Help finding an apartment in SA (San Antonio, Anton: apartment complexes, rental, motel)

[jmh001]

I have decided to move to San Antonio from WI since I just graduated. I need to find a place to live, but I'm not sure if I should go down and pick out a place, and come back. I don't have much time as my lease runs out in two weeks.
The extra expense of going down and back just to find a place to live is going to hurt. Has anyone tried to set up a rental deal without seeing it in person? I was thinking of contacting a realtor, good idea?
I need a 1 bedroom apt/house with a garage.
I have gotten some advice that you want to live in the north side of town, preferably north of the 1604.

[elmariachi]

Budget?

[Penquin927]

Checkout the www.forrent.com site and also check www.apartmentratings.com. I think those are both the correct links but if not google them. Keep in mind that most apartment ratings are bad since people normally don't post if they like something.

I live outside 1604 on the northside and love the area. Others who do not live in the area will definitely tell you to stay away because traffic is terrible. Yes during rush hour it can be bad but other then that no issues. My husband and I both travel outside the area for work daily.

Good luck finding an apartment. There are definitely apartments in the area with garages and I am sure there are different price points but normally there are move-in specials.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Apartments with garages are usually more expensive because they're the newer/more upscale complexes. Apartments on the north side north of 1604 are usually more expensive because of the area.

You can rent without seeing the place, but they all look nice on the computer...even the worst complex has a couple of decent spots to take pictures. I'm not sure using a realtor would help much. If you can budget for a couple days of staying in a motel while you look for a place to live, that would be the best way to do it.

[Me007gold]

You don't want to rent with out checking the place out. There are so many things the internet does not show. Check out the apartment review websites, they help alot,

[jmh001]

I have been doing a bit of research online, there is just so much info out there it is hard to know where to start! I am looking to spend around $700-800. Thanks much for the quick replies!
I can't have a place without a garage, I use it too much.
Is there any particular areas that are nice and safe outside of the North/Northwest side of SA?
A house would be nice...

[Me007gold]

Where are you going to be working? Finding a house or an apartment with a garage for 800 a month is going to tough

[jmh001]

I still have to find an internship, but a commute isn't going to bother me.

[andrewcool]

Originally Posted by jmh001

I still have to find an internship, but a commute isn't going to bother me.

What internship are you looking for? Commutes can range from 15mins to over an hour, depending on where you choose to live.

Plus, what type of lifestlye are you looking for?
Downtown (sort of a night life)
Near college university?

[Hedgehog_Mom]

What do you use the garage for? Most apartment complexes have rules against working on your car in the complex and it's too hot to do lots of outdoor stuff here in the summers, you may not really use a garage as much as you think you would.

Most houses want first and last months rent and a deposit, is that in your budget? Also, to get approved for an apartment (or probably a house) you have to have a job or other income, usually three times the monthly rent. You can have your parents cosign for it but they have to make seven times the rent, usually.