NYC greekchatters...

sailorchicDG · #1 01-20-2005, 01:00 PM

Hey all, I'm lookin to move to NYC in August and I was wondering what affordable areas to look at. I would like to find an apt. in the city or burroughs. I'd like a 2 br/1 bth to share with a roommates. Can anyone give any advice or suggestions besides the obvious (NY times, villiage voice, online apt searches). Please let me know! Thanks!!

Munchkin03 · #2 01-20-2005, 02:11 PM

There's an older thread on this very same topic, but since the person who originally started it was found out to be a PHONY, I see no problem with starting a fresh thread.

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For an apartment share, the best thing to do is go on craigslist.org. If you're going to be affiliated or if you have a friend who is a Columbia or NYU student, have them look at the off-campus housing registries for their universities--there are almost always people looking for a young female roommate.

If you're looking to sign a lease on an apartment, you should be prepared. July-September are the hardest times to look for apartments, and as a result prices can be higher than they are at other times of year. If you can do an apartment share or find a sublet until October, then things might be a little easier for you.

Depending on the neighborhood and borough, rents on a 2-bedroom can be anywhere from $1100 right on up to $3000 a month or more. The most affordable neighborhoods include Inwood, Morningside Heights, and Washington Heights (in Manhattan), Brooklyn with the exception of parts of Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights (although there are deals to be had there as well), and most parts of Queens and the Bronx. There are rent deals for persons with incomes below a certain level, but the waiting lists are very long for those.

If you're moving here without a job, you may need a cosigner on your lease whose annual income is at least 75 times your monthly rent. Depending on the broker or rental agent, that cosigner may have to be a resident of New York State, New Jersey, or Connecticut.

winneythepooh7 · #3 01-20-2005, 02:30 PM

What is your idea of "affordable"? Everyone I know is different in how much they are willing to spend on rent. Munchkin was right though with everything she said. I'd suggest contacting the DG alumnae association in NYC, I know they have one. Maybe they know someone who needs a roommate. If you get something by yourself in the boros, rent is going to be at least $800-$1000 (or more) depending where you go, unless you get an illegal basement apartment like I have and you usually have to know someone to do this for obvious reasons. Craigslist.org is a good site, there are always listings on there for people looking for roommates. I would look into this a lot though, I know living with other people can be difficult and one of my DPhiE sisters is experiencing problems with this right now. Also, to rent a room, you will probably need a guarantor as well or be able to prove you make at least 40times the rent. It's very pricey too because you will need first and last months rent, and if you get a broker, add the broker's fee on top of that which is usually the same amount as the rent. I know someone who recently got his own apartment ($1700 a month+utilities) and it was almost $6000 down so he could move in. I will keep my ears open if I hear of anyone looking for a roommate though. I think the college/grad student idea is the best bet though. I think that once we are out of school for a few years, most of us tend to wanna live alone!!!

Rudey · #4 01-20-2005, 02:32 PM

If you're hot, I have heard of dudes who will put you up for free.

One guy runs a website called Mike's Apartment.

-Rudey

moe.ron · #5 01-20-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
If you're hot, I have heard of dudes who will put you up for free.

One guy runs a website called Mike's Apartment.

-Rudey

Great website.

Rudey · #6 01-20-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moe.ron
Great website.

High five.

I'm talking really high five...like I am running from 8 feet back and jumping real high.

-Rudey
--Can you handle it?

moe.ron · #7 01-20-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
High five.

I'm talking really high five...like I am running from 8 feet back and jumping real high.

-Rudey
--Can you handle it?

Yes I can. You have an account to share?

Peaches-n-Cream · #8 01-20-2005, 03:01 PM

NYC is closed.

DolphinChicaDDD · #9 01-20-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
NYC is closed.

damn, and just when i was thinking about making the move across the river!

IowaStatePhiPsi · #10 01-20-2005, 07:41 PM

try Riker's Island

hottytoddy · #11 01-20-2005, 08:59 PM

When I started looking...I couldn't find a 2 BR that was afforadable in the city. Maybe in Astoria(Queens), Brooklyn or Jersey. Try www.craigslist.com -you may get lucky. I amin Tribeca and it's pretty pricey...I probably won't stay for long in Tribeca.

winneythepooh7 · #12 01-20-2005, 09:33 PM

The neighborhood I live in is pretty good and only 10 minutes from Mid-town Manhattan. My area is called Sunnyside. As Hottytoddy mentioned, other close areas to Manhattan in Queens are Astoria, Long Island City, and then Woodside. While there are a few areas in each of these locations that are not great safety-wise, and far from the train, the rents are pretty decent and there is still a lot to do in terms of restaurants and nightlife. Also the subway is right there in *some* of these areas and if you do go out in Manhattan and want to cab it home at night, it won't usually cost ya more than $15.00 to get home. If I had money, I definately would live in Manhattan but since I am a Social Worker and don't want a gazillion roommates, I guess I will just have to stay "bridge and tunnel" for now

If you have any questions about a certain area or street address in Queens, feel free to PM me. I know Queens pretty well and can look up the area and tell you if it is safe to live in or is ghettofied, or isolated. Also be wary that many of the buildings in these areas of Queens are not always maintained well. I recommend going with a private house if you can!!! If you don't mind a farther commute from Manhattan, I recommend checking out areas in Queens like residential Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens, Bellerose, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Forest Hills and Rego Park. You can check out more of Queens by going to www.queensbp.org. Again, feel free to PM me

Now I am waiting to hear Mr. Manhattan himself, Russ make fun of everyone who lives in Queens or the other outer boros...........

ZTAMich · #13 01-20-2005, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by winneythepooh7
The neighborhood I live in is pretty good and only 10 minutes from Mid-town Manhattan. My area is called Sunnyside. As Hottytoddy mentioned, other close areas to Manhattan in Queens are Astoria, Long Island City, and then Woodside. While there are a few areas in each of these locations that are not great safety-wise, and far from the train, the rents are pretty decent and there is still a lot to do in terms of restaurants and nightlife. Also the subway is right there in *some* of these areas and if you do go out in Manhattan and want to cab it home at night, it won't usually cost ya more than $15.00 to get home. If I had money, I definately would live in Manhattan but since I am a Social Worker and don't want a gazillion roommates, I guess I will just have to stay "bridge and tunnel" for now If you have any questions about a certain area or street address in Queens, feel free to PM me. I know Queens pretty well and can look up the area and tell you if it is safe to live in or is ghettofied, or isolated. Also be wary that many of the buildings in these areas of Queens are not always maintained well. I recommend going with a private house if you can!!! If you don't mind a farther commute from Manhattan, I recommend checking out areas in Queens like residential Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens, Bellerose, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Forest Hills and Rego Park. You can check out more of Queens by going to www.queensbp.org. Again, feel free to PM me Now I am waiting to hear Mr. Manhattan himself, Russ make fun of everyone who lives in Queens or the other outer boros...........

The outer boros are great and can help with not only cost of living but commute time if you work out there as well. And if Russ starts to make fun of us, I'm gonna go Bronx on him. And it ain't gonna be pretty...

IowaStatePhiPsi · #14 01-20-2005, 11:00 PM

Kew Gardens (Queens) seemed nice when I stayed out there with a friend for a week.

Peaches-n-Cream · #15 01-21-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DolphinChicaDDD
damn, and just when i was thinking about making the move across the river!

OK. We're open now.

But NYC is crowded and overpriced.