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You must be relocated by your registration date. This will allow you to focus on building relationships with your teammates, immersing yourself in training and adjusting to your new neighborhood before the school year begins.

When to start looking

As soon as you accept your position!

Moving in and coordinating your registration day in the same week can be stressful; if you’re able, consider moving in prior to your registration date.

You won’t be paid your first stipend until after you’ve begun service, so start budgeting appropriately for first month’s, last month’s, and deposit once you accept your position.

Deciding where to live

AmeriCorps members have lived in a variety of Philadelphia neighborhoods, each with their own charm and personality. University City, West Philly and Temple-area/North Philly, continue to be favorites of our AmeriCorps members.

You will likely know your neighborhood before you know your school. �鶹��Ƶ Philadelphia works to ensure your commute to your school is one hour or less, one way. Our partnerships change frequently and our schools our spread out, it’s not feasible to recommend an area based on proximity to schools. Looking for a home that is close to the Broad Street Line or Market/Frankford Line is the best tip to ensure a reasonable commute!

Finding roommates

Facebook roommate/housing groups such as are great resources!

Budgets vary, based on part-time work outside of your AmeriCorps member duties and number of roommates, as well as desired neighborhoods. Researching the neighborhood first will allow you to plan your rent/utilities budget appropriately.

Budgeting for housing

Members find housing through online posting sites, word of mouth and sometimes on the �鶹��Ƶ Facebook group (current members advertising their apartments). Postings should outline who to contact to learn more about the property, costs and lease terms.

When renting an apartment, ask about the following fees as they frequently apply.

• Broker’s fee – typically one month’s rent or a percentage or the annual lease
• Security deposit – typically one month’s rent, returned at the end of the lease if the property’s condition is maintained
• First month’s rent – typically due upon signing of the lease agreement
• Last month’s rent – may be requested upon signing of the lease agreement

Some utilities are included in the price of rent, so be sure to ask your landlord. When viewing apartments, most landlords or current tenants will gladly tell you the average price of utilities, so don’t be afraid to ask. It is also helpful to ask what utilities the house uses, such as gas or electric heat. Some units and buildings include laundry, for free or a cost, while others are located near laundromats.