Could a couple with no car living in a 1-bedroom apartment in Center City do okay with a household income of $60,000? (Clark: apartments, for rent)

[Charlestondata]

We like the simple life. The big time to us is a third glass of wine with a modestly-priced meal.

[PhillyViaBoston]

Yes.

[drive carephilly]

Definitely. If you budget $1250 +/- for rent you can find a nice place and that should leave you enough change for the simple life provided your student loans aren't outrageous.

OTOH, I don't see the point in living in Center City if you don't have enough money left over to enjoy it because I'm assuming you're going to want to travel, buy a new computer every once in a while, have a data plan on your phones and then save something. You get more space and nicer units for less money if you go to one of the adjacent neighborhoods . . . and with a bicycle the extra 4 blocks is irrelevant.

[Charlestondata]

Originally Posted by drive carephilly

Definitely. If you budget $1250 +/- for rent you can find a nice place and that should leave you enough change for the simple life provided your student loans aren't outrageous.

OTOH, I don't see the point in living in Center City if you don't have enough money left over to enjoy it because I'm assuming you're going to want to travel, buy a new computer every once in a while, have a data plan on your phones and then save something. You get more space and nicer units for less money if you go to one of the adjacent neighborhoods . . . and with a bicycle the extra 4 blocks is irrelevant.

We're not dead set on City Center proper, but we want to be within a few blocks of SEPTA in a safe, urban location that is definitely, unmistakably part of the fabric of the city. We don't want to be stuck where we sometimes miss having a vehicle for everyday needs. We want to live where a vehicle would be in the way, with shops and restaurants, doctor and dentist offices, a dog park and veterinarian, a grocery store, etc.

[frankgn87]

You will be fine at that income level

[rotodome]

A landlord rule of thumb, which IMO is also a good personal benchmark of affordability, is that they like your income to be at least 40x your monthly rent, which would mean $1500. Seems pretty do-able.

[selhars]

Definitely.

[ElijahAstin]

Yes. You can get a nice walk-up in your price range. Or you can splurge on a mediocre high rise. Whichever sounds better.

[1timbo1]

It's absolutely workable. You'll find a lot of nice apartments in Center City for under $1200/month. Across the Schuylkill River in the University City area you can easily save $100-200 per month for the same apartment, and still be in an extremely vibrant area with excellent transit connections.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by 1timbo1

It's absolutely workable. You'll find a lot of nice apartments in Center City for under $1200/month. Across the Schuylkill River in the University City area you can easily save $100-200 per month for the same apartment, and still be in an extremely vibrant area with excellent transit connections.

I disagree. University City is actually more overpriced for the most part, given the perpetual demand from Penn/Drexel/U Sciences/Restaurant School students, along with other young professionals who dig the area vibe. Things become a bit more reasonable once you get out towards Clark Park though.