Breakdown average monthly Rent+Utilities+others?

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

I don't want to befuddle your life plans, kofa. But I think the employment situation COULD be for you an item of way more importance. It depends on your background and qualifications, of course. That was not given in your post (I get it - it is meant to discuss apartments), but just to call your attention to the issue of jobs in this area...

Without any idea of their situation, you attempt to scare them away? Why is it so hard to stay on topic here?

I think you could probably estimate $900-$1300 in monthly housing related costs and be comfortable in any city neighborhood. Pittsburgh is beginning to get some higher end apartments, so you can go up from $1300 if you wanted a lot of amenities and new build.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by xdv8

Without any idea of their situation, you attempt to scare them away? Why is it so hard to stay on topic here?

I think you could probably estimate $900-$1300 in monthly housing related costs and be comfortable in any city neighborhood. Pittsburgh is beginning to get some higher end apartments, so you can go up from $1300 if you wanted a lot of amenities and new build.

The person's prospects for relocation are greater than just monthly rent. That is the motivation for the thread, but suggesting what I did is not exactly derailing a thread with a Trump vs. Obama thing. I skip over those, as you can skip over messages that you do not wish to read.

[kofasetic]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

I don't want to befuddle your life plans, kofa. But I think the employment situation COULD be for you an item of way more importance. It depends on your background and qualifications, of course. That was not given in your post (I get it - it is meant to discuss apartments), but just to call your attention to the issue of jobs in this area...

Originally Posted by xdv8

Without any idea of their situation, you attempt to scare them away? Why is it so hard to stay on topic here?

I think you could probably estimate $900-$1300 in monthly housing related costs and be comfortable in any city neighborhood. Pittsburgh is beginning to get some higher end apartments, so you can go up from $1300 if you wanted a lot of amenities and new build.

As I read through many threads, there is an abundance of distraction from the OP's question/concern/issue.
I get that. Sometimes we interpret things as we see fit and give advice/suggestions based on those interpretations not realizing that it isn't conducive to the topic on hand.

Employment situation is a legitimate concern IF that was the focus of my post. I am mainly interested in what I can expect as a general monthly rental budget for an apt. Just wanted clarification on the water/trash bill.

Appreciate all who take the time and address my concern even if it's off-topic

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

That is a really high water bill!

That's for four people. Not bad.

Originally Posted by guy2073

You have to pay your neighbors water bill?

Yes. Our landlady told us that whoever lives in the first floor unit pays the PWSA bill for the second-floor unit. It's a very old (1890's) house that doesn't have the plumbing subdivided.

[jea6321]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Yes. Our landlady told us that whoever lives in the first floor unit pays the PWSA bill for the second-floor unit. It's a very old (1890's) house that doesn't have the plumbing subdivided.

very few properties, even newer construction multi units have the water separate. That being said, is the water in your name? is it written in your lease that you have to pay water for the entire building?

[BrassTacksGal]

Can't you ask the neighbors to split with you since they use half the water?

[selltheburgh]

That's a weird situation - with you paying their water bill SCR.

I'm the landlord manager on 1 bedroom apartments. Tenants all pay gas and electric. We pay the water and sewage and assume it is going to be about $50/unit / month and just add it into the base rent when we advertise. I don't think it is legal to have a tenant pay for the other unit's water and sewage usage unless the landlord gets a flat rate bill...then it should just billed in halves to the tenants. There are sub meters that can be installed, but they are a few hundred bucks and it sounds like SCR"s landlord doesn't want to spend that kind of money. Trash is included in city taxes under 3 units. 4+ (or maybe 5+) and commercial have to hire out with a private company to haul it away.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

That's a weird situation - with you paying their water bill SCR.

I'm the landlord manager on 1 bedroom apartments. Tenants all pay gas and electric. We pay the water and sewage and assume it is going to be about $50/unit / month and just add it into the base rent when we advertise. I don't think it is legal to have a tenant pay for the other unit's water and sewage usage unless the landlord gets a flat rate bill...then it should just billed in halves to the tenants. There are sub meters that can be installed, but they are a few hundred bucks and it sounds like SCR"s landlord doesn't want to spend that kind of money. Trash is included in city taxes under 3 units. 4+ (or maybe 5+) and commercial have to hire out with a private company to haul it away.

Agree, though what SCR's describing sounds like old school Pittsburgh. Recently read a blurb in minutes of the Mt Oliver borough meeting about an old property owner complaining that the borough kept sending his properties water bills to his actual residence. The borough informed him that they were his responsibility and they were not shutting off the water to his tenants just because they hadn't paid those bills. He owed like $8k in unpaid water and sewer to the borough. It was laughable that he thought he could make it his tenants problem.