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Mid-Rise Apartment
University City, 4205 Chester Ave | Philadelphia
Overview
Photos
Amenities
Floorplans

Top Amenities

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  •  Bike Racks
  •  Building Laundry Room
  •  Central A/C
  •  Controlled Access
  •  Dishwasher
  •  Dog friendly
  •  Fitness Center
  •  Granite Countertops
  •  Hardwood Floors
  •  Microwave
  •  Private Balconies
  •  Stainless Steel Appliances

User Rating

6.8
Good
4 Reviews

About this Location

Clark Park
2 min walk
Lots of bars and
restaurants nearby
13/36 (light rail) - 2 min
42 (bus) - 7 min

Pricing 

  • Building Related

    •  Elevators

  • Included

    •  Gas Included
    •  Heat Included
    •  Water Included

  • Kitchen

    •  Garbage Disposal
    •  Refrigerator
    •  Stove & Oven

  • Laundry

    •  Building Laundry Room

  • Living Room

    •  Hardwood Floors

  • Parking & Transportation

    •  Bike Racks
    •  Parking Nearby

  • Pet Terms & Amenities

    •  Dog friendly

  • Security & Maintenance

    •  24 Hour Emergency Maintenance
    •  Controlled Access

  • View

    •  Private Balconies
X

Overall rating 6.8/10, based on 4 renter reviews Write a review

8.5
Location
6.2
Amenities
5.7
Management
6.0
Value
6.5
Social
7.2
Safety
Excellent
0
Great
1
Good
2
Average
1
Terrible
0
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Average
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

It's aight

The studio serves it's purpose. it doesn't get much sunlight, and there's the occasional mouse or roach. The neighborhood is nice except for however stole my car... Look for Apartments early in NJ, don't rent in Philly

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Reviewed by
 
  • Studio / 1 bath
7
Good
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Good place for partnered pet owners

Hard to beat the location. Super easy access to 2 trolley lines, 15 minute walk to Penn campus, and right next to Clark Park. It's an older building, which comes with older appliances, creaky floors, and cracks and crevices that are hard to get clean. Decent floor space but very little storage space. Utilities are included which is convenient, though the internet slows down when multiple devices are using it. Two coin-operated washers/dryers in the basement. Management often fails to handle maintenance requests effectively, but otherwise is OK. Would recommend the corner units for a couple with pets, if you're splitting rent it's a pretty decent value.

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Reviewed by
 
  • Couple
  • Pet owner
  • 1 bed / 1 bath
8
Great
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Chester Hall Apartments

I've lived here for 2.5 years now (including 8 months in quarantine), and I've been grateful for the home. It's a little small, but it is an affordable price in a great neighborhood, and the management is responsive, with friendly maintenance workers and other staff. There is laundry on site, but it is only coin-operated ($1.50 for wash, $1.50 for dry) and tends to break down often. Neighbors are friendly and management is great! An excellent place for a grad student.

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Reviewed by
 
  • Pet owner
  • 1 bed / 1 bath
7
Good
Overall score
Location
Amenities
Management
Value
Social
Safety

Great place to live

I really love where I’m living—was here during 1L and renewed my lease for 2L—am considering staying for 3L. It’s a bit small but it works perfectly; it’s just me and a cat here.

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  • Pet owner
  • 1 bed / 1 bath

The Neighborhood

Signature Spots

dining 29 Recs

Linda’s Cart
Royal Pizza
Desi Chaat House
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grocery 1 Rec

Mariposa Food Co-op
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convenience 1 Rec

CVS Pharmacy
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fitness 9 Recs

Studio 34
8 Limbs Academy
Bikram Yoga West Philly
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parks 8 Recs

Clark Park
Clark Park Dog Bowl
James G. Kaskey Memorial Garden
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coffee 20 Recs

Ice Cave
Dottie’s Donuts
Mood Cafe
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Back

About University City

Sitting west of the Schuylkill River, University City is the scholastic center of West Philadelphia. University City combines the diversity of a college town with the energy of a large metropolitan area. Public parks, farmers markets, restaurants, and theaters, this neighborhood has it all.
Fresh Grocer
College Feel
Very Walkable
Heart of UPenn
Lots of Students
Cheaper than Center City
Solid Restaurants and Bars
Median rents in University City
Studio
$
1,300
1 Bedroom
$
2,200
2 Bedroom
$
2,950

Getting around University City

13/36 (light rail)

2 min

34 (light rail)

3 min

42 (bus)

7 min

30 (bus)

2 min

21 (bus)

11 min

36B (bus)

4 min

Parking Near Chester Hall

No parking is available at Chester Hall, but there is parking nearby.

LAZ 39th & Market Lot

19 min
$225 / month

PARK AMERICA Inc

34 min
$210 / month

PARK AMERICA 3101 Market Street

35 min
$225 / month
Parking rates are for informational purposes only and may vary — for most up to date pricing, please reach out to the garage directly.

University City Reviews

158 reviews
Reviewed by Penn SP2 Student living at Chester Hall
Close enough to campus to walk, but far enough away that you don't feel surrounded by just students. Clark Park is lovely, there's something for everybody - farmers market on Saturdays, regular flea markets, off-leash area for dogs, playground, etc. Several coffee shops within 2 blocks and some good places to eat within 5 blocks. Grocery shopping isn't super convenient if you buy a lot at once, but doable if you're just carrying one or two bags. Street parking isn't too bad but gets competitive on the weekends.
Reviewed by Penn Carey Law Student living at 3737 Chestnut
I chose the neighborhood for proximity to the school. If I could choose otherwise, I would be over by Rittenhouse or further West around the Clark Park area. It feels a bit commercial in U City (not so charming or friendly). BUT everything you need is here and it is very convenient. The only real downside is an aesthetic one.
Reviewed by Penn Med Student living at 503 South 41st St.
Gentrifying area of West Philly, given Penn's presence and expansion into the neighborhood. Easily walkable. Within several blocks of Clark Park, where there are lots of community events and family-friendly activities in addition to walking paths and dog park. Lots of cute shops and restaurants along Baltimore Ave plus great hole-in-the-wall spots if you want to explore a bit more.
Reviewed by Penn Law Student living at Chestnut Hall
I enjoy living in University City. It is perfect if you want to live in a low key area very close to school. Most people in the area are affiliated with Penn, so the community is generally pretty young and active. You are in walking distance from everything you might need. You do not need a car to get around. Even if you plan on spending a good deal of time in Center City, you can get there easily by rail or by Uber. I wouldn't have chosen to live anywhere else during 1L.
Reviewed by Wharton MBA Student living at 3601 Market
I have developed a sincere appreciation for the lifestyle and restaurants in University City over the last few months. UC is excellent for student budgets: for about $12 per person you get an entire feast at The Greek Lady, a giant cold-banishing soup at the Ramen Bar, or a 15-vegetable salad at Axis Pizza. There's a full grocery store (Fresh Grocer), several nice coffeehouses, and did I mention the 3 block walk to class? In terms of safety it's about the same as Rittenhouse or Center City.
Reviewed by Penn Law Student living at 4213 Chester
Pros:
- Close to campus (~20 min walk, ~8 min trolley ride)
- Generally safe because University City in general has been highly gentrified.
- Charming and diverse community
- CLARK PARK! (and the Farmers' Market!!!)

Cons:
- No nearby grocery stores (except Fresh Grocer which is gross)
- Can be sketchy after dark
Reviewed by Wharton MBA Student living at Evo at Cira Centre South
It's hard to pinpoint exactly where University City is right now as a neighborhood, because it's changing so rapidly. It's gone from one of the most dangerous campuses in the country ~5 years ago to incredibly safe. With the new FMC Tower going up at 30th/Walnut, it's hard to say exactly what this area will be like next year... but it's only getting better. It's a nice way to avoid Rittenhouse prices while still being only a stone's throw away from Rittenhouse (and yet at the same time not sacrifice on proximity to campus).
Reviewed by Penn Med Student living at 4213 Chester
I am right by Clark park which is on the border or UC and West Philly. It is much quieter and more residential. The food scene is incredible with lots of smaller, family-owned restaurants serving food from many different cultures. There have been no major crime issues as well.