Where to move for less than a 1000????

[gina]

Hey everyone im new to this forum and i need help!!! I wanna move to new york in may of 2008. I dont need to live in the city im actually looking at apts in staten island, long island & new jersey but i don't wanna be more than 30 to 40 minutes out total time door to door. I wan't to rent and a studio is fine!!! What areas would you consider for a single girl who will sometimes go out at night and be walking alone??? I will also have a car!!! Being from california i spend my life in my car which is probably why the city is out. I have a dog and just in general taking him to the vet and daycare and just going for a drive i need a car and how does one go about getting a reputable broker and is it necessary???? Never heard of that in cali. BTW i know i mentioned my dog and im not too worried about renting with him because he is a certified therapy/handicap dog and out in cali people have to allow him anywhere the thing is a) he's a pibull and i know peoples predjudices against the breed and b) he is not a therapy dog for me personally he goes to hospitals and schools with the local police depts, however i am his sole handler. Did i mention i want all this for less than a 1000!! Thanx so much for your suggestions

[viralmd]

I have no idea WHERE you'd find any place with that kind of rent where you'd actually WANT to live. And don't bet on them letting your dog in just because he's a therapy dog. If you don't need him to assist YOU (he is medically necessary for YOU) he's not going to be coming into the apartment with you. And a car? Obviously not in NYC. And 'just go for a drive?' This is NOT a NY thing to do....

[Schadenfrau]

I have to agree- none of this sounds very feasible.

Where would you be working that you expect a 30 minute commute, an apartment of your own for under $1,000, and the ability to own and drive a car?

[gina]

I heard queens before. Is it a city???? Because i heard that it's a place where you can walk to anything such as a coffee place or a grocery store. I was also considering long isaland i heard that was part of queens??? Are these considered more of a suburb or the city???? As far as my dog i wasnt sure myself but it was clarified by the aspca in n.y. that i will not have a problem renting with him as long as he's certified which he is. So im not worried about that part of it anymore. Thank god!!!! Thanx for the responses. Oh i'll be working downtown in the macys coorperate offices. Dont exactly know what part of downtown that is. Thanx

[shocka]

Gina,

Queens might be a good choice. In areas such as Astoria, Sunnyside and Woodside you might be able to find a studio for under $1000/month. These nabes are a quick commute to manhattan. Another area of queens to look into is Forest Hills or Forest hills gardens. Just where ever you look, check out the proximity to the nearest subway.

Keeping a car is dificult BUT NOT impossible. I have a car in Queens, parking is not the pain but it CAN be done.

For a quick geography lesson, Queens is a borough of NYC, just east of Manhattan. Long Island is connected to Queens, but is not part of NYC and is considered a Suburb of NYC. LI is East of Queens. Oh and Long Island is boring! It is no different then any suburb in the country.

Best of Luck.

[Schadenfrau]

Astoria, Sunnyside, and Woodside are great neighborhoods, but I would be truly shocked if you could find anything but a share for under $1,000 in any of them.

[gina]

Wow i was way off. I thought queens was like the bronx or brooklyn. I see alot of basement apts in queens and long island usually for around $800.00.
I just thought they were that cheap because they were so far from the city.Is kew gardens any good? I saw some pretty cheap apts there to.

[Schadenfrau]

Uh... Queens is like the Bronx or Brooklyn- all of which border Manhattan, and all of which are IN New York City, not near/far from it. Have you looked at a map?

Honestly, it doesn't sound like you're anywhere close to being ready to move to New York. Even for a beginner, your knowledge is way too shaky. Get a better sense of what's out there and what you can deal with, then come back with specific questions. To do any less is a waste of your time.

[gina]

Well... a) thats why i joined this forum b) im not moving til may and c) yes i have looked at a map but unfortunantly the map doest give specifics as far as what neighborhoods have the apts. Thanx for your input anyways i'll be sure to take it into it in to cosideration.

[shocka]

Astoria, Sunnyside, and Woodside are great neighborhoods, but I would be truly shocked if you could find anything but a share for under $1,000 in any of them.


Schadenfrau.... they dont call me the shocka for nothing :p (i aplogize for the cheesy line! but I really couldnt help it)

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/fee/424463660.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/fee/421606218.html - If legit GREAT LOCATION

Invest some time and it can be found! And honestly that 2nd listing, as I mentioned if it is a legit listing has the potential to be a great deal. There are a few Co-Ops in that area with laid back rental terms, and the owners rent them out at a bargain.



Gina,
Start with this for the map.. http://ddcftp.nyc.gov/pb/boromap.asp
Where you see Nassau County is Long Island.

Now here are some things to keep in mind

if you pay $850 in Long Island and work in Manhattan you will have to pay at least $150+ for a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) monthly ticket to get to manhattan daily. In addtion you may have to drive your car every morning to the train station. Plus when you go out to Manhattan at night, you will not enjoy taking the LIRR home alone.

In long ISland I hope you already have friends there, because finding friends will not be that easy unless you live in a place like Long Beach, but I doubt u will find a place for under $1000/month in LB.

IN MY OPINION there are only 2 reasons to live in Long Island...you grew up there and have a lot of friends and family around...or you have a family and kids and want the extra space for the family.

Kew Gardens decent area to live, just make sure you are close to the subway station.

Some other links to look at

Long Island Map - http://mach1consulting.com/Uppereast/LongIslandMap2.gif
NYC Subway Map - http://www.onnyturf.com/subway
LIRR Info - http://www.mta.info/lirr/ Hell read the whole MTA.info site you will get a lot of information on transportation
EDIT: JUST FOUND THIS BOOKMARK NOW!!!!! http://www.sublet.com/spider/AreaDesc/Queens/Astoria.html


Finally, with Queens ... Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse parts of NYC with many ethnic pockets. Please do some research on the various areas of Queens..especially if you are uncomfortable with living in ethnic pockets.

Now go do some research...I am expecting a 15 page single spaced Arial 10 paper on NYC tomorrow :D

Good Luck,

shocka...

[Front_Porch]

I've rented a fabulous 1-bedroom apartment (unfortunately, no longer available) in Long Beach for $1,000 -- I think it's certainly possible to replicate that, especially if you are willing to live in someone's converted, finished basement.


Long Beach is safe, it's diverse, it's got a good grocery store, and a wonderful beach. While you would be stuck for an LIRR monthly ticket, there are lots of places that are a 10-15 minute walk from the train station, and you could get by without a car.


You could certainly find an apartment off craigslist (I see lots of studios for under $850) but your best bet would be to go there and read "for rent" flyers in the train station, Waldbaum's, on light poles, etc.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[gina]

Wow what is it with long island???? You're the third person that said it wouldnt be easy to make friends. You know i never cosidered the public transportation system. Being from california i always use my car. Now this long island thing...What's the differece between long island city in queens and long island??? These were also neighborhoods i was considering...bensonhurst-bay ridge and queens (i like astoria or ozone park so thanx for mentioning that) I found a place in far rockaway that seemed waaaay to good to be true it had everything inclunding room service and it was 925. So i called the police dept to see if it was safe and they said noooo!!! I really need a board like this because a couple of neighbourhoods i was considering ended up on you tube and their not the kind of places i would want to go look at apts!!!! It was all gang stuff like i've never seen before!!! Thanx for all your help guys!!!... I really appreciate it!!!...:D

[Schadenfrau]

Really- you've never considered public transportation? No matter how green you are, I still don't believe that you think people can just hop in their cars and drive to work in Manhattan.

Sorry, but I'm starting to think we're being baited.

[Stern]

Really- you've never considered public transportation? No matter how green you are, I still don't believe that you think people can just hop in their cars and drive to work in Manhattan.

Sorry, but I'm starting to think we're being baited.


Easy Schade, she's from California, public transportation is not part of their mentality.

[Schadenfrau]

Still, I moved here from an area with even less public transportation than most areas of California, as did many other people I know. I don't know a single person who moved to New York with the idea that they could pull up in front of their Manhattan office, park their car, and go to work.

Gina claims that she'll be working at Macy's corporate offices, so that's apparently what she has in mind.

[shocka]

Wow what is it with long island???? You're the third person that said it wouldnt be easy to make friends.

I moved to Long Island in 93, went to College there and lived there until 2005. When in HS and College it was great. When i graduated I found LI to be extremely boring, not enough of a social single scene and boring chain restaurants. If you are moving here to be in NYC (manhattan) then Long Island is not the best choice.

You know i never cosidered the public transportation system. Being from california i always use my car.
Consider it...you will love it; it IS a way of life in NY. BTW, I grew up a car guy; always had a nice car that I would hook up.. and most recently even had an '04 RX-8 but keeping a car started to become a pain so I sold it.

Now this long island thing...What's the differece between long island city in queens and long island???

Long Island City is a nabe right outside Manhattan and is a great area. I live here and really like it! LIC can be pricey though, especially if you look at the high rise rentals on the water. Not sure if you could find a place here under $1000 though. Just becareful w/ craigslist ads for LIC, LIC is actually a rather LARGE area according to Postal Codes;

[gina]

P.S.
I will be working in macys corp offices macys and bloomingdales are owned by the same company i will be working on broadway in the macys corp offices but for bloomies. I know that theres someone on this board a little too green to understand. So i thought i would explain that. Thanx to everyone else!!!

[Schadenfrau]

Gina posted this on another thread:

"I actually have to move to new york for a better position. I will be working for bloomingdales as a jr. buyer if I stay in cali the pay is much less and would take alot longer to advance. I never found it hard to make friends in l.a. but in san francisco it's a bit harder for me. The only 2 things i want is an apt for less than 1000 and a 1 shot commute (no transfers) Since i probably wont be able to drive to work i am willing to pay for my parking which is why i want to pay less than a 1000. I was told people take car service and it's $10 for a 20min ride is that true?? Or are the cabs cheaper and how far are they willing to go???? Now as far as brokers do you need them to rent outside of the city??? I know it's usually hard to find apts in the city but is it just as hard eveywhere else??? I was just considering meeting with brokers when i go in feb and tell them what i want. The thing is everytime i go on craigslist i find some good deals. i just dont know how safe those areas are. I would love to live in a basement apt. i hope that when i get ready to move thats what i end up with. They seem alot larger than most apts."


Also, you're in luck, Gina: I used to be an assistant buyer for Bloomingdale's! However, I worked in the corporate office on 59th, and have never heard of junior buyers. How long has Federated employed Bloomingdale's buyers in the Macy's offices?

[718Bound]

BTW i know i mentioned my dog and im not too worried about renting with him because he is a certified therapy/handicap dog and out in cali people have to allow him anywhere the thing is a) he's a pibull and i know peoples predjudices against the breed and b) he is not a therapy dog for me personally he goes to hospitals and schools with the local police depts, however i am his sole handler.



As far as my dog i wasnt sure myself but it was clarified by the aspca in n.y. that i will not have a problem renting with him as long as he's certified which he is. So im not worried about that part of it anymore.


These laws have been set up to help people with disabilites. It seems pretty shady of a person who is not using the dog because of a disability to expect to be protected by the same law.:confused: Also just because a landlord has to legally allow your dog does not mean s/he will. See how well it goes when the landlord finds out it is not your therapy dog and it is pitbull on top of that. I love the breed my sister has a half pitbull half half bulldog, she is the sweetest thing ever... but people are scared of what they hear on the news.

Back on to the topic of your apartment. You should really think about sharing an apartment. You get more bang for your buck, live in a better area, and if you don't like it in most cases you can move out with 30 days notice.

[Front_Porch]

If you are going to work for a large national corporation you might want to check with the New York H/R people, sometimes they will help you find an apartment or share and even pick up the brokerage fee.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[NewYorkDoc]

Rentals within the boroughs <1,000 are out there. I've found many of them, heck I live in one. My commute to downtown is 30 mins and midtown is 40-45.

Just do a search. If you must live under 1,000 I'd recommend not being too picky on area. You don't have to live in the areas with the highest crime rates if you don't want to, but don't expect the more popular areas.