Hard to find an apartment/room to rent for under $700 (Chesapeake: apartment complexes, rental)

[cortomadolce]

Hi, I'm relocating to the Hampton Roads area, preferably Chesapeake/Portsmouth. I've been looking on Craigslist, Pilotonline, etc. Need to find a 1 BR that's well under $700.00/month, accepts a cat, has washer/dryer hookups, in a decent area that's less than 40 minutes away from Head of River Road in Chesapeake. So far I've only been able to find apartments that offer one or some of what I listed here, but not all that I've listed, plus have a waiting list longer than I can wait. I've responded to over 25 ads on Craigslist but no body has replied to me even when I've left them my email and phone number. I am beginning to think that Craigslist messages are either slow to get to the designated people or perhaps messages get lost. I'm not trying to be picky, these are definitely needs versus just "wants". I'm tempted to contact that apartment locating company called Locators, Inc. but they want $150 to just give me a printout of vacant places for me to do all the calling, etc. I know nothing about this area. ............any advice?

[Spazkat9696]

You may be wanting a lot for that price.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Spazkat9696

You may be wanting a lot for that price.

Agree...700.00 isn't much, but the pet thing and w/d hookups may be prohibiting you from doing this.
Here's something, but don't know about the pet acceptance.

Green Street Apartments - Apartments in Portsmouth, Virginia VA For Rent (http://www.capitolam.com/portsmouth_apartments.php?gclid=COnclYbC36YCFQY65Q odiH231w - broken link)

Chesapeake Apartments - Find Chesapeake Apartments for Rent on ApartmentGuide.com

[cortomadolce]

W/D hookups are a must because I am not able to take my laundry to and from a laundry facility when necessary because I have Multiple Sclerosis as well as some other health problems yet it's not as if I'm like totally disabled or anything like that, definitely way too young to live in those special housing places for seniors which I've seen ads that they offer decent prices, allow my cat, have either washer/dryer or hookups.

I must have my cat because my husband will be leaving soon because of enlistment in the Marines, and my cat will be all I have because I am not from around the area or even the state, don't know anyone, never lived by myself before. I won't be eligible for military base housing until he's finished with his specialty training.

I wouldn't mind renting a room from someone that's in a house or apartment but yet to get replies after I contact the people through Craigslist. All I say to them is that I am a responsible respectable drama free dependable adult that is seriously interested in renting from them, can furnish excellent personal and rental references, then I give them my email and cell phone number to contact me but not even one has replied despite the fact I replied to nearly a dozen room rental ads. I know Craigslist is first come first serve and there's been times I kept a browser window open with their site open as I do other things online yet keep refreshing the page and soon as I see a new listing I'll immediately reply.

I've done an apartment search online through apartments.com, etc. but there's waiting lists an I really need a place no later than the last week of February. I've started my search well before now so it's not like I'm a procrastinator or anything. I guess I may sound like a lost cause or hard to deal with/get along with but that's totally opposite of how I am. I just never experienced this before in an apartment search in any other state I've lived in but, of course, I never had to utilize Craigslist before and my search was easier because I was already in the area that I needed an apartment. I'm being patient as I can and that time permits me to be and keeping positive something will work out I truly appreciate the help here from the bottom of my heart.

[Spazkat9696]

Why not live on base if your husband is in the Marines?

[cortomadolce]

Originally Posted by cortomadolce

I won't be eligible for military base housing until he's finished with his specialty training.

[Spazkat9696]

To be honest then I'd stay where you are, and wait for him to get here and settled before moving. This is an expensive area to live in.

If you can't wait when you call apartment complexes ask about military set-aside. That's where they give you a discounted rate in exchange for allowing your rent to automatically be deducted from your husbands check. It's actually nice because the allotment is split between your 1st and 15th check so you get the same amount each check, and you don't have to worry about paying your rent. It also usually allows you to live in a nicer place then you would normally be able to afford.

As far as your cat goes I'd see about getting a service animal designation. It's pretty easy to do from what other people have told me, and then the place you choose would have to allow the cat because it's a service animal.



ETA: are you 100% positive he will be stationed here? My husband (USMC) was always promised one thing, and then after finishing a school we would be sent somewhere else.

[cortomadolce]

Oh, where he'll be stationed at is currently up in the air. I just need a place until his boot camp is complete/graduates SOI, then wherever his orders are I'll join him and utilize BAH- live off base or maybe just live on base. I won't know till that time comes. I'll do whatever he decides is best for me/us in all ways.

I will definitely look into the "set aside" and service animal alternatives. This really helps ease my worries and stress. I could just give you a huge hug right now for your help. You've turned the tight tension feelings I've been having in my temples and jaw into a huge wall to wall relieved hopeful smile. No worries, I won't get my hopes too high. I'm sort of a "doubting Thomas" until everything works out because everything's different everywhere and everyone's different from the next person, etc.

I'm really starting to love this website/forum, people here really do care and try to help. Just saying how much appreciate everything is nothing compared to the deep appreciating feelings I have and sincerely thankful.