How to Find Cheap Apartments or Housing for Rent in Seattle

Are you desperately searching for that perfect apartment but sick of experiencing severe sticker shock? Especially if you’re looking in the Seattle area, most people know prices are going to be high.But what most people don’t know is that there are simple tricks to avoid those jaw-dropping, hair-pulling, sky-high prices.


First and most importantly is the mantra acknowledged by every realtor and house-hunter alike—location, location, location. Where your apartment is located is so essential to your living experience. Even the most amazing apartment can be ruined if you don’t like the neighborhood or if you’re not close to a grocery store or if the commute to work is bad. (The list goes on…) Therefore, location should be one of your number one concerns. It is also incidentally the main factor when it comes to rental prices. If you want to live in the heart of downtown Seattle, expect higher prices than an outlaying area. Similarly, if you want to live in Belltown, expect higher prices than Queen Anne. The trick is to find an area that’s centrally located to everything you want, and then find the cheapest neighborhood that’s still close. For example, I wanted to live near Green Lake, but prices were astronomical right on the water. Therefore, I moved into an apartment two blocks away. I’m still within walking distance of the lake, but my rent is almost $500 cheaper per month.

Secondly, make sure your house-hunting skills have crossed over into the 21 century. Very few people still approach renting in the “old fashioned way” by which I mean opening up a newspaper and actually calling somebody to see a unit. That’s a thing of the past. Now, everybody uses online search engines. Almost every apartment hunting site is free to join and search. It just requires an email address and some limited contact information. Some sights to check out are www.rent.com, www.seattlerentals.com and www.apartmentinsider.com. All these sites (and many more like them) are very similar and often produce the same search results, so it becomes a matter of personal preference. Which site do you find easiest to navigate? Common search options include neighborhood, bedroom number and price range. If you don’t have any luck there, try Craigslist.com. You can search by city and price range, and there are literally new apartments posted every day. If you are diligent and look often, you’re bound to find something that strikes you. A general note about Craigslist—more so than on other sites, you must move quickly. Apartments get snatched up at a truly amazing speed on this site. So if you see something you like, respond immediately.

The third point is not specific to finding a great deal in Seattle but applies instead to any rental. Paying rent by yourself can be quite steep. Even cutting the price in half makes it a much more manageable check to write every month. Therefore, depending on your specific living situation and preferences, if roommates are a viable option, use them. True, you might have to pay a little more for a multiple bedroom house or apartment. However, after splitting the cost two or three or four ways, you will still come out paying less per month than if you shouldered the burden yourself. Living with other people invites a whole host of potential complications, but if you find roommates you really enjoy, the financial benefit can be a great bonus.


Just remember, it’s easy to become discouraged when looking at apartments in Seattle, because prices are invariably high. But keep some of the aforementioned tips in mind, and you’re well on your way to a great apartment in a great location for a great price.

Finding an Apartment in Miami

Finding an Apartment in Miami

From: http://www.galttech.com


Finding the best apartment can be a challenge - most apartment complexes don't have their own websites, so you end up finding apartment finding "services" that want your name, phone number, and email before they will show you any listings. We think a better approach is to check out some actual apartment websites - get an idea about monthly rental rates, sizes, etc. Maybe call one or two apartment managers to get a feel for vacancy rates and availability. Of course you eventually need to see neighborhoods in person.

The cost of living is high in the Miami area, and 1 BR apartments will normally set you back $1100 or more per month. Below are listings for some Miami Apartment Rentals.

• South Beach Rentals (from $1100)
• Hollywood Apts. - near Ft. Lauderdale/Miami (1,2, and 3 BR plans from $750)
• Sunrise Harbor (1,2, and 3 BR plans from $1500)
• Del Rio at South Beach (1 and 2 BR plans from $2000)
• Mirador (South Beach Area)

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: South Beach, Biscayne Gardens, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coral Gables, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Jupiter, Key Biscayne, Lake Worth, Miami Beach, Miami Shores, North Miami Beach, Palm Beach.

Buying a Home in Miami: 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 (305-604-8000) serves the entire Miami Metro region, aiding in finding a home or planning a relocation. Miami Real Estate Co. is another well-trusted local name (305-667-0140). Drew Cashmere covers the entire area as well. Get information on neighborhoods, schools, property taxes, etc. Check out the tools below:

School Reports: Find out school rankings and scores.
Moving Calculator: Get an estimate on moving costs and hidden expenses.
House Hunting Trip: Maximize your results.
Compare Crime Rates: How safe is your new town?

Rent a budget tokyo apartment and let go of the concern

Source: http://www.photopassjapan.com/travelguide_tokyo_accommodation.html

The first two stereotypical comments on this would be the size of the rooms, and the cost. Well, there's certainly a higher price to a downtown apartment in one of the world's largest metropolis than in the suburbs or surrounding cities, but even so the cost can be cut down with some research beforehand.

Cost
First of all, don't plan on finding accommodation once you arrive. The rate in which hotels will bill you a room if you just walk in from the streets can be one and a half to double the cost for the same compared to reserving it on the Internet. And this is to be taken seriously. Unless you're ready for bargaining with the people at the counter it's unlikely that they'll go easy on you just because you didn't know.

Hotels
Service in general is great to outstanding for most hotels, with many of them not just in compliance of international and Japanese standards, but also competing in the elegant race of ( a quite intense ) national and international tourism. There's a lot of attention for every single detail. However you will of course pay the proper price for this as everywhere else in the world. In case the high-end hotel option doesn't fit your purse, you can head for a business hotel. Service there is in one word... okay... and in case you aim even lower in budget expect that other hotels like love hotels and capsule hotels which are NOT the cheapest option by the way, have service literally nonexistent... or in other words sometimes completely automated. Try to choose the right place based on what level of service and help you like, your budget, and your need for the right surroundings, and in case all of these three are low then your tolerance level... but in one word, in case you actually HAVE the money to stay in a good hotel you'll find beautiful places with great service, truly helpful, polite and even cheerful staff, at scenic locations that you'll never forget.

Budget-wise... ( since you're already reading up on the article... )
Guidebooks, in case you have any... have extensive lists, as up to date as your edition, on which hotel fits which budget. In general the smallest room that still is somewhere near a major line of transportation will cost at least four thousand yen per night. Which doesn't sound much until you see the actual room you get for this. A good option if you have to stay at a hotel at all, is to find a midrange priced room near but not in downtown of anything from six to ten thousand yen per night, for which you'll probably even get a window or balcony, and some meal(s) included. The same price in downtown will hardly get you any view, and only if you're lucky will you be able to open the window, if there is any, but it's not quite the trend due to fire prevention. Probably because of its unbelievable number of people commuting to, coming to on business trips from all across the country and the world... the center of any downtown in Tokyo is not a good option for just anyone. Meaning in case you'd like to be within one to ten minutes walking distance from a major train station like Shinjuku or Shibuya, you'll pay one and a half to three times as much for the same room than let's say... for the same but fifteen minutes away on foot. In case you don't have to pinpoint every single item on your agenda down to each second, you may want to choose places like the latter, for they offer much larger and much more comfortable rooms for the same price than their downtown cousins. Apart of this, all western style hotels feature a bath, or at least a shower unit, a toilet, a bed, TV, most of them offer free Internet, are equipped with a freezer, hair dryer, and have the usual toiletries prepared every day along with a yukata and slippers.

Reservation
As mentioned before reservation made in advance, preferably through the Internet, is the best way to cut back on costs. You'll find that most hotels have a set of dates even within their set seasons in which their rooms will be different in price. National holidays, and weekends in general are sometimes charged at a higher rate due to the higher demand... but following this logic you'll learn that outside the major tourists seasons the cost drops by about ten to thirty percent for nearly any kind of accommodation. Also, most of the time the longer period you reserve your room for the bigger discount you can expect. There are lots of such offers you can keep an eye out for. Mainly aimed at national instead of international tourists, you may need some help when planning ahead in case you don't speak the language, but do ask for it, Japanese people are kind in general and will probably gladly help.
When doing reservation through the Internet you may find that there are lots of websites in English that the largest Japanese travel agencies operate. Please see the tips and resources page for more information on them. In general it is to be mentioned though that no English language version seems to be as up to date or detailed in its functionality as their Japanese counterparts... basically because of having them focused on the migration of Japanese tourists who in fact... love to travel through the country.

Other than hotels... ( recommended )
If you're planning your stay with the lowest possible budget and the longest possible period in mind, instead of a hotel you ought to consider either of the following options ...

Rent an apartment
Some agencies that specialize in Tokyo apartments are fully prepared to lease places to people with no credit, to people they can not check the financial background of ( by other means than asking them to pay up front ), and no guarantor or key money. Of which both are quite high, sometimes equals three month's rent which you need to pay before you even set your foot into the room. These agencies take all the responsibilities, provide all necessary documents towards the owner in the background and all you see from the process is the money you pay for the actual rent, and the key you get in exchange. Shortest period to rent an apartment is a month... but even if you're actually staying less than thirty days you may want to consider this option.
A single room will cost anything from sixty thousand to two-hundred and fifty-thousand yen, depending on its size and location, but what every single one of them will feature is equipment and furniture. Most of them even have either DSL, cable or wireless Internet connection, unlimited use and for no extra charge. But in general a TV, a bed, table, chair(s), kitchen equipment, bath, toilet, microwave, air conditioner and washing machine are all what you don't need to deal with... unless of course you happen to break any of them. For a price close to hundred-thousand yen you'll get a fairly good location. Breaking down this cost to a daily figure you'll find that it's much more economical than getting the same service in a hotel. The agency we recommend for Tokyo is Sakura House ( sakura-house.com ) with about a thousand different facilities all over the city, offering not only apartments but shared rooms and guest house accommodation as well. More on this later in this section. But all in all, for anyone visiting or staying for a longer period, if you're missing the financial background to rent an apartment from a Realtor... this is the ideal option.

Shared room
Not as scary as it sounds, the idea is to share an apartment, meaning to have your own room, with its own lock of course, but share some facilities like the kitchen, bathroom or toilet ( or any combination of the above ) with someone. Someone usually of similar circumstances, thus be ready for students from all around the world majoring in anything from art to electric engineering, be about twenty to thirty and share a somewhat adventurous philosophy. This is of course not the only possible room mate you can meet but a the chances are pretty high. Shared rooms are often located even more towards the city centers than apartments you can rent with no hassle, and offer a good base to go on exploring, head out for school or work. With prices ranging from about forty to eighty-thousand yens the cost can be as low as of a hostel, with a much more relaxed and personal atmosphere to it.

Guesthouse
If this name wasn't suggestive enough already try your Japanese by saying gaijinhouse... as if it was a Japanese word in the first place. These facilities are the cheapest possible option that will allow you to rest on a bed, second to the hostel networks which are also quite heavily represented all across Japan. If you're traveling to Tokyo with some friends and not much of a budget, you could rent a room with two, four, six to eight beds to have a place to rest in between adventures. And even if you're by yourself... well then the idea is that if you're truly a curious person, not just you won't mind, but probably even enjoy the fact that you're sharing the same room with a person or people, since there's a high chance you'll meet up with others who are just as curious and adventure-loving as you are.
These facilities are well equipped, clean, and looked after by the proper staff, most of them offer meals for some extra and are sometimes like their alpine resort counterparts that will make you feel like you're on a school trip... with a twist that you mistook the bus you got on and headed out with a different class. TV, Internet, bathrooms, coin laundry, toilets, kitchen(s), lounges are a given most of the time, and even though you probably have to keep your own little corner clean by yourself it's probably great fun... if you're up for such fun.
Well of course the main idea here isn't just an opportunity to get to know people of similar interests but the cost. There's probably not even a hostel that will beat the price which broken down to a daily fee equals in between one to two thousand yens at most. But even if some hostels did go below this figure, the atmosphere of a gaijinhouse beats them headlong. Or... at least it is said so. For gaijin at least... which in case you really didn't know thus far is short for foreigner. So short that it literally means outside-person.

Regarding single room sizes... the ones you are most likely encounter
In case you're a visitor, temporary or brand new resident you are more likely be staying in a smaller apartment or room than a family resort. But as your own little retreats from the vibrant life of the streets they will perfectly serve this purpose. Most of the single-room apartments are somewhat smaller in square meters than of those in Europe or in America but this in our opinion is only due to the fact that many, many people try to coexist in the downtown of the capital sharing similar circumstances. A central area in Tokyo isn't only the middle of just any city, it's the innermost hub of both the capital and a good percentage of world economy and culture... well you can imagine how many people arrive and try themselves on these stages at the same time. The result is that the need for cheaper apartments is high, thus there can't be too much of large unused spaces in such residences to create an atmosphere of something else than... an actual apartment. The price versus the size and level of comfort are equally bonded to just how far the location is from the center, so in case you don't mind an extra fifteen to forty-five minutes of commuting, you can get a much bigger place for the same cost.

These typical city rooms are functional and comfortable, and while lacking the illusion of a private "castle" they never fail to deliver the feeling of a separate own world in which you can finally rest, work, study, entertain yourself, cook or just do as you please. The thing why this doesn't seem to be bothering most people, lies in the most common reason why you'd actually need a castle for, elsewhere. There's simply no need to set huge walls between you and the world because the outside isn't unpleasant or dangerous. People are quite reserved and polite in all neighborhoods considering their own lifestyle and privacy of others, and with the crime rate at a world-bottom level you just don't need to lock yourself up together with everything you'd need to feel good. But before you get it wrong, all this means is that decorative open spaces are moved from behind the apartment walls to the other side, being available for anyone, with no real reasons you could think of why not to use them. And for those who live downtown in western cities this may sound a bit like an excuse or idealism. But when staying in Tokyo without a strong background, it's pretty much common sense... a fragile but nonetheless working example on how to be a part of and independent from the city in the best possible balance.

And before you get the image of Tokyo being cramped... this note is to be considered only for downtown, for those who can only afford middle class accommodation. There are great hotels, apartments for rent of middle to large to downright overkill, spacious ryokans even within the city, and many other options for those who are willing to give it some search and pay the price.

Tips On Apartment Hunting

source: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ire/ocha/tips.html

1. Timing is Crucial

The housing market is competitive, especially for affordable apartments. Be prepared to make decisions quickly and be flexible by a week or two with your plans. Start your search no earlier than four weeks before your desired move-in date since tenants are not required to give landlords more than 30 days’ notice of their move-out dates. Make apartment hunting your life for two or three weeks - that should be enough time to get familiar with the market and find what you are looking for.

2. Focus Your Search According to Your Budget

New York City is an expensive housing market and you will likely be forced to make compromises in your choice. Monthly rents will vary depending on several factors; the most important of which is location, followed by apartment size and then amenities.

• Decide if You Are Willing to Share an Apartment – You can cut costs by sharing a large one bedroom. To find a roommate, check the listings for apartment shares in the OCHA Housing Registry.
• Consider Where You Can Afford to Live - Manhattan apartments are in the greatest demand and consequently rents are the highest here compared to other boroughs or nearby suburbs. In most areas of Manhattan, you will have great difficulty finding a studio apartment for less than $1,300-$1,400 per month. In contrast, there are areas just outside Manhattan (within a 30-40 minute commute) where you can find a decent studio apartment to rent for $850-$1,000 per month.
• Determine What Size Apartment Fits Your Budget and What Amenities You Can Do Without - Squeezing into a smaller apartment than your ideal and a willingness to accept some commonly perceived flaws such as street noise or lack of view or natural light may save you some money. In addition, rents will vary with the type of building in which the apartment is located such as whether or not the building has a doorman or an elevator.
3. Methods of Searching - Fee v. No Fee Rentals

If you can afford to pay a broker's fee, searching with a broker is highly recommended for convenience. Brokers can give you an overview of the market, guide you in your search, and facilitate the paperwork for you. Some landlords list apartment availabilities exclusively through brokers.

Brokers charge a commission for their services. In Manhattan, expect to pay between `12%-15% of the year's rent. That means if your rent is $1,000 a month, the broker's fee works out to $1,000 x 12 x 15%, or $1,800. Fees outside of Manhattan are usually less, ranging from one month's rent to 12% of the year's rent. The fee is payable only at the time of lease signing. OCHA maintains a list of real estate brokers, many of whom will give a discount on their fees to CU students and affiliates. The larger firms have Web sites where you can search their listings in advance of contacting them. You can also check their most updated listings in the classified ads in The Village Voice, The New York Times and LOOT. Don't forget to ask if a student or Columbia corporate discount is available.

If you prefer not to pay a broker's fee, "no fee" searching options include:

• Classified Ads - look for ads that say "no fee" or "by owner" as well as ads for sublets and shares.
• Landlords and Management Companies - Call directly and ask for a list of their vacancies. OCHA has compiled a list of some of the larger companies. Gabriel's Guide to Apartment Hunting is a book, which lists management companies, rental buildings and contact information.
• Online Search Sites - First check out OCHA’s Housing Registry listings. Then try the series of Web site links we have developed.
• Flat Fee Agencies - A flat fee ranging from $60-$250 is usually paid up-front for access to non-realtor fee listings.


4. Financial Requirements and What to Bring on Your Apartment Search

In order to rent an apartment, you will be asked to complete an application, by your prospective landlord. You may also be required to pay between $50-$200 for credit reports and/or application fees. Landlords want to see evidence of steady income and good credit.

• Financial Requirements - Most landlords require that the prospective tenant have an income equal to 40-45 times the monthly rent in annual salary (combined income is used for roommates). You and your roommate will need to have all of your income verification paperwork readily available upon application for an apartment.

If you are a full time student or do not meet all the financial requirements, most landlords will require a lease co-signer or guarantor. A guarantor is an individual, typically a family member, who lives in the U.S., preferably in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Guarantors are asked to disclose detailed financial information and have a credit report run on them as part of the approval process. The guarantor's income needs to be at least 75 times the monthly rent and they will also need to submit the paperwork listed below.

• Funds - When the landlord approves your apartment application, be prepared to pay the first month's rent and the security deposit upon lease signing. Most landlords require that these funds be paid in the form of separate certified checks or money orders. Landlords will not accept personal checks or credit cards. An additional certified check or money order will be required at the time of lease signing to pay the broker's fee, if applicable.
• Necessary Documents - Bring the following items with you when you start looking for apartments:
• Letter from your current employer stating your salary or from a CPA if you are a freelance worker or a business owner
• First two pages of last year's tax return
• Most recent bank statement(s), bank account numbers and credit card numbers
• Most recent pay stub(s)
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of previous landlords
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of personal and business references
• Photo I.D. such as driver's license or passport


5. Leases

Leases are important for clarification of the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant. If you don't have a lease, the landlord could ask you to leave or raise your rent on short notice. In addition, factors, such as when your rent is due, if pets are allowed and who is responsible for maintenance need to be clear. The type of lease you will be asked to sign can vary with the type of apartment and building in which it is located. OCHA has samples of different leases. Any changes to the standard lease are usually included in a separate lease rider. Leases are for one or two years and generally begin on the 1st or the 15th of the month.

Typically, the apartment will be unfurnished and will be located in a rental building that is owned by the landlord. Some apartments may be protected by rent regulations. A rent-regulated apartment is subject to limits on the amount that owners can raise the rent for vacant apartments and renewals of existing leases. Tenants in rent-regulated apartments have the right to renew the lease provided they’re in compliance with all lease terms and conditions. Rent-regulated tenants have the right to sublease the apartment with the landlord's permission.

Pittsburgh Apartments - East End & University Corridor

Pittsburgh Apartments - East End & University Corridor
adapted from http://pittsburgh.about.com

Apartment living in Pittsburgh's University corridor is plentiful and offer many affordable options for students, as well as some upscale apartment communities. Find apartments for rent in Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, East Liberty, Point Breeze, and other Pittsburgh East End neighborhoods. Close to several colleges and universities, including CMU and the University of Pittsburgh.



Aberdeen ApartmentsThis apartment unit, managed by Union Real Estate, is located in North Oakland on Bayard Street, close to the universities.

Ambassador ApartmentsLocated on Centre Avenue in North Oakland, these apartments offer hardwood floors and some garage parking.

Calmar ApartmentsThese one and two-bedroom apartments are located in Point Breeze, a popular neighborhood for students and employees of Carnegie Mellon and neighboring universities and colleges. Located on the bus line.

Coronado ApartmentsLarge apartment building located in Shadyside at the corner of South Aikens and Centre Avenue offers efficiency, studio, and one-bedroom apartments for rent.

Franklin West - Shadyside PropertiesHistoric restorations, contemporary apartments, and townhouses located throughout the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Gracen Court ApartmentsManaged by Union Real Estate Company of Pittsburgh, these Shadyside apartments offer efficiency and one-bedroom options.

Highland Park Club ApartmentsUpscale, renovated one and two bedroom apartments located on North Negley Avenue in the Highland Park neighborhood, and surrounded by spacious yards within a quiet enclosed park.

Hollenden ApartmentsThese one-bedroom Squirrel Hill apartments are located close to Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham College and offer hardwood floors and covered parking.

Kings Arms ApartmentsLocated in Shadyside at the corner of Negley and Walnut, this apartment building offers efficiency, one and two bedroom options close to Walnut street shopping and area universities.

Mark Twain ApartmentsFour apartment buildings make up this apartment complex located in North Oakland including Mark Twain Apartments, Stephen Foster Apartments, and North & South Windsor Apartments. Located on North Neville Street and Melwood Avenue, close to the University of Pittsburgh and CMU.

Mozart Management - East End Rental ApartmentsUpscale apartments ranging from one-room efficiencies to two-bedrooms with a den as well as luxurious penthouses are available in North Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Highland Park, and Frick Park.

Negley Court ApartmentsThree buildings form a U-shape around an entrance courtyard in this Shadyside apartment building located near Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh and other area colleges.

Oak Hill ApartmentsIf you're affiliated with UPMC Medical Center or the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland, then this apartment community with its wide selection of architect-designed townhome and garden style residences is located just minutes away.

Park Towers ApartmentsThese older apartments, offering efficiency and one-bedroom options, are located on Wightman Street in Squirrel Hill.

Shadyside / Oakland Apartments - Colebrook ManagementA number of 1 to 4-bedroom
apartments, in various locations around the Oakland and Shadyside neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, are managed by Colebrook. Several of these apartments are located in remodeled homes.

St. James Street ApartmentsTwo townhouse-style buildings located side by side at 809 and 811 St. James Street in Shadyside offer a number of fairly inexpensive one bedroom apartments.

The Reserve at SummersetExclusive, upscale two- or three-bedroom townhomes and one-bedroom apartments set in the reclaimed area near Squirrel Hill, adjacent to Frick Park.

Walnut Capital Property ManagementFrom loft apartments in a converted 1902 noodle factory in Bloomfield, to brand-new townhomes in Shadyside, get the details on dozens of upscale apartments and townhomes located throughout Pittsburgh's East End neighborhoods.

Walnut Street ApartmentsA bit more upscale than many of the other older apartment buildings in the area, these Shadyside apartments are close to shopping and area colleges and universities.

Pittsburgh Apartment Guide

Pittsburgh Apartment Guide
From Kimberly & Albrecht Powell,Your Guide to Pittsburgh, PA.

Finding Apartments in the Pittsburgh Area
Pittsburgh offers a wide range of rental properties. From renovated historic buildings and loft apartments Downtown, to apartment communities with swimming pools and fitness centers in the suburbs, Pittsburgh has an apartment to meet everyone's taste.

Landlords & Leases Due to its large University population, the majority of Pittsburgh apartment leases, especially within city neighborhoods, run August 1 to July 31 or September 1 to August 31, with a smaller number available from May 1 to April 30. Thus, summer is usually the best time to find an apartment in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Apartment Listings by Neighborhood
Downtown / Central - Downtown Pittsburgh has a limited number of high-rise apartments and industrial lofts, some with dramatic views, as well as converted historic buildings and more conventional apartment properties.
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The neighboring North Side and South Side neighborhoods, offer apartments in converted homes, as well as a number of new, high-class apartment communities. Prime real estate does mean fairly high rental rates, but you can't beat the location if you work downtown.
East End / University Corridor - Apartment buildings in Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and other neighborhoods near the universities vary greatly in quality, amenities, and price. Many apartments in this area of Pittsburgh are located in old, sometimes historic, buildings, and a number of older homes have also been converted into comfortable apartments. With many colleges, universities, and hospitals in the area, demand for apartments does result in slightly higher rental rates.

North Suburbs - Traveling North from Pittsburgh on I-279, Route 8, or Route 28 brings numerous apartment communities in neighborhoods such as Ross Township, Wexford, Allison Park, Shaler, Fox Chapel, and Cranberry. Garden-style apartment communities abound in this popular location for entertainment and shopping.

South Suburbs - South through the tunnels from downtown Pittsburgh brings you to close-knit ethnic city neighborhoods with standard apartment buildings as well as numerous converted homes with character and charm. Further south, the suburban neighborhoods of Bethel Park, South Park, and Peters Township offer many larger upscale apartment communities and a variety of activities for visitors and residents.

West Suburbs - West from Pittsburgh through the Fort Pitt Tunnel brings a large variety of apartment communities with easy access to both downtown Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh airport. City neighborhoods like Crafton, Carnegie, and McKees Rocks offer primarily apartments in converted homes and buildings, while more suburban neighborhoods such as Greentree, Robinson Township, Moon, and Sewickley offer more traditional apartment and townhome communities. There are a lot of newly constructed apartment communities on this side of Pittsburgh.

East Suburbs - Heading East from Pittsburgh via I-376 brings you to Monroeville, a large shopping district and residential area with plenty of apartment and rental options. Other eastern suburbs, including Greensburg, Forest Hills, Penn Hills, Plum Borough, and Murraysville, offer a wide variety of apartment options - from upscale and luxurious, to charming and affordable.

New York City Roommate Search

The cost of New York area rental houses and apartments can be prohibitive so many people are deciding to share the expense but finding a roommate can be frustrating, especially if you're new to the area.