I am about to search on apartments.com (Philadelphia, Levittown: real estate, affordable apartments)

[Eyesys]

I am about to search on apartments.com
Here's how they group greater Philly:

Chester/Upper Darby
Doylestown/Levittown/Bensalem
Norristown/Abington/Pottstown
Phoenixville/Coatesville/Malvern/Kennett Square
Philadelphia

in New Jersey
Willingsboro
Pennsuaken
Cherry Hill
Woodbury
Glassboro

I plan on visiting the area within a few months. I am a lesbian, I am in a relationship, no kids, two animals. We're looking for city life (close to street food, restaurants, shopping, coffee shops) in other words I guess, we would like for the area to be "busy". We are NOT looking for family atmosphere, being that we do not have kids, so a family friendly area is the least on our important list. We are gay, so we'd like to be in at least gay friendly areas. We are black, but we'd like to live in a diverse area with all different kinds of people, gay straight whatever. I will be a student, she works in IT. I do not have a degree, so with regard to jobs, is it uber necessary to have a degree in order to enjoy Philly? If so, I may just stay here until I finish (whenever that will be). I've mostly worked in customer service, although I also have a few years of technical computer experience.
We will be renting, I love using apartments.com, so that's why I'm asking about areas in relation to the way apartments.com groups them.
Right now, we're living in Savannah, GA. We live in a 2BR/1.5Ba townhouse and the rent is $715+ electric. Now I KNOW I cannot get anything this awesome in greater Philly, but if I were, to get something along these lines, how much am I looking at, and in what areas?
I'm assuming the pay is higher being that the cost of living is more expensive (I hope my assumption is correct)?
Any help would be great, thanks!

[ajb842]

The Center City areas of Philly whould be quite comfortable for you. Also the area of Manayunk and Chestnut Hill and Mt Airy(19127,19118,19119) would be very diverse in all the ways that might be important to you. Also, in the suburbs, I might check out the Abington and Willow Grove Areas(19001 and 19090). In WG there are lots of affordable apartments, though I've never personally lived in any of them. I know a few people who have enjoyed there time there, and there's a nice mall in WG which would give you the opportunity to work as well as many supermarkets and other stores around for work. I don't think your sexual orientation will be a problem, as I've lived in Philly and the surrounding areas my whole life and there are plenty of different kinds of people. Abington and WG are family-friendly primarily. However, in Jenkintown(19046) you will probably also like that area which is next to abington, there is a trader joe's, whole foods,etc. In Abington there is Target, supermarkets,take out,etc. Another area is Glenside(19038)also offering stuff to do, including a few bars and restaurants along a small main st. Honestly, I think almost anywhere you move within 15min of the city, you will be near plenty of shopping,coffee shops and restaurants. In particular, the places I mentioned also offer close proximity to CC(all are less than 40min to downtown). Price-wise, I paid $950/month plus utilities when I lived in Glenside for a 2bed,1bath with w/d and parking. It wasn't a complex,but a privately owned duplex.You can find things much cheaper. I looked at an apartment in the same area for 700 plus utilities(it was just on the top floor and I wanted ground floor).Don't just look at complexes. There are so many duplexes in the area you might make out really well if you look in more residential areas, if you're ok with that. Remember, almost no matter where you go here you're relatively close to CC and there's stuff everywhere. Also, I forgot to mention Elkins Park(19027). Check out allaroundphilly.com and look under real estate to search private apartments. Good luck!

[Eyesys]

Wow, great info! You've given me a lot to look at, I appreciate it!