Finding an Apartment in Pittsburgh, PA

Moving is never an easy process and apartment shopping can be a stressful and frustrating process if you don't know the area or market well. Apartment shopping in Pittsburgh can be especially frustrating due to the large number of apartments in the area and the wide range of prices, amenities, and quality in those apartments. Conveniently, with just a little knowledge of the area and market, this process can be made a lot easier.

The first thing you need to know when searching for an apartment in Pittsburgh is that the market is primarily driven by proximity to the three major universities: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University. An apartment within two blocks of any of these universities is likely to be nearly twice as expensive as the same quality apartment one to two miles away. If you are a college student who needs proximity to campus, this added cost may be worth it, but if you aren't, you should try to keep your search a little further from campus.

In addition to usual apartment advertising you can find in classified ads and on Craig's List, each university maintains a list of nearby available apartments for rent, usually within about a two mile radius. Regardless of whether you are a student, you can take advantage of that list to find available apartments.

Rent prices in Pittsburgh average from $300 - $600 a person, depending on quality, location, and amenities. Usually, if you are strapped for cash, you can fit one additional person in an apartment and lower that cost to about $225 - $250 a person. In general, rent will be higher if the apartment is directly on a bus line (especially if it is within a block of a bus stop) or if the apartment provides parking or garages. In fact, garages are incredibly rare in Pittsburgh apartments and will usually cost an additional $50 - $75 a month. Also, if you have a car, be careful to inspect the size of the garage. Many garages in Pittsburgh are very old and will not fit large cars or trucks.

Besides garages, a few other features are incredibly rare in Pittsburgh apartments. Both dishwashers and washing machines are seldom found in Pittsburgh apartments. The former, if available, rarely increases the cost of rent. Washing machines and dryers, when available, usually are on a pay per use system. Laundromats are reasonably common in Pittsburgh, but you should definitely scout how close the nearest one is before renting an apartment without a washing machine. Also, three pronged outlets are very rare in Pittsburgh apartments, so be prepared to buy a half dozen or so outlet converters.

Finally, because the apartment market caters primarily to the college crowd, there are certain times of the year when it is easier or harder to find an apartment. The best time of year to apartment hunt is between the months of June and August, when the most of the one year leases are ending for college students. Moving in the summer will be unpleasant, but there are a lot more vacancies available. Apartment complexes like to start showing apartments about 2-3 months before move in. Again due to college schedule, January is the other good time of the year for vacancies. January vacancies are usually more unexpected and it is likely you will get a good deal, shortened lease or be allowed to move in quickly at this time of the year.

Finally, you should always be prepared to pay a deposit of one month's rent and be prepared to submit to a background check. Almost every apartment in Pittsburgh requires it and you should be suspicious of any that doesn't. Assuming you can afford the cost and you have the time, apartment hunting in Pittsburgh needn't be difficult or stressful. Following this advice, you should be living in a new apartment that fits your needs in no time.