Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - New York City Relocation

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Dallas, so i might as well give you my story. Girlfirend and I in mid-20's. I'm an engineer, she's a schoolteacher. Wanted to live in manhattan, same as you upper east or west. (Lived in CT so a little easier situation) Went in 2 nights to meet with a fellow from ardor's (broker) and looked at 7 or 8 apartments. All very small, expensive but all in real good neighborhoods, but mostly rather far from subways stations-- 7 or more blocks (something to think about) Average rent 1750-1900 to live in a large closet. plus you pay ardor 3000 to close the deal (15% -1st year) So we would come in through the Bronx and we would stop in Riverdale to get soda, pick up the paper, etc. So we began to look into that neighborhood as a possibility cause we were also looking in southern westchester county, and we have a dog (more dog friendly with more large parks) Well the apartments in manhattan (i saw you post of 700 sq. ft as a meger requirement) are tiny!!!!!! 700 is a real big place....curious what others think about that. So we looked at 2 apartments in Riverdale and the size for the money was amazing. So we kept looking. Listings in Riverdale Press (local newspaper) to buy a co-op's were in the 75-100K region. So to make a long story short we bought our place ( listed at 89 and settled at 81) Our mortgage is $421 and common is 445 (60% deduct) . For a total of 870 to own. Plus way better tax position for oueselves. 850 sq. feet. large one bedroom, Van Cortland park and manhattan veiws in 42 unit 6 story post war elevator building. so as opposed to paying 3 grand to rent we paid an attorney 3 grand to buy We have been in one year and now we're getting ready to buy another co-op as a rental property. The neighborhood is great...total mix of folks....mostly professional....( i know the new yorkers will chime in here about it - i'm not in the heavily jewish area, nor am i jewish), great irish pubs, good restaurants, van cortland park is right there (golf, tennis,ball fields) 3 minute walk down the hill to 238 on the 1&9 train, totally safe Lots of folks go in to manhattan every day... maybe 25 minutes to mid-town We go into manhattan all the time for shows, games, concerts and dinner and whenever we get back to the peace and quiet of riverdale, we know we made the right decision. We get the best of both worlds.....very affordable, comfortable living with midtown and downtown right there. you said you liked hearing other stories so there another one Last note - if you move to upper east and west - suck it up and pay the broker, no need to run around and look at apartments that could already be rented also do you have a car???? cars in Manhattan are tough! Good luck!

Chris, Thanks for that story, it is great to hear about another area to consider. It is amazing how your perception can change from one day to the next on what different areas are like. I had always thought of the Bronx as crime-ridden broken down place, but even talking to some friends of ours and listening to your story this is not always the case. What we have come to realize thus far is: 1. we are going to have to pay the brokerage fee, no way around it for ease of move. 2. Manhattan is not a must anymore as it once was, there are other areas to consider in the surronding burrows. As far as size goes, 700 sq feet is pretty much what we are in now in Dallas (currently in 800 sq ft apartment here). Also, we both have cars, but one of the things that excites us so much about going to New York is getting rid of those money pits! If I never have to pay for another oil change again it will be too soon! Luckily my new employers is very open to when we have to relocate so we have a little bit of time on our side. I can work from home in the meantime. And before anyone asks why I would relocate, the work from home thing is a temporary solution and they want me up there as soon as possible. Also, I have always wanted to live in NYC and this is my chance. Once again, thanks so much to everyone for their suggestions, stories, and comments. All of this has helped tremendously and I am sure the NY move will be a breeze in the end.

You've already received some really good advice, but I'll just chime in here with two thoughts. 1. Unless I missed it, you don't mention exactly where in NY you and your wife will be commuting to for work. That can make a big difference since the subway/bus lines will often be the determining factor as to whether you end up looking on the east or west side of town. 2. As for opening a NYC bank account, just a word of caution. It's been my experience that when opening a new account, there can be an additional hold on your deposits. In other words, instead of a check clearing in say, 5 days, it could take a few weeks. Just make sure you don't end up giving the broker a check that ultimately bounces. I'm not saying this will definitely happen to you, but I've had the misfortune of a new bank putting a 30 day hold on clearing my deposits without letting me know. So just make sure you check that out ahead of time. And if that wasn't bad enough, I was also rejected for an account at a major bank just prior to moving out of state several years ago because they insisted I had to be a current resident with a drivers license as proof. And this was prior to 9/11! Bottom line, I know it sounds like I've had really bad luck banking experiences (which is true!) but I just wanted to pass them on to you so you can be informed and make the proper inquiries before it's too late for you. Good luck with your search.

Dallas if you're still reading these posts I want to add my 2 cents and tell you that Chris is right about the Riverdale section of the Bronx. I live in a co-op apartment complex named Skyview on the Hudson. I paid $135,000 for a 1 bedroom apartment (with a terrace) that faces the Hudson River. Maintenance and mortgage are a manageable $1,100. We have a seasonal (very large) pool that is great. There's also a health club and tennis courts. There's also onsite parking. There's a van that will take you to the Metro North station or you can take the eastside or westside express bus into the city. You can also take a city bus down to the train station on Broadway. There are many stores and restaurants to choose from. There isn't any nightlife to speak of, but there's plenty transportation options to get you into the city very fast. There are also a couple of private cab companies. You get the perk of being near the city without some of the hassles. There's a diverse group of nice people at Skyview. Singles and families.

Dallas running joke in neighborhood, i live in Riverdale---i don't live in the Bronx, technically we do and that's what i write on my bills, but many a people wish riverdale wasn't in the bronx. for the exact sterotype you have in your mind Take a look when your in. be sure to look on the east side of the henry hudson parkway and south of 254th. we're at 238th by waldo and greystone right by manhattan college Zeta make a good point with the tranportation, you have metro-north, bus or subway and thanks to the high concentration of micks in the neighborhood you don't have to go far to find a guniess or some live music. once again good luck!

I went to Manhattan College and I can attest to the fact that there are many fine pubs in the area. Actually, my parents still live on Independence Avenue and they still like it there very much. Riverdale is a good choice.

Folks, it's very kind of you all to offer the original poster advice about the New York housing market... But what happened to that old saying "If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere...". Somehow, I suspect that if anything sucks, in this sorry incident, it is not Dallas.

NO IT YOU WHO DOES ME!!! ME!!! ME!!!

Message to Me: The song states "if you can make it here, you'll make it anywhere." So that's the point. You have to make it in New York first and then you'll be prepared to make it anywhere including Dallas.

Riverdale's a haul if you want to spend any time in downtown NY where all the action is. I would recommend Park Slope, Cobble Hill, and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn. I would also consider Long Island City (if you're ok with fringe) and (don't laugh) Jersey City in Newport or in one of the historic neighborhoods near Journal Square.

Anyone who ever says that New Yorkers are rude, obnoxious and won't give you the time of day should be forced to read this post. This once again proves my theory that New Yorkers are some of the most helpful, friendliest people in the country. You just have to know how to deal with them (ask direct question, be precise, don't waste time). The more experience I have with New Yorkers, the more I love them and the city they live in. Yes, they are oppinionated, but at least they are honest :-) Sorry to interrupt the thread... hehe

Once again, thanks to everyone. I have been really impressed with some of the areas of Brooklyn that I have seen, and my wife and I are both leaning toward that area now. (Don't worry I am sure our mind will change a half a dozen times between now and the time we sign a lease). I have a couple of questions about particular Brooklyn neighborhoods: Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Seems that housing prices are down in these areas, but they are both close to Manhattan, any reason for this?

I can't comment on the housing prices, but as for Greenpoint - the only subway that runs there is the L, which in my experience is a major pain in the @ss. Later in the night on weekends (I'm talking 9 or 10pm here - not extraordinarly late) - it takes FOREVER. It's such a pain to visit my friends who live out there. I am not as familiar w/ Williamsburg, but by the looks of it on the subway map, it looks only accessible by the J/M/Z line, which from a Manhattanite's perspective - really doesn't do you any good. (I don't think I've ever even ridden that line - but then again I work in midtown and live on the UES) I'm not sure where your office will be, but if it's anywhere near midtown, you'll want to be near a line which will take you to work w/o transferring 5 times. Just my humble Manhattanite opinion....

Another site with no-fee rentals is nofeerentals.com. Also, as an enticement to get people to move back into the area of Battery Park (southern tip of Manhattan), rental rebates of up to $12,000/yr are available if you sign a two-year lease. Might be something to check in to. Another suggestion that may or may not work for you: When we first moved to the city, my husband and I sublet a furnished apt. for 2 months while we looked for more permanent housing. It was so much easier to look while here and we got to see how that particular neighborhood worked for us. As it sounds like you've discovered, craigslist.com is a wonderful resource for housing in the city. Good luck with your search. We've come to love the city and agree that New Yorkers are unbelievably friendly and helpful.

James - actually Fodors has deleted the rude messages. The real rude person here is Dallas - anyone who says "I understand that this is a travel forum" and still posts obviously doesn't. No wonder Me posts how it's all about me, me, me. What selfishness. And please Dallas - move to Greenpoint - it comes right off the ramp to Rikers and is crime riddled and drug laden. It's perfect for you to get shot in.

Williamsburg is easy to get to, just take the L from Union Square (14th Street) and it's a 5 to 10 min. ride to the Bedford station. The town is full of the young and artsy with a lot of faux-bohemians that look like struggling artists but are actually trust fund kids. The town is sometimes too hip for its own good (for instance, instead of your usual subway musician, I once saw an experimental jazz trio with a tap dancer performing at the Williamsburg stop). It's an old polish neighborhoord that's been gentrified. That said, you can still find a relatively good deal there, but because landlords are cashing-in on the hip factor, a lot of places are overpriced dumps. But you should see it for yourself, it's worth a visit.