nancy161

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of real estate agents, websites, etc. to find an apartment under $2000/month in NYC. I guess for this price it is not easy in Manhattan; perhaps other safe neighborhoods?
Thanks.

Gekko

Craigslist & NY Times.

You should be able to find a walk-up studio for that price.

Good luck!

nytraveler

Where will you be working?

In NYC transit is key - and which areas you should be looking in will depend on if you;re working downtown (perhaps Brooklyn), midtown (maybe nearby jersey or Astoria) depending on the east or west side.

You should be aware that landlords typically expect you to prove income of 40 times the annual rent - that is for a $2000 apartment you will have to make $80,000 a year. And expect to pay first month's rent and security - if you can find a place with no agent - who typically charge 15% of the year's rent.

If you tell us where you will be working people may be able to make specific suggestions.

Brookside

You are on a budget, so no-fee (no broker fee, that is) is the way to go. I've heard www.urbansherpany.com is a good place to search for management cos. that rent apts. without a fee.

Bettina Equities (you have to watch them very closely -- their apts. go very quickly) is one such company. Also Eberhart Bros. (google them - easy to find) - they rent no-fee apts on the UES

You could also do as Gekko advises and find a roommate or sublet on Craigslist. Use commen sense and a wee bit of caution and you should do well. Good luck!

frogoutofwater

There are a lot of scams on Craigslist, so be careful with those listings.

This is a link to a discussion forum that includes a section on living in New York. I found it helpful when I was moving here last year: http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/

www.streeteasy.com is a good website to use to get a sense of rental rates in different areas of New York.

As others have suggested, I'd highly recommend that if you're moving on your own, that you try to find a sublet or a share for the first few months. I have moved a lot in the last ten years or so (NYC, home, London, home, Paris, NYC again) and I have realized how valuable it is to try out a neighbourhood and a commute-route before committing yourself to a longer-term rental. Also, if you don't have a job lined up yet, you need to know where you're working before picking a place to live.

mclaurie

Here's a link that gives info (4 ways to find a no fee apt.) including names and addresses of mgmt cos. Not sure how up to date it is. http://www.theinsider.com/nyc/save/015NoFeeApts.htm

Lots of good info here
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=35111862

Gekko

A sublet is good advice, but it may not be practical if furniture is moving too.

frogoutofwater

Some sublets are possible, even if you're moving furniture, because someone may be moving out altogether but with time left on the lease (or wanting to keep the option of moving back because the apartment is a good deal). However, I think some of us were recommending a sublet as an in-between stage (before furniture arrives) - so that the OP can get settled into a job, find her way around the city, try out the neighbourhood, etc.

nytraveler

If you don;t already have a job no landlord will rent you an apartment - unless you have a co-signer who makes 80 times the monthly rent. That is $160,000 for a $2000 apartment.

I think people are suggesting either going into a share short-term - or trying to find an (illegal) sublet - to give you a chance to get used to the neighborhoods (and get a job if you don;t have one). (The sublet will be illegal - since if the landlord has to approve it they will have the same financial requirements as a primary renter - and without landlord OK it is illegal.)

regulator

Does this have to be in Manhattan?

I can easily get an apartment for one person in a safe neighborhood for less than half of that. BTW, I am a private landlord. Bureaucratic rules do not apply to me and many others. I own the buildings and I make the qualification rules.

This may not be about travel but I have a 3 bedroom apartment with a 250sf front balcony and a backyard for 1650 / month located in the bus-to-subway zone in Whitestone available now. This place has gleaming wood floors and is in near-perfect condition. This is a great neighborhood and you can get anywhere with the bus.

To live within walking distance of the subway you can find a studio for 800 / mo in Wooside, Jackson Heights, Astoria, etc... Go to College Point (10 minute bus ride to Main Street) you can find a studio for 600 / mo. My place for rent now is a 25 minute bus ride to Main Street but three large bedrooms and a backyard and a front balcony...great deal.

lizziea06

Nytraveler - that is not necessarily true about income requirements for subleases. Because the overtenant is still responsible for the rent, it is between the undertenant and the overtenant. The landlord will typically check the undertenant's credit and can request copies of bank statements. Most times, the security deposit and income requirements are between the overtenant and the undertenant.

I speak from experience, both with my current apartment (which will be sublet beginning this Saturday) and my last apartment. Both from different large management companies.

nytraveler

Many landlors don't want subtenants. they would rather the tenant move out so they can raise the rent. In that case they apply the rules as listed to prevent the tenant rom finding a qualified subtenant.

Your situation may differ if you're paying full market value for the apartment - then they have no reson to move you out.

RaymondLuxuryYacht

Nancy,

Unless Manhattan is a must for you, consider Brooklyn. There are lots of nice, safe areas, and it's not as dense as Manhattan (we have trees on the streets here!). Depending on where you are in Brooklyn, Manhattan is a very short subway ride away. I pay $1600/mo. for a roomy 1-bedroom apt. in a nice building/safe neighborhood (Clinton Hill). I'm a block from a subway station, and a half-hour commute to midtown Manhattan. Fort Greene, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights are other nice neighborhoods, though they're a bit pricier than Clinton Hill.

Good luck!
Mike

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Ryan

Hoboken might be at least worth a look. On a relative price basis, you get far more for your money.

We had a 3 bedroom apartment in a building with a pool and gym - with stunning views of the city - for about $3000 a month. That was about two years ago and prices might have changed, but I would think a one bedroom would be far more reasonable than NY.

Neighborhood wise there are plenty of good places to eat and things to do. As far as commuting goes, you have the option of the PATH, the NY Waterway Ferry, and the bus.

The one downside of Hoboken is that getting home on off hours can be a pain. The PATH train runs but it will take longer.

nancy161

Thank you for the tips and suggestions.
Brooklyn sounds like a good possibility.
I checked New York Times online and saw quite a few listed for Harlem area; and, not sure where Washington Heights is. Are these safe areas, too?

escargot

nancy: if you want to be in the city for a month and get acclimated, you could also consider staying in a room at the DeHirsch Residences at the 92nd St Y while you look, find an apartment, get all your ducks in order - and then move in -

you must stay at least one month - my daughter did this once a few years ago during a summer internship - if gave her a chance to figure out the city, the areas, the bus/ subway/ what parts would work best for her - etc.

just a thought.

lp_nyc

Washington Heights is a great neighborhood. Best bet is to consider apts between 175th and 190th streets. The closer one is to the river, the better the location.

If you will be working in midtown, there is an Express A train stop at 181st street and Ft Washington Ave that will get you to Columbus Circle in 20 minutes

escargot

lp_nyc - giving the transportation info is important -
depending on where you work will have great impact on where you would want to live - the commute, the cross town bus, t he subway, etc - I think it is hard to advise without knowing where you have to be every day and/or possibly for evening commuting or if you want to stay in the city late going out.

joyce1

Craigslist is pretty good for this sort of stuff over here.

rbnwdlr

Our daughter lives in Astoria and it is a quick subway ride into Manhattan. She is at the last stop of the subway so there are always seats going in and the neighborhood is cool, if you like city living.