help with the different philly neighborhoods (Philadelphia: fit in, real estate, rent)

[squidney]

Hello.

I might potentially be moving to Philly in the fall for a return to school Initially I was really set on the Fishtown area, but after looking at the CL listings i think i really need to figure out if this is the place for me.

My roomate would be going to school at PAFA, and I might be taking some classes at UArts. I thought Fishtown with its proximity to Old City and the price range, would be the perfect place. However, I was wondering if there might be some affordable areas a bit closer to the schools, as it seems our price range in Fishtown has gone further and further north over the past couple of months. I have tried looking for maps of the different Philadelphia neighborhoods to help with the search, but it's hard to find one that includes actual boundaries....

Ideally...we would like to find:

-2br place that's close enough to walk to any of your basic needs....
-parking available [nothing fancy...just reliable street parking]
-close to UArts/PAFA
-close to Old City area
-public transportation to school areas.......the better the public transport available the further it can be from the schools
-max rent in the 800 range

If anyone knows of any other neighborhoods that would fit in or close to the description I gave that would be greatly appreciated.

p.s.
what would be the best way to look for apts in philly? i've just been on craigslist so far. are there more reliable places? the classifieds? or is it best to go through a local company?

[FindingZen]

Fishtown is about as far north as you want to go. Maybe also consider the Art Museum area on the other side of Broad Street ("14th St"), the main north-south road in Philly.

Finding a 2BR under 800 that's convenient to Center City might be tough. But check out Philadelphia Weekly and Philadelphia City Paper. Those two free weeklies have a lot of real estate listings.

Originally Posted by squidney

Hello.

I might potentially be moving to Philly in the fall for a return to school Initially I was really set on the Fishtown area, but after looking at the CL listings i think i really need to figure out if this is the place for me.

My roomate would be going to school at PAFA, and I might be taking some classes at UArts. I thought Fishtown with its proximity to Old City and the price range, would be the perfect place. However, I was wondering if there might be some affordable areas a bit closer to the schools, as it seems our price range in Fishtown has gone further and further north over the past couple of months. I have tried looking for maps of the different Philadelphia neighborhoods to help with the search, but it's hard to find one that includes actual boundaries....

Ideally...we would like to find:

-2br place that's close enough to walk to any of your basic needs....
-parking available [nothing fancy...just reliable street parking]
-close to UArts/PAFA
-close to Old City area
-public transportation to school areas.......the better the public transport available the further it can be from the schools
-max rent in the 800 range

If anyone knows of any other neighborhoods that would fit in or close to the description I gave that would be greatly appreciated.

p.s.
what would be the best way to look for apts in philly? i've just been on craigslist so far. are there more reliable places? the classifieds? or is it best to go through a local company?

[newmarlig]

You should also check out South Philly. It's best to stay east of Broad Street if you are between center city and Snyder Avenue. After Snyder Avenue, west of Broad is ok (but the closer to Broad the better). You can take the Broad Street subway into center city in around 10 minutes or with stops at or close to both schools. Craigslist has some 2 bedrooms in your price range. Just type in South Philly. Also, check southphillyreview.com.