Living in Philadelphia presents endless benefits, whether you’re here for employment or the diverse culture. The exciting city lifestyle can be appealing for most people, especially young adults and college students. Therefore, a popular area in Philadelphia is West Philly, which is a short distance from Center City across the Schuylkill River. West Philadelphia has a blend of Universities and nightlife, also being so close to Center City allows a quick and easy work commute for young professionals. Furthermore, compared to other sections of Philadelphia, houses for rent in West Philly are more affordable. In this article, we will explain why it’s popular to live in West Philly. In addition to the average rental prices, and what the best West Philadelphia neighborhoods are.
Why Choose Houses for Rent in West Philly?
There’s a wide range of reasons why individuals choose to live in West Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Some of these reasons involve the promixarity to their univeristy or close to their job within University city or Center City. Furthermore, the reasons can include finanical advantages such as reasonable rental rates or not needing a vehicle since everything within walking distance. Below are detailed reasons why some people choose houses for rent in West Philly.
- West Philadelphia has a diverse culture and racial identity. Over the years, the Caribbean American and African population has grown steadily. In addition, sections of West Philly have experienced gentrification for at least a decade now. The racial makeup in West Philadelphia is roughly 71% African American, 17% White, and a growing population of Asian and Hispanic residents. The blend of race and nationality has allowed for plenty of tasty options when it comes to ethnic and cultural cuisines.
- Strong Public Transportation System and Walkability for West Philadelphia. Living in West Philly allows individuals to have easy commutes, whether it’s utilizing SEPTA (South-Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) or walking from point A to point B. Therefore, being able to walk everywhere or to use SEPTA when necessary saves people money on car maintenance, car insurance, and fuel for the vehicle, providing another advantage.
- Parks and Recreation. If you love going out in nature and enjoy being outdoors, living in West Philly will not disappoint. Throughout Philadelphia, there’s sections of Fairmount Park that are ideal for any outdoor activities. Additionally, West Philly has the Philadelphia Zoo, along with Clark Park and Cobbs Creek Park. Lastly, if you enjoy being on the water, West Philly is a short distance from the Schuylkill River.
West Philadelphia is unique; the blend of culture, affordable housing, and the ability to travel around freely can be attractive for any individual. Therefore, searching for homes for rent in West Philly is appropriate for any individual, regardless if they are younger or older in age.
Types of Homes for Rent in West Philadelphia PA
When searching for houses for rent in West Philly, there’s no limit to your housing options. Whether looking for an affordable apartment, a standard Philadelphia rowhome, or a historic property, the process should be simple. Below are the common varieties of properties to buy or rent in West Philadelphia:
- Rowhomes: A Philadelphia trademark, no matter where you go within the city, you’ll see rowhomes. Therefore, it’s a popular housing option in West Philly, roughly making up 50% of the housing options. Rowhomes can be convenient for privacy and safety, due to being close to your neighbors and not having alleyways. However, if you neighbor doesn’t properly maintain their home, living in a rowhome can be a nightmare due to rodents and insects that travel to your home from the connected property. Additionally, similar to any other attached property, noise levels are overwhelming, considering your house is connected to your neighbor.
- Single-family homes: Although more rare in West Philly, you do have some single-family detached properties. The rent for single-family homes is higher compared to other housing options. However, these properties are more sought-after due to being larger homes with more rooms. In addition to having larger yards, potential off-street parking or garage, and overall more privacy.
- Duplexes: There’s roughly 9,186 two-unit buildings, also known as duplexes in West Philadelphia. Similar to a small apartment, a duplex is a house that was essentially split into two. Duplexes have private entrances and no shared areas besides the porch and yard. Therefore, a house that’s a duplex has two living rooms, two kitchens, and multiple bathrooms. In addition, renting a unit in a duplex has more reasonable rates compared to a single-family residence.
- Historic Homes: The city of Brotherly love has rich American history dated back before the start of our country. Therefore, historic properties are spread across the city. In West Philadelphia, there’s at least 68 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the historic properties aren’t rentals for many reasons. One reason being it’s a hassle obtaining your rental license in Philadelphia, including the house being certified lead-paint free. Therefore, landlords will jump through hoops to legally rent out these historic homes.
- Apartment Complex: The most affordable housing option for most real estate markets, living in an apartment complex. Since apartment buildings consist of 4 to 100+ units in a dense area they’re able to charge a more reasonable rate. In addition, some utilities such as the water bill is usually included in your rent. However, the only downside will be the noise and lack of privacy.
Average Rental Prices for West Philadelphia
Rental Rates for West Philly:
- 1-bedroom units: On average, $1,000 to $1,200 monthly. Furthermore, the exact amount depends on the location, size of the apartment, amenities, and home features.
- 2-bedroom units: A 2-bedroom apartment in West Philly costs around $1,300 to $1,400 monthly. While renting a two-bedroom house costs roughly $2,200 a month, which doesn’t include the security deposit or monthly utility expenses.
- 3 bedroom house: In order to rent a three-bedroom house in West Philadelphia, it’ll cost between $2,200 to $2,500 a month.
Overall, rent is cheaper in West Philly compared to other parts of Philadelphia. Additionally, on average, the homes in West Philadelphia are larger compared to other sections of the city. When searching for houses for rent in West Philly, consider your wants and needs to determine which section is best suited for you. Additionally, view and walkthrough multiple properties, compare the features and rental rate before signing a lease.
Top Neighborhoods in West Philly to Rent a House
- Cedar Park: The section of Cedar Park was originally farmland outside of the city. The name came from a city-owned park “Cedar Park” located at 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue. The neighborhood Cedar Park is a vibrant, upcoming area filled with historic Queen Anne-style architecture. Furthermore, this section of West Philly is ideal for young professionals.
- Spruce Hill: A section of University City, best known for being student-friendly and walkable. University City attracts both students and medical professionals. There’s two colleges within University City; Drexel and the University of Pennslyvania “UPenn”. Additionally, University City is known for its advanced medical field, being home of the Hospital of University of Penn, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Rent in University City, outside of student housing can be pricey. However, it’s generally a safe neighborhood with young professionals and students.
- Garden Court: This section of West Philadelphia’s known for larger homes, typically single-family detached residences. In addition to the tree-lined streets, an ideal area for middle-aged individuals and families.
- Cobbs Creek: The Cobbs Creek section of West Philadelphia is ideal for renters and investors. It’s a more affordable part of West Philly, over the years it has experienced growing interest. Many investors fix and flip homes in Cobbs Creek, mainly selling the homes to first-time homebuyers.
Tips for Renting in West Philadelphia PA
- Work with a realtor or real estate professional, such as Buying Property 215. Our company has access to MLS, which is an online real estate platform only available to licensed agents. Therefore, it’s an exclusive preview of housing options that are not available to the general public. In addition, an agent can understand market trends and accurate rental rates.
- Understand your tenant rights. As a tenant, you are protected from illegal evictions and inhabitable living conditions. Therefore, if your landlord neglects repairs, you can reach out to the court system for protection. Additionally, landlords must have a rental license; without a rental license in Philadelphia they cannot legally collect rent or file an eviction process.
- Be aware of potential scams. We live in a modern age of technology, which provides many benefits. However, the internet is a breeding ground for scammers. Online applications and platforms such as Craigslist and Facebook have individuals who pull rental scams on people. Furthermore, these scams consist of listing a property’s address for rent, when there’s interest, they charge an application fee or security deposit on false terms. Therefore, the applicant loses out on the fees and security deposit.
- As we mentioned above, student housing is considerably cheaper than renting from a private landlord. Therefore, explore the student housing options, which happen to be safer due to campus police.
How to Apply for Rental Properties in West Philly
At times, when applying for houses for rent in West Philly you deal directly with the landlord. However, most of the time you’ll be applying through an agent or property manager. The process of applying for a rental home is standard, regardless of where in Philadelphia you may apply. Therefore, follow these application requirements for successfully applying for a rental property in West Philly.
- When applying for a house to rent, you need to show a stable income. Usually, most landlords require two years of pay stubs while requiring the individual to earn at least three times the price of rent. In addition to income verification, a landlord or property manager requires a minimum credit score of at least 620.
- Once the potential tenant meets the income and credit requirements, they can begin searching for rental properties. Most places require an application fee, typically fifty dollars. If the time you have to find a place is brief, apply to as many places as possible, that way, if you get denied, you have a backup option.
If your income or credit score doesn’t reflect the minimum requirements. Then the landlord may deny the applicant, require a co-signer, or demand first and last month’s rent along with the security deposit.
Affordable Housing Options for West Philly
If you’re looking for an ideal place to live in Philadelphia, consider houses for rent in West Philly. Furthermore, West Philadelphia is a lively and diverse area perfect for just about anyone. A mix of culture and museums can keep entertaining you regardless if it’s the weekend or midweek. The employment options are endless in West Philly, with a wide variety of young professionals and medical professionals. Furthermore, being a short distance from employers and the Center City makes it easy to walk or commute at any time. If you’re looking for an affordable section of Philly with lower crime, consider housing options within West Philadelphia. We understand the rental market in West Philly can be competitive at times. Therefore, it’s vital to have a professional who can locate and obtain affordable houses for rent in West Philly. Allow us to utilize our network and connections to help you find the perfect house to rent in West Philadelphia! Therefore, submit your info below or give us a call or text at 215-359-6090 to discuss your housing options!