Need help renting downtown

[Atari007]

Hey guys.. This is my first post here so hopefully I am sticking this in the right forum.     I plan on moving somewhere downtown (from Riverside) around September or so (to rent), but I am not really sure where yet.   I have looked at the obvious 4 or so more known places (Metro Lofts, 11E, Carling, City Place), but I feel like there should be more choices out there then just that.  I know that there is residential above a lot of the commercial properties downtown, but I can never find any of them for rent online.  Is this just because those places never come available, or am I not looking in the right places?   

Just a little background too, I dont want to pay more then $900 or so a month, so the "expensive" places like the Berkman and the Strand (even if it is on the southbank) are right out.     

So, can anyone point me in the right direction, or should I find a realtor that knows a lot about downtown?  And if that is the case...... can someone point me in the right direction for that too? 

Thanks!!

[brainstormer]

http://www.waknightlofts.com/ is on adams street above Chew.

Make sure you check craigslist, we found some apartment rental agencies on there that had private rentals available.  There is a a really cool building called Home Street Lofts on the southbank that had a private owner renting his condo for around $900.  That was few months ago so it might be gone.

Otherwise, I hear you, the options aren't real plentiful.  We moved to Springfield from the Carling because we got more space for less money.  Just a thought.

[urbanlibertarian]

How is the overall rental market in Jax?  I live in the Parks at the Cathedral and 3 of the 51 units have been rented in the last 3 weeks.  Most are owner occupied (like mine).  Are landlords having to come down on the rent to fill their units?  If so, by what percentage?
Just curious.

[floridaforester]

Brainstormer is right on with the WA Knight apartments.  Very nicely done renovation and convenient location.  Parking would be the only limitation there.

Another possiblity might be the Churchwell lofts on Bay.  Very cool building and just a block from Marks, Dive Bar, TSI.  The developer is trying to sell, but they may be willing to work with you just to get some life in there.   I believe they have 1 bedrooms that might be in the price range.

Citiplace on Ashley is pretty inexpensive and has nice views but is not nearly as nice as some other options closer to the river.

Also, I found a rental listing on MLS in Berkman for $1050 for a 770 sq ft 1 bedroom.  Atari007, shoot me an email and I will send the listing to you -  davidsellsjax@gmail.com

[mtraininjax]

Churchwell are done right and they are like all real estate, looking for ways to get out from under them, so make 'em a deal see if they will lease, but for the money, or if you can find someone who needs a renter at Berkman, they are a deal.

[Julian]

You might also want to check on craigslist, there's some condos listed in San Marco Place in the $700 range. They seem very nice for that price range and technically they're above retail with Sake House being the only occupied space.

[downtownjag]

WA Knight lofts is your best bet for what you want to spend.  The building is really cool, you would be given one parking spot on the corner of Adams and Julia.  11e and Carling are a lil more expensive  but great apts but I don't think you will like citiplace on Ashley. 

[Atari007]

Wow!  Thanks for all the responses guys!  I had previously considered the WA Knight apts (about a year ago), but found them to be out of my price range.  Its amazing how much the economy has forced its prices down!  Wow.  This may be the way that I go....    Churchwell looks amazing as well, but as they are condos, I havent really found anything for rent there.  Does anyone know where I can check?  I have been checking out Craigslist and found a 3br in Churchwell, but at $2k a month.... its DEFINATELY out of my price range, haha.  I am considering going with the Metro lofts as they have dropped their prices as well.  1br for about $800 and 2 br for about $900.  Thats a pretty good deal!   Then again, since I am not used to living downtown, I may just go with a cheap unit over at City Place for about 3-6 months to see if I will even like living down there or just ache to be back in Riverside.     We will see!   

What are you guys' opinions on Metro Lofts and City Place?  I think my choices are going to be between those two and WA Knight...

[downtownjag]

I lived in Metro Lofts for 2 years and loved it... City Place I am pretty sure your not going to like, its more efficiency apt than downtown living.  And my best friend lived in WA Knight and was paying around $750 a month which is cheaper than Metro Lofts.  Concierge service and partys at Metro Lofts are great but the city "feel" is superior at WA

[brainstormer]

I would say choose between WA Knight or Met Lofts.  I lived in the Carling for a year which is just down the street from WA Knight and living there allowed me to easily walk to a lot of the core (Landing, Bay Street, BofA (my bank), Burrito Gallery, the Main Library, Chamblin's, etc.  Walking to the Bay Street bars would be a bit of a trek from Met Lofts.  I hate driving and when I made the choice between Met Lofts and the Carling, I chose the Carling because of proximity.

[downtownjag]

To comment on brainstormer's point, yes, walking to the bay st bars is a bit of a trek but suprisingly pleasant with elixir in hand.  And I for whatever reason don't remember a lot of the adventures back but not once in two years had a problem with "locals".  You can make a pitstop on the way to the bay st bars at london bridge if it makes the walk more bearable too