gtrekker2003

Hi!

I'm in the process of looking for an apartment again in Manhattan. Several years ago when I was looking, somebody recommended a good book which lists no fee apartments and management companies in NYC. Anybody know the name of it? I no longer have it nor could I find that old post.

Secondly, apart from Craigslist, any other suggestions on finding a no-fee apartment in the city? I'm looking for a studio from W. 50's to W. 116th, although I imagine W. 90's to W. 116th will be cheaper. I realize this may be a vague question.

Thanks in advance!

gtrekker2003

nytraveler

You might look in the Village Voice. But no fee rentals are usuallu illegal sublets (that's generally what they are on Craig's list) and you always run the risk of being found out and evicted.

96th to 116th won't be much cheaper than midtown/other sections of upper west side. As always city neighborhoods are always changing - and for good deals you now need to look at Harlem, Hamilton Heights or Astoria or Long Island City in queens.

gtrekker2003

Thanks nytraveler!

Any thoughts on Morningside Heights? I'm considering Harlem up to W. 125th.

How safe would it be for a single female? I realize you have to be safe wherever you are, whatever time of day it is. I don't usually go at night but love it during the day. It is definitely an upcoming neighbourhood and I love the history there.

lizziea06

Voila...I used this same list when I was looking for apartments last summer. I ultimately was not able to secure a fee-free apartment, unfortunately, but most of these links were completely legit. I plan to stay in my current apartment for a few years, and it's a great place at a great rent, so I do think that it was (for me) worth it to pay the broker fee. As much as it killed me to cut the check at the time. This is my fourth NYC apartment, and the fee-free thing only worked out for me once!

http://scamhunters.blogspot.com/2006...ment-list.html

lizziea06

If your willing to go up to Hamilton Heights, etc., I would totally encourage you to look in Brooklyn, specifically Brooklyn Hts., Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, etc. All the subways are right there, and it's super fast to get into most parts of Manhattan.

travelbuff2

You might consider coming up to my area. I'm on 147th St and around the corner from the A/B/C/D trains and can be at 59th St in about 20 minutes, so transportation from this area is great.

Most of the buildings in this area have been or are being rennovated and I found my apartment just by walking around the neighborhood.

nytraveler

The problem is that Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill etc have been almost as expensive as many areas of Manhattan for years.

Morningside Heights has also been a great area for years - many Columbia grad students and faculty live there. And many blocks in Harlem are perfectly safe - you need to visit the block and look at the distance to the subway. Some blocks are still dicey - but many are fine.

As I said, the bargains now are to be had in some Queens neighborhoods and far upper Manhattan.

nytraveler

Sorry - what's really key is where you'll be working - and what transit you'll need to use. Brooklyn is great for downtown workers - not so good if you're working westside in midtown.

lizziea06

The 2/3/A/C/F all run straight through through these neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It's actually about 25 minutes to Penn Station from Brooklyn Heights.

nytraveler

Yes - not bad if you're in that area - but not handy for west 40's or 50's where so many people work. (SInce the OP was concentrating on the west side I assumed - perhaps wrongly - that s/he would work on the west side.)

gtrekker2003

Thanks for the suggestions.

As much as I would love to live in Brooklyn, I would prefer to stay on the West Side for convenience sake since that is also where I work and my work involves lots of to-and-fro'ing during the day.

I will look on the West side and some Harlem places I think. Not thrilled about going to Wash Hts or Inwood for some reason.

lizziea06, I agree. I am ok with paying a fee if the price and place is right. I got the current place I live in with a brokers fee and it is great. Now the rent has gone beyond my budget. Any suggestions of agents or rental agencies that are good? How did you find your place? I've been looking on Craigslist but it is so hit or miss, last time more misses than hits.

Cheers everybody for the tips.

gtrekker2003

mclaurie

If you do a google search for no fee apartments nyc you'll find a number of websites.

http://manhattan.about.com/od/findan...feemgmtcos.htm

http://www.theinsider.com/nyc/save/015NoFeeApts.htm

artlover

Thanks so much for this information. Considering the hotel rates in NYC (even using Priceline bidding), I want to try to rent an apartment next time.

scrb

Is this for a vacation or a long-term rental?

gtrekker2003

It is for a long-term rental! I live and work in NYC.

mclaurie

artlover, renting an apt. for a vacation in NYC is very very dangerous. There are lots of scams going on online. It's easy for someone to advertise an apt. they don't actually own, take your money and then disappear. There are very few buildings that allow short term rentals. You can understand regular tenants not wanting transient guests roaming around a building. It's really a security issue.

There are plenty of apt/hotels (www.affinia.com among others) that will give you the space and kitchen of an apt. Nyhabitat.com is an agency that does offer some short term rentals and will stand behind them.

lizziea06

I've had good luck w/ Brown Harris Stevens and Corcoran. I would avoid Citi Habitats and Manhattan Apartments at all costs. I've had awful experiences with brokers from these agencies, as have several friends. On Craigslist, I've found the "for rent by owner" listings to be much more legit than the "fee-free" listings.

gtrekker2003

Thanks lizziea06.

I will try those 2 companies. I have also had a pretty bad experience with both Citi Habitats and Manhattan Apartments when searching for apartments a few years ago. They're all over Craigslist unfortunately.
Cheers!

scrb

How about this site?

http://www.nyhabitat.com/


You know a couple of years ago, there were some reasonably-priced vacation apartments listed on Craigslist.

Now, since the hotels raised their rates, it seems the vacation apartment rentals have gone way up in price too.

artlover

mclaurie,
Thanks for the tip. I don't plan to go for quite awhile, but I'm sure others who might have this in mind will benefit.