Community Information: CTCA in Philadelphia
Community
Discover the vibrant culture and fascinating history of Philadelphia, home to our Eastern location. The second largest city (pop. 5.8 million) on the East Coast offers unique neighborhoods, world-renowned museums and parks, prominent symphony and theater companies, exciting professional sports, eclectic dining, and much more.
The cost of living in Philadelphia is considerably less expensive than other major U.S. cities, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Boston. Another perk is that its location and transportation options make it incredibly accessible—both within Philly and throughout the East Coast. Popular destinations in the region, such as New York City and Washington, D.C., are less than two hours away by car or train.
Commuting
Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Eastern Regional Medical Center is in the Northeast part of Philadelphia, in between Interstate 95 and Routes 1/13. Some employees use Philly’s public transportation to get to and from the hospital. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) shuttles commuters throughout the city and suburbs on its network of buses, trolleys, trains, and subways.
Housing
The Philadelphia area offers a range of communities to suit every type of lifestyle. From nearby quaint towns to historic neighborhoods within the city, you’ll have no trouble finding a place to call home.
According to data from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Bank, the average cost of a single family home in Greater Philadelphia in 2006 was $233,000.
Popular Philly neighborhoods include Rittenhouse Square, Old City, Manayunk, Bella Vista, Queen Village, Washington Square, Chestnut Hill, and Northern Liberties. Each has its own character. If you’re looking to live in a community that attracts art enthusiasts, “foodies” and “fashionistas,” check out Rittenhouse Square, Manayunk or Chestnut Hill. For gorgeous condos with spectacular views and historic sites around the corner, try Old City. If Philly’s famous row houses are more your style, Washington Square West or Northern Liberties may be your destination.
Some of the area’s most desirable locales are the wealthy suburbs along the “Main Line,” a historic part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. These suburbs include Villanova, Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Gladwyne, and Paoli.
In 2007, the suburb of Nether Providence (Wallingford), ranked no. 9 among Money magazine’s list of “Best Places to Live.” This small town (pop. 13,600) is approximately 25 miles southwest of CTCA at Eastern Regional Medical Center.
The Money magazine editors noted, “A 4.6-square-mile township of lush green hills, old stone houses and expansive parks, Nether Providence also offers good schools, and a nice home can be had for $300,000 or even less. Nether Providence doesn't have its own downtown, but most residents can walk or bike to Media, where there's a movie theater and plenty of locally owned shops and restaurants.”
Three other small towns outside of Philadelphia placed on Money’s “Best Places to Live” 2007: West Goshen (no. 12), Horsham (no. 15) and Emmaus (no. 87).
Schools
With nearly 180,000 students enrolled in its 270+ public schools, Philadelphia’s school district is the eighth largest in the United States.
In 2008, both Julia R. Masterman Secondary School in Philadelphia and Conestoga Senior High School in Berwyn, Pennsylvania (a northwest suburb of Philadelphia) ranked among “America's Best High Schools” on U.S. News & World Report's annual list.
Colleges and universities thrive in the region. Renowned higher education institutions within Philadelphia include:
- Temple University
- Drexel University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- La Salle University
Area Entertainment/Culture/Shopping/Sports
The “Philly experience” includes everything from historic landmarks to pop culture icons. Included below are some ideas to help you plan your weekend excursions.
- Visit Independence National Historical Park, where you’ll find both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
- Scope out South Street, where trends get set at some 300 shops, eateries, bars, and night clubs.
- Take the kids to the nation’s first zoo—The Philadelphia Zoo—or to have “Breakfast with Ben.”
- Huddle up with Philly’s diehard sports fans and root for its pro teams: the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers.
- Live out Rocky’s triumphant jog up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; better yet, venture inside to peruse through the museum’s impressive collection of 225,000 works of art.
- Tour popular Philly attractions such as The Franklin Institute Science Museum; the home and burial place of Betsy Ross, America’s famous flag maker; and the Rodin Museum, which features the largest collection of 19th-century sculptor Auguste Rodin's masterpieces (e.g., The Thinker) outside of France.
- Catch a show at any of the renowned theater, film and music venues on The Avenue of the Arts, such as The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, The Wilma Theater and the Philadelphia Theatre Company.