Moving to Pittsburgh - Update!!!!

[BrianTH]

I'm sorry your friend dropped out on you--I know that was a big consideration for your originally. But I am very, very confident you will be fine.

[jazz06]

Thanks BrianTH. It was, but I think I'll be okay on my own now. I know some of the girls in the Nursing program in Pittsburgh so I will not feel completely alone anymore.

Now about Duquesne Lights.....how much is a deposit usually? Everything is electric where I will be so gas is not an issue. Also who would I need to go through for Trash, Sewage, and Water?

[greg42]

Within the city limits:

Water/Sewer: Have you checked on this to be sure you need to do it? I've never had a rental where the water/sewer was in my own name. If you actually do have to do it, it's the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer authority. But most multi-tenant buildings that I know of are not individually metered for water.

Trash: Collected by the city, covered by city taxes. There is no fee, you just need to learn what day to put your stuff out and which weeks the recycling is collected (it's every other week). If it's a larger building it will have its own internal process for dealing with trash, probably, but if you're renting a house or apartment in what used to be a house, you'll probably be putting stuff at the curb yourself.

Deposit for Duquesne Light: I never had to put up a deposit where I rented, but that may vary by area. If you're renting in a heavy student area, maybe they require this, but I don't know.

If the heat is also electric and not included, the electric bill could get up there depending upon the age/construction of the place.

[jazz06]

Thanks greg42. The thing is where I'm from, even though Huntsville Utilities is a monopoly, you still have to pay for all that other stuff and you have to make a deposit. It's weird. I've heard of several other places that don't require it either.

Now this might be a stupid question, but do I need to obtain a parking permit from anywhere for the summer? I'm not taking classes this summer, but I am staying in a house in Oakland that's not far from the main campus.

[greg42]

In some places street parking is by permit only at least for certain hours of the day, and you get those from the city. I don't know if this will be true on your street, most likely not. If you have an off-street spot, this won't matter to you. University lots are mostly by permit as well so if you need to use them for some reason, you'll need to figure out how to get a permit.

[Faerunner]

Most of the PA utilities I've dealt with both in Pgh and outside the county (Indiana County) require deposits only if your credit is really bad and/or you've recently defaulted on a bill. Otherwise they couldn't care less.

Electric heat in an older building will put your rates through the roof this winter. Invest in window plastic kits this fall. They're cheap but will save you a lot even if your windows are properly installed and sealed. And welcome to the city (soon, anyway)!