Residency Program > Living in Philadelphia and its Suburbs

Living in Philadelphia and its Suburbs

One of the benefits of a residency at Jefferson is the opportunity to live in Philadelphia, a city of charm and diversity. Jefferson is conveniently located within walking distance of numerous theaters, museums, ethnic neighborhoods, shopping areas, clubs and fine restaurants.

Culturally, Philadelphia is home to the world-famous Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music and the esteemed Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Philadelphia Phillies baseball club, the Philadelphia Flyers hockey club, the Philadelphia Eagles football team and the Philadelphia 76ers basketball teams provide exciting professional sports events.

Jefferson is proud to be situated just a few blocks from the most historic square mile in America - Independence National Historical Park. Here visitors find the Liberty Bell, the nation's most revered symbol of liberty; Independence Hall, where representatives from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence; Carpenter's Hall, site of the first Continental Congress; and the Betsy Ross House, among many other historical landmarks.

More activity in bioscience education and industry is concentrated in the greater Philadelphia region than, arguably, any other metropolitan area in the world. Contributing to the vibrant intellectual environment is the second largest concentration of colleges and universities in the country, complete with three medical schools and many research institutions. As a member of the University City Sciences Center, the nation's first urban research park, Jefferson is involved with twenty seven other member institutions in cooperative biomedical research that links scientific findings from the laboratory to government and businesses. The largest concentration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the country is between Philadelphia and northern New Jersey, and Jefferson has close relationships with many of these.

An efficient network of public transportation systems and roadways make travel to and from Jefferson and its affiliates easy. Commutes to suburbs of fifteen to twenty-five minutes are typical. For leisure activities, the southern New Jersey seashore, the Pocono Mountains and Lancaster County, home of the Amish, are less than an one and one half hour drive away. New York City, Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C., are also within an easily reached distance.

Convenient on-campus housing is offered through the University Office of Student Affairs. Alternatively, residents and interns may choose to live elsewhere in Center City, Society Hill or South Philadelphia. In addition, approximately half of the residents and their families live outside the city in the easily accessible New Jersey and Pennsylvania suburbs, which offer affordable, safe, and historic neighborhoods, most of which have shops, restaurants, parks and colleges. Newly renovated areas such as Olde City and Manayunk provide further evidence of the renaissance of Philadelphia.

Within an one hour drive of Jefferson is Longwood Gardens, the former duPont estate which is now a world famous horticultural exhibit; New Hope, a quaint artist's town; Wintherthur, an architectural and design wonder; the Wyeth museum and the Barnes Collection. According to Condé Naste magazine, Philadelphia has more of the finest restaurants, such as Le Bec-Fin and The Fountain, than any other city in the United States. For a less gourmet meal, Philadelphia is the home of the Philly Cheese steak and the capital of the soft pretzel.