Apartments in Philly (to rent, safe neighborhoods, university)

[farnsicle]

I'm moving to Philly at the end of July to work with an Americorps program, and I'm looking for an apartment that is under $800 including utilities (since our stipend is only $900 a month).
I've been searching online for quite some time, and it seems like the price is nearly impossible for an apartment within the downtown Philly area.
Do anyone have any suggestions about apartments in a relatively safe neighborhood? I'm a female in the early 20s, and ideally I would like to find a safer neighborhood since my job requires me to stay late at night from time to time.
I found a studio apartment in chestnut hill for $800, called the Hill House. It seems pretty nice, though a bit pricey and far from the downtown area. I'm also trying to find places around Manayunk, fairmount, and University City (found this place called the Hub that also seems nice). Any suggestions?


Thanks!!

[Clark Park]

There is no such thing as "downtown" in Philly.

It is called "Center City."

No, Center City is not cheap. Nowadays $800 a month to rent an apartment is considered low price and economical. There is no big city on either coast - certainly not in Manhattan, Boston, DC, San Francisco, LA, or Miami where you can rent a nice apartment in the downtown area for $800 a month.

There are a lot of charming and relatively safe neighborhoods 2, 3, 4 miles out of the Center City district where you can find an apartment in your price range. You'll just have to take a bus or trolley to get into Center City, like most working class people.