Timing a move to Memphis--When to come look for apartments? (Midtown: apartment complexes, rentals)

[lilyjane]

Hello...
I'll be looking to move into in the Midtown area in Memphis on August 1st. I'm thinking of coming out in late June to look for an apartment/small house to rent. Are rentals usually announced a month or two months before they're available? I'm looking on Craigslist, but not getting a sense of the timing.

The headache of packing and moving aside, I can't wait to move to Memphis. I loved what I saw when I was hired, and am excited to discover all the city has to offer.

Thanks in advance for any special Midtown rental-hunting tips you can suggest!

[Pearlbob]

I would say for a private person to be renting out an apt or home, like you'll find in midtown, it's either available immediately or maybe a month ahead of time. I would never recommend driving here for the first time and renting something that weekend. Memphis is not a very safe city, and midtown has bad areas (truth). It has a ton of great areas, but you don't want to wind up in something unsafe because you are unfamiliar with the town.

I would suggest coming down once, meeting with a property manager or rental agency that can show you around, and doing a lot of driving and walking to get a feel of midtown. Then, if it's a place you truly want to live in, then come back at a later time to find specific units to rent.

[lilyjane]

Thanks, Pearlbob, for the good advice. I appreciate the thoughts, and your comments on other threads as well.

[Pearlbob]

Or, if you have any ideas now, or places you've seen that you might like, feel free to post the address or the closest intersection on here for feedback.

[pixiepony]

as for apartment complexes, I'd start looking asap, get a list of your faves.

Most complexes and other places will not know until 30 days to the move out date when a resident si leaving. Most leases require a 30 day notification.

We are in a similar situation. we are leaving Alabama to a 6 mo training session in OKC, then permantly in Memphis. We found 2 complexes we liked in OKC and had to wait until 30 days to pur move date (next week) to see what units opened up. Now OKC had some really bad weather a few months back that made many peope homeless. So there weren't many apart vacancies, since alot of people needed to rent an apart while reconstruction was completed.. But most cities have complexes with sevral vacancies at all times. So when you call and inquire, you may find lots of options.

Also, ask about an specials!! Lots of places run specials trying to fill empty units!

Good luck!!!

[pkt]

my tip is do not love here unless someone is making you or your employment. do not do it