[PDXchic]

Hi Everyone!

I'll be starting grad school at UA in the fall and am looking for a bit of advice on where I should look for an apartment...sight unseen.

I'm originally from the midwest but have lived in Portland, Oregon for about three years now. I know I'll go through culture shock when I move to T-Town but I am ready for a change and excited to be back in school ;-). Unfortunately because of my current job, I won't be able to visit Tuscaloosa at all before I move in August.

I'm a female in my mid-20's and am not sure yet if my fiancee will be able to relocate with me right away. So, I'm looking for a one-bedroom (in case he does come with me, and I don't mind being alone if he doesn't) in a safe neighborhood. I'll be living off of a grad student salary, so I think my max rent would be around $500. Are there any parts of town that might fit my criteria? If I'm out of walking distance from campus, that's ok, my main priority is finding somewhere safe and grad-student friendly. Suburbs are ok with me too.

Thanks in advance for all the advice!

[CoreLysium]

I'd suggest taking your time finding an apartment by using and extended stay place for the first month. They're furnished so you'd be moving stuff into storage and then back out.

I'm sure others will be along to recommend different apartment complexes. I would suggest you not use apartmentratings to make your decision as it is not accurate at all. Look up some places you know are nice to see that.

Welcome to Alabama. Also make sure to check yelp.com to find some good local non-chain restaurants. Eat some grits.

(I haven't been down to Tuscaloosa in over 10 yrs, so I'm not that useful.)

Edited to add: In the suggested threads at the bottom, there was this: Relocating to Tuscaloosa - grad student, female, looking to buy

[Southlander]

Sorry about the lack of responses - we have very few posters from Tuscaloosa here and they don't check the forum every day. They'll probably pop up in a few days.
In the meantime...what little I know from my daughter's student days a few years ago...most leases run July through June. Last year's tornadoes wiped out a good bit of rental property close to the university, so space is a little tight now.
Start looking online NOW. There are several luxury complexes with prices to match; however, it's the norm for them to put roommates together to cut the costs a bit. That's something to remember.
I would also check a certain other forum, which has a lot of info. I'll PM you the address.
Roll Tide!

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by PDXchic

...I know I'll go through culture shock when I move to T-Town...

We're so sorry that you might suffer by coming to "T-Town." However, I have good news for you. There are many other schools in this great country (some even close to your current location). Amazingly, you could go to one of these other schools and you won't have to endure the threat of "culture shock" that a move to "T-Town" might cause.

[EnricoV]

Wow. That's some real southern hospitality, there.

[ttownfeen]

Originally Posted by PDXchic

Hi Everyone!

I'll be starting grad school at UA in the fall and am looking for a bit of advice on where I should look for an apartment...sight unseen.

I'm originally from the midwest but have lived in Portland, Oregon for about three years now. I know I'll go through culture shock when I move to T-Town but I am ready for a change and excited to be back in school ;-). Unfortunately because of my current job, I won't be able to visit Tuscaloosa at all before I move in August.

I'm a female in my mid-20's and am not sure yet if my fiancee will be able to relocate with me right away. So, I'm looking for a one-bedroom (in case he does come with me, and I don't mind being alone if he doesn't) in a safe neighborhood. I'll be living off of a grad student salary, so I think my max rent would be around $500. Are there any parts of town that might fit my criteria? If I'm out of walking distance from campus, that's ok, my main priority is finding somewhere safe and grad-student friendly. Suburbs are ok with me too.

Thanks in advance for all the advice!

No shortage of apartments for grad students in Tuscaloosa, especially in that range, walking distance from campus. I would contact one of the big apartment owning companies like Rumsey or HA Edwards and ask what they can set you up with.