Norristown Apartment Renter's Guide
Norristown Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
Once an agricultural hub of Pennsylvania, Norristown now offers residents a good mix of urban and tree lined streets only six miles from the City of Brotherly Love.
Norristown is just 6 miles away from Philly and definitely close enough to grab a cheesesteak or a pretzel, but far enough away to offer a bit more house for your money
Once an agricultural hub of Pennsylvania, Norristown now offers residents a good mix of urban and tree lined streets only six miles from the City of Brotherly Love.
Norristown is just 6 miles away from Philly and definitely close enough to grab a cheesesteak or a pretzel, but far enough away to offer a bit more house for your money. The people of Norristown are what make it special, and it is truly an international city, town, borough, or whatever else you refer to it as.
Moving to Norristown
How Much Does Rent Cost?
Being outside of Philadelphia a bit, rent to own homes and rental units in Norristown are pretty reasonable. If you search for a while, you can find plenty of one bedroom apartments in Norristown for a price that won't make you scream. If all you need is a small studio, expect to dish out about as much as the average for Pennsylvania. This town has a pretty good mix of streets with row houses and also homes with actual backyards.
What Do You Need to Move In?
The majority of the rental apartments in Norristown are in the hands of property managers, which means that moving in is a bit more of a hassle than dealing directly with a landlord. They usually have a list of rules, including proof of income, steady job, references, background checks and the whole nine yards. If you don’t want to deal with this hassle, look for places that are rented directly by the landlord.
Moving With Pets
You will probably be OK with a cat, but trying to find a place to live with your pooch will take a while. Some of the apartment complexes will have pet policies, and will charge you extra deposits and even more rent for pets. Expect pet-friendly apartments in Norristown to be more on the shabby side with pet fur on the carpet.
When to Look
It doesn’t really make any difference when you start looking since there seems to be a ton of places to rent here all the time. Unless you are desperate to find something ASAP, it is well worth spending the time to check out a wide variety of options. The quality of apartments can vary from barely livable to amazing finds. Get a feel for the neighborhood before you move in, since each street can have a different vibe to it.
Neighborhoods in the Town of Norris
Downtown: This is where most of the people live. The downtown area was once a thriving commercial hub, deteriorated quite a bit, and fortunately now is on the way up again. You need to remember that Norristown is pretty much surrounded by suburban sprawls like King of Prussia and Valley Forge Park. Downtown Norristown has a more urban feel, even though it isn’t actually in a city.
Westside: Just north of the Schuylkill River, this area is as nice as it gets for Norristown. If you want to have a house of your own, this is a great spot. There are a bunch of golf courses in this neighborhood, and you can live right next to one if you want. While you won’t find as many restaurants within walking distance, the Westside neighborhood is great for families who don’t want to live right in the thick of things.
Black Horse: Just east of downtown is the neighborhood of Black Horse. It is a decent mix of stores, restaurants, and residential streets. Black Horse is nearly indistinguishable from downtown.
North Norristown: This is a great part of town to live in because it is sort of in the middle between country and city living. Butting right up to the Norristown Farm Park, this is where the city’s agricultural roots can still be found. Homes and apartments here are in decent shape, and cost a little more than those right in downtown.
Life in Norristown
It is hard to describe life in Norristown because it is home to such a diverse group of people. Folks come here from all walks of life, and form close-knit communities. While many of the residents commute to Philadelphia, others work in nearby King of Prussia, with its mega-malls and big box stores.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Norristown borders some of the last remnants of farms this close to the city, and they are within easy reach. There are also plenty of parks, playgrounds and trails for exercising. People actually fish in the Schuylkill River, but eating your catch might be dodgy.
Getting Around
While having a car is convenient, it is definitely not a necessity in Norristown. This city is a major public transport hub, and has bus and train connections to Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.
Eating Out
The best thing about living in Norristown is that there are some great places to eat, and they go way beyond the usual suburban fast food chain grub. Feeding a family in Norristown is affordable as well, and most of the restaurants are locally owned and relaxed.