How to Find Apartments in Scranton
Apartment hunting is a very exciting and sometimes stressful process. On one hand there is the excitement of finding your new home, of exploring different places and daydreaming of what your life will be like. But on the other hand, there is all the searching, the hassle in trying to find something that fits your lifestyle, trying to balance all your wants and needs with your budget.
Well, do not despair. If you’re planning to move to Scranton, this post will give you some simple strategies that can help you find that perfect apartment.
Why Move to Scranton, Pennsylvania?
Many may know Scranton as the city where the American version of the The Office was set. Others may only know it by its nickname and struggle to remember any other information about the Electric City. Either way, if you’re not familiar with Scranton, then you probably don’t know some of the interesting facts about this city. So before we can talk about how to find apartments in Scranton, let’s get to know it a little better.
With an estimated population of 77,291, Scranton is the sixth largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was first incorporated into Luzerne county as a borough on February 14, 1856, and then as a city on April 23, 1866.
Its railroad and electric industry are well weaved into its rich history, with Dickson Locomotive Works installing the city’s first electric lights in 1880. In 1866 Scranton had the nation’s first streetcars that were powered solely by electricity. All of these were factors that made Baptist minister David Spenser to first give the Electric City its famous and fitting nickname, shaping into what it is today.
Scranton is also home to the Houdini Museum, and it hosts the nation’s fourth largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Best of all, it’s just a short distance from the Pocono Mountains, where you can enjoy 2400 square miles of outdoor adventure all year round.
Scranton is home to five colleges and universities, not counting Pennsylvania State University’s Commonwealth Campus in the north of the city. It is also the headquarters of Penn Forster Career School. There are also plenty of restaurants in Scranton.
Now that you’re a bit more familiar with Scranton, let’s discuss how you can find your next apartment.
Take Advantage of Online Services
In today’s digital age you can find services for just about anything online. So it shouldn’t be any surprise that there are numerous websites that can help you find your ideal apartment. You might already be well familiar with the three options discussed in this section.
Craigslist Scranton
The first one is Craigslist. If you’ve looked for places to rent in the past, then you’ve probably dealt with it before. By going to the housing section, you can browse through numerous listings and use the filter to help narrow down your choices.
- What’s your budget?
- Do you have a pet?
- Are you looking for an apartment, townhouse, condo, or something else?
- Are laundry and parking important factors for you?
- Does the place have wheelchair access, is it a no smoking place, does it come furnished?
Those are all questions you should consider, and Craigslist helps you easily see which places meet your requirements. It’s a very good starting point if you’re working with a very tight budged. That being said, it is also important to remember that a lot of scammers use Craigslist, so be careful. A simple google search doesn’t take a lot of time, and it can save you from a shady deal.
Trulia
Trulia, a real estate website, is another option to consider. Its app is very easy to use, which makes apartment hunting a breeze. The company prides itself on keeping all their information updated. They can also connect you with agents, mortgage leaders, and property managers.
Like Craigslist, you can filter out the listings by:
- Budget
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Type of homes
- Amenities
- If pets are allowed
- Furnishing
Trulia also has this great feature that lets you see neighborhood information regarding crime, schools, affordability, and even cafés, nightlife, and entertainment.
Zillow
Finally, Zillow is another real estate website worth your time. You’re probably familiar with its name, and maybe you’ve seen some of its websites in the past. Like with Trulia and Craigslist, its filters work well in helping narrow down your option, letting you even narrow down your search by the year in which the place was built. It also shows you information on recently sold properties in case you want to get a better idea of the marketplace in a specific area.
Ask Friends and Family
Never underestimate the power of networking. If you know someone who lives in the Scranton area, it might do you well to ask them if they know of any openings. Maybe they have a friend who is looking for a roommate, or someone who needs to rent a unit. You might also find out things about the place that would never show up on listings, things you can only learn from firsthand experience.
So don’t be afraid of asking your friends. See if they know someone trustworthy who might help you out, or even if they themselves can do something. It would be awful to miss out on the perfect place because you didn’t ask someone, and if no one can help you… Well, at least you didn’t lose anything by asking, right?
Check Daily Newspaper Ads
Before I mentioned how it is very easy to find services for everything online. But there’s also nothing wrong with going a little old school and checking daily newspaper ads.
Though most of us like the convenience of filters that the internet provides, many people still use newspaper ads. Scranton is no exception. It won’t take a lot of time to read through them, and by doing so you make sure that you’re opening yourself to as many options as possible. With something as crucial as finding your next home, it’s better to make sure all your bases are covered.