Manhattan 1 bdrm. apt 3/26-4/4/2010
Mar 7th, 2010, 07:51 PM
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Manhattan 1 bdrm. apt 3/26-4/4/2010
My 18 year old daughter (freshman at U of Delaware) is interested in spending her spring break (March 26 - April 4, 2010) in Manhattan. I thought perhaps a house/ apartment sit or rent al. Anyone know of agencies or websites for this?
Mar 8th, 2010, 04:03 AM
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Agree that most apt short-term apt rentals in NYC are illegal (an few would want to rent to an 18 year old - trusting their private belongings) while others are outright scams. You don't say what her budget is - but if you give it people can make recos. (Besides don;t know why an 18 year old would want an apt - she;s not planning to cook meals is she? And if you mean several teens - it's more unlikely that anyone wold sublet to them - and many hotels won;t rent rooms to them either.)
If on a budget she's better in a hostel. Try looking at Hosteling International - which is very reliable.
If on a budget she's better in a hostel. Try looking at Hosteling International - which is very reliable.
Mar 8th, 2010, 09:42 AM
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Short term apt. rentals in NYC are illegal. Finding a hotel that will take One 18 year old will be difficult enough. Trying to book a place for several 18 year olds will be near impossible. Most hotels have a minimum age requirement of 21 to be able to stay in a hotel room without a legal adult (21+).
Hosteling is a great idea. Big Apple hostel is one to check.
Hosteling is a great idea. Big Apple hostel is one to check.
Mar 9th, 2010, 04:57 AM
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Very dangerous, lots of scams, yes illegal really. Don't do it. There are some hotels like the Wellington that will take 18 yr olds. They have some 1 bedroom suites I think. I think the Best Western President in Times Square area may also take 18 yr olds and may have some suites but they shouldn't try to squeeze more people than allowed into a hotel room. A hostel is another idea (and there are plenty of illegal ones). The one nytraveler mentioned is fine. YMCA Vanderbilt & Westside are also ok. There are some women's residences too if they're all female. http://www.thebrandon.org/ is on the upper west side and good.
Mar 9th, 2010, 08:32 AM
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Don't know where this west57.com website came from - but it is obvously fake. I read the info about a few apartments. Besides the fact that they were obvously written by someone who speaks very limited English, they are simply packed with totally incorrect information abuot apartments, neighborhoods, local transit etc. Could not have been written by anyone at all familiar with NYC.
I wouldn;t touch any apartment from this website with a barge pole.
I wouldn;t touch any apartment from this website with a barge pole.
Mar 9th, 2010, 01:50 PM
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Wow. Regarding that west57 website.
They say to describe an apartment:
"This is a great one bedroom, perfect per 4 passengers, facing the 32nd street, located a steps of Macys, Empire State Building, and a one block from the subway station (N/R)."
Clearly the people who wrote the website description is not an English speaker. I could understand if you were renting in a foreign country. But this is a US website for apartments in the US? Who on earth runs this website. Scary!
They say to describe an apartment:
"This is a great one bedroom, perfect per 4 passengers, facing the 32nd street, located a steps of Macys, Empire State Building, and a one block from the subway station (N/R)."
Clearly the people who wrote the website description is not an English speaker. I could understand if you were renting in a foreign country. But this is a US website for apartments in the US? Who on earth runs this website. Scary!
Mar 9th, 2010, 05:10 PM
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Every listing I looked at was odd. One for East 63rd St called it the "Artist's area" (this is a very upscale area - not one with artists lofts) and said it was right next to the E/F subway line (which is 10 blocks away), Another one said a walk-up building had a "doorman". And there was an apartment in the 40s listed as next to Central Park.
Obviously the person writing this incorrect info had never been to New York., Don;t know if the places exist or not - or where/what they are - but do know that the info is really weird.
Obviously the person writing this incorrect info had never been to New York., Don;t know if the places exist or not - or where/what they are - but do know that the info is really weird.
Mar 10th, 2010, 03:55 PM
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Thank you everyone for your input. I actually found a very nice studio apt. through vrbo.com. I spoke with the woman renting the unit and she actually owns the building.Via google maps I can see the building,per her description, and all looks fine. Should I still be skeptical? She requires a 15% paypal downpayment with the remainder paid in cash when my daughter arrives.Vrbo offers an insurance policy for a nominal amount to guarantee listings accuracy, double booking, etc. Perhaps that is a safeguard? Any thoughts?
Mar 10th, 2010, 04:16 PM
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There are many scams on vrbo. It is no guarantee.
However, the fact that you spoke with an actual person who claims to own the entire building may be a good sign, since ownership of the entire building is one of the few ways the rental could possible be legal.
Would you care to share the vrbo number with us so we can better judge the situation?
However, the fact that you spoke with an actual person who claims to own the entire building may be a good sign, since ownership of the entire building is one of the few ways the rental could possible be legal.
Would you care to share the vrbo number with us so we can better judge the situation?
Mar 10th, 2010, 04:18 PM
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Forgot to say . . . whether of not you can get a refund from vrbo will not help matters if your daughter arrives in NYC and the apartment does not exist. Is vrbo guaranteeing that they've checked the listing as accurate or guaranteeing a refund if it ends up the listing is not accurate?
Mar 10th, 2010, 04:25 PM
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Mar 10th, 2010, 04:29 PM
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Agree that the VRBO number would help. Assume you have the exact address (someone here can describe the area), a landline with 24 hour response (in case something goes wrong with the plumbing etc). I would also ask for the names of and check with people who have stayed there previously.
Mar 10th, 2010, 05:12 PM
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ellenem (I can't figure out how to respond to you directly) the listing no. at vrbo is #233586. Would love your opinion.Only guarantee is refund if double booked or not as described.
Mar 10th, 2010, 06:07 PM
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I've had a look at the apt. and am enough of a NY skeptic to say I wouldn't do it. Does it not strike you as odd that the availability calendar doesn't have ONE booking??? She can say whatever she wants-it's a new listing, she doesn't update it, yada, yada. You have too much to lose to take the risk. These 18/19 yr olds would be much better in a hotel or hostel imo.
