Housing... Aarrrrrrgh...
I have made and changed and made again and changed and made again..... a list of Philly apartments I need to consider. Now I almost know the Wharton housing guide by heart. I also have a photograph of the apartment locations etched in my memory. I shoot an email to a current student as the questions pop into my mind. The response invariably changes my criteria for the apartment search and hence my list of apartments :-(. I'm beginning to hate it even before I start calling apartment managements to discuss availability, rent, lease terms blah blah...
It seems fairly simple to sign a lease remotely, most of it can be done on the phone. But I'm somehow very skeptical about moving into a place without checking it out in person. Neither am I ready to go there in July and then search, all the good places will be gone by then. My future roomie and me discuss this endlessly, we are both confused and nowhere close to knowing which apartments to consider. Ok, I guess I have fully vented my frustration now :D.
Other things such as I20 application, verification, preparing to send my acceptance deposit etc. are underway and happening smoothly. Life would be perfect if housing were to fall in place soon enough :D
It seems fairly simple to sign a lease remotely, most of it can be done on the phone. But I'm somehow very skeptical about moving into a place without checking it out in person. Neither am I ready to go there in July and then search, all the good places will be gone by then. My future roomie and me discuss this endlessly, we are both confused and nowhere close to knowing which apartments to consider. Ok, I guess I have fully vented my frustration now :D.
Other things such as I20 application, verification, preparing to send my acceptance deposit etc. are underway and happening smoothly. Life would be perfect if housing were to fall in place soon enough :D
8 comments:
Craigslist.com has postings with actual pictures of apartments being offered. I'm sure your Wharton contact has already made this point, but there are some sketchy areas around U Penn that you'd want to avoid.
Cheers and Good Luck!
Why not go to Winter Weekend this week and check the places out for yourself? (I realize this is easier said than done).
I def. feel your pain. I would agree that craiglist is a good resource. Although the postings are usually for people looking to rent w/in the next month or so, you will be able to possibly see some pictures of actual apartments in that building. Not quite the same as seeing the real thing, I know, but perhaps better than nothing.
Although you seem to have enough support from Wharton, shoot me an email if you need more help or another opinion; I live 30 mins from Wharton.
heyy good luck i had the same experience while moving from Indonesia to LA a few years ago..
Join yahoo groups of U.Penn. I'm sure you can find someone looking for a roomate. Also mail ISA (Rangoli) they will help you more than you need. You can mail me at
mymbazone@gmail.com, if you need any info. I lived in center city as a student.
Pleasant fuss :)
Can you make virtual friends with some current student and ask him or her to actually visit apartments before you and your future roommate sign the lease?
Also, do not sign lease remotely, and do not choose apts after 38-40th street.
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