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I'm curious what people think is the best way to find a rental? I've tried newspapers, with mixed success. There are a few different websites I've found, but I'm not sure that's great either. Another idea I had was to try to find and contact property management companies (the people who manage the apartments) and see what units they have, but this is difficult as there seems to be a huge number of companies.
I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or knows of good websites or other ways to find a rental.
Go to the areas you know you want to live in and walk up and down the streets looking for For Rent signs. The best places usually don't put up ads because they don't have to. Rental magazines here only list the elite/expensive places and the dumps.
And I said walk, on purpose. Don't drive. Get a feel for the neighborhood - and some exercise. I just did this and found a great new place (that wasn't advertised anywhere) and will move into it at the end of the month.
Step 1: Visit and isolate the EXACT area you want to live in. Usually, after visiting an area and walking it, I find about a 5-block area that's optimally located between stores, entertainment, and outdoor activities. I write down numbers on for-rent signs and call to see if anyone can show it right away.
Step 2: Craig's List and web-searches for rentals in the area you want. Sometimes it's hard to get an address from them, so you often need to call and just ask "where is the apartment?" Keep google maps handy so you can say "okay, thanks, goodbye" if it's not in the area you want.
Step 3: Set up appointments and visit/walkthrough. I usually visit an area about 2-3 times before settling on something, unless I find a GREAT deal on the first trip.
Step 4: Rent it!
I like the idea of a waking though the area. Thanks.
Best of luck, nickjbor. I know it's not easy to find the time to do it, which can make it stressful, but it's necessary. You're talking about the place you lay your head at night and spend a lot of time. If you're like me, you have to enjoy where you live because of the amount of time you spend there.
That poses a different challenge wen you're relocating. I've done this many times and here's how I've done it. (It's not a technique for everyone.)
I tend to research everything to death. I could research brain surgery and be able to perform it by the time I was done. This is my key. (No, not that I need brain surgery.)
I research a town/city where I want to move and learn about the different parts of town. I find out where I'm going to be working and take the distance to work in consideration. Once I know the area and get enough information to know that it's not a crime-ridden slum, I start looking at apartments in the area on the internet. I go to local forums and get other peoples opinions about the place and start narrowing down the choices. I can eventually find the place I know I want without having seen it and contact the landlord. I've taken places sight-unseen before and never regretted it. If I'm still unsure about a place before I get there, I'll plan to spend up to a week at a local motel while I look around in person. I've always found something.
Thanks guys. I took a quick cab ride though the areas of interest, and asked the cabbie if he knows about crime/saftey in the areas. I've been able to narrow it down to two streets that intersect. On my next day off my friend and I (looking for a 2 bedroom) will walk the area and see what we can find. Most of the apartments are low-rise (4 stories or less) in the area, and along the main drag. We've narrowed it down to a 2 mile / 3 KM stretch on the two streets.
I tend to research everything to death. I could research brain surgery and be able to perform it by the time I was done. This is my key. (No, not that I need brain surgery.)
I research a town/city where I want to move and learn about the different parts of town. I find out where I'm going to be working and take the distance to work in consideration. Once I know the area and get enough information to know that it's not a crime-ridden slum, I start looking at apartments in the area on the internet. I go to local forums and get other peoples opinions about the place and start narrowing down the choices. I can eventually find the place I know I want without having seen it and contact the landlord. I've taken places sight-unseen before and never regretted it. If I'm still unsure about a place before I get there, I'll plan to spend up to a week at a local motel while I look around in person. I've always found something.
I'm a research junkie too and Im trying to relocate from hundreds of miles away. So I live on my computer and visit the local City Data forum daily. (Charleston, SC). The folks on these forums are usually a great source of info and willing to answer most any question you might have about a particular area or even certain subdivisions or apartment complexes. Craigslist is also a great resource for at least getting an idea of what the average rent runs in a particular area. I have to agree with the idea of visiting the narrowed down area personally and looking for For Rent signs. Besides, if you have the luxury of visiting an area and looking around you may find that place is not for you.
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