and Kardon, you have to worry about swiping in and swiping out your friends, which can be very annoying. You also have to be courteous of your neighbors and make sure you aren’t being too loud. But, apartment buildings like these also come with the benefits of being close to campus and getting to live around a bunch of people so you can make new friends. In addition, they have 24/7 security in the building, which eases the minds of students and parents a lot.
Quick links to off-campus apartment buildings:
Kardon Atlantic [http://pmcpropertygroup.com/properties/kardonatlantic-apartments]
The View at Montgomery [http://theviewatmontgomery.com/]
The Edge [https://www.mystudentvillage.com/us/the-edge/]
University Village [https://www.americancampus.com/student-apartments/pa/philadelphia/univer…
Oxford Village [http://www.oxfordvillageapts.com/]
Quick links to off-campus apartment agents:
Temple Villas [http://templevillas.com/]
Temple Nest [https://templenestapartments.com/]
Govberg Realty [http://www.govbergrealty.com/]
MK Management [http://www.mkmgmtgroup.com/]
Choosing where you want to live can be really tough, because every option has both benefits and drawbacks, but just make sure to do your research and you will be able to find the perfect space to share with your squad.