Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Philadelphia Skyline

Located in the Northeastern region of the United States, Philadelphia is known for its iconic history and present-day cultural offerings. Known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia is the home to more than 1.5 million people, making it the fifth-most populous city in the nation.

Philadelphia Phillies fans at a World Series Parade on Broad Street

So why do so many people choose to live in Philadelphia, and what makes it one of the most iconic cities in the country? Here’s how Philadelphia has become one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the United States.

The Liberty Bell on display in Liberty Bell Center

• The History of Philadelphia: Philadelphia, or “Philly” for short, will forever have a place in United States history. The city was founded in 1682 by William Penn, and played a significant role in many key moments during the American Revolution. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in the city, along with the United States Constitution in 1787. Philadelphia is also home to the Liberty Bell, The Franklin Institute and Independence Hall.

Independence Hall, birthplace of the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Declaration of Independence

• Take in the Culture: In addition to its rich history, Philadelphia is also well known for its present-day cultural offerings. Philadelphia is the home to many renowned museums, including The Academy of Natural Sciences, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Mütter Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  

A Tall Ship in front of Independence Seaport Museum, at Penn's Landing on the Delaware River

• The city is also famous for its food, known best for its hoagies, soft pretzels and especially its cheesesteaks. Pat and Harry Olivieri, who are credited with creating the first Philly cheesesteak in 1930, founded Pat's King of Steaks, which is one of the go-to spots in the city to grab an authentic Philly cheesesteak.

Fans gather at the Piazza to watch the Phillies play a World Series game

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• Stay Entertained: Philadelphia is also notorious for having some of the nation’s most passionate sports fans. The Philadelphia Eagles (American Football), Philadelphia Flyers (Hockey), Philadelphia Phillies (Baseball), Philadelphia 76ers (Basketball) and Philadelphia Union (Soccer) keep the city entertained all year. The city’s most recent championship was the Phillies’ World Series title in 2008. 

A LOVE sculpture, by Robert Indiana, resides in JFK Plaza

Philadelphia also has a variety of other entertainment options. The Wells Fargo Center hosts concerts year-round, attracting some of the world’s greatest performers. If you are a fan of live theater, there are plenty of opportunities all over the city to catch a play. 

Pennsylvania State University students

• Get an education: Philadelphia is well known for having some of the most prestigious higher education programs in the United States. The three major research universities in the city are Temple University, Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, which is an Ivy League university known for its medical, law, business and engineering programs. The Curtis Institute of Music is also in Philadelphia, known for being one of the best music programs in the country. 

A Temple University student shows his school spirit

• Find your new home: It can be very difficult finding the best housing option in a new city, especially one as large as Philadelphia. If you are interested in living off-campus and need to find an affordable apartment in a safe neighborhood, ApartmentSearch.com can help. ApartmentSearch.com is a great resource for students looking for housing in an unfamiliar area. The tool allows you to search for an apartment in your ideal location, while also showing you crime statistics, the cost of living, local restaurants, the length of your commute and more. If your apartment is unfurnished, furniture rental is an economical and hassle-free way to furnish your home. CORT, the leading provider of furniture rental in the U.S., furnishes thousands of student apartments with everything from beds and sofas to accessories – all with affordable rental package options.

Philadelphia row houses

Philly attracts students from all over the world for its educational and cultural offerings. If you want to learn more about the “City of Brotherly Love,” be sure to research all that Philadelphia has to offer for prospective students. For more information on CORT’s furniture rental solutions, please visit https://www.cort.com/studyusa. 

Part of the Mural Arts Program in South Philadelphia

• Philadelphia fun facts:
  • Philadelphia was the home to the nation’s first library, hospital, business school, medical school, stock exchange and zoo.
  • Philadelphia was the setting and inspiration for the “Rocky” movie series. 
  • Philadelphia has over 2,000 outdoor murals.
  • In 1988, the city set the record for the world’s largest cheesesteak, which was the length of a football field.
  • An estimated one of every six doctors is medically trained in Philadelphia.
  • Philadelphia was the first United States capital.

by Yu Wu and CORT.

Universities, colleges and language institutes in or near Philadelphia:

Community College of Philadelphia

Drexel University

ELS Language Centers

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

Pennsylvania State University

Rutgers University

Temple University

University of Pennsylvania