How to Find an Apartment Near the University of Pittsburgh

Attending the University of Pittsburgh and in search of a new home? Look no further! Located in the historic Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA, the University of Pittsburgh offers a world-class education and an abundance of opportunities. With affordable state tuition and top-notch schools, Pittsburgh is a prime destination for students and young professionals.

To make your search for housing near the University of Pittsburgh campus easier, here are some tips:

1. Focus Your Search on Particular Neighborhoods - Oakland and Squirrel Hill are great options for students. These walkable neighborhoods have plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops, and offer easy public transit to and from the University of Pittsburgh campus. Plus, with many college students living in the area, you'll never be bored.
2. Social media is a great resource to find rental information, especially from other students. There are plenty of Facebook groups where you can find University of Pittsburgh area apartments.
3. Take a look at University of Pittsburgh (PITT) Housing, Subleases, Roommates, Apartments and University of Pittsburgh (PITT) Housing, Sublets & Roommates to learn more about area apartments. In these groups, you can also read reviews from current college students so that you feel more comfortable renting from a particular company or landlord. 
4. Take Advantage of Online Listings - Online listings like Facebook Marketplace, HotPads, and Trulia, as well as the University of Pittsburgh's own resource, can help you save time and find the perfect place to live. Search by distance, amenities, and cost to find the perfect apartment rental.
5. Don't Rule Out Co-Living Options - If you're struggling to find an apartment near the University of Pittsburgh campus, co-living options like Tripalink can be a great solution. By sharing the rental costs with others, you can save on living expenses and make new friends.
6. When determining your budget, be sure to search for the average rent in Pittsburgh and ask friends and seniors for their experiences and insights. With these resources, you'll be sure to find the perfect place to live near the University of Pittsburgh campus!

Understand the Local Community

Engaging with residents is the best way to gain an understanding of an area. Before making your decision, walk around your chosen neighborhood and get acquainted with its residents. Speak to locals and business owners to discover more about life there and see how things may develop over time.

Transportation Options

When searching for apartments near the University of Pittsburgh campus, it's essential to carefully consider available transportation options. Make sure public transit is easily accessible as well as bike lanes or sidewalks making travel convenient on foot.

Consider Amenities

When searching for an apartment, it's essential to keep in mind what amenities matter most to you. Are a gym and pool important components of the environment you desire? What about proximity to shopping or dining establishments?

Staying Safe

When moving to a new area, safety should always be top of mind. Take the time to research crime rates in the area as well as meet with residents and business owners in the neighborhood to gain an accurate view. Also make sure to visit University of Pittsburgh campus safety resources to understand any security measures implemented on campus.

Utilities and Other Expenses

When renting an apartment, it's essential to carefully consider all expenses associated with utilities and expenses. Make sure you inquire about costs such as electricity, gas, water, internet service provider fees as well as parking or laundry fees so that your budgeting efforts are accurate.

Ask Questions

When exploring apartments, don't be shy about asking lots of questions! Inquire about lease length, move-in fees and what's included in the rent; find out any restrictions for pets or guests; penalties associated with breaking a lease and penalties for breaking contracts if applicable. Asking more questions will make sure that you find exactly the apartment for you! The sooner you start searching the more informed and likely it is that you'll find your perfect match.

Visit the Apartment

Before signing your lease agreement, you must visit an apartment. This gives you the chance to see it firsthand and ask any pertinent questions about its conditions, as well as getting a feel for its surroundings. Be sure to inspect for signs of damage as well as inquire about repairs or updates that might be required, plus any move-in incentives or discounts which might be offered.

Check Your Budget

Before leasing an apartment, you must have a clear understanding of your budget. Prior to signing the lease agreement, be sure you can afford rent, utilities and any additional expenses such as security deposits or first month's rent payments. Use an online calculator if unsure how much can be afforded - otherwise use an online calculator! Additionally, save enough for security deposits or first month's rent deposits as required by state regulations.

Carefully Read Your Lease

You must read over any lease you sign carefully, taking note of each term and condition as well as their potential implications. Research can also help ensure you fully comprehend what's expected of you and avoid future misunderstandings or conflicts.

Should any issues or questions arise before signing an agreement, be sure to ask for more clarification before doing so. Although doing so might seem tedious at the time, taking precautionary steps now will prevent future headaches while keeping both parties satisfied with their agreement.

Consider Utilities and Amenities

When searching for an apartment, it is crucial that you keep in mind the costs associated with utilities; otherwise, they could add significantly to your monthly costs. Look for apartments that include heat, water, and electricity in their rent contracts in addition to amenities like air conditioning, internet, and cable which will save money over time.

Check Your Neighborhood

Security should always be one of your main considerations when searching for an apartment. Before signing your lease agreement, ensure to research crime rate in the neighborhood as well as potential safety hazards; speaking to local law enforcement officers may help or consult a real estate agent is helpful here as well.

Visit the Neighborhood

Before signing your lease agreement, take time to visit and explore the neighborhood before making your final decision. Doing this will give you an accurate sense of its atmosphere, local amenities and overall feel - or check online photos or videos to gain a better idea.

Take Advantage of Off-Season Rentals

Rental prices often drop during the off-season months, so if your move date is flexible, consider searching for apartments during winter. You could potentially score some amazing bargains that you wouldn't find during peak rental season.

Budget for Additional Costs

When creating your new apartment budget, be sure to account for additional costs such as security deposits, moving expenses, and furniture expenses. Also, keep parking fees, laundry bills, and utilities expenses in mind as necessary - make sure you save enough to cover these additional expenses. Otherwise, finding yourself in financial difficulty later could prove disastrous.

Look Out for Move-In Specials

Many landlords provide move-in specials or incentives to attract tenants to sign a lease agreement, such as free rent for the first month, reduced security deposits, or free parking spaces. In a competitive rental market, make sure to inquire about any such specials to save money!

Find a Roommate

Roommates can be an excellent way to save money on rent, utilities and other expenses. Just make sure that your selection matches both socially and in terms of payment; otherwise consider using an online roommate matching service or reaching out to fellow University of Pittsburgh students as ways of finding one.

Get Everything in Writing

When it comes to renting and making agreements, getting everything in writing is essential to a successful deal. It guarantees that both parties fully understand the terms and conditions of their agreement and avoids any conflicts from arising in the future. Writing an agreement also provides important legal protections for everyone involved, so it’s worth the time and effort it takes to put everything down on paper. 

The best way to do this is to get an experienced professional, such as a lawyer or real estate agent, to assist you with drafting all necessary documents. This helps ensure that you include all of the necessary details, such as rental rates, who is responsible for what services, etc. Having these documents in place will give both parties peace of mind, knowing they are protected by law should any issues arise down the road. 

Take Advantage of Online Listings

You can do much of your apartment search online, which helps you save time during your search. There are many great online resources that show off apartments near UPitt that are currently for rent. The listings include details about each rental as well as photos.

Facebook Marketplace, HotPads, and Trulia are good places to look for rentals. Many of these websites feature tools that make it easy to search by distance, amenities, and cost. The University of Pittsburgh even has its own resource for off campus apartment rentals. 

Focus Your Search on Particular Neighborhoods

Pittsburgh has many beautiful neighborhoods that you can live in, but it’s important to be nearby the University of Pittsburgh. You’ll want to focus your apartment search on particular areas.

Look for apartments in Oakland and Squirrel Hill because all of these neighborhoods are very walkable, have plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops, and offer easy public transit to and from the University of Pittsburgh campus. It’s nice to have a short commute each day, and many of your neighbors will be college students, too. Squirrel Hill is a very popular neighborhood for Pitt students and has a lot to offer!

Check out additional blogs for things to do in Pittsburgh and how to find an apartment near CMU.