International student Moving to philadelphia need advices (spring garden street) (York: apartments, crime)

[Fafa_dima]

Hi, I'm an international student moving to philadelphia. I'm going to the community college of philadelphia and I'm looking for an apartment near the college and in a safe area. My budget is 600-900 for a studio or a 1 bedroom. I found an apartment building(camelot apartments, it's berger properties), the address is: 3600 spring garden street, philadelphia PA 19104. I don't know if the neighborhood is safe and If There are supermarkets near this building for example?

[2e1m5a]

Maybe try to live closer to CCP? Fairmount and the area near the Art Museum are great neighborhoods and they are currently expanding the Whole Foods there.

[thwanko]

The 43 bus runs directly from that address to CCP's main campus, so you'll have no problem getting there by transit, although it is not necessarily easy walking distance. That neighborhood has tons of Drexel students and is at the northwestern edge of Drexel police's patrol area. It feels safe to me, although I don't know what the crime stats are, and it gets sketchier as you go north and west. Don't know about grocery stores although there is a Whole Foods very near CCP.

[Fafa_dima]

Thank you both for your answers.
I'll look at the fairmount area, maybe I can find something close enough.

[pman]

Better to be on the same side of the river

[nuhusky11]

Something to take into account as an international student. You have zero credit and no social security number. Most apartments usually require at least a credit check.

I'd recommend you contact the school and see if they can help as they may know of student friendly landlords.

Not relevant to your apartment search but the fact you lack the above two credentials will come up again when you setup utilities and things like cable. Expect to put down a larger deposit to setup services.

[masonbauknight]

Originally Posted by nuhusky11

. Most apartments usually require at least a credit check.

I'd recommend you contact the school and see if they can help as they may know of student friendly landlords.

Philadelphia is still a cinch for housing compared to New York. I've lived in both cities. In New York (all 5 boroughs, even most of the Bronx) you generally need good credit as WELL AS proof of annual income. As a self-employed person, I know landlords and agents will ask for every kind of personal documents (1040 + 1099) you can imagine. And what will get you the apt. is more often than not a pay stub and proof of full-time employment. It's always better in Phila. than Boston, NY, or Washington. And rents are far more reasonable, too.