I am trying to find a 1 BR apt in NYC to move in October 1st. Does anyone know of any "No Fee" buildings on the Upper West Side (65th-85th)? I'd rather avoid the broker fee if possible. Please email me any suggestions.

Thank you much in advance!!
Amy

Well two sources are the Village Voice (www.villagevoice.com) and the Sunday New York Times classified ads.

To anyone else reading this post and contemplating the same thing, Manhattan is a very tight & difficult market to find an apartment in.

These days you should expect to pay $1200+ per month for a decent apartment. What is considered undesirable in other cities, is a gold mine in the NYC market.

Unfortunately, many apartments are controlled by brokers because the landlords don't want to fool with the paperwork or the number of people that are applying. A broker legally can charge up to 15% of a year's rent (and many do). Even some landlords are charging the broker's fee just to make more money.

Anyone seriously looking in the NYC area should bring their checkbook with them and be ready to put down an immediate deposit, plus a fee for a credit check.

If looking for an apartment, you should decide what you can live without and what is necessary. Do you mind having your bathtub in the kitchen? (Several East Village apartments do). Could you live in Queens, Brooklyn, or New Jersey (you would get more space for the same amount of money and just a little bit of commute time). It takes a little planning and a lot of luck to find a good NYC apartment.

What Philip wrote is correct, except that it's illegal for Landlords to charge brokers fees.

Have you searched Craigslist? The New York list is at http://newyork.craigslist.org

Phil gave you good advice but $1200 will not get you a "decent" 1 bedroom apartment on the Upper Westside. One bedrooms in doorman buildings are going for $2500 and up. Non-doorman probably close to $2000. You would probably do best with a large studio which you could probably find for $1500-$2000.

Very difficult to find an apartment without a broker, if cost is a concern the Upper Westside may be out of your budget and Phil's advice of looking in Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey etc may be your best alternative.

There are several very nice buildings on the Upper EAST Side that do not charge a fee. Check the NY Times for ads.

Check out commuter friendly towns in Bergen County, New Jersey - such as Fort Lee, Cliffside Park, Edgewater...You can get into the city via bus (George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel) or the New York Waterways Ferry. Actually, all of the towns further into Bergen County offer good transportation into the city. Check out the Bergen Record on Sunday. They have a website to access their classifieds. Good luck!

Just wanted to thank you all so VERY MUCH for your advice!! Arabella, that CraigsList is amazing!! I've never heard of it before! Wish me luck!!

Depends how much you want to spend. No fee companies in NYC, try Glenwood mgt @ 212-535-0500 (approx. $2400 for a 1 BR), also try Goodstein mgt 212-486-4488 (approx $2200 for 1 BR), both have buildings across the city.
Also have 30 Lincoln Plaza ($3100 for 1 BR) @ 212-956-4049. One more Claridge $2200 for 1 BR @ 22-889-1850.

Just wondering if anyone has any other NYC apartment search recommendations?Thanks

Amy: Give us an idea of the $ you are looking to spend and the type of apartment you are looking for i.e. doorman, walk-up, brownstone, view, size, are you considering sharing with someone else, etc. If you in fact need an apartment for October, you started your search late, particularly without the help of a broker. If your resources are limited, the search for a reasonably price apartment will take many months and ultimately you may be forced to consider other locals.