1. Determine how much you want to spend on rent
   
2. Pick a neighborhood
   
3. Considering using a broker
   
4. Find an apartment for yourself using these techniques
5. Visit potential apartments
   
6. Know your rights before you sign
   

Philadelphia has something for everybody. Take note:

• If you're thin, you can relish running up the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art a la Rocky. Please don't scream "Yo Adrian!" or we will have to hurt you.
• If you're fat, feel comforted that Men's Fitness magazine named Philadelphia as the "fattest city in the nation."
• If you like food, take note that Philadelphia is brimming with some of the best tasting noshables in the U.S., including soft pretzels with mustard, Tastykakes, and the ever-famous Philadelphia cheesesteak.
• If you want to live in a city with a sense of history and architecture, then you'll be happy to know that Philadelphia was once a capital of the U.S. It also houses Independence Hall (where the Constitution was signed) and the Liberty Bell. And many of the houses there used to be occupied by important dead people such as Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin.
• If you want to go to college, Philadelphia has several top-notch schools, including University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Temple University.
• If you like sports, then Philadelphia has plenty of teams: the Phillies (baseball), the Flyers (hockey), the 76ers (basketball), and the Eagles (basketball). Notice how patriotic all those teams' names are. Except for the Flyers. That's just random.
• If you like freaks, then Philly has its own version of Venice Beach called South Street: A veritable cornucopia of strange (read: adult) stores, funky restaurants, and interesting people.

If you're reading this SYW, then chances are that you're already considering making the move to Philly. Well you're in luck - the task of finding an apartment in Philadelphia is not as hefty as its citizens allegedly are. With many diverse and unique areas to choose from (and a much more affordable market than New York, LA, or Boston), there's a Philadelphia neighborhood for everyone.

1. Determine how much you want to spend on rent

Before you start looking for an apartment, you need to make an important decision: how much are you willing (and able) to pay in monthly rent? A posh one bedroom apartment in Center City can drain $1500 a month from your wallet, whereas an apartment that lies north or west of the downtown hotspots are much cheaper, ranging from $300 - $650 per month. A good way to find your upper-limit for housing costs is to divide your monthly net (after tax) income by three. If this figure isn't exactly high, you can (1) make more money, (2) consider living outside of Center City, or (3) get yourself a roommate to cut rent costs.

Finding a roommate
Getting a roommate is great because you get to share the cost of living with someone else. The bad news is that you also have to share your living space with that person. Because apartments in Philadelphia are so cheap, you can get an extremely nice apartment if you're willing to team up for it. So if you do decide that a roommate is the way you want to go, the best thing to do is hook up with a friend or acquaintance who's also looking for a place. Another method is to consult a roommate agency (try the Philadelphia Yellow Pages) or use an online roommate referral service such as Roommates Online or Roommate Access. Some of these services may cost you some dough, but it's worth it if they save you from a raving lunatic roommate from the ninth circle of fiery flaming hell, no?

Whichever option you choose, you need to select your roommate carefully so that you don't end up with a scary roommate who seems to be just a little bit too close to his mother. Obviously, not all strangers make good roommates, but less obviously, not all friends make good roommates either. In either scenario, you need to ask your potential roomie(s) the following questions to find a good match:

• Have you ever had a roommate before? What, if anything, bothered you about your past roommate(s)?
• Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or other friend who will be staying here frequently? Are you promiscuous? (Unless you like waking up to find naked strangers in your apartment, you probably want to ask this one. Additionally, asking it will establish what you consider acceptable ahead of time).
• Do you smoke? Drink? Do drugs? If yes to any, how often?
• Do you have any medical conditions (i.e. asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, etc.) that I should know about?
• Do you stay out late on weeknights? When do you rise in the mornings?
• What is your occupation?
• Did/do you have any credit problems?
• Do you have any pets? Are they house-trained?
• What do you like to watch on television? What music do you listen to?
• Do you know how to clean up after yourself?
• Do you bathe regularly, use deodorant, brush your teeth, and generally participate in hygienic behavior?
• Where did you get that kick-ass tattoo?

Whatever you ask, in the end you should feel very comfortable with your future
roommate. If you do not, you are taking a big risk shacking up with this person. If
things don't work out, maybe we'll have already written "SoYouWanna bury a body?"

One last note about roommates: arrange it so that your roommate co-signs the
lease. Otherwise, you will be held financially responsible for all damages incurred by
your roommate, and you will have to pay the entire rent on your own if your roommate
should unexpectedly run off with circus freaks.

2. Pick a neighborhood

The city of Philadelphia is comprised of hundreds of unique neighborhoods, each with its own flair and flavor. To make
things easier on you, here are the more popular (and liveable) sections of the city:

• By far the most popular (and by default most expensive) part of Philadelphia is Center City. The entire downtown area, from historic Old City to ritzy Rittenhouse Square to Chinatown, all fall in this category. Center City is analogous to New York's Manhattan: it's where everything is. Naturally, the most exciting area of the city comes with a large price tag; it's rare to find a decent apartment under $600, and the average cost for a one bedroom apartment falls somewhere around $800.
  
  
• South Philadelphia boasts the daily outdoor food vending strip known as the Italian Market, the Philadelphia sports complex, the Delaware Avenue/Penn's Landing waterfront nightlife, and the infamous Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks (the Montagues and the Capulets of cheesesteak royalty). Apartments in South Philly are reasonably priced, depending on location. You should never have a problem finding a solid apartment for under $650, and you'll often find 'em for much less.
  
  
• West Philadelphia is best known for being home to University City, a conglomeration of several colleges and universities concentrated in the area such the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Apartment prices near the university campuses tend to be inflated and a lot of landlords are less than reputable, but if you're a student, it offers convenience when going to classes. Here's a warning though: don't go too far west or you'll end up in a rather seedy neighborhood (the place that Fresh Prince left in the opening credits before moving to Bel Air). If you're considering an apartment in West Philadelphia, check out the University of Pennsylvania off-campus housing rent tips.
  
  
• Roxborough, Manayunk, and Chestnut Hill are neighborhoods that are a bit outside of Center City (say, a 10 minute drive), but they have a nice semi-suburban feel. While Manayunk has great nightlife and shopping, for the most part these areas are quiet, spacious, and somewhat well-to-do. The properties are large, and so are the prices-expect to cough up between $650-$1000 for one bedroom apartments. You'll pay a little bit extra for the "trendy" factor.
  
  
• Northeast Philadelphia hosts the biggest chunk of neighborhoods in Philadelphia county, and it almost functions as if its own entity. While there is relatively little to do there in terms of nightlife, there is great shopping: Franklin Mills Mall is absolutely monstrous. And the Northeast's distance (20 minutes or so) from Center City makes for sweet prices; you can find spacious one bedroom apartments for as little as $300-$500 if you look hard enough.

To read more about Philadelphia neighborhoods, check out this review. Although the site is mainly geared toward Penn
students, it contains informative descriptions of neighborhoods and the types of housing each offers.

As you're considering which neighborhood to hone in on, keep the following factors in mind:

• Is the rent affordable?
• Are the stores, shops, gyms, and bars in the area affordable? (Don't kid yourself into thinking you won't patronize these places; on blistering hot summer days or freezing cold winter evenings, you won't want to go any farther than you have to).
• Is the neighborhood safe?
• How close is the public transportation? (see below)
• What are the nearby schools like?
• Who lives in that neighborhood? Yuppies? Students? Nudists? DJ Jazzy Jeff?
• Where will you park your car? If the apartment you're looking at doesn't include parking, how easy is it to park on the street?
• Is there a laundromat close by if your apartment does not include laundry facilities?

Using a broker has several advantages. Mainly, brokers will do your legwork, find apartments, and make appointments to fit your schedule. A broker would probably be invaluable to an individual who is unable to take time off from work or someone who lives out of town. Brokers also tend to have a wide selection of apartments not available to the general public. If you
do decide to use a broker, there are several ways to find one. Many brokers advertise in the newspapers or in online classified ads; you can also find brokers in the Yellow Pages. Finally, many companies have associated brokers used for relocating employees.

If you work at a big company, ask your human resources representative if there is a broker your company uses. For an online list of Philadelphia area brokers, look here.

Using a broker can save you a lot of headaches since they do everything for you, but if you can't afford one, don't despair. Most Philadelphian apartment-hunters have found homes the old-fashioned way: looking on their own. So put the Advil back in the medicine cabinet and read on.

4. Find an apartment for yourself using these techniques
Employer or school
Online
Newspapers and magazines
Neighborhood bulletin boards and postings

Employer or school
You may want to begin your search by asking your employer if the company has any real estate services; some large companies hold apartments for employees or have very good contacts in the rental market. Similarly, if you have any school affiliations (alumni or current), contact your school and inquire as to whether the school has any apartment bulletin boards or online listings. These housing openings are often more affordable and safer than something you could find on your own, and many are only open to people affiliated with the university.

Online
Online listings are particularly good for learning about the "flavor" of the Philadelphia apartment market; go online and get a sense of prices and what you get for them. Online apartment listings are also useful because you can get tons of information about the place without leaving the comforts of your robe; you can even see the floorplans or pictures if you're lucky. There are literally hundreds of sites out there, but we recommend RENTNET®. They provide regularly updated listings of apartments available for rent in various neighborhoods based on options you select.

Newspapers and magazines
Newspapers and magazines are great sources for apartment listings. A few to try are:

• APARTMENT GUIDE -A monthly publication of apartment listings that caters to large complexes. Great if you're looking for an upscale place to live, but not that helpful if you're on a tight budget. These chunky little books are available for free and can be found in many stores and on numerous street corners.
  
  
• PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY - A free weekly paper with the most comprehensive list of rental agencies and apartments in its classified section. You can pick it up on most busy street corners and in most convenience/grocery stores.
  
  
• CITY PAPER - Free like the Philadelphia Weekly, the City Paper also publishes tons of apartment listings, although most listings are for the Center City, Manayunk, and Chestnut Hill areas.
  
  
• THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER & THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS - These two widely-read newspapers host a wide variety of apartment listings all over the city and surrounding suburbs. You do have to dish out some change for them though.
  
  
• THE NORTHEAST TIMES & THE NORTHEAST NEWS GLEANER - both of these papers' classified sections feature a comprehensive list of apartment listings for Northeast Philadelphia.
  
  
• THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN - The University of Pennsylvania's free daily newspaper lists apartments and houses for rent in and around the Center City/University City/West Philadelphia areas. It's ideal for students looking for housing or sublets, particularly during the summer. You can get the DP on the Penn campus.

In addition, there are many smaller free papers geared to specific neighborhoods, such as The Harrowgate Guide, that provide apartment listings in those areas. To find one, visit a neighborhood you'd like to live in and see if copies are available (hey, we can't do all the legwork for you…).

Neighborhood bulletin boards and postings
If you do decide to visit a neighborhood for rental leads (and you should), be on the lookout for flyers and other signs advertising apartments for rent. Mom and pop grocery stores, telephone poles, and "for rent" signs in windows often lead to great places that would otherwise be overlooked, so check 'em out. Also, don't forget about postings in churches, local
recreation centers, gyms, transit stops, and corner cheesesteak joints (with one on every other street corner in Philly, you're bound to find something).

5. Visit potential apartments

Once you've found a lead that sounds promising, call right away to schedule an appointment (if you wait, you run the risk of hearing something like "Oh, someone just took the apartment… fool!"). So be diligent and make the call ASAP. If you reach an answering machine, leave a clear, concise message; say that you are calling about the apartment that was listed in X publication. Give your name and telephone number, and ask the person to call you back at his/her earliest convenience to schedule an appointment to see the apartment. Follow up with another (polite) call in 24 hours if you don't get a call back. There are times when apartment renters are swamped, and won't return your call, but if you catch them while
they're around, you can usually turn on the charm and get yourself an appointment.

If you are able to schedule an appointment, it is critical that you make a good first impression. Dress neatly, brush your teeth, and do not mention your scab collection -- in other words, act like a responsible and pleasant individual. Also ask intelligent questions; it will make you look responsible while allowing you to learn information that could affect your decision about renting the apartment. Here is a list of general questions you should ask when you see an apartment:

• How long is the lease? (That is, the length of time, not the length of the document.)
• Do you have the option to renew your lease?
• What penalties are there for breaking the lease, and how much notice do you have to give?
• How large of a deposit is required as security?
• Are utilities included in your rent? Which ones (gas, electric, water, cable, etc.)?
• Are you allowed to keep pets in the apartment? What kinds and how many?
• Are you allowed to sublet if you go away?
• What sort of security features does the building offer?
• Does the building have on-site laundry facilities? Are they free to tenants or coin-operated?
• Does the building have a superintendent or some sort of arrangement for repairs?
• Does anyone else have keys to the apartment? Can they enter without your consent?
• Do you need special permission to make superficial changes (e.g., painting walls, hanging a picture, installing shelves)?
• Has the apartment been de-leaded? (This is mandatory if you have a child living there).
• Is smoking allowed?
• Is there a guest policy?
• Will the pizza parlor downstairs give you a discount for living there? (Hey, you never know).
• Is the apartment haunted? (Again, you never know).

6. Know your rights before you sign

Once you've found an apartment, make sure you know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Your rights are best protected if you have a written lease. If you have an oral lease, you may be subject to restrictions that you weren't aware of. Just do what we say and get yourself a written lease. We don't like being argued with, especially when we're right. Be sure to check that the following are correctly recorded:

• All names and addresses
• Dates of occupancy
• Rent amount
• Details about the security deposit
• Parking spot specifications (if you get one).

If the landlord has made you any promises, make sure you get it in writing or at least have a third party listen in. Landlords are notorious about "getting around to something." If it's in black and white, you have more justification when you refuse to pay the rent.

Don't be fooled by landlords who say they don't have the time to draw up a lease; there are many standard formats readily available in Philadelphia. Luckily, Pennsylvania has laws to protect tenants from shady landlords who may try to get away with disreputable practices. For info, check out this Pennsylvania Tenant-Landlord handbook.

And you're all set! Just don't eat too many cheesesteaks. OK, OK, now you can say it: Yoooooooo Adriannnnnnnnnn!

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