Finding it impossible to find a clean and safe apartment under $1300ish (Washington: real estate, rentals)

[SharpieMarker]

I'm not moving for about 5-6 months, but want to have an idea of where to look(It's good to have a plan). I've literally searched for a dozen hours on all the apartment sites. It seems like the only good places are super expensive $2000+, and if they are in my price range they get ripped apart on apartmentratings.com.

I know you can't have everything, but can anyone list a specific place that offers this two key things.

1. Clean!! I refuse to live in a place that has bugs! I'm a clean person but still I don't want to worry about that.

2. Safety/Location... I guess these go hand and hand. I don't need to be in CC but I want to be able to walk out the door and go for a stroll during the day safely, walk to a bar, or shop. Or if it's a little outside of the city within 10 minutes walking distance to a train or bus to the city.

Can anyone give me a specific complex they have lived or know anyone that would fit the bill? Should I be looking at craiglist for smaller places? I'm worried I'll find a nice walkup or something privately owned but I have no idea from past owners if it was any good.

If you can't list a specific place (not sure forum rules) can you at least PM? I got a good job after graduation and really want to move, but don't want to wait till I'm 40 till I can afford $2000 in rent!

[PeeAye Native]

I would not put all my faith in apartmentratings.com. It's like Yelp, TripAdvisor and menupages.com, where anyone can post anything, including an apartment or restaurant's direct competitors.

[SharpieMarker]

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

I would not put all my faith in apartmentratings.com. It's like Yelp, TripAdvisor and menupages.com, where anyone can post anything, including an apartment or restaurant's direct competitors.

I actually never thought of that... the only one's I clearly can see are when you have 5-10 amazing reviews in the same 2 day span. It's pretty clear they are from someone at the establishment.

I think I narrowed down a few places. It might be better for me to seek current residents through other means, perhaps facebook or such. I'd be curious to speak to some directly.

[FindingZen]

You should be able to find a place of reasonable quality, even in Center City, for $1300. If you're looking for brand-new buildings, those are the ones that will push that $2000 mark. Without knowing where you're from, Philly is typical of many older Northeastern/near-Midwestern cities in that it retains a lot of its historical buildings. Center City is as safe as any larger urban downtown; street wisdom and common sense can be beneficial as you're still in the city. I agree with the last post that ratings websites should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt.

[SharpieMarker]

Originally Posted by Tone509

You should be able to find a place of reasonable quality, even in Center City, for $1300. If you're looking for brand-new buildings, those are the ones that will push that $2000 mark. Without knowing where you're from, Philly is typical of many older Northeastern/near-Midwestern cities in that it retains a lot of its historical buildings. Center City is as safe as any larger urban downtown; street wisdom and common sense can be beneficial as you're still in the city. I agree with the last post that ratings websites should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt.

Yah I think I put too much into sites as opposed to true word of mouth.

It seem like there are some nice places around CC/Rittenhouse in my price range, though I'd like to see what develops with another block of lofts in north broad under construction. In terms of commons sense, well I consider myself overly cautious in the city.

I'm not moving till about December, so if anyone has lived someplace an can vouch for it lemme know, love the feedback. Thanks!

[Hobokenkitchen]

How many bedrooms are you looking for?
You should be able to find a fairly decent 1 bedroom in CC for $1300. Tough for 2 bedrooms though.

[SharpieMarker]

Originally Posted by Hobokenkitchen

How many bedrooms are you looking for?
You should be able to find a fairly decent 1 bedroom in CC for $1300. Tough for 2 bedrooms though.

Studio but a 1 bedroom would be better. Yah I think I was putting too much stock in online rating sites. I've seen a few places I'm eyeing up for around $1300. I could afford more if I get rid of my car which I'm debating, depends on commute time of train/bus vs car.

[hiwhatisup]

I moved to Philly just over 2 years ago with my wife from LA. The first year we moved here, (what we thought) was an excellent apartment in Washington Square West through the Yelson Group (Now the Marlen Corp). While the neighborhood was great (11th & Pine in Center City), the apartment itself sucked. We were in such a desperation to find a descent apartment after 4 months of looking and job deadline lurking we took it. A year later we were desperate to leave our lease. So much so that we surrender our two month deposit (after we left the apartment in better shape than we found it) when we found a house for rent near 16th and Fitzwater. The two bedroom/one bath apartment we found in Washington Square West cost us 1650 per month. Our three bedroom/2.5 bath cost us 1500 in the Graduate Hospital area. What did we give up? Well not much (in fact from our prospective we came out ahead) while the apartment was in a great neighborhood our house we ended renting was only 2 blocks from Rittenhouse Square plus a lower rent and more space.

Honestly, unlike Cali, Midwest, and Western neighborhoods which extend beyond 5, 10, or 15+ mile long here in Philly neighborhoods are only fraction of a mile long (specially in or near CC). So what does that mean? You can get a great apartment for rent if you live 1 to 5 blocks away from the desired neighborhood. The key is knowing if the rental is worth it (since a block or two makes huge difference in Philly) and being here is the only way of finding that out.

I would equate whats going on in Philly's Center City outline areas right now with gentrification to what "The Castro" in SF or "Silverlake" in LA went through about 5 to 10 years ago but only in a much more grander and permanent scale. Unlike Silverlake and The Castro which were fueled by unrealistic real estate prices the surrounding Center City Area's have come in spite of the real estate bust of the late 00's.

What does that mean? Well you're less likely to find neighbors who are just buying properties with the intention of flipping them a year later (screwing you when you decide to buy because prices were artificially inflated). With this you find neighbors who are more invested in the neighborhood.


Drawbacks: Philly is and OLD city so as a result it's hard to find new construction. So you will probably live in an old (50+ year building) with all its charm and problems. Since it's a true city (unlike most of CA, Midwest, and Western cities which are more of collection of suburban neighborhoods with a few exception) you will have to probably downgrade as far as size and square footage much like NY, Boston, and DC.

Things to look out for:

1)PA housing laws favor the the Landlord so READ THE LEASE THOROUGHLY! I wish we would have know this and we wouldn't have been out $3300 from our first least. Be careful with 2 month deposit requirements and 60+ day advance notice before leaving your lease (which are both illegal in many states).

2)If you look at rentals 1 to 5 blocks away just outside your desired neighborhood you will probably save a huge amount of money and get more bang for you buck. However, physically take a look at the area during the day and night.

3)New construction will probably cost yo between 20% to 50% more over older buildings. My advice look for renovated buildings. You get the best of both worlds modern amenities with old word (and prices) charm.

My biggest piece of advice is sign a short term( 6 month) lease with the idea that your going to eventually going to be moving out. I can tell you until I'm blue in face what neighborhoods are great which suck. However, your definition of what sucks and what's ideal would probably differ greatly from mine. Philly is one one of those rare cities where one city block makes a huge difference in quality of living so you need to feel it out.

[missygirly66]

wow...but check this site out ..apartment rating .com. enter the zip code and it will tell what palces to stay away from. i got simple small studio in west philly..(i feel u on bug issue that why i have it pest control before i move in anything ) for 475(it s really small). good luck on ur search

[missygirly66]

@hi............im also from los angeles. just move to new york and now moving back to philly for 3rd time