Anyone know a good way to find a cheap apartment in Philly?

[Aushin]

I've been doing the airbnb thing.  I haven't tried many places yet, but I'm not really loving the experience.  It only costs about 400 a month to live in Philly via Airbnb, but I really want my own space.  I'm trying to keep costs low though and most of the areas I would've wanted to live in are like 1300 minimum which I'm not really looking to do.

Is there some service that's reliable and helpful in finding something cheaper in a place that isn't half buildings and half rubble/litter?

Or do you personally know of a place?  Shooting out in the dark here!

[hdatontodo]

Eons ago, a relative lived in an efficiency at 4311 Spruce when going to Univ of PA. Don't know current cost/availability.

http://www.zillow.com/homes/4311-spruce-st,-philadelphia-pa-19104_rb/

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

Naturally it is difficult to get cheap rent in the most desirable places in town. Exercising your frugality muscles and going somewhere slightly less desirable but still accessible on SEPTA would solve your problem.

[Aushin]

It just seems like even "slightly less desirable" runs over 1000.

[Miss Bigglesworth]

It sounds like you're only looking in Center City. Widen your search to include Fairmount, Logan Circle, South Philly and Fishtown, and you should be able to find a 1 bedroom for $750-1000. Bonus: it's easier to park in those neighborhoods. I always find apartments through Craigslist, and I found a good roommate a few years ago on there as well. Getting a roommate would definitely help the cost!

[Aushin]

I don't know where I'm looking haha I know nothing about this town :(

[Aushin]

I'm guessing the place I'm staying is Southwest Philly and it's straight urban decay.

[Aushin]

But it IS damn easy to park!

[thd7t]

Check out Overbrook (neighborhood), near St. Joe's.  I used to live in a beautiful place there.  $600, but huge.  Also, right next to SEPTA rail and trolley.

[pzxc]

I've moved every year for the last several years, and I always use www.padmapper.com

I'm not affiliated with that site in any way, but it's the best I've ever seen for comparing rental listings from a variety of sites (including craigslist)

[Aushin]

Check out Overbrook (neighborhood), near St. Joe's.  I used to live in a beautiful place there.  $600, but huge.  Also, right next to SEPTA rail and trolley.

Thank you I'll look into it.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

Also, what do you do? If you can live and work outside city limits you pay a substantially lower income tax.

[Aushin]

I'm a DBA at a financial firm.  My listed address is in New Jersey because I still pay most of the bills for my mom's house.  Also I'm concerned because near every google suggestion for overbrook was "Is overbrook safe" lol

[NUF]

I'm biased towards deep south philly. I find it to be safe, residential (blue collar), cost effective and convenient to both the subway and major highways. Parking is not great but it's still better than more expensive areas of town.

Do you actually work in Philadelphia proper or do you still need to commute further to work from Philadelphia? 

[Aushin]

The commute is to Bala Cynwyd (City Ave).

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

The commute is to Bala Cynwyd (City Ave).

Well, I'm guessing your taxes are weird because you seem to be calling yourself a New Jersey resident, but once you get a real place and make yourself a PA resident (lower taxes anyways), you should maybe be looking outside city limits so you pay less in income taxes. I'm assuming it's on the north side of City Ave. (However, it looks like the closest non-Philadelphia sub-$600 rents are in Norristown, so maybe not.)

[Aushin]

Yeah I'm not sure if it's optimal to dodge NJ state tax or Philadelphia city tax