Everything NoiseDesign said.

Huge congrats, Hil! Also, moving ~ma.

I generally think it is a mistake to rent a place you have not seen. So many things you could miss either through deliberate deceit or because stuff that is important to you is not important to whoever compiles the info. Would it be easier on you if friend or family chauferred you? Or your muscle problems such that being driven and driving are equal in terms of muscle strain. Also do you have friends who know the area. If you don't want to post on board maybe you can email people you trust offlist. Cause, for example I don't know anyone in Philly, but I know people who probably know people in Philly. And find a place quickly is easier with someone who knows the area. An alternative is an agency, but there are all sorts of tricks an agency can use to stick you with a bad apartment if they don't consider finding you a place you are happy with part of their business model. So even using an agency you would want recs on a decent one who who considers getting you a place that meets your criteria and where you will be happy important, and getting their fee from the landlord not their only goal.

That is such wonderful news, Hil!!

HIL, YOU ROCKSTAR!!!

As usual NoiseDesign said it first, and better. But agencies are not bad for this kind of quick move if you can get a decent one. That fee will come either out of slightly higher rent, or at least not being open to negotiating discounts. But to get a place you like on short notice it is totally worth it. But a friend who knows the area is better.

Way to go, Hil!!

What they said about moving. Advice for apartment hunting--if you do decide to rent without seeing the exact unit you'll be getting, make sure you ask all the questions about the place. The one thing I didn't ask that I should have about my current place was about what side of the building the unit is on, because I got stuck with a north-facing unit with no sun coming in. Keep that in mind, and good luck!!

Great news, Hil!

Thanks, everyone.

I can probably see if my sister can drive me out there to go apartment-hunting this weekend. I just emailed a few places that looked good to see if they had anything available.

Hil - a couple of thoughts about moving based on my recent sojourn from Texas to Oregon:

- moving companies have a minimum charge and if you don't have a lot of furniture or appliances, that minimum will probably be more than you need. If most of your stuff can be put into boxes, you may want to think about either shipping those to yourself(USPS has a really low media mail rate for books and CDs and UPS will pack and ship breakable items for a decent price) or getting a storage unit for a bit and just slowly moving stuff out of it and into your new place.

- you may want to wait until after you've moved to get a car. Depending on where you end up, you may find that you can do without one for a bit or if not, buying the car there introduces you to a bunch of people (I met my mechanic, insurance agent and bank manager in the process of buying one after I moved). Even if you don't buy the car in your new town, living there will give you a better idea of what kind of car you need - I know that the car I bought here (my first truck!)isn't the car I would have bought in Houston before I moved.