Hi-
My husband and I are moving to Philly in March from Oklahoma. As you can imagine, this is a HUGE move for us and the cost of living is like 100x what it is here.
I am feeling vulnerable about finding a place. So many people try to rip you off anymore.
There are a few places we can afford. Queens Village and Bella Vista seem like our best bet for a safe, affordable place to find an apartment.
Has anyone heard anything about the Marine Club off 1100 S. Broad?
I ask b/c parking is included and so is w/d. Too good to be true?

If anyone knows a realtor or someone who knows all about apartments under $900 a month, could you please send them my way?

Can anyone tell me what parking is like in Q.V. or Bella Vista?
Michael Singer Real Estate seems to have some great prices, is that too good be true also??

I really appreciate your help, I don't want to get taken advantage of just b/c some lanlord thinks we are hicks from the south.

I am nervous enough about the move and adjusting to a new city as it is.

Thank You!!!!

3 years ago I would have told you that the Marine Club is a rip off but the area has been steadily improving. I hear the building is great. The location has great access to cc via the subway and is equidistant between highways (76 & 95). The biggest downside is that it is catty corner to a huge empty lot (owned by the city which just announced it is looking for a developer of some sort) which makes it feel kind of disconnected. However, a few blocks away is 11th ad washington where the Bella Vista crazed has helped spawn new restaurants and a condo conversion (from empty warehouse). Bella vista is great as is QV. QV has good access to 95 but transportation is limited to bus (when you do things in center city it is generally easier not to have to drive)/ Bella Vista is an upscale version of part of the old italian section. Michael Singer isn;t terrible but you can;t expect a whole lot for his prices. can you provide more info on what exactly you want out of your new neighborhood?

All i really want is a place to where I will be able to park my car ( i will work in k of p) and I just want to feel safe. My husband will be with me most of the time but keep in mind we are living in a city where people don't even walk anywhere and it's really quiet.
So it's going to be a culture shock no matter what.

My new manager told me that she lived in QV and adored it. She said it has alot of charm and the people are awesome.
I need a 1 bedroom apt bigger than 600 sf with a washer and dryer inside or at least hookups.
The perfect neighborhood to me would be where there are cafe's and pubs on the street along with little locally owned shops. Maybe a market or grocery store. Where I can leave my place and get to a deli quick or get a cup of coffee.
Where everyone looks out for each other. i can't get over how expensive parking is!!
Out here in the sticks there's no such thing as paying to park. It's not really the sticks, we have over 600,000 residents but everything is really spread out.

Does that help at all?
I am so anxious about finding a place that I am losing sleep.

Thanks for your help.

Welcome Molly.

I have lived in BV for the past 2 years. I love it. What I like about it is:
- It is a good mix of the old and new residents.
- The famous Italian Market is in BV.
- South Street (coffee shops, clothing stores, restaurants, grocery store).
- Close to Center City. For me about 2 miles.

Are you aware of the commute between Philly and KOP?

It is doable but is pretty bad. I have not had to do that commute so I will defer to someone who has?

Parking in BV is OK. I had the luxury of a driveway, but that is the exception not the rule. When I did have to park on the street I usually found a spot in the 2 block radius. I guess parking is less of an issue if you do not need to use your car much.

You cannot go wrong with QV or BV. My personal opinion is that QV is more yuppy and less of an Philly neighborhood then BV. I am sure those that live in QV may chime in with their 2 cents.....but that is my 10,000 foot opinion.

-UC

Thanks for the advice.

I am aware of the commute, about 45 minutes, ya think???
But since I moving from the boonies to the city, I really don't want to live anywhere I would have to drive to the grocery store or deli. I feel like if I'm moving to the big city then I need to live in the big city.
The only time I will use my car is for work or the occasional road trip.

I am really very excited to be a part of a community, here nobody comes together to do anything but gripe about democrats and how gun owners have no rights.

From what I have read and heard, this will be an awesome area to live.
Do you know of any apartments or houses for rent? Or where to find an apt?
I have had ok luck with craigslist, but that's about it.
It seems like most of these apts are owner occupied and smaller complexes. Is this true?

Do you have to take a toll road to King of Prussia?

Keep in mind, if you work in KoP and you live in Philadelphia, you will be slapped with the 4.5% wage tax (income tax). The other thing to keep in mind is that in general, if you live in the city, you will have higher car insurance rates than the suburbs. In addition, I can almost predict that your rates will double from what they are in OK regardless of where you live. The reverse commute is getting a little hairy, so be cautious if you are assuming it is a breeze.

If you want to avoid the wage tax, I would look at Lower Merion or Springfield Township in Montgomery County if you are looking to live close to the city, but not in the city.

Prof Dave

PD is right about the wage tax consideration. What about your significant other--where is he working? Parking isn't horrendous in QV or BV but if your husband is working in Center City and you're working in King of Prussia, you may want to consider something in the Northwestern outskirts of the city--the neighborhoods I'm thinking of are Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls, Wissahickon. All of these have fairly easy and free parking--a lot of the places in East Falls even have garages in back. All are a lot more commutable to King of Prussia. For a brief stint when I couldn't find work here while waiting for my bar results, I worked at the mall in KoP...I lived in Roxborough at the time which is about 7 miles North further from the epicenter of the city and somedays it would take me 45 minutes to an hour to get to work. If I were you, I wouldn't want any more of a commute than that--driving on 76 is like taking your life in your hands anyway. Any of these communities I've mentioned are easily commutable into the city as well. And all of these communities offer things to do, coffeeshops, etc.

Best of luck. I found it difficult to find apartments to when I was looking for them from upstate NY but I ended up scheduling about 20 apartments to view in one weekend and ended up with a really nice first apartment for the money. Persistence pays off!

__________________
Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

No, the biggest downside is the fact that it backs up to one of the worst 'hoods in Phila. An ex g/f lived there in the Marine Club for a few years, and never had any issues. She didnt have a car...and walked everywhere. Just be aware of your surroundings. The building is just awesome, but the 'hood is a lot different than Queen Village. Its not the place to go for a 11PM stroll.

molly: per mapquest, KoP is probably 45minutes from center city. In reality, it will probably take a good bit longer. Especially coming from Bella Vista, where you will have to take 95N > 676W > 76W. 676 is always jammed up. I76is the worst highway in this area for traffic. As Dave said, look into some of the burbs. Paying 4.5% wage tax, and spending up to 3 hours a day commuting to/from work will get old...fast.

What time will you be commuting? I would never want to commute from Bella Vista to KoP, unless I was working 10-7 or something. You may want to consider the Spring Garden/Fairmount area. You can completely avoid 676, which may save you 10-15minutes each way. I have a spot in a garage, but it does seem like on street parking is at a premium.

Is it really that bad???

My dream has always been to live IN the city, my husband will work in the city, so he needs easily public transport.

Is Manayunk considered Philly? as far as taxes go? Is it easy to get into the city at night to go out by bus or taxi?

The suburbs do not appeal to me whatsoever. I have been to the Ambler area, Willow grove, etc. they are nice for a family, but not really for a young married couple who crave city life.

I know about the tax, that sucks. I'm an insurance agent, so as far as car insurance goes I have the advantage of getting it really cheap.

I am so confused and I need a place reserved by Feb.
Why is 76 so bad? Just too many people?

Does septa not have an effecient route to KOP?

Am I just screwed?

I wish I would be working in the city, it would be so much easier.

Is the fairmount/spring garden area safe?