Whoever has a job should talk to HR and ask if they have any services to help. If it is grad school they may have housing help also. That is where I would start.
Son googled apts for rent in is area and found different spots to possibly rent. Then streetview to walk around the area on line. It works pretty well.
We didn’t help. He went to another state and took care of it himself.
He can also bring up subway,El , trolley and bus routes on line.
Google best places or how to find apts in Phila etc
When we were looking for DD, our priorities were safety, accessibility to where she needed to be, and then cost. The reality was that almost all the apartments were very close on cost…so the other two criteria became more important. We also knew she would be out some nights late…and leaving most mornings before sunrise. So a safe community was important.
After grad school, DS moves 2500 miles away. He loaded up his car and drove the distance with his sister. He had arrangements to stay with a friend there. He did so for a few weeks until he and another friend found a house to rent. DS has since relocated,no help from us at all.
S did end up moving from his condo to another rental that is in another city and state, which he prefers. He did it all on his own. He’s a pretty resourceful young man and can rise to whatever the occasion calls for.
Your son should ask these people for information: http://www.city-data.com/forum/philadelphia/ These people know the area and will help. This bulletin board is primarily for people that are moving to the area.
Fortunately, Philadelphia area rent is very reasonable by big city standards. On average, less than half of the Boston, NY and DC scene. Do S and SO have jobs or are they moving for grad school? Do they have a car or need to rely on public transportation? They may want to start search by figuring out where they want to be - close to work for one or both ; in an up - and - coming neighborhood, etc. Then, they need to evaluate the crime profile - there are multiple areas where public transportation is not advised after hours.
Second the recommendation that Sleepys provides excellent mattress delivery services - usually free and delivery time and date can be scheduled online at time of purchase.
A handy thing for a new graduate to own is a good-quality campers’ inflatable air mattress. (And it makes a great gift.)
It enables the new apartment dweller to live in his apartment before his furniture arrives (because really, what do you need besides a comfortable place to sleep and your smartphone?), and it will come in handy for the same reason for future moves. It’s also useful for accommodating overnight guests.
S is busily job-searching now…SO is going to grad school, and has this fantasy that she will have time to work, as well. (I did that in grad school, so I suppose it’s possible to do). Grad school does not have housing for anyone who is not a student, period. Not even spouses or children, I was surprised. They also do not help with housing matching, but oh well.
They do not have a car. We are already PA residents and are aware of the taxing parameters.
They are hoping to relocate in/near University City or NW of the city proper; they will need to have access to transit because S’s new doctors are at Penn. I do not expect they will have much money. We are already accumulating funding in the event they need rent help – I’d rather not, but I know that sometimes is the choice. Guarantor – I had forgotten about that, thanks. Rents in Philly are rising because of strong demand, but certainly they are much better than Boston or NY. He already had to turn down a p/t job offer in the metro Boston area because the pay was totally insufficient to live there.
I’ve been reading this thread with interest. My S graduated last May and is living and working in San Diego. I realize now we lucked out in that he was able to find a job quickly which he started right after 4th of July. He rented a room in his fraternity house for the month of July ($150 for the month) and was able to rent an apartment with his offer letter, first paystub and his good credit (he worked and had his own credit card in college). We did not need to be a guarantor or provide him any funds.
My D, a current college junior on the east coast, will be interning in NYC this summer and if all goes well, would like to start her career in finance/accounting in New York, Boston or Philadelphia for 2-3 years after college. Looks like her experience will be much different and we may have to help.
Just wondering, would it make any sense to try and sublet a place in any of these cities for ~6 months after graduation? Friends and family in Boston and NYC tell me that the hardest time to find housing is in the summer; it is easier in Nov-Dec when the rush of new grads has calmed down.
@Marian - this first thing my son bought for his apartment was a nice air mattress. He used it before his furniture was delivered, for guests and it has gone camping several times. He’s already gotten his moneys worth!