The city of "Brotherly Love" is a great place to relocate to and finding an apartment is not necessarily easy but it is doable. The downtown region offers high rise apartment buildings, quaint brownstones, and lofts right in the thick of the action. Rents are pretty reasonable and even living on the outskirts can be a good experience. Surrounding towns like Yeaden, Camden (NJ), Upper Darby, Drexel Hill, and Havertown are all within commute distance to Philadelphia. To start your apartment search, get online and go to Rent.com or Apartments.com to get a general idea of rent costs, floor plans, neighborhoods, and availability. We also think that Craigslist.org offers a great "apartment" section to their site which has a Philadelphia subsite. Of course going to the actual website for a particular apartment building or complex is probably your best bet and we have included quite a few down below for your convenience. Get on the phone and talk with the property or apartment manager to find out details like deposit amounts, floor plans, pets ok?, parking options, etc. Decide if you want a top floor unit versus one on the lower floors. Having people moving around above you all night can be a headache, so many people prefer top floor units. Do you want a view of the city? The Delaware River runs through Philadelphia essentially splitting New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The 76 freeway runs through downtown and so does the I-95. You probably don't want an apartment that overlooks those freeways since the noise can be an issue. Drive around the city to get a feel for certain neighborhoods to see how safe they look, what parking is like, and if there are stores and shopping nearby. The further afield you get, the cheaper your rents will be so don't give up hope if living downtown seems way to much.
The cost of living is high in the Philadelphia Metro area, and 1 BR apartments will normally set you back $1100 or more per month. Below are listings for some Philadelphia Apartment Rentals.
Here are some more resources to aid in your apartment shopping: Apartment Inspection Checklist - take this on your walkthrus and jot down notes. Avoid Renters Remorse: parking, noise, etc. Check this list.
Rules for Renting a Condo: Condos are a little different..
Your Credit Report: What is shows, what to look for.
Other nearby cities to include in your search are: Princeton.
Buying a Home in Philadelphia: Real Estate Brokers and Agents
When looking for a home, whether for a corporate relocation or just moving across town, it always helps to begin with MLS listings to get an idea of what is on the market and what your $$ can buy. Start with MLS Listings. Then find a real estate agent you trust and are comfortable with. Coldwell Banker Residential (215-735-0700) serves the entire Philadelphia region, aiding in finding a home or planning a relocation. RE/MAX Premiere is another well-trusted local name (215-396-4600), traditionally dealing in higher end properties. Get information on neighborhoods, schools, property taxes, etc. Check out the tools below:
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