Hey everyone, just got a job in Manhattan, looking for a place.  I know there are a couple of forumers who live in NYC, if you do and know of a friend who needs a roommate, please let me know.  Thanks everyone.

 

- Kevin

Maybe try Craigslist?

Yeah I have been looking, but I'd much rather throw out some feelers to people I at least have some sort of common interest with that would be better than a total random.

Congrats on landing a job and welcome to NYC...and good luck with the apartment hunt.  It's not fun.

It's not fun.

 

I've gathered that. haha.

Congrats on landing a job and welcome to NYC...and good luck with the apartment hunt.  It's not fun.

 

Congrats you lil whippersnapper!

 

Questions:

What part of the city are you working in?

 

What are your ideal and realistic neighborhood?

 

What is your housing budget?

I'm working on Park between 25th & 26th, couple blocks from the 6 train.

 

I've been looking at the NW part of Brooklyn, LES and areas around there.

 

Budget wise I don't wanna over extend myself, depending on the number/which utilities are included, I'd say around $1,000 per month.

I want to move to NYC! After graduation. I'm jealous!

I'm working on Park between 25th & 26th, couple blocks from the 6 train.

 

I've been looking at the NW part of Brooklyn, LES and areas around there.

 

Budget wise I don't wanna over extend myself, depending on the number/which utilities are included, I'd say around $1,000 per month.

 

Unless you move to Staten Island, Deep BK, or uptown (above 145).  $1,000 in a DECENT building will be hard to find.

We shall see.. we shall see.. I have friends on the UES who pay $900/person a month and their place isn't bad at all.

We shall see.. we shall see.. I have friends on the UES who pay $900/person a month and their place isn't bad at all.

 

a) how many people live there

b) when was the leased signed

c) what condition is the building/unit in

d) what type of maintenance does the building have.

e) do they live in a rent stableized unit

 

I've only lived in one apartment in NYC and I would NEVER live in a rental unit again in NYC.  They don't give a damn.  Even in high priced buildings.  You know the ones that are made of cheap materials and have poor maintenance.

a) 3 people

b) Lease signed maybe a year or so ago?

c) The building is fine, 3 story building with 2-3 units per floor.

d) Maintenance? Not much at all.

e) Not rent stabilized.

I understand there is a vacancy in SoHo as of today.  i believe rent is somewhere around 23,000 dollars a month though.

sometimes ohio is like a third world country with its own exchange rate. 

In Ohio, 23k a month would get you property in a neighborhood paved with gold and firehydrants that shoot out rainbows of skittles.

In cincinnati you could get the 2 penthouses, on each tower of one river plaza for that scratch. about 9000 sq/f on a park with river and city views. 

i dk any apts sorry. can you get a hotel and look around? skipping manhattan here's a few tips:

 

if you go brooklyn, just a guess but it sounds like greenpoint and williamsburg would be good for you. warning: do not bite on those east williamsburg/flatbush bs neighborhoods. don't even think about it.

 

south brooklyn: south of downtown you might get lucky in boreum hill or cobble hill, prob not tho. note red hook has poor to no public transit. however, heading east (before you get to park slope) is sort of a no-man's land of neighborhoods where you will have better luck. this being around 3rd-4th-5th-6th avenues below flatbush. or you could try east of downtown/above flatbush avenue in prospect hts or clinton hill.

 

don't rule out queens. lic, astoria and woodside are close by. there is not much to rent in lic, but the other nabes have plenty. not the hippest places in the world, but safe and decent and an easy commute.

 

ps -- don't forget there is always jersey. jersey city has big development and new rail transit. and hoboken is thee number one perrrenial classic city in the region for get-your-feet-wet-in-nyc postcollege grads.

 

so keep checking craig's list and go to all the sunday open houses. we had a friend's daughter get a solo apt that popped up on w4th street in the village so you never know. good luck. just ask if you find something of interest to you.

 

^ Yeah, I have a friend out on Long Island I can stay with until I find a place, it would be a nice hour and a half ride in, but I wouldn't have to pay anything until I find a place.

 

Thanks for the tips, I'm heading back to Ohio here to get a bunch of stuff I have and head back to NYC without a vehicle, if you think of anything else let me know.

In Ohio, 23k a month would get you property in a neighborhood paved with gold and firehydrants that shoot out rainbows of skittles.

 

Shit though ... $1,000/month is about what you'll pay for a good 1 or 2 BR apartment in DT Cincy.

In Ohio, 23k a month would get you property in a neighborhood paved with gold and firehydrants that shoot out rainbows of skittles.

 

Shit though ... $1,000/month is about what you'll pay for a good 1 or 2 BR apartment in DT Cincy.

 

Rents roughly go for $1/sf in Downtown Cincy...the best of the best go for a little more.  The unit I'm looking at is a 1br/1bath, 695sf, washer/dryer in unit, walk-in closet, large kitchen w/modern appliances, french balcony, 1 parking space included (garage 1 block away), fitness center, business center, storage unit in basement, and 1.5 blocks from Fountain Square.  The rent for that baby just went up to $725/month from $700/month.

a) 3 people

b) Lease signed maybe a year or so ago?

c) The building is fine, 3 story building with 2-3 units per floor.

d) Maintenance? Not much at all.

e) Not rent stabilized.

 

I figured there were 3/4 people living in this unit.  Are you interested in living alone or with a room mate?

i dk any apts sorry. can you get a hotel and look around? skipping manhattan here's a few tips:

 

if you go Brooklyn, just a guess but it sounds like greenpoint and Williamsburg would be good for you. warning: do not bite on those east Williamsburg/flatbush bs neighborhoods. don't even think about it.

 

south Brooklyn: south of downtown you might get lucky in boreum hill or cobble hill, prob not tho. note red hook has poor to no public transit. however, heading east (before you get to park slope) is sort of a no-man's land of neighborhoods where you will have better luck. this being around 3rd-4th-5th-6th avenues below flatbush. or you could try east of downtown/above flatbush avenue in prospect hts or Clinton hill.

 

don't rule out queens. lic, Astoria and woodside are close by. there is not much to rent in lic, but the other nabes have plenty. not the hippest places in the world, but safe and decent and an easy commute.

 

ps -- don't forget there is always jersey. jersey city has big development and new rail transit. and hoboken is thee number one perrrenial classic city in the region for get-your-feet-wet-in-nyc postcollege grads.

 

so keep checking craig's list and go to all the sunday open houses. we had a friend's daughter get a solo apt that popped up on w4th street in the village so you never know. good luck. just ask if you find something of interest to you.

 

 

MRNYC, I think Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Hts., and Ft. Green are out of range.  That weird area (or "no mans land" as you call it) of South Prospect Park- Sunset Park starting around 20 street in the 4th, 5th, 6th Avenue area could have rentals in that range.

 

Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, upper Harlem, Washington Hts, Inwood (west of broadway) or the crown heights area near the BK museum might have units in his price range.

 

As far as New Jersey, remember your taxes will be hit if you live in Jersey and work in New York.  And Hoboken, wehawken are not cheap either.

 

Just remember here in NY, you're probably not going to have a washer/dryer on site, remodeled kitchen, separate dining area, large closets or other amenties that are a given in Ohio.

 

Check the Village Voice, Craigs list and laundry mats and grocery stores in nabes you're interested in.

mts he's considering roomates so i would not say any of that is out of range. my friend on (very desirable) state st in boerum hill, where i believe you once lived, pays $2k a month for the whole large 1bdrm (he and his gf split that cost). it's possible.

 

he's on his own for manhattan.

 

very true about the double taxes if you live in jersey (or live in ny and work in nj). we got rocked when my spouse was working over there. fwiw from a quick google of hoboken apts i saw a lot of this: Studio $1650, 1br $1800.

 

mts he's considering roomates so i would not say any of that is out of range. my friend on (very desirable) state st in boerum hill, where i believe you once lived, pays $2k a month for the whole large 1bdrm (he and his gf split that cost). it's possible.

 

he's on his own for manhattan.

 

very true about the double taxes if you live in jersey (or live in ny and work in nj). we got rocked when my spouse was working over there. fwiw from a quick google of hoboken apts i saw a lot of this: Studio $1650, 1br $1800.

 

 

I used to live on State street.  My rent went from $1200 to 1900. and that was in 1997-1999  It's ridiculous over there now.

yes it is generally speaking, but they just moved in a year ago so not always.

 

the lesson is in renting doing your homework & moving fast pays off. have all your references and paperwork and a bank check in your wallet for the deposit, 1st month & last month when you visit those open houses.

yes it is generally speaking, but they just moved in a year ago so not always.

 

the lesson is in renting doing your homework & moving fast pays off. have all your references and paperwork and a bank check in your wallet for the deposit, 1st month & last month when you visit those open houses.

 

Also, have your own credit report, printed within the last 90 days.  DO NOT let them tell you they have to run a credit report.  Also bring utility bills in your name and professional references on letterhead.

In Ohio, 23k a month would get you property in a neighborhood paved with gold and firehydrants that shoot out rainbows of skittles.

 

Shit though ... $1,000/month is about what you'll pay for a good 1 or 2 BR apartment in DT Cincy.

 

Rents roughly go for $1/sf in Downtown Cincy...the best of the best go for a little more.  The unit I'm looking at is a 1br/1bath, 695sf, washer/dryer in unit, walk-in closet, large kitchen w/modern appliances, french balcony, 1 parking space included (garage 1 block away), fitness center, business center, storage unit in basement, and 1.5 blocks from Fountain Square.  The rent for that baby just went up to $725/month from $700/month.

 

I'm just speaking from personal experience, but I see what you're saying.

Yeah I mean I'm up for either a studio or getting some roommates as long as I have a private bedroom.  I'm only 23, I'm looking more at location and convenience then size right now.

I'm only 23...

 

Hmmm ... that explains a lot. ;)

Ok....

we'll be careful with roommates!  I've heard some real bad stories....even one on UrbanOhio! 

Yeah that's why I'm trying to find some through mutual friends rather than craigslist, at least with a mutual friend there is some commonality.

 

I'm gonna move all my stuff out to a friend's house on Long Island and stay there a couple weeks to a month so I don't have to jump on the first place I see.

 

It'll stink having to take the hour and 15 minute train ride each way every day, but I won't be paying any rent/utilities so I'll be able to show up with check in hand.

we'll you're a better man than I am.  I couldn't live with anyone.  Having to share a bathroom with my brother from ages 4-13 & 24-27 years old was hell.  I thought I would kill him.  So I can't imagine living with a stranger.  Although, living with someone does test the type of relationship you have with them.

Living alone can be really boring though.

Living alone can be really boring though.

 

Not to me.  I'm to much of a neat freak to feel comfortable with someone in my house. I don't even like people to visit. I'm the King & the Queen in my castle!!  When ever my father come to my house he states, "I feel like I need to dress up just to come to your house and I don't want to touch anything 'cause it's like a damn museum in here!"

Living alone can be really boring though.

 

What you call boring, I call sane. Any noise was my noise, any mess was my mess, and any drama - well, that just wasn't in the equation. Sure there were times where I'd end up watching a movie or two on my own if all my friends were busy or out of town, but for the most part I loved it. I'm just fortunate that my partner and I are very compatible as far as living habits and for the few times we aren't, we have a big house ;-)

It's so lonely though! Like living in isolation. I guess you can always invite friends over when you want.

 

:-o

I don't mind living alone, it's nice to have everything to yourself.  But on the flip side, I don't really mind having roommates.  With that being said, I have to have my own bedroom.. I'm beyond the freshmen year in college living with a roommate, but I don't mind apartment-mates.

 

If I get roommates I'd look towards something small in Manhattan, something for myself, a studio in Brooklyn.

I also just thought about apartments near columbia.  Some can be had for a song.  The problem - Columbia Univ. is one of NYCs biggest slum lords.  So find out who the owner/operator of the building is if you look at anything between 110 & 125 Streets, west of Manhattan.

re:  "so i don't have to jump on the first place i see."

 

you are going to need to rethink that.

 

especially if you find something in a desirable neighborhood you want to be in. you cannot dicker around deciding in ny like you can most places. there will be 30 people right behind you who will grab it.

 

so if you find something decent thats in a great location take it immediately. you can always move later. one good thing about moving, breaking a lease is generally no problem.

 

re:  "so i don't have to jump on the first place i see."

 

you are going to need to rethink that.

 

especially if you find something in a desirable neighborhood you want to be in. you cannot dicker around deciding in ny like you can most places. there will be 30 people right behind you who will grab it.

 

so if you find something decent thats in a great location take it immediately. you can always move later. one good thing about moving, breaking a lease is generally no problem.

 

 

30 people is lowballing.  The couple down the street rented their garden apartment (ie basement) and they had at least 50 people in a line down the block at 9 or 9:30 AM on a Sunday.  The open house didn't start until 11 AM. By then there must have been 75 people in that line.  Some sitting on my stoop and I don't play that.  Only dead people are allowed on my stoop.  

 

I'm a big joker here on UO, but the things I've said in this thread are not to be taken lightly.  MRNYC and I have given some words of the gospel.  I cannot stress enough that you need to come prepared to any open house.  Get there are early as possible; come with a friend in case you need to get to a bank; if you like a place, slap down a deposit immediately; even if you're going to three other open houses that day, you can always get the check back.

re:  "so i don't have to jump on the first place i see."

 

you are going to need to rethink that.

 

especially if you find something in a desirable neighborhood you want to be in. you cannot dicker around deciding in ny like you can most places. there will be 30 people right behind you who will grab it.

 

so if you find something decent thats in a great location take it immediately. you can always move later. one good thing about moving, breaking a lease is generally no problem.

 

 

I meant jump on the first place meaning that I won't have to take a place I don't like just because I need a place.  I need to get a place, but I can stay on Long Island for awhile if need be.