Moving 2 Philly (York, Washington: apartment, rentals, condominiums)

[Hertzog79]

When are you moving? August/September
Where are you coming from? Baltimore by way of NYC
Why are you moving? To finish my nursing degree.
Where will you be working? Center City
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? Either How much can you spend? up to $650/month
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single. No children
Do you prefer public or private schools? Either
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Not necessary
Are you keeping a car? No
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Depends. Bustling is fine if people r heading 2 work & school & vice verca...not criminal activity

What do you want to be closest to?
Work ✔
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) ✔
Nightlife
Train or subway stations ✔

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Prefer diverse neighborhood.

Coke or Pepsi? Neither. Water

I've been looking into Society Hill, Old City, Belle Vista, Fairmount, Spruce Hill, Queen Village, Graduate Hospital & Washington Square. I've been finding pretty decent places from $459-$625/mo.
I'd like to know what I should stay away from in regards 2 neighborhoods.
Ex. Where I live now n SW Baltimore...I'd suggest people stay east of Schoeffer St & South of Poppleton St.
I heard horror stories prior 2 moving 2 Baltimore & ended up n a really good area & learned quickly what areas 2 stay away from, some in which I couldn't avoid due 2 location of clinical sites assigned by my school's nursing program. I ended up fine due 2 minding my business n those parts & keeping it moving. I'm from the hood n NYC, so I'm guessing the same rules applies n Philly. I'm used 2 public transportation, so I'll learn the city quick. I'd prefer a relatively safe area...meaning low crime rate, including murders & violent crime.
Where I live now, druggies have 2 go thru my area 2 get from downtown 2 the hood, so anything can happen (usually it doesn't). Go down 10 blocks, that's another story. Most of my neighborhoods r Drs & residents @ the University of Maryland (Hospital & School). There r also some home owners who maintain there property, which helps the block tremendously.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Hertzog79

When are you moving? August/September
Where are you coming from? Baltimore by way of NYC
Why are you moving? To finish my nursing degree.
Where will you be working? Center City
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? Either How much can you spend? up to $650/month
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single. No children
Do you prefer public or private schools? Either
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Not necessary
Are you keeping a car? No
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Depends. Bustling is fine if people r heading 2 work & school & vice verca...not criminal activity

What do you want to be closest to?
Work ✔
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) ✔
Nightlife
Train or subway stations ✔

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Prefer diverse neighborhood.

Coke or Pepsi? Neither. Water

I've been looking into Society Hill, Old City, Belle Vista, Fairmount, Spruce Hill, Queen Village, Graduate Hospital & Washington Square. I've been finding pretty decent places from $459-$625/mo.
I'd like to know what I should stay away from in regards 2 neighborhoods.
Ex. Where I live now n SW Baltimore...I'd suggest people stay east of Schoeffer St & South of Poppleton St.
I heard horror stories prior 2 moving 2 Baltimore & ended up n a really good area & learned quickly what areas 2 stay away from, some in which I couldn't avoid due 2 location of clinical sites assigned by my school's nursing program. I ended up fine due 2 minding my business n those parts & keeping it moving. I'm from the hood n NYC, so I'm guessing the same rules applies n Philly. I'm used 2 public transportation, so I'll learn the city quick. I'd prefer a relatively safe area...meaning low crime rate, including murders & violent crime.
Where I live now, druggies have 2 go thru my area 2 get from downtown 2 the hood, so anything can happen (usually it doesn't). Go down 10 blocks, that's another story. Most of my neighborhoods r Drs & residents @ the University of Maryland (Hospital & School). There r also some home owners who maintain there property, which helps the block tremendously.

None of the Philly neighborhoods you are looking at will have those problems. I am very astonished that you are finding any decent rentals at those prices in any of those neighborhoods.... most of which are rather upscale.

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by kyb01

None of the Philly neighborhoods you are looking at will have those problems. I am very astonished that you are finding any decent rentals at those prices in any of those neighborhoods.... most of which are rather upscale.

I agree. The OP is going to have to live in either Kensington or North Philly on that budget.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by kyb01

None of the Philly neighborhoods you are looking at will have those problems. I am very astonished that you are finding any decent rentals at those prices in any of those neighborhoods.... most of which are rather upscale.

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

I agree. The OP is going to have to live in either Kensington or North Philly on that budget.

+1 for this. No way OP would find a place in that price range in those neighborhoods unless it's a room in an apartment. I'd venture to say anything listed at $459 is a scam.

[Hertzog79]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

+1 for this. No way OP would find a place in that price range in those neighborhoods unless it's a room in an apartment. I'd venture to say anything listed at $459 is a scam.

When I google mapped a few of the addresses, they seem 2 b a block or 2 away from some not so great blocks. With that being said, I'm guessing Philly is similar 2 Baltimore being sketchy on a block to block basis. A few of the apts are condos being rented out by owners. I thought it was a scam until I did street scrolls on google maps for those vs the streets on higher rentals in Rittenhouse. The finishes in the apts are more elaborate & the streets are a bit cleaner.

Apts in my area now generally start @ $800-$900/mo for a 1BR, but after talking 2 a super in the area, there are some that start @ $600/mo. It just depends on the landlord, newness/renovation, etc.

I do plan on coming 2 Philly throughout June 2 inspect some of the places. I'm not looking 4 a 24 hr doorman or anything like that.

I appreciate the feedback. Please keep it coming as I continue 2 do my research. I take everything n with due diligence.

[Hertzog79]

Originally Posted by 2002 Subaru

I agree. The OP is going to have to live in either Kensington or North Philly on that budget.

Kensington & N Philly is not an option.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Hertzog79

When are you moving? August/September
Where are you coming from? Baltimore by way of NYC
Why are you moving? To finish my nursing degree.
Where will you be working? Center City
Have you been here yet? No

Will you buy or rent? Rent
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse or loft? Either How much can you spend? up to $650/month
Do you prefer hi-rise or walk up? Either

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Single. No children
Do you prefer public or private schools? Either
Do you have pets? No
Do you want or need a yard? Not necessary
Are you keeping a car? No
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Depends. Bustling is fine if people r heading 2 work & school & vice verca...not criminal activity

What do you want to be closest to?
Work ✔
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) ✔
Nightlife
Train or subway stations ✔

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood? Prefer diverse neighborhood.

Coke or Pepsi? Neither. Water

I've been looking into Society Hill, Old City, Belle Vista, Fairmount, Spruce Hill, Queen Village, Graduate Hospital & Washington Square. I've been finding pretty decent places from $459-$625/mo.
I'd like to know what I should stay away from in regards 2 neighborhoods.
Ex. Where I live now n SW Baltimore...I'd suggest people stay east of Schoeffer St & South of Poppleton St.
I heard horror stories prior 2 moving 2 Baltimore & ended up n a really good area & learned quickly what areas 2 stay away from, some in which I couldn't avoid due 2 location of clinical sites assigned by my school's nursing program. I ended up fine due 2 minding my business n those parts & keeping it moving. I'm from the hood n NYC, so I'm guessing the same rules applies n Philly. I'm used 2 public transportation, so I'll learn the city quick. I'd prefer a relatively safe area...meaning low crime rate, including murders & violent crime.
Where I live now, druggies have 2 go thru my area 2 get from downtown 2 the hood, so anything can happen (usually it doesn't). Go down 10 blocks, that's another story. Most of my neighborhoods r Drs & residents @ the University of Maryland (Hospital & School). There r also some home owners who maintain there property, which helps the block tremendously.

Just to add, coming from New York and, then, Baltimore, with your apparent awareness/street sense, you should be okay in Phila.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Hertzog79

Kensington & N Philly is not an option.

Technically I live in N. Philly(Spring Garden) but in the lower part of it. It's a stable area, next to Fairmount, and close to pub trans. I'm a senior and I have no problem walking around in either day or night. But I don't have any of the mobility issues many seniors have.

So Spring Garden is another option.

[Hertzog79]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Just to add, coming from New York and, then, Baltimore, with your apparent awareness/street sense, you should be okay in Phila.

Thank u. I appreciate that.

[Hertzog79]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Technically I live in N. Philly(Spring Garden) but in the lower part of it. It's a stable area, next to Fairmount, and close to pub trans. I'm a senior and I have no problem walking around in either day or night. But I don't have any of the mobility issues many seniors have.

So Spring Garden is another option.

It's funny u mention Spring Garden. I just added that 2 my list & saw a couple apts advertised for Carriage House Condominiums for $550 & $562/mo. Btw. I love my seniors.