Australian photojournalist and wife seeking NYC accommodation
Jan 2nd, 2011, 09:23 PM
#1
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Australian photojournalist and wife seeking NYC accommodation
I am an Australian photojournalist seeking long term (6-12 months) furnished accommodation for my wife and myself in the heart of New York city. I am looking at producing a coffee table-style book about our experiences.
Check out my website at www.jmprphotojournalist.com to see my photo and writing styles.
Obviously free of charge accommodation would be ideal, but I am able to pay a modest peppercorn rent if needed.
Reply to [email protected]
Check out my website at www.jmprphotojournalist.com to see my photo and writing styles.
Obviously free of charge accommodation would be ideal, but I am able to pay a modest peppercorn rent if needed.
Reply to [email protected]
Jan 2nd, 2011, 09:29 PM
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Whooops....website is http://jmpr.photium.com/
Jan 3rd, 2011, 03:55 AM
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www.hospitalityclub.org
Join up nice locals to help you
find something cost-effective
plus free eats/stays up to 3 days...
For best value investigate boots on the ground MANY
online scammers/tax cheats particularly on Craigs List.
Happy Hunting,
Join up nice locals to help you
find something cost-effective
plus free eats/stays up to 3 days...
For best value investigate boots on the ground MANY
online scammers/tax cheats particularly on Craigs List.
Happy Hunting,
Jan 3rd, 2011, 03:56 AM
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Jan 3rd, 2011, 05:16 AM
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First, you will definitely need a non-tourist visa for that long - and no idea what the rules and regs are for you - but I would start there.
Second, housing in NYC is VERY expensive. For low-cost furnished housing for that length of time your best bet would probably be to contact all of the major universities to see if faculty on sabbatical might be willing to take on responsible people for lower than market price. BUT, there is someone in my building dong that and he is getting more than $4500 per month for a 2 bedroom in a middle class (non-luxury) building in Manhattan. And he had a ton of applicants from which to choose. (I'm on the board and we had to approve the applicant that he finally selected - have the management company research their finances/check their work history/references and meet with them to make sure they would be good neighbors and understood the rules of living in a co-op.)
Second, housing in NYC is VERY expensive. For low-cost furnished housing for that length of time your best bet would probably be to contact all of the major universities to see if faculty on sabbatical might be willing to take on responsible people for lower than market price. BUT, there is someone in my building dong that and he is getting more than $4500 per month for a 2 bedroom in a middle class (non-luxury) building in Manhattan. And he had a ton of applicants from which to choose. (I'm on the board and we had to approve the applicant that he finally selected - have the management company research their finances/check their work history/references and meet with them to make sure they would be good neighbors and understood the rules of living in a co-op.)
Jan 3rd, 2011, 05:23 AM
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Sorry - subletting a low cost rental is not an option either. People living in apartments that are rent-stabilized (typically less than $2000 per month) MUST maintain the apartment as their primary residence. If they don't do so, then the apartment is no longer subject to stabilization and the landlord is allowed to raise the rent to market value. So, few renters are willing to take the risk of doing that and being discovered.
Your best option may be to sublet a house in the outer boroughs (there are few private houses in Manhattan, and they are VERY expensive - from $4 million for a gentrifying neighborhood up to $75 million or so in the best areas).
Your best option may be to sublet a house in the outer boroughs (there are few private houses in Manhattan, and they are VERY expensive - from $4 million for a gentrifying neighborhood up to $75 million or so in the best areas).
Jan 3rd, 2011, 05:54 AM
#10
I believe the maximum length of stay on a B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa is six months, although that can be extended by application once you're here.
If by "heart of NY city" you mean the prime residential areas of Manhattan I'd have to join the chorus wishing you well. You would need to be a world class con-man to obtain a furnished apartment for peppercorns. Could you pass for an aristocrat temporarily out of funds? (If so, *great* book!)
However, there are marginal areas still in Manhattan, and more in Brooklyn and Queens, where someone willing to live rough by say, urban homesteading (squatting), and scavenging for furniture you might make it work. You'd certainly have interesting material for your book. Or you might find a group of bohemians willing to sublet a corner of the floor in some loft. These kinds of things are difficult to impossible to arrange from a distance, though.
If by "heart of NY city" you mean the prime residential areas of Manhattan I'd have to join the chorus wishing you well. You would need to be a world class con-man to obtain a furnished apartment for peppercorns. Could you pass for an aristocrat temporarily out of funds? (If so, *great* book!)
However, there are marginal areas still in Manhattan, and more in Brooklyn and Queens, where someone willing to live rough by say, urban homesteading (squatting), and scavenging for furniture you might make it work. You'd certainly have interesting material for your book. Or you might find a group of bohemians willing to sublet a corner of the floor in some loft. These kinds of things are difficult to impossible to arrange from a distance, though.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 08:07 AM
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I'm sure Fodor's isn't the only place you're looking for input... May I suggest contacting professional and academic institutions to see if they can be of assistance? Off the top of my head, there's the International Center of Photography (www.icp.org) and the Aperture Foundation (www.aperture.org). Or contact the photography departments at NYU, Parsons, Pratt, SVA or FIT...
I'm also sure you're well aware of the cost of living in NYC (and don't need to be shocked into thinking you'll be living out of a cardboard box!). It's true that in a touristic sense, the "heart of NYC" is (midtown) Manhattan. But residentially speaking, it's a big big city to explore! One of the current hot spots for artists to live and work is Bushwick, Brooklyn. It's not remotely the "heart of the city", but it's affordability has attracted a whole new arts scene...
BTW, the link you provided gives me a "site not found" error.
I'm also sure you're well aware of the cost of living in NYC (and don't need to be shocked into thinking you'll be living out of a cardboard box!). It's true that in a touristic sense, the "heart of NYC" is (midtown) Manhattan. But residentially speaking, it's a big big city to explore! One of the current hot spots for artists to live and work is Bushwick, Brooklyn. It's not remotely the "heart of the city", but it's affordability has attracted a whole new arts scene...
BTW, the link you provided gives me a "site not found" error.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 09:48 AM
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Listen, I will write (handwrite at that) and take photographs for a book if someone will give me an apartment in Tokyo (or Paris or HK or Florence...) for free. But I'll only be able to take it for 3 months or so... I will thank you profusely in the Acknowledgment. 
Jan 3rd, 2011, 10:05 AM
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It's true there are a few neighborhoods where you can "squat" in empty buildings - but I would fear for my life to leave the building at any time.
Young people looking for budget accommodation are starting to gentrify many older neighborhoods - and apartments are now hard to find at a decent price in places that were slums/full of drug dealers 5 years ago. But they are not near any centers - either Manhattan or established neighborhoods in the outer boroughs.
Also, not sure what amount you mean by a "peppercorn rent" - but in Manhattan a spot in a garage (not a private garage, but a public garage where you leave the keys and your car is moved around by attendants) costs in excess of $500 per month.
You might go to the online edition of the Village Voice to see if there are any interesting ads - but be careful about Craig's list - many of the listings are outright scams.
Young people looking for budget accommodation are starting to gentrify many older neighborhoods - and apartments are now hard to find at a decent price in places that were slums/full of drug dealers 5 years ago. But they are not near any centers - either Manhattan or established neighborhoods in the outer boroughs.
Also, not sure what amount you mean by a "peppercorn rent" - but in Manhattan a spot in a garage (not a private garage, but a public garage where you leave the keys and your car is moved around by attendants) costs in excess of $500 per month.
You might go to the online edition of the Village Voice to see if there are any interesting ads - but be careful about Craig's list - many of the listings are outright scams.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 10:09 AM
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FYI re: peppercorn rent: Another common example of a peppercorn payment being used in legal contracts is the English practice of peppercorn rent, which refers to a nominal rental sum for property, land or buildings. More at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppercorn_rent
Jan 3rd, 2011, 05:06 PM
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Sorry - I know what a "peppercorn rent" is - just didn't know what amount the OP wanted to pay. For an apt in Manhattan $1000 a month would be a "peppercorn rent" - that is nominal and way below market value.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 08:11 PM
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Mitch
I am photographer and a member of an art coop in Brooklyn. I have particapated in almost 30 exhibits including colleges and a photography museum.
This city loves the arts but it is mean out there. Grant money is tough to obtain and the competition is ridiculous.
I wish you well and I know you Aussies are tough.
I am photographer and a member of an art coop in Brooklyn. I have particapated in almost 30 exhibits including colleges and a photography museum.
This city loves the arts but it is mean out there. Grant money is tough to obtain and the competition is ridiculous.
I wish you well and I know you Aussies are tough.
