This street may not necessarily welcome frat boy antics or the occasional "40s and Blunts" late night. But what you might sacrifice in base entertainment is made up for in a peace-of-mind you can't find anywhere else on campus. Lush trees and tall Victorian-style converted homes enclose the stretch between 42nd and 43rd. With more leaves than red cups on the ground, the area offers anyone an easy way to get to know the more friendly side of West Philadelphia by venturing out to a handful of shops and events. Instead of the usual hangover cure from Bui's and Steak Queen, treat yourself to a cup of trade-free coffee at the Green Line Cafe or delectable baked goods from the Clark Park Amish Market. On the same corner, The Best House Pizzeria boasts one of the best beer selections in the area, putting Allegro to shame at half the price (two 40s of PBR for $5 - a steal). The area's charm will curb any anxieties you might have living near the edge of "Penn"-trification. Osage denizens include a wide range of characters, from college professors, academics and grad students to families who might not appreciate the Wednesday night keg kill - and trust us, they tend to utilize the Philly Police instead of Penn Po, so try to keep the bro-outs to a minimum. The sheer distance from campus makes having a bike a near-necessity, but having the clear division between school and home, due to its legitimately "off-campus" location, is part of the appeal.
-Johann Diedrick
Pine is definitely diverse. Towards the west there are a few pseudo-Greek houses with their inevitable parties. Then there's the Lubavitch house that holds the title for having the hardest throw-downs on the street. The 39th and Pine block is so friendly you feel like you're in suburban Middle America. The doors to the houses are almost always open, cars pull up at all times delivering visitors, and if you haven't been in the living room next door to yours, you're definitely in the minority. The houses on the 40th block are far enough apart to have side yards between them, but close enough that you can see into your neighbor's window. I mean really SEE. It's been noted that during certain times of the day, you can catch a glimpse of your neighbors that you don't see during block parties. Pine is also an area that walks the line between sketchy and safe; the security guards in their yellow jackets stop watching you when you turn the corner down Pine Street. Granted, they are in shouting distance, but there have been times when I've shuffled home faster than I would normally, just in case one of those shady cars that pulls up in the middle of the road is looking for company.
-Kristen Franke
If the average freshman were asked to pick where the Park Place and Boardwalk of the Penn party scene resides, the answer would be somewhere on the 200 block of 41st Street. Behind these beige-covered walls lie empty keg shells, discarded blunt wraps and most importantly the forgotten memories of NSOs passed. Remember that time before you could tell for certain which direction Spruce was? It was around that time that you probably first experienced the glorified houses of Beige Block. Of course by now, nearly everyone knows that the dilapidated townhouses at the corner of 41st and Locust are the territory of the Greek scene on campus. While it is common to find scores of red solo cups or remnants from a late night pledge event, this is not all this corner has to offer. As an epicenter of the off-campus neighborhood, one of the greatest perks of living on Beige is the ability to sit on your porch on a sunny afternoon and see old friends pass by. If there is one thing you can say for sure, it's that this block always manages to stay lively. While this may present a problem at four in the morning the night before an exam, it's a trade-off that us Beige residents are willing to make.
-Maunik Patel
