Hi Folks. Just popping over from the european board to ask a question. My colleague is bringing his wife and kids over to NY with him for an assignment from Dublin. He needs a nice 2 bed furnished apt for 4 month (Sept to Dec). He wants it as close to work (NYU.) Anyone know of any agencies you would suggest for places to look in NY. I have been away so long I would not have a clue and I found a few agencies on the web but I am not sure how reputable anyone is. He will be going to NY in AUG to look at places in advance but would like to set up viewings while there. The kids will share a room as they are under 4 years old.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

S

I rented just for a week from nyhabitat.com. My main problem was they hesitate to rent to someone for such a short term on long term notice, but with a 4 month rent, working a couple months ahead is a good idea and they will be willing to commit a specific property. Check them out, very reputable. The best method there is to actually contact them by email if you want and let them assign someone to "work" for you in the area and what you want. Looking though all their listings is just too mind-boggling.

A couple of other good firms:
sublet.com
newyorkcitycorportatehousing.com
nationalextendedstay.com
liveinnyc.com

also http://www.furnishedquarters.com/

my company used them when relocation 15 families from australia to nyc.

Just a heads up that I think NYU owns some apt buildings and may have something to offer OR your friend should contact NYU and ask where they might look for listings. There are often professors who take sabbaticals etc.

Another thought is checking vrbo.com AND
newyork.craigslist.com
is a good place to look and also consider running your own ad.

While I know it would be ideal to be near NYU, I would consider anything in Manhattan within a reasonable commute.

Thanks so much everyone. Patrick you are a star! Mclaurie - I did ask him to check NYU for staff places etc. but the places come unfurnished and it's too much hassle from Ireland to arrange rental furniture as they have their hands full with 2 small children. He wants the easiest transfer over for the whole family. NYU has not really come back to him on anything else so he decided to arrange himself to be sure they get a decent place the family will be happy in. I did tell him anywhere in Mahnhattan is fine and he coming around to that as they subway will get him to work just as easy.

I noticed that furnishedquarters has a building at 60 east 12 st. that would be very convenient but they want around $8,000/month for a 2 bedroom! What's their budget? I really think they have nothing to lose by running their own ad in craigslist.

I'll second that suggestion for running a free ad in Craigslist. I was mind boggled at reading through the listings there and so few have pictures they became almost meaningless. But I decided to run an ad saying I was looking for a midtown west one bedroom for the month of June, and almost immediately got a response from a couple traveling to Europe for that month. It would have been perfect, had we not had to change our plans, but I was frankly surprised how quickly I got a good response. Of course, you'll also have to weed out the crazies -- like the person informing me he had a room to rent at 230 street or somewhere. Huh? What part of one bedroom, midtown west did HE not understand?

You may want to try this site:

http://www.tempapts.com/NewYork/downtown3.html

I didn;t look at all the places - but the buildings are distinctly good quality - and the downtown places seem to be about $6500 per month for a 2 bedroom - much better than $8000. And perhaps one of the other neigborhoods has something better.

Another option might be to check the NYTimes real estate section.

They have a fairly sophisticated search engine - allowing you to pick not only neighborhood, budget and # of rooms - but you can also select furnished.

Some places may not want to do short term rentals - but if they're furnhised they may be amenable. They had over 80 places in Manhattan under $5000 per month.

Beware of the fees for finding you an apartment. One firm I emailed contacted me with an offer for a furnished apartment for one WEEK at about $2000. But their fee was "one MONTH's rent" or $ 6000. So my total for the week would be $8000! Obviously if you're staying longer it becomes less of an issue, but a month's rent is not unusual as a fee. For 4 months it raises your total by 25%!