The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Moving to NYC
FirstComradeStalin
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I find out by this Friday if I get an internship with an architecture firm in Manhattan (office is in Gramercy) and that puts me in the market for a sublet for the next 6 months or so. My max monthly rent budget is about $1200. I'm 21, male, probably looking for roommates in that same range.
Any tips? What neighborhoods should I focus on? For the most part I've looked in the UES, UWS, Village, and a few places in SoHo that pop up on craigslist, with some Brooklyn mixed in. I don't have a base of operations in the city (moving from Alabama), so another potential problem is that I might not be able to visit beforehand, I'd just have to move in. Is that possible, or would you recommend finding something really temporary (hotel, hostel, etc) to look for a longer-term place in? Is there anywhere besides craigslist that can give me better results?
Any tips? What neighborhoods should I focus on? For the most part I've looked in the UES, UWS, Village, and a few places in SoHo that pop up on craigslist, with some Brooklyn mixed in. I don't have a base of operations in the city (moving from Alabama), so another potential problem is that I might not be able to visit beforehand, I'd just have to move in. Is that possible, or would you recommend finding something really temporary (hotel, hostel, etc) to look for a longer-term place in? Is there anywhere besides craigslist that can give me better results?
FirstComradeStalin on
0
Posts
Check out sublet.com. Personally I wouldnt move into a joint sight unseen, but that's just me. You could probably couch surf for a weekend without getting murdered. Or, ask people on the forum you use the most. A PAer might put you up for the night.
Edit: Oh and Craigslist is a giant fuckoff waste of time for NYC real estate. It's 90% scams, broker lies, or potential serial killers.
yeah, most of my friends who got jobs in manhattan after graduating ended up in hoboken
it has a pretty large young professional population. You would also be spending less and/or have a larger living space whereas in most parts of manhattan you'd be paying 1k+/mo for a closet
That said, there are tax implications from residing in NJ and working in NY -- you pay both states' income taxes as well as federal.
Christ, you're in Alabama? Not exactly right next door, eh? The best way to find a place in NYC is to find a neighborhood you like and walk around looking for a "For Rent' sign.
When it comes to Brooklyn, where should I look? Is this map a relatively accurate portrait of what neighborhoods are safe? I'm not trying to raise kids or anything, but I'd like somewhere relatively safe but still young and artsy.
The main complication is having to come from so far away. Do most people think I should try to crash somewhere and look around first, or has anyone else ever just "made the leap" and had it work out? Obviously I'd look at pictures first, but is it likely that the pictures may be hiding something?
As for taxes, you only pay income taxes where you live. NY has a commuter tax, but IIRC you get a credit towards your NJ taxes for the amount paid.
Rigorous Scholarship
I would avoid Craigslist, I tried using them in my apt search and it was a very poor experience. A number of run-arounds, with nothing to show for it except a burning hatred for all mankind. I recommend just using a newspaper or calling any "For Rent" signs you see. Its how I ended up with my place.
Really? I've obviously never done it, but have always heard the "taxes for both" thing from people who have. Maybe the commuter tax is what they were referring to.
Regardless, yeah I always forget to throw Jersey City in as an option -- but only if you find something in the waterfront area. And at that point, costs are probably comparable to Hoboken, and I'd personally rather live in Hoboken.
Hoboken reminds me of what I imagine New York was like back in the old days.
Rigorous Scholarship
If you are in walking distance of a park or the waterfront, you're good, but A LOT of listings for apartments in JC are for The Heights, which should be avoided like the plague.
I live in downtown JC and pay 800/month for a private one-bedroom; most shares in the Newport area would be in your price range and there are a ton of students there so lots of shares and temp sublets.
PATH from Pavonia Newport goes virtually straight to West Soho. I work in west Soho and my commute time is about 30-45 minutes including the walk to and from the PATH. (2 10-minute walks and a variable dependent on how far away the train is when I get to the station)
Uncanny Magazine!
The Mad Writers Union
Ha, I live in Ditmas Park...
Hoboken is nice, but I'd go for Jersey City, slightly quicker commute, just as nice (as long as you don't get a place near the journal sq stop), and cheaper.
Brooklyn is a better option though. For one, if you lived in Jersey, you'd have to pay for a PATH card to get you back and forth from NYC plus a NYC Metro Card. Also, it can be a pain to get back from the city if you're out after the PATH stops running regularly, whereas the subway runs all night. Finally, there's just more going on in Brooklyn than either Jersey City or Hoboken (I say this as a current Brooklyn, and former Jersey City resident).
i live near the atlantic avenue station (easy to find on google maps) which is very convenient to anywhere in manhattan, as it has many subway lines (which is good for getting back).
also it's not boring and lame like astoria (eh, some people like it) and jersey city, no offense to my buddy tapeslinger.
lots more going on, lots of restaurants and bars, concerts, events.
i had a similar budget, ideally aiming for less. i was also looking just to rent a room and not sign a year lease, ideally. did this in august. relied almost entirely on craigslist (best place to look if you're just looking for a room in someone's apartment).
i hunted throughout some of lower manhattan and lots of area in brooklyn, sent out tons of e-mails and looked at lots of apartments. you can find lots of postings.
neighborhoods that are good in brooklyn, imho:
williamsburg, greenpoint, fort greene, north park slope, prospect heights, cobble hill, boerum hill, clinton hill.
these are all good and safe too for the most part, and you can find things within your budget easily (and not have to live too far from manhattan).
i looked at apartments in all these neighborhoods, right now i am paying $900 to live with 2 other people. takes me 20 minutes to get to my job in lower west manhattan.
if you want more detailed info, pm me or something.
edit: and it's a 6 month internship, and he's coming to nyc from far away so he'd probably wanna be in manhattan or brooklyn, the taxes aren't significant enough in that case to live in jeeeeeeersey
I can vouch for the general cool-factor of living in Brooklyn but I think I'm old enough where I don't miss it anymore. (I am soooo ooooold
Certain parts of the BK are mega gentrified, but it's a nice place to live for a few months
Honestly though, my commute costs about half of what it would cost if I was coming in from Brooklyn, but that's because I walk about 8 blocks from the PATH and don't need to transfer to MTA transit to get anywhere. YMMV (literally)
Uncanny Magazine!
The Mad Writers Union
You forgot dumbo and brooklyn heights (which is probably my favorite)
Dumbo rapid-expanded in late '05 and '06...
a loft share out there ought to be cheap (?) and it's closer to Manhattan than most of Manhattan is.
I used to work on the corner of Front and Main, that was a great little neighborhood back then but it's been years since I've done anything but drive past.
Uncanny Magazine!
The Mad Writers Union
I add another vote to the "live in NJ and commute crowd". If you're looking for Trendy, do Hoboken or Weehawken. If you want something a little quieter (and close to a random Medieval Times!) I suggest looking up Wallington, NJ.
Very polish, very friendly, quiet. Trains run from the nearby Rutherford station into Penn Station NYC and there are multiple bus lines into Port Authority.
If you DO end up in the city somewhere - be aware that a car is more likely than not a liability. Parking here is...an adventure.
lots of my friends, the ones who weren't signing leases with friends, found roommates via craigslist too
almost anyone posting for sublets will post on craigslist
That said, don't agree to meet anyone who seems sketchy, and anything that looks too good to be true definitely has a catch, etc etc
Uncanny Magazine!
The Mad Writers Union
west harlem/wash heights aint bad either
i'm still partial to brooklyn though