Inexperienced gal looking for moving advice (Edgewood, Oakland: apartment, to rent, credit)

[LadyMysterion]

Hello everybody =]

I'm looking to move out of my currently horrific living situation and am just about out of ideas.

I currently have no credit, at least I believe I don't. I have a student loan I need to repay, but it's been deffered for a couple of months, if that means anything? So i've come to realize that renting an apartment in a complex or through a company is virtually impossible. I've been scouring Craigslist, with little luck, and honestly I just don't know where to turn now.

Some details for those interested: I am currently self-employed and make a decent wage. However I am in the process of acquiring another full time job. It is imperative that I aim for an apartment in one of the following areas: Oakland, Edgewood, Squirrel Hill or Shadyside, for personal reasons that I will not bore you with. I have no pets, thank goodness as i'm seeing that if I did my situation would truly become impossible. I am also looking to have a 1 bedroom place to myself, no roommates. I've dealt with the hassles of roommates enough in my 23 years and needless to say i'm equipped with plenty of horror stories if I ever find myself near a campfire. My target monthly rent price was $500 a month + any utilities but i'm starting to see just how unrealistic that is for the areas I want. So for now, i'll mentally budget for up to $650 + utilities.

Any advice/help/information about my situation and what I should do next would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know what to do now as I have never actually gone after my own place before, and I figured if anyone would understand, it would be people in and around the area who have possibly gone through the same thing.

[eccotecc]

If I were you, I'd focus on a studio apartment in the Squirrel Hill area.

[stburr91]

The areas you are looking at are all desirable, so landlords are going to be less likely to take a chance on someone with poor or no credit. Having a steady, and verifiable income is also important. It's pretty common for landlords to want to see a monthly income of 3-4 times the rent.

Renting in the desirable areas is a lot like applying for a job, many apply, but only one gets the job. So if you want to rent in the markets you listed, you'll need to be able to compete with the generally well qualified people applying in those areas.

Good luck.