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.

Congrats, Hil!! I wish you a low-stress move. Everyone here has good advice.

Congratulations Hil! That's awesome news. Ping my email if I can give advice with PA stuff, though not necc central PA.

ND, that sounds like an awesome idea.

Congrats, Hil!

Don't know what PA rules are but here in MD it's much less hassle if you buy a car in state if you're planning to live with it here.

I would put the word out big time to friends "I am moving to City, PA. Who knows about it or knows people who know about it who can give me advice about places to live, etc."

Good luck!

I'm a bad Buffista for not remembering where you are right now, Hil, but keep in mind that Pennsylvania can have severe winters. Keep that in mind when thinking about transport and clothing.

Use a moving company.

Absolutely worth the money! We moved here from Columbus in less than a month.

Congrats, Hil!