2007-06-29

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.





Tips on Finding a New York City Apartment Rental

Melissa Sarno in http://www.inetours.com/

Finding an apartment in New York City is never a simple task. What New Yorker's call an 'amazing deal' would shock out-of-towners. And with hundreds of apartments for rent each day in an extremely competitive market, it's survival of the fittest unless renters want to be left out in the cold.

Whether you are a newcomer to the Big Apple or a long-time veteran that faces the end of a lease, the search requires a healthy determination, emotional stability, and, above all, a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Determining where to live can seem daunting. With so many different neighborhoods that offer up their own unique flare, it's difficult to know how to begin. Knowing whether you want a luxury apartment, a 5th floor walk-up, a large brownstone or a cozy studio is essential to discovering whether you want the charm of the west village, the glamour of Upper Manhattan, the industrial look of Chelsea, or a tight squeeze on the lower east side.

Understanding what you can afford often narrows the scope. The rule of thumb is that you must make 40X one month's rent to be eligible for an application, otherwise you'll have to arrange for a guarantor that makes 90x that. If you want to spend less than $1000 per month and stay within Manhattan, anything above 96th street would be the ticket. Leaving the island to the outer boroughs, however, remains the best bet. Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx boast roomier apartments for 2/3 the rent.If you have more to spend but are still on a budget, look into living with roommates. Not only is it cost efficient in the way of rent, but splitting the cost of other expenses such as food, cable, internet, and electric is always an effective way to save.If you want your own living quarters below 96th st. and within the Manhattan border, Hell's Kitchen, the Lower East Side, and the Financial District have the most affordable rents.This doesn't rule out other areas, however.

The farther west or east you are willing to go the more possibilities open up. Pre-War buildings with walk-ups, buildings without doormen, and areas less convenient to the subway are generally less expensive than elevator/doorman buildings close to public transportation.No matter what area you decide on be prepared for a small living space. Even the most spacious and luxurious apartments on the tiny island pale in comparison to other cities across the US.Once you decide where you want to live and what you can afford, be prepared to work to get it.Apartments usually go on the market 2 weeks before the 1st and 15th of the month. The longer you wait before your anticipated move-in date, the harder it becomes to find what you like. Whether it's hiring a realtor or lacing up your sneakers to scour neighborhoods talking to management companies, the search takes patience and perseverance in one of the most fast-paced cities in the world.

It is important to have your paperwork ready immediately: proof of employment, salary, tax forms, and pay stubs must be on hand to snatch up what you like.The general rule is, if you see something you like and can afford: take it. Thinking about it overnight can prove deadly. By morning a happy tenant will be signing your lease and moving boxes into your dream place.






Apartment Hunting Tips






Apartment Hunting Tips
Quote from http://www.nyc.gov/
Finding an apartment in New York City can be a daunting process. In today's tight real estate market, stories abound about apartment hunters seeing scores of units before finding a suitable one, only to be outbid by a prospective tenant with check in hand. It is also common to hear anecdotes about unbelievable deals on centrally-placed apartments found simply by word-of-mouth. How do apartment hunters actually find a place to live in New York City?

Check out our Top Ten List to see the most common ways New Yorkers find apartments.
Ways to Find an Apartment

#1: Brokers One of the most common methods of finding an apartment in New York City is using a real estate broker. If you know what neighborhood you want to live in, it's usually best to find a broker based there. Many brokers also have Web sites where you can view available apartments, sometimes even with photos and detailed descriptions.

#2: Word-of-Mouth There is good news for those who would prefer not to pay hefty brokers' fees: a substantial number of New Yorkers find their units by word-of-mouth, mostly from friends, relatives, and co-workers. If you're looking for an apartment, make sure everyone you know knows that you're looking.

#3: Classified Ads The third most common method used by recent movers is a classic: the classified ad. Movers cite using the New York Times, the Village Voice, the Daily News, local or community papers, and Newsday. Foreign-language or ethnic newspapers, such as El Diario and the Jewish Press, are also a good source of classified ads. Many newspapers now post their classified ads online, so make sure to check out the Web sites of local papers and online message boards like newyork.craigslist.org.

#4: Walking Around A small but notable percentage of movers find their apartment when they simply see a "For Rent" sign. It can pay to walk around the neighborhood you want to live in and look around.

#5: Housing Office If you're living here for professional or educational reasons, don't neglect your organization's housing office or service. They know what you often don't about renting in New York City and it's their job to help you find a great new apartment.

#6: Apartment Referral Service Referral services are a growing resource that savvy hunters, especially those who are comfortable searching on the Internet, should not neglect. For a monthly fee these services will provide you with a list of no-fee apartment rentals as they become available.

#7: Finding a Vacant Apartment in Same Building Other movers find their apartments in the same building in which they already live. Be proactive and talk to neighbors, doormen, supers, landlords, and/or your management company to see if another apartment is available in the same building.

#8: Going on Waiting Lists Affordable housing is often offered through waiting lists or application lotteries. If you have time before you need to move, put your name on waiting lists and/or fill out applications for affordable housing through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), or the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA).

#9: Community Groups You may occasionally find housing through local government offices or community groups that keep information on neighborhood housing notices.#10: Apartment Guides Lastly, don't forget to rely on resources like our Apartment Guide. These general references provide information about leases and other housing issues.





Finding an Apartment: Tips for Graduate Students

Finding an Apartment: Tips for Graduate Students

From Tara Kuther, Ph.D.,
Your Guide to Graduate School.

Whether you're planning to move 2,000 miles away or to the other end of town, finding and securing an apartment can be overwhelming. Here are some steps that can make it a little easier:
Examine your priorities.What's important to you in your new home?
Considerations:
Proximity to school
Safety
Parking
Laundry facilities
Public transportation
Pets
Determine your budget and decide on roommates.Before embarking on your apartment-hunting trip, determine what you can afford to spend. Draw up a budget. You don't want to run out of funds two-thirds of the way through the school year! Learn how to manage your money before you move out on your own.
According to budget experts, your monthly rental should amount to no more than one week's income.
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Sound impossible?

This is where roommates come in to the picture.
Carefully select your new roommate or you could be disappointed to learn that your lifestyles don't match well. Speak with grad students at your new school and you may find a roommate with similar needs for quiet study time. Roommate matching services are also available.

Find an apartment.Begin looking for an apartment as soon as you know where you're going to grad school.
In some areas, New York City, for example, finding a suitable apartment can take months. Keep your eyes open and let your friends and relatives know that you're looking for a place.
Speak with graduate students at your new school.

They're a great source of leads and can tell you about what neighborhoods to avoid. Check out online listings, as well as the old standby, newspaper listings. If you're desperate, seek help from a real estate agencies, but note that most charge fees that can range from $50 to two month's rent.

What to ExpectBring a checkbook and an ATM card on apartment-hunting trips. Some markets move so quickly that by the time you run home to get your checkbook, the listing is gone. Be ready to put down a deposit immediately if you find a suitable place.


Be prepared to pay first and possibly last month's rent as well as a security deposit to cover any damages incurred during your stay. Inspect the apartment carefully before committing to it. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Take note of any existing damage in the apartment and have that written into your lease. You don't want to be financially responsible for it later.