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Ms. Bli...

Realistically, Is $1500 enough to move to Philly?

I want to move out of my parents house THIS AUGUST! No, I do not have a job there yet, STILL LOOKING. I was up late last night looking at a few apt complexes. I think this one was the best deal. www ... It is small and not luxurious but I lived a small box (dorm room) for 4 years so anything is BETTER than that. Its decent in my opinion. Only 500 Square feet. I have the money for the security deposit and for the rent. I understand I will need money for food and to furnish the apt. at some point. I would have to buy a TV, a couch, a table, bdr set (unless I use one I already have) and decor. Someone told me it would be wise to save up $6000 this way I would have a window of a few months to look for work. But that figure was including buying a car. If I move to Philly, I probably will not need a vehicle but money for a bus What I mean to ask is how much money should I have saved to move to Philly? The rent is only $605/month. Here in NJ where I live one would do good to get $1000/month for a 1bdr apt. I dont need a big apt, its just me by myself. Should I have perhaps $3000 instead? Well being that I want to move out ASAP, I do not really have much money to use unless I use my credit card. I do not want to do that though because I am not currently employed. The reason I am eager to leave is I am extremely depressed at home. My parents are too overbearing. They dont even let me drive the car that was bought for me (I have a license), its BS. I need to be on my own, I just turned 23. I graduated from college a year ago, I was just let go from my temp job so now is the perfect time to leave home. Any detailed answers are greatly appreciated, thanks! Serious answers only please. Thanks. Thanks for the answers thus far, okay so I need to save more money basically! But no one gave me a NUMERICAL AMOUNT which is what I was asking, its okay. What I will say is I am planning to GO BACK TO SCHOOL, I want to attend grad school this spring most likely because I do not know of any schools still accepting applications now. Yes, I have loans. No cosigner, I have to do this by MYSELF in order to move, my parents WILL NOT HELP. Thanks for the answers though.

3 months ago - 2 answers

Best Answer

Chosen by Asker

1. in philly they usually ask for first, last and security deposit (of one month's rent). so you need 3x the rent price. there are some apts that don't do this, but they charge really high non refundable administrative fees. anyway, one thing to look for 2. almost NO apartment in philly will let you rent without a job unless you're in a college area and have proof of loans coming in or a cosigner. 3. philly can be very affordable... in the ghetto. 4. you will really, really want a car in philly, it's not new york. there is a good trolley system and bus system but to get from one part of philly to another can take hours (for instance going from west philly to the ikea in south philly once took me four hours) 5. i would spend the first bit of time trying to stay in a hostel or something as you look for work, or try to find a person on craigslist renting out their basement, or, my the best choice in my opinion, find a roomate and or sublet an apartment. in university city you can get a room for 400 bucks a month if you rent a house with others, usually don't have to pay security deposit or anything, are close to the trolley and center city and the movie theater and stuff so it's great, and can spend your time looking for jobs at penn, or temple, etc which are off the trolley line and are good for hiring temps at least. anyway, good luck! *edit: i would NOT move with my stuff, it'll be an additional cost you don't need. i would sell everything i could, move as simply as possible (one bag if possible) and once i got settled slowly buy used furniture. you're going to have to tough it out for a bit.

by smm

3 months ago

Asker's Rating: 

Other Answers

If you're including what you need for 1st month rent and security deposit in that 1500 then NO WAY. And actually even if you have that 1st mo rent and deposit set aside separately, I'd say that $1500 would be cutting it VERY close if you make it at all. My advice would be to take everything that you possibly can that you already own. Even if its only temporary until you can afford something better, at least you'll have something. My BF and I left behind things that we hoped to replace anyway and now we're hurting because moving turned out to be much more expensive than we thought it would be and it's going to take A LOT longer to get the things we left behind replaced than we planned. It's not the end of the world, but it is an inconvenience. Try to find a job there before you move, lots of places will consider interviews over the phone if you live too far away to travel to one in person before you move. Even if you don't start until a week or so after the move so you can get settled in, having employment secured before the move will help immensely. Good luck!

by songbird1602- 3 months ago