Starting to panic-need a place to rent ASAP! (Pittsburgh, Erie: apartment complexes, rentals)

[eriegirl]

So I landed the job I really wanted in Pittsburgh, but can't find anywhere to live. I have a Labrador so apparently my choices are non-existent from what I've been reading? (sigh) Many of my new co-workers have dogs and rent. I think most are in 1 bedroom apts though. I'd go nuts with dog and husband and all our stuff in 600 square feet.

I have some long-shot leads in Banksville/Westwood and possibly Crafton, but don't know anything about that area. Safe? Decent? Houses are selling really cheap there so I wasn't too sure. I just need a place for 6 months to a year. I'm fine with run-down but want to avoid criminal.

Keeping expenses low is extremely important because I still have to pay my current mortgage until the house sells. (Anyone wanna buy a house in Erie?)

After reading posts and writing this one, I'm not feeling confident. I figured I'd reach out just to see if anyone has any new info!

[Herodotus]

Those are safe areas.

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

Crafton is extremely safe and a great place to live, rent or own. Westwood is safe, too. The apartment complexes in Westwood aren't fancy and are largely occupied by lower income families and older folks. I worry sometimes about a downward trajectory of those complexes but for now, they are safe.

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

I would also suggest looking in Crafton Heights in the area directly adjacent to Crafton and Westwood (basically the area bounded by Clearview Ave. and Noblestown Rd.).

You might also want to check Carnegie. It is a safe town (apart from the area surrounding the "towers") and may offer more in the way of rentals.

[shadowfax]

I have seen some good rentals in Carnegie on Craigs List recently. I browse CL a lot checking out the rentals because I will be looking for a one bedroom for myself some time next year. If you want to share a price limit and details about what you want, I can keep an eye out for things that might work for you.

Just came across this one this morning in Pittsburgh. This is a pretty nice deal and pets are okay.
Affordable Convenient House For Rent - Pets/Smoking OK!

[eriegirl]

Thank you so much for all that information! I have to make some more phone calls today so we'll see what happens!

[I_Like_Spam]

Crafton and Ingram might be cool for you. Its not a dangerous area, and convenient to the busway if you want to public transit to work, as well as the Crafton Ingram SC for your shopping needs.

[mdavis6890]

As a landlord myself, a suggestion to help you get into a place with your dog:

One thing that you need to understand is that many animals - including your Labrador - can do much more damage than you can possibly pay for or provide a deposit for. It doesn't matter what *your* dog is like, because your potential landlord won't know your dog, and wouldn't want to take the chance anyway. I have spent many thousands of dollars cleaning up after "nice, trouble-free" pets. This is the concern that you need to overcome.

The only realistic way to do this is to find a renter's policy that will cover all pet damage to the unit (after the deductible), liability to anybody who is attacked, and that has the LANDLORD's name on the policy. Once you find that, you explain to any potential landlord that you will buy this policy and keep it in effect, and provide proof of coverage prior to taking possession of the unit. You should have this all worked out before viewing a unit. The landlord will likely make an exception for you, since you have so obviously acknowledged the problem, taken responsibility for it, and have a clear plan to not make it HIS problem.

I hope this helps, and GOOD LUCK. :-)

Michael

[Hopes]

Offering a second security deposit inspires many landlords. It tells them you're confident enough in your dog that you don't fear losing money.

My dogs never damaged my house. One was a Labrador who lived here for 16 years. My kids, on the other hand, did quite a number on the carpeting by spilling drinks and such. One tried to do pull-ups on the bathroom towel bar. That's about the only damage they did in their 20 years of living in this house. Oh, there was the rock and window incident. I forgot about that one. The dogs? Not one bit of damage. They were perfectly trained and well behaved dogs.

[eriegirl]

Thank you, Michael, for a perspective "from the other side". I go into renting as I'm living in someone else's house, and I am going to take care of it like it was my own. Obviously not everyone feels that way. So there's always going to be bad dogs, but really, there is a person owning that dog who should be taking care of it and the property.

And Hopes, I'm with you. Any kids we had in (my own) house always did a tremendous amount of damage. Stained carpets, holes in the walls, plumbing issues, you name it. I guess after that anything that pets do seems somewhat tame.