Potential move to Philly

[BOSS_town]

any suggestions on a better neighborhood for price range?

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by BOSS_town

any suggestions on a better neighborhood for price range?

$600 is really not a lot of money to get your own apartment. Your options are basically going to be: 1) If you want to live close to Center City, find something in one of the areas labeled as "up and coming" neighborhoods that are within short distance to the actual up and coming neighborhoods (aka live in a "bad neighborhood" or 2) Try to find something in one of the more stable but usually unappealing-for-transplants areas, such as the Northeast or Olney.

Where I am, in Germantown, which is hardly at the nexus of gentrification but still a place definitely worth looking into, you're still probably looking at 700 for a decent place in the nicer parts of the neighborhood unless you find some sort of hidden gem.

Now if you're talking about spending 600 before your basic utilities (such as heat and water) you might be able to find something more up your alley.

You also may want to consider giving up your car if you don't need it for some unstated reason in order to increase your budget. Although since you're moving from Boston, a city probably pretty similar to ability to get around walking and using transit, that's probably not on the table.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by maf763

You can find a share for that price in a good area, but would be less likely to find your own (solo) apartment in that range. Look for shares, even if it is short term, until you get to know the area. One suggestion might be to look in the University City area for a summer sublet - sometimes the Penn and Drexel students will sublet for the summer and you might be able to pick something up until you get to know which neighborhood you'd prefer.

Scroll back to post #5. He says he is not looking for room mates and wants to have his own apt.

[maf763]

Scroll back yourself. He is ok with sharing an apartment but not sharing a room.

[FindingZen]

$600 is simply too low, even in many suburban areas. To live in or near downtown, finding an apartment/house share situation is a more feasible choice IMO.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by maf763

Scroll back yourself. He is ok with sharing an apartment but not sharing a room.

Ill help ya..

"i do not know how to go about searching for roommates, but Craigslist looks to be where i'll start. My goal is not to have to share a room though, is this doable to live in a safe/close neighborhood to Downtown and pay around $600/month?"

[maf763]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Ill help ya..

"i do not know how to go about searching for roommates, but Craigslist looks to be where i'll start. My goal is not to have to share a room though, is this doable to live in a safe/close neighborhood to Downtown and pay around $600/month?"

If he wasn't open to roommates, why would he start looking for them on Craigslist? In the OP he said, "looking to rent an apartment, would love a roommate or two but want my own room". The replies to that in Posts 4 and 6 were based on that roommate presumption. So, thanks, but I don't need your help.

Sorry for going off topic, OP.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by maf763

If he wasn't open to roommates, why would he start looking for them on Craigslist? In the OP he said, "looking to rent an apartment, would love a roommate or two but want my own room". The replies to that in Posts 4 and 6 were based on that roommate presumption. So, thanks, but I don't need your help.

Sorry for going off topic, OP.

ok, My mistake. Did not see the op that close.. Sorry!

[scosm]

I've said this before in other threads - but University City is a great neighborhood for people interested in house/apt shares. Lots of big, old houses (some not in the most up to date state of repair) that are shared among various roommates. A good amount are with students but a lot are people in their 20s and 30s. $600 might get you a studio on the outskirts of the neighborhood, but you can find a decent house share for much cheaper.