Mrs. Grad Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Is anyone else comparing housing options in possible school locations on Craigslist to kill time? My husband applied to nine schools, and I would have to say that CU Boulder has the best quality of life for the most reasonable cost. Penn State however... Play with me! Rank your locations by housing quality/costs! diggergurl and communications13 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Monkey Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Yes, I've been doing that on hotpads (link.) Tempe, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh are pretty good. Boston... not so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 So far, hotpads has been the best place that I've found to see places for rent. It is kind of funny if you go to apartment reviews and every apartment that looks nice gets the worst reviews. I don't know who to trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HyacinthMacaw Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Is anyone else comparing housing options in possible school locations on Craigslist to kill time? My husband applied to nine schools, and I would have to say that CU Boulder has the best quality of life for the most reasonable cost. Penn State however... Play with me! Rank your locations by housing quality/costs! Might I ask you to elaborate about Penn State? I was under the impression that the cost of living there is fairly low. Am I mistaken? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Grad Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) Might I ask you to elaborate about Penn State? I was under the impression that the cost of living there is fairly low. Am I mistaken? Thanks! The reasonably priced State College apartments (under $1000) on both hotpads and craigslist look, er, "well used" when compared to the other locations, especially if you have a pet. There are a few exceptions, but it doesn't look like you get much bang for your buck. Example: Penn State vs. Boulder Still, Penn State's amazing program would make the move worth it. Edited February 10, 2011 by ej_flambert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiouslyidling Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I'm definitely doing that. I even have some apartments already picked out based on what school I get into.. though this isn't really anything new for me. I have a strange habit of just looking up real estate in random cities (like the top homes on realtor.com). Maybe I should have gone into real estate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HyacinthMacaw Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 The reasonably priced State College apartments (under $1000) on both hotpads and craigslist look, er, "well used" when compared to the other locations, especially if you have a pet. There are a few exceptions, but it doesn't look like you get much bang for your buck. Example: Penn State vs. Boulder Thanks, I understand now. Those are some great-looking apartments in Boulder--for any price, not to mention for only $772! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Grad Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks, I understand now. Those are some great-looking apartments in Boulder--for any price, not to mention for only $772! Aren't they? It seems like a great place to live. Near (but not too near) a major airport, great housing, great shopping, and fabulous academics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man & the C(S) Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 More than any city I've lived in (7) Atlanta is very hit and miss on areas. There really isn't a good side of town, but instead its a patchwork. Plus the traffic is bananas (I've lived in New York). It really helps to know a local. Luckily all of you do (me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kateow Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 This is a GREAT idea! It hadn't occurred to me (in fact, I've kind of been avoiding imagining our life in a new place, until I know whether it's worth dreaming or not). But I'm starting to think these options might actually come through as choices! So, here goes: Chicago: $650-750 for 1 bedroom, $750-850 for 2 bedroom (looking in Bridgeport, probably, but also considering Hyde Park itself) Cornell: $700-800 for 1 bedroom (anyone know what neighborhood I should be looking at for convenience to campus and/or grocery stores?), up to $900 for 2 bedroom Pittsburgh: $650-750 for 1 bedroom in Squirrel Hill, as low as $800 for 2 bedroom? New York (eep!): $1200-1550 for 1 bedroom (in East Harlem), maybe $1600-1800(!) for 2 bedroom? If these rates sound wrong to anyone already living in these areas, PLEASE let me know! This first shot, I went for average prices, instead of trying to find the lowest possible. I know that, in Chicago at least, the lowest advertised prices are usually scams of some kind... or REALLY bad and really far from where you wanted to live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Monkey Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 This is a GREAT idea! It hadn't occurred to me (in fact, I've kind of been avoiding imagining our life in a new place, until I know whether it's worth dreaming or not). But I'm starting to think these options might actually come through as choices! So, here goes: Chicago: $650-750 for 1 bedroom, $750-850 for 2 bedroom (looking in Bridgeport, probably, but also considering Hyde Park itself) Cornell: $700-800 for 1 bedroom (anyone know what neighborhood I should be looking at for convenience to campus and/or grocery stores?), up to $900 for 2 bedroom Pittsburgh: $650-750 for 1 bedroom in Squirrel Hill, as low as $800 for 2 bedroom? New York (eep!): $1200-1550 for 1 bedroom (in East Harlem), maybe $1600-1800(!) for 2 bedroom? If these rates sound wrong to anyone already living in these areas, PLEASE let me know! This first shot, I went for average prices, instead of trying to find the lowest possible. I know that, in Chicago at least, the lowest advertised prices are usually scams of some kind... or REALLY bad and really far from where you wanted to live. I can comment on New York. Look outside of Manhattan. Most of the students I know live in Brooklyn, with a few in Queens. I live in New Jersey, but it only takes me 15 minutes to get to midtown Manhattan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I have a strange habit of just looking up real estate in random cities (like the top homes on realtor.com). Maybe I should have gone into real estate? I totally do this as well!!! I'd love to go into real estate, but only to sell the really awesome, new, beautiful mansions of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bee kel Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Yes, I've been doing that on hotpads (link.) Tempe, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh are pretty good. Boston... not so much. Tempe has a lot of really inexpensive, good stuff. I'd suggest looking a mile or two away from campus though, cause you'll generally get a better deal for a less shady place (assuming you have a car... public transit here is shit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie42 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Tempe has a lot of really inexpensive, good stuff. I'd suggest looking a mile or two away from campus though, cause you'll generally get a better deal for a less shady place (assuming you have a car... public transit here is shit). I also live in Tempe, the public transportation isn't great, though the free Orbit neighborhood shuttles did the job for me. It was reliable enough, but the people could get sketchy after dark. Personally, I think the nicest apartment complex in the area is Scottsdale Gateway, though it is a bit more expensive than most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bactrian Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Hey ej_flambert, I grew up in State College and did my undergrad there too. If you want to talk to someone who knows the town well feel free to PM me. Either way good luck to you and your husband! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HyacinthMacaw Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 By the way, I've been doing a similar thing where I go on yelp and check out the best cheap eats near the universities I'm applying to. I had no idea Penn State has its own creamery (over 100 flavors!) and that apparently many people swear that the best pizza on Earth can be found in New Haven. And oh, there's actually a place called Cafe Beautiful in Lawrence, KS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhianita Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 This is fun. I have definitely been looking into this to kill time I've been ranking by a combination of location, cost and FUN. I live in Coastal CA right now, so almost anywhere else is cheapper. With the exception of Boston, I will probably be moving to a cheaper apartment. U.Penn -- Wonderful city location, costs are okay UT Austin -- super fun, pretty good as far as costs University of Vermont -- very inexpensive and mediocre as far as fun level Rutgers -- New Brunswick sort of expensive, fun place to live Harvard -- super expensive, but fun Penn State -- mid range prices, not fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscongeniality1 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I'm doing this too! And I, too, am looking at Penn State and noticing how expensive it is for such a random rural area! A definite con for PSU in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCat Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) I can comment on New York. Look outside of Manhattan. Most of the students I know live in Brooklyn, with a few in Queens. I live in New Jersey, but it only takes me 15 minutes to get to midtown Manhattan. I agree. The aforementioned prices (around $1200) for an apartment was how much my husband paid (before we bought a co-op) for a 2 bedroom (with a dining room that could convert into a third bedroom), huge apartment in Queens. I know some nice areas in Queens, feel free to PM me if you want suggestions at some point. EDIT: Also, check Zillow.com. It's used mostly for buying properties, but I'm pretty sure you can look up places to rent, etc. Edited February 12, 2011 by Geekoric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Grad Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 I'm doing this too! And I, too, am looking at Penn State and noticing how expensive it is for such a random rural area! A definite con for PSU in my book. I've been told that it's almost better to buy in Penn State, considering the housing costs. You can get a three story, fairly new townhouse for under 150,000, which isn't bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bactrian Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I've been told that it's almost better to buy in Penn State, considering the housing costs. You can get a three story, fairly new townhouse for under 150,000, which isn't bad at all. If you want to buy and you have reliable transportation, and you aren't planning on having kids anytime soon, then you might look to purchase something outside the boundaries of the State College Area School District. The prices inside the district tend to be significantly higher than those outside of it. Personally, I'd rather live closer to town (for a myriad of reasons) but you can save a pretty penny you're willing to go out farther. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I can comment on New York. Look outside of Manhattan. Most of the students I know live in Brooklyn, with a few in Queens. I live in New Jersey, but it only takes me 15 minutes to get to midtown Manhattan. This. Williamsburg, Park Slope in Brooklyn are nice, Astoria in queens is LOVELY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie42 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfndircqi61qa0uujo1_1280.png?AWSAccessKeyId=0RYTHV9YYQ4W5Q3HQMG2&Expires=1297624994&Signature=YH/xCfv0wfReya345K5R9Ua18Qc%3D "Trulia(.com) has provided this awesome chart showing the price-to-rent ratio for 50 cities in the United States. They calculate this using the median list price compared to the median rent on two bedroom apartments, condos, and townhomes. Use this chart to help you decide if you should rent or buy in your area." I hope you guys can access this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Monkey Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 I've been told that it's almost better to buy in Penn State, considering the housing costs. You can get a three story, fairly new townhouse for under 150,000, which isn't bad at all. I'm wondering how the occupation of "Graduate Student" looks to mortgage companies? #1 on my list has a ridiculous cost of living, which would mean that I would stay a renter, but numbers 2-4 have relatively low costs of living, which would mean that I could possibly buy instead of rent. I just don't know whether or not the banks would loan to a full-time graduate student. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd1244 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Chicago: $650-750 for 1 bedroom, $750-850 for 2 bedroom (looking in Bridgeport, probably, but also considering Hyde Park itself) .... If these rates sound wrong to anyone already living in these areas, PLEASE let me know! This first shot, I went for average prices, instead of trying to find the lowest possible. I know that, in Chicago at least, the lowest advertised prices are usually scams of some kind... or REALLY bad and really far from where you wanted to live. I've lived in Hyde Park for the past 5 years. The cheapest 1 bedrooms are going to be $800+. My boyfriend and I currently pay $885 for a 540 square foot 1bed/1bath. You can find places a bit cheaper than this if you go south of 60th street, but it's not the safest area. I don't know much about Bridgeport, other than the fact that a coworker lives there and has an easy commute to Hyde Park on the #4 bus. If you have any questions about Hyde Park or the rental market here, let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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