Preferably something in, or not far from, center city.

I think I need to give up on living in row-houses that have been converted into apartments, but my experiences with high-rises haven't been entirely good either. However, I'm thinking a high-rise is more likely to work for me.

I can go up to about $1200 a month (though it would be difficult), but I am currently paying $840 (which is a much more appropriate amount than 1200, given my salary).

Ideally, I'd like to buy a house, but I don't have the money to do it quite yet (and I don't want to rush the process). I would like to have stayed on in my current place for another year, so I could save a little more money, but I feel that I need to move out now, due to noise.

the packard building is very quiet as long as you don't have an apt facing 676. the thick concrete floors and walls seemed to be soundproofed. I only ever heard somebody else in the kitchen and hallway. liked hitoriclandmarks.com as a landlord. discounts around town in a monthly newsletter, monthly get togethers. staff was friendly and helpful. the are was a bit dead but now there are a few things around (Westy's 15th adn callowhill, cafe left, keli ann's, and siam lotus.)

Thanks eldondre, I am looking into that landlord and building.

they have a 12 mo get 13th mo free and usually a lowered sec. deposit and sometimes a gift cert. i am with brandywine and it's cheaper but i miss their responsiveness. also, stay off the south side (vine st. plus the sun makes it hot in the summer...read high electric bills). being on the north side can drastically reduce you utilities. view isn't of cc but hey...tradeoffs.

El... I agree with your assessment of the Packards being quiet. We moved in 2 weeks ago and have not heard anything other than the closing of other apt's doors and the occasional sound of the neighbors shower. (the bathrooms/kitchens are the only rooms not soundproof it seems. The floors are THICK indeed, they used to store tanks in here during WW2 so you know the floors are indeed heavy. There is some heavy duty ambulance/life flight noise at all hours due to the heavy hospital real estate around here but that's all background noise now.

I live at Chancery Lane, one of the Philadelphia Management properties. I'm on Arch between Front and 2nd.

It is, honestly, very quiet. Every so often you have the party crowd coming in drunk on a weekend, but it's very rare - really, very rare.

Through the week, it's very quiet.

It's a great location.

JK

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My experience with Philadelphia Management has not been good.

Does anyone know about Westminster Arch Apartments (particularly for internal noise levels)?

I looked at the Packard Building today and I liked the apartments I saw, but it still seems like a gamble. (I talked with a maintenance person who had lived there and he stressed that I would hear my neighbors, but at the same time he didn't think the noise would be the sort to be a problem.)

I live at the ambassador, which is at 21st and chestnut. Like the Packard building, it's also owned by historic landmarks. The building has a front desk clerk 24/7, all utilities are included, there's a gym, and it's not that expensive, costs less than the packard. I really like it, I've been there for almost two years. It's an old building, but I haven't had many problems, and when I did, maintenance was great. The place is close to Trader Joe's and small grocery stores, and it's close to Rittenhouse Square and tons of really good restaurants.

Can't say about Westminster, but generally- in the price range you're looking, are you seeing more apartments, or more homes?

If you have problems with large apartment buildings (which generally have more noise) versus smaller apartments (medium) or rowhomes?

I'm kind of curious about what kind of noise you're talking about-
(having lived almost directly under Jefferson Hospitals medivac helipad near Walnut Street)

Is the problem neighbors, or traffic, or ambulances or something else?

Hal

sorry to hear that ... they're more in your price range, though.

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