We are having a big problem with finding studio apartments. (Philadelphia: section 8, rental market)

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by groar

so west oakland is north oakland? thank you google!

north oakland is mostly HORRIBLE student ghetto, by the way. but it's also not west oakland.

oh, i disagree. mrs. watts, dont write off north oakland entirely. with your baby, it might not be a good idea - seems like such a loud neighborhood - but there are some streets where you might find accomodations.

if you are not familiar with pittsburgh, you might not be aware of areas you didnt mention that have bus accessibility. what kind of time frame are you looking at - moving at the end of October?

look, i know a cat is not an elephant - but cats can pose a problem. cat urine odors can ruin an otherwise decent carpet, and they tend to claw at surfaces. if i were a landlord, i might be inclined to disallow pets.

anyway, knowing your time frame, we can continue to offer suggestions on what we find.

heres one i found - a short walk to 3 bus lines, the 56, 57, and 58:
Apt on Greenfield av

are you from pittsburgh, and therefore familiar with the quality/character of various neighborhoods, and the bus system, too?

[PghYinzer]

I would check out Brookline. It's outside of the East End, so it is usually off everyones radar, but it safe, has public transportation, and a walkable business district.

[szug-bot]

just an FYI, mrs. watts: i saw these on craigslist just minutes ago: Pink and Black signs are to be avoided

Beautiful Completely Renovated Apartment

So close to Highland Park's Reservoir Drive!
(although that one has that pink/black sign!)

and this one is most likely where someone described n. oakland as a 'student ghetto' (and who could disagree), but maybe youd want to check it out:
Furnished studio & 1 bedroom apartments near Carnegie Mellon & Pitt

there just isnt a lot on craigslist in places where bus service is good and/or where i think youd be ok w/ a baby. keep us posted....good luck.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

I would check out Brookline. It's outside of the East End, so it is usually off everyones radar, but it safe, has public transportation, and a walkable business district.

i think brookline just has that one, sole bus route, right? im thinking w/ the baby, she may not want to walk to the T - possible, but a hike, and dangerous in winter w/ the hills.

[PghYinzer]

You are correct there is only one bus route in Brookline, but that isn't usually a problem if you are not against a transfer. That bus route touches the South Busway, South Hills Junction, Station Square, and then into Downtown ending at Penn Station. You have access to a majority of the major routes, even the East Busway.

I understand that direct bus/T routes are ideal, but having to transfer to another route would not make it a deal breaker IMHO.

[groar]

the advice to stay away from lobos management (pink and black signs) is very good, i've never heard anything good about them. "regent square rentals" has a pretty bad rep too (and their name is kind of spammy, making it hard to find places that are actually in regent square as they have a million places, hardly any of which are).

mozart and john cr kelly, i've heard mixed things about - i'd risk it with them for the right place. i think that covers the biggest management companies in the city proper, although i feel like i'm missing at least one.

[groar]

oh also i've noticed in my searches elsewhere that ads that use the word "commodious" and "capacious" to describe apartments (and generally just have the location of "pittsburgh", and describe super luxurious sounding places, often "cottages", for an amazing prices) are always nigerian scammers. flag these as prohibited while you're looking if you can!

[fleetiebelle]

Beechview will be an option, too.

Here's one near the Dormont border: Updated and quaint 1 BR in Beechview near Dormont

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Beechview will be an option, too.

Here's one near the Dormont border: Updated and quaint 1 BR in Beechview near Dormont

Her budget is $520. I wonder if she took into consideration utilities that are included/not included when she set the budget. This apartment includes water, sewage and garbage. Depending on the township, water/sewage/garbage could be worth more than $40 a month, which would make this apartment a budget deal, even though it's $560.

[cheezit34141988]

Cat and kid are going to be your biggest issues...and the focus in the specific city areas you mentioned.

Bloomfield might be good to look into. Or Lawrenceville...maybe an upper flat in a duplex or something.