You guys must be psychic! I'm going through this exact same situation right now except mine is kind of messy and full of drama. I have no furniture and I've never been more excited to start a new phase in my life. AT has been amazing for gathering inspiration!

I feel like this post was written just for me. I'm in the same position (divorce though, but also mutual and drama-free), except I'm in DC. Budget and pet-friendliness (for my smallish--but still over 25lb--golden retriever) are equally big for me. Next I'd rate "charm," which is probably the same as "neighborhood" for you. Safety is also important, of course, but I find that the neighborhoods I find charming are also pretty safe. I hope you'll keep us updated about your journey to a new place!

I found a great apartment through therentalgirl.com. I've never had to deal with a post-break up move, but I have moved a lot in LA and my best advice is to be very clear on your must-haves. I knew going in that I needed parking, hardwood floors, central location, no ground-floor apartments (ideally the top floor). I have found that my utilities don't cost too much, but it really varies. was willing to find a place that didn't include utilities if the price was lower, but I also made sure my budget included a little wiggle-room.

Location is key. Distance to friends will be important and it's something I think singles should keep in mind.

Did someone happen to follow me around and decide that my life was interesting enough to write it all down...? I feel like I am reliving the past few months - although my break up was not as peaceful as yours seems to be. However, I have moved on, but not out! I just got a job in Philadelphia...I'm relocating from Virginia... culture shock!! Anyway, Safety is #1!!! Speaking of that, anyone know of a #2. good to moderate neighborhood right outside of philadelphia where the #3. prices arent sky-high and there is a bit of #4. charm and character in the rentals? I know.. I'm not asking for much, right? ha.. Anyway, I hope there are pictures and more of this adventure to come!!

Kendra--which part of the city will you be working in? Philadelphia is fairly large, so some suburbs might suit better than others.

We lived north in the city (the Chestnut Hill/Mt. Airy neighborhood) and loved it, although if we had lived in one of the neighboring suburbs, our car insurance would have been much lower, and we'd have escaped the crushing city tax. Give a little more info about your work location, and I bet you will get plenty of suggestions

As an oldies but goodies song goes, "breaking up is hard to do." Yours seems to be the opposite...that does make life smoother for you. Your list of wants is a MUST. Safe neighborhood is #1 priority. Small places can be so charming! Get a place you can afford, still pay your monthly bills, and have wiggle room to enjoy your "new" life! I'm sure your dog will adjust to any living arrangement as long as he has you!

Newly-single, large dog owner chick living in a funky old apartment building in Koreatown with assigned parking. Parking for guests can be rough, but it’s close enough to the Dog Park in Silverlake that I don’t hate my twice weekly treks, and not too distant from my friends on the west side. Since I work in downtown and can take the train, I don’t even really have a commute. The downside is that I wouldn’t exactly brand my area safe, but since the parking lot and building are secure, it’s not terrible. It also took a while to get to the top of the ‘waiting for a one bedroom’ list, and MAN those studios are teensy.

I can't really comment on the post, but I really would like to know where the picture to illustrate it comes from? And if there's a place where one can buy those awesome placards/posters that seems to be from the LA streetcars of yore? Thanks!

Kendra - look at the PATCO train map for easy to commute from locations in South Jersey. Within city limits - northern liberties is great! So is the art museum area and south Philly (south of Washington, east of broad). As with any city, check into the surrounding area and crime rates. I don't think AT has private message capabilities but if it does, feel free to message me.

Best of luck!

Second vote for Chestnut Hill in Philly!

My sister's old roommate is looking for a roommate in Baldwin Hills! Mostly kidding, but good luck on your search. I definitely wish you the best of luck--I just spent a week at my friends' apartment in San Francisco, and I've never appreciated a dedicated parking spot before.

Seriously no Koreatown. Just say no. I lived there for 6 months and got over 5 parking tickets ($70 a pop) parking in an approved spot. There is just, no parking. Try areas around the super trendy spots. Echo Park is great, and close to everything and rent is fair,or places a little further towards the valley seem to be nicer on dogs. Good luck!

@kendra.lynn
I'm also in Philly, but I live in center city as do most ppl I know (most ppl I know being grad students at one of the universities here), but I have a couple of friends (actually a couple) who live in Chestnut Hill. I wouldn't say their rental has much charm, it looks like newish construction and is a smallish townhouse, I guess, but it's in good condition and I'm sure the offerings vary out there. It is very safe and they're in walking distance of all the neat shops/bakeries/restaurants along Germantown Ave. A comparable place (footage-wise) could cost much more in center city, but then the finishes might be a little swankier. But I don't think it's considered an expensive area (and even though I live in an expensive area there are plenty of older (... kind of run down) apartments that aren't too pricey, too. OTOH, I am in parking hell.)

Hi, I live in Philly too. Just about very neighborhood in 8 years. I live in Queen Village now--fantastic neighborhood and very walkable. If you move to Mt Airy/Chestnut Hill, you should be aware that it's very sleepy. If you live in walking distance to Weaver's Way co-op, you'll have more coffee shop/bookstore/hippy-time fun:)

@DorisDay- Thanks! I will be working in the Logan Square area, but I do not want to live in the city. Preferably the west to northwest of the city. Maybe as far KOP, but I've heard its pretty $$$$ there!

@MCastellano- Merci! I thought South Philly wasn't exactly the best area for living? Have I been misguided?? Single chick here, without a 100 lb. lab to keep her safe.. Yeah, you heard correct- Although don't think I didn't try!!

@Threeacres- Danke! Ha, thanks for the second!! I am definitely feeling that area might be a great start to a new chapter!

@Lepidoptery- Grazie! So you third the chestnut hill area.. Hmm, I'm beginning to see a pattern..

@Veryviolet- Tack! (Thank you in Swedish) Is Queen Village in the city, or on the outskirts? Hmm, not quite sure "sleepy," is exactly what I'm going for.

I am definitely up for any other comments or suggestions!

@kendra.lynn
Well, I like rittenhouse square. XD But you said you wanted suburbs, and that's the bit I'm familiar with! Technically Chestnut Hill is still a neighborhood in Philly, actually, rather than a town on the outskirts. Logan Square itself is probably not too crazy either, and a lot of it looks fairly residential (from what I know through craigslisting), but the weird (I suppose?) thing about Philly is that conditions can vary greatly in a matter of blocks. My friends in university city wouldn't want to live 3 blocks north of where they are, or 7 blocks west.

As far as I can tell, West, South, and North Philly all have "bad" reputations (and East is Camden, teehee!) but Philly is big and if you go far enough in either direction things tend to get nicer again. And of course, some kid apparently was murdered recently on the streets in Old City, which I think of as a nice neighborhood (in center city) with a ton of art galleries, so.

Kendra -

I would strongly suggest NOT moving to KOP or any other location that would require a commute on I76. You'll thank me later...

You might want to do some research into "the main line"- think Ardmore, Wayne, Radnor. Cute towns, pricey, but probably have the charm you are interested in.

I'm a huge advocate for ppl moving to Philly so post your email if you're comfortable with it of course, and I'd be happy to give you some pointers!

@kendra
You might want to google for a philly neighborhood map, although this one seems almost legible. Anyway, Center City is basically the area between the two rivers where the neighborhoods are all dense (not geographically central). Logan Circle (oh, I thought it was a square...) is a blue patch in there and is above Rittenhouse, which I mentioned. Queen Village is a peachy splotch in the east, and Chestnut Hill (light green) is up in the northwest. Honestly, I don't know much about most of the neighborhoods not in Center City, and Chestnut Hill is big enough that I'm sure you might wind up somewhere not in walking distance to 4 bakeries. :(

@lepidoptery- Thank you for the links! And I love the fact that you realize I'll need a morning pastry at the drop of a hat! Seriously, the map is kick-butt, so thank you!

@MCastellano- Sigh...I guess I'll just have to take the chance! But if I receive a bunch of skeevy mail from...unmentional websites, you'll pretty much be indebted to me for life.. "So...you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk..?" And now the world knows the level of cheese they're dealing with, when it comes to me!
kcarroll04@yahoo.com, thanks for all the help!!

I just found a cute little studio, but bigger than most I looked at, in Koreatown, I'm really excited about it. I love the old, funky building. No dog for me though so that made it easier. I'm looking forward to being so close to the metro.

Franklin Village. I lived there for two years and I was so lucky to find it. Grocery store on the next street over, Birds (crappy food, awesome bar), La Poubelle (french food/bar), The Pig (coffee shop), Upright Citizens Brigade, newsstand at the end of the street, beautiful views, and a 12 minute walk to the subway. The area is relatively inexpensive, in Hollywood proper so you get a nice balance (not overly Los Feliz or WeHo), and super pet-friendly. AND you back up to the hills so there's lots of hiking available. Right off Franklin, between Beachwood and Bronson I miss it-can you tell? :)

Also, can anyone tell me where I can find those prints in the picture? I've since relocated and am looking for things to hang in my home office to remind me of LA.

I'm only breaking up with my roommate (which was amicable, for the record!) and living all on my own for the first time! It's definitely a struggle to find something that meets all your needs and wants. Like you might find a safe apartment with designated parking and utilities included, but it gets no natural light and has shag carpet that's been around since the 70s. Apartment hunting can be a real drag but don't be afraid to try a new neighborhood. Happy hunting!!

@kendra.lynn - Listen to MCastellano - Everyone who does the KOP Commute hates it. I'm a fan of Rittenhouse, but if you really prefer the suburbs then you mights want to consider Conshocken. Easy commute by train and I've been told that there are a lot of younger people who live there... Not to be tooooo pushy but Center City really is a great place to call home! Lots of residential neighborhoods, cheap parking (annual street parking pass is less than $30), so many great restaurants and coffee shops!

Sometimes people don't think about homeowners insurance or auto insurance when they move, or they think they'll take care of it later. But that is such a grave mistake and I wish everyone would understand that. It can really ruin your entire life. So be smart about insurance and make sure you have it.

ugh. i thank my lucky stars that i live in a major city where you don't need a car to live. i couldn't imagine dealing with cars and all the bullsh*t that comes with it.