Trying to move to the an area on the west outskirts of Allentown. HELP! (Reading: apartments)

[Tsuki-senpai]

I have been on craigslists, rent.com, apartments.com, mynewplace.com, rentmyplace.com, and just so many websites trying to find an apartment for when my boyfriend and I move to the area. We don't want to live in center Allentown, but rather on the western outskirts. I got accepted to Kuztown University and he'll be going to Lehigh Carbon Community College up in Schnecksville. We want to find an apartment in the middle of our schools so that we can save on gas with your commute. More specifics below, and I'll be glad to have anyone's help. It'll be much MUCH appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My name's Amanda and my fiance's name is Shawn, and we're permantenly moving to the area at the end of May, 2010. We'll be down between March 8 to March 12 to put the security deposit down on our new apartments/cottages/single home. We're not sure how much a security deposit usually is, but we're guessing it to be as much as one month's rent ($300-$500), or a month and a half's rent ($450-$750). We'll have the money ready when looking at apartments.We both plan on going to college and working while we live down there; I'll be going to school full-time, working part-time and him the opposite. While we're in the area in March, we'll also be putting in for job applications. He's just transferring from where he currently works (Radioshack) to a local one in the Lehigh area (or he'll try to get in at BestBuy), while I have to look for an entirely new job. His income would cover the rent, and some bills but not everything. That's why I ALSO need a job.

We're looking for an apartment that costs between $300 to $500 a month that includes all utilities (electric, water, heat, trash, sewage, hot water, and gas if offered for heat or stove), but we can negotiate on some utilities if we have an estimated average monthly cost for them. We require the rental to be a one-bedroom apartment with an eat-in kitchen that comes with a stove and refridgerator, bathroom with a tub/shower combo, and living room. We would also like to know if the rental has a washer and dryer hookup (most preferred) or a relatively close laundry mat, and what kind of parking is offered. The apartment can be unfurnished or partially furnished; we'll be bringing furniture with us in May. We will be leasing the apartment between a year to five years, depending on how much we like the area. My degree is going to take up to five years, while Shawn's will take between two to four years.

We're moving to the Lehigh area because of college, but also because we would like to be closer to entertainment. Where we grew up it took an hour to drive to a good town for entertainment, shopping, ect. We're also tired of living with your parents, and would like to start living independently with each other. We've only been to the area once before, when I was visiting Kutztown University. Shawn and I are both reliable, quiet, well-mannered young adults (20 & 21 years old) that make sure to get our bills paid on time. We have no pets, and don't smoke; however, we'll be bringing two cars. He and I aren't from the Lehigh County area; we're from Clearfield County. I'll be going to Kutztown College starting August 30th, 2010, and he'll be starting at Lehigh Carbon Community College around the same time. We want to get an apartment in between are colleges, so we need it in one of the following towns: Fogelsville, Breinigsville, Trexlertown, Haines, Maxatawny, Hynemansville, Seipstown, Alburtis, Oreville, Farmington, Weilersville, Spring Creek, Ancient Oaks, Ruppsville, Chapman, Krocksville, Wescosville, and the far west side of Allentown (40th street to 25th street). Anywhere in between those towns is fine also, however; we would like something closer to Kutztown or in the middle if possible. As for living with people in the same age group, race, religion, and so forth, that doesn't matter. We'll be too busy working and going to school to pay too much attention to our neighbors. This would be our first rental together so we're excited about the experience. I hope this is enough information, and I am sincerely grateful to anyone who can help us in our search. THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

[wonka27]

I think you needs and desires may be a little misaligned with the rent your willing to pay.

[toobusytoday]

Here's the problem - You are asking for an apartment in a very rural area. Some of those towns you are mentioning don't even have a gas station or a store, let alone an apartment building. I'm not saying that there won't be apartments, but this site should probably not be your best hope for finding something. Your best chance of finding something is having someone you know in those area's keep a look out for you. You are looking to pay an extremely low price for an apartment for it to be including utilities, especially since the rate cap just went off the electric companies. I've noticed a couple of places for rent around my area recently, but it's only because they put a sign out front. There is usually no need for them to advertise besides doing that. At least, that's my take. I hope someone else can help you. Oh, and if I were you, I would look more into Emmaus which does have apartments and is fairly convenient to both colleges.

Here's is something that might help - OCH | Off-Campus Housing

Good luck.

[JohnZ963]

That's going to be tough, or almost impossible to find, for $300-$500 including all utilities in the areas you are considering. You might have to double your price range. Even finding something for that amount in center city Allentown (where you say you want to avoid and I agree with you) is tough if you want all utilities to be included.

The only non-center city Allentown or Reading area with those prices is probably in upper Schuylkill or Carbon counties, in the dying coal towns. But then you'll have a 45-60 minute commute.

[Tsuki-senpai]

Thank you all for the input you've given me. I'll look into the Emmaus area, my boyfriend what wondering about that town. Annd I got an offer in New Tripili for an apartment with all utilities however, I don't know the price of it yet. Thanks EVERYONE!