Moving to New York

[Front_Porch]

If you want to be uptown sure. If you want to be in the Village or Chelsea or Tribeca, private message me through here.

Also, if you want to buy, I'll be selling a 2-BR SoHo condo across from a garage where they know from Lamborghini, Maserati, etc. and will take good care of your baby.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[the_online_legend]

This condo is nice but I was looking for something ultra modern. And maybe a tad bigger...

Thanks though, any living suggestions are welcome as I really have little or no idea!



This will tide you over at $6000 per month, until you get something better.


http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1315753319/bclid1315742636/bctid1333257701

[lofter1]

I know just what you mean ^ something with glass and space and room to stretch is what is called for ...

Besides, having $3,000,000 in mad money lying around and taking up all that space in the Lambo is enough to make you go crazy, eh?

[Front_Porch]

Legend --

I replied to your PM with a couple more details, and I am still researching the car-transport thing.

what is your timeframe for coming to the U.S.?

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[the_online_legend]

I know just what you mean ^ something with glass and space and room to stretch is what is called for ...

Besides, having $3,000,000 in mad money lying around and taking up all that space in the Lambo is enough to make you go crazy, eh?

haha well yes something with nice wide windows and an open view would be marvellous.
And I value my money, it's not like I have $3 mill just LYING around... I worked hard for it.
Same for the Lambo ;)

But yes I find myself fortunate to be able to decide what I want to do with my life by moving to New York.

ALI - I'm moving in about a month...

[Front_Porch]

legend--

I hear you. Let me talk to my owner; haven't forgotten about you.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[Photogirl]

Hey myself and a friend are moving to New York for 3 months in April. I was just wondering would anyone have any ideas if we will be able to find a 2 bedroom apartment easily enough. We would like to live around the Williamsburg/DUMBO area as i am a photographer and she is a musician. Any tips would be greately appreciated.Thanks in advance!

[stace2star]

Hello! My fiance and I are planning on moving to NYC after we get married mid March. We will have a good sum saved up for the move, as we have been living with our parents for almost a year now. We both completed college last year - he has a degree in creative & technical writing and has been working as a sports writer/editor for a local paper. I hold a graduate degree in Arts Management with a few internships in marketing and have been working as an assistant in a Real Estate Office. The job market is horrible here in Florida and I'm hoping that NYC will bring better opporunties! He would like to staying in writing/editing and I would like to work for a theatre, museum, or non profit.

We would like to secure jobs for our move in April and I have a few questions:

1. Is employment neccessary before relocation to sign a lease? Would rent up front suffice? I know that there are strict rental requirements in ny. We are looking at areas of brooklyn, astoria, and hoboken.

2. Would it be any way near possible to set up interviews, fly up, and get a job within a week? Or is this pushing it?

3. If you were an out of state applicant, did you find any companies interested before you relocated?

4. Any insight into the nyc job market?

The whole finding a job and moving process seems a bit daunting and hard to plan. Any advice from past experiences would be great! :)

Thanks you,
Stacey

[Front_Porch]

online_legend, are you still there?

This is half an answer.

Making this a general post in case anyone has the same question.

To transport a car from "A" to "B," it is handed over to a transport firm, which calls for a driver off a list of drivers it uses, drives the car into a container, ships it, and then has it driven off on the other end.

This is pretty much the procedure I used to ship Art Deco club chairs from London to New York.

When you're shipping anything overseas, it has to clear customs, which means time and paperwork.

The extra problems that you face with a luxury car (or in the case of a Lamborghini the jargon is "exotic car") are:

a) higher risk of theft
b) risk of driver misuse as they decide to play with your toy
c) exotic cars are extra-low slung, so they can't be put on all standard equipment

So you can't just use a regular shipper. Car thieves are good and are capable of taking an entire container to get to a brand new car (a friend who is a Hollywood screenwriter reports he lost a Porsche this way, even though it was Lojacked).

Also, because regular shippers use drivers who may or may not be bonded, you don't want to use just anybody, but would rather have a personal recommendation, even if it's second- or third-hand.

I then checked in with some of the big Lamborghini dealers in the U.S. -- such as Lamborghini of Orange County, which claims to be the biggest dealer in America -- and they won't answer the transport question.

Now I have a ping in to someone at an Exotic Car Rental agency, who owns a lot of $200K cars and moves them around, and I think he will.

If he won't, I will ask the high-end insurers.

Sorry this is taking so long; stay tuned for part two of the answer.

ali r.
{downtown broker and tireless exotic car researcher}

[lofter1]

I'd think that transporting a car from overseas would be a piece of cake.

I mean, what could go wrong (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=213190&postcount=178) :confused:

[Front_Porch]

We have a winner! Zach at the Classic Car Club of Manhattan recommends Omega Shipping of Long Island City!

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[adchick82]

Hello! My fiance and I are planning on moving to NYC after we get married mid March. We will have a good sum saved up for the move, as we have been living with our parents for almost a year now. We both completed college last year - he has a degree in creative & technical writing and has been working as a sports writer/editor for a local paper. I hold a graduate degree in Arts Management with a few internships in marketing and have been working as an assistant in a Real Estate Office. The job market is horrible here in Florida and I'm hoping that NYC will bring better opporunties! He would like to staying in writing/editing and I would like to work for a theatre, museum, or non profit.

We would like to secure jobs for our move in April and I have a few questions:

1. Is employment neccessary before relocation to sign a lease? Would rent up front suffice? I know that there are strict rental requirements in ny. We are looking at areas of brooklyn, astoria, and hoboken.

2. Would it be any way near possible to set up interviews, fly up, and get a job within a week? Or is this pushing it?

3. If you were an out of state applicant, did you find any companies interested before you relocated?

4. Any insight into the nyc job market?

The whole finding a job and moving process seems a bit daunting and hard to plan. Any advice from past experiences would be great! :)

Thanks you,
Stacey

I am in the process of relocating from out of state. I can only speak to my industry in regards to how quickly employment can be obtained and whether people are willing to consider you prior to relocation... but for what it's worth, this is how it went for me.

I work in advertising (specifically media planning), and went through a recruiter/headhunter - she was able to set up interviews w/ 5 agencies over a 2 day period in January - I started talking with her about 2.5 weeks prior to my visit. I received several offers from different agencies, and they were all aware that I was not yet living in the city.

However, the rumor is that there are something like 500 open media planning jobs in New York right now, so the agencies have serious motivation to look for talent located both in and out of the city. Other industries (and even other segments of the ad industry) have the luxury of only considering applicants who are already in New York - it's all about supply and demand.

Their biggest/only concern about hiring someone who hadn't yet relocated was how quickly I could be there. They were all fine with a 3-4 week time frame (I accepted a job on 1/28 and will start work on 2/25), but anything longer would've been pushing it.

I've heard of people who have had good luck starting at a temp agency and looking for positions that interest them long term - then trying to get a full-time offer from the company... since it sounds like you both have limited experience post-college, that might be the best way to go. I can't speak to the ease of signing a lease without being employed - students might be able to answer that question.

Good luck!

[stace2star]

Thanks Adchick for the advice! Do you mind me asking who you used for a headhunter?

Thank again!

[voodoochild]

What is a co-op? What is the difference between a co-op and a condo?
Co-Op's are units and when you buy one you have shares in the building itself. It is hard to get into some. I sold one in Staten Island once and it was $1,000 just to submit an aplication to the board. If they do not accept you you lose your money. Then if you do get in you have to pay monthly maintenance fees anywhere from $800-$2000 on top of your monthly mortgage. With a condo, you buy, no board to go in front of and the maintenance is $30-$120+.

[FatCrackr131]

I have a few questions, but before I ask I will give you a little background info. Please, I don't want to hear about how stupid I am or how completely jackass and under prepared my plan is. I and my friend are going to be moving to New York sometime around April, I am going to be 17 and he is going to be 18.... We will have very little money saved up, if any. And we will probably own a vehicle. Also, we will likely be moving somewhere near Brooklyn and I am doing a little research to see just how screwed we will be and how difficult it will be to get off of our feet when we get there. We are not sure what New York is like so I do not know what to expect as far as housing and costs.....

1: What would be the best for of housing for us? Rent an apartment?

2: How much is the average salary for a full-time job somewhere that does not require a high-school education or any form of prior experience?

3: How difficult would it be for 2 people from Washington state to move to New York without any money and try to get jobs and afford an apartment?

[Front_Porch]

I feel like variations of this question keep popping up and I don't know what to say. This is the most wonderful city, and yet it is very expensive to live here and competition for good jobs is high.

If you move here without diplomas, money, or connections, you will end up working at Starbucks (which will at least get you health insurance) for $7 an hour and renting a bedroom in someone's home an hour away from midtown Manhattan.

I honestly can't think of a "salaried" job that you can get without a high school diploma.

Also, your housing choices are going to be lousy and lousier, because any landlord with a decent apartment to rent is going to want you to have money saved and a job.

My apartment in a decent suburban community an hour on the train from the city goes to students that have jobs, security deposits, AND co-signers.

Landlords can afford to be picky so you're going to be stuck with a bedroom or a basement that's an illegal rental.

If you want to keep your car in Manhattan, it will cost you between $350 and $500 a month just for the parking space, so don't forget one of you will have to take a second job to afford that.

That strikes me as a really hard life, and I would say stay in school, but I guess I'm not 17 anymore.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[adchick82]

Thanks Adchick for the advice! Do you mind me asking who you used for a headhunter?

Thank again!

It was an advertising-specific agency - unfortunately not something that would help you the fields you're interested in... you'll also find that headhunters (at least in the ad industry - I imagine it's pretty typical unless you're going into finance) don't place entry level candidates... it's just not worth it from a cost/benefit perspective... they are paid out at a rate of 15-20% of the person's annual salary if their candidate accepts an offer (paid by the hiring company, not the candidate) - so it's hard for them to justify spending time placing someone who will earn $35,000 annually in lieu of working to place someone who commands $65,000+.

[Infectious]

I have a few questions...

FatCrackr131, I've got to be real with you here. If you're really thinking about moving to NY with little to no research on your own part, you're going to fail. Now I'm not saying you're stupid but I AM telling you how ridiculously under prepared your plan is, and that is...VERY under prepared. You know it's under prepared too and you want us to spare your feelings. Let me tell you something though, in the real world your feelings will not be spared. Get used to it.

First, I don't know what's preventing you from finishing HS but I recommend you fight through it and find a way to get through it. You said that you're "going to be 17" which leads me to believe you're about 16 at the moment. I mean are you seriously considering the move at 16 with no HS diploma and no previous job experience? You'd be lucky to find a job and if you did it wouldn't be anytime soon and in the meantime you'd have to find a place to live. You know that landlords often require to see pay stubs to know that you're good for the money? What pay stubs do you have?

And even if you sublet a place from someone they'd ask for at least first, last months rent and a security. This means that if you and your friend found a sublet for $1,000 a month total for the both of you, you would need at least $3,000 just to move in. And hey guess what...in the REAL world, you're the one paying for food, gas, parking, clothes, utilities, bills, transportation...etc so you would need another couple thousand to live off of while you look for your job.

Don't let me discourage you though. I'm sure there's some way to move to NY and survive, albeit you'll be sleeping in your car at night, shivering in the cold NY nights as a serial murderer comes a tapping at your car door. Destitute and in bad spirits you'll resort to peddling drugs on neighborhood street corners where eventually your criminal life catches up to you and you're arrested on drug charges. No worries now though, because they're hauling you off to jail where you'll have free room and board, three square meals a day and plenty of exercise while avoiding being shanked in the prison yard. This could be your life, with only a small variation. Don't let that be you. Your plan reeks of a substandard life, unfortunately a substandard life in NY equals a death sentence.

And because I know you're young and my generation apparently dislikes reading, I've assembled the answers to your three questions here.

1. The best housing for you would be a 5,000 square foot million dollar Manhattan loft. The most likely housing for you at this point...your car/COZY studio apartment.

2. I'm gonna go with what Front_Porch said here, $7. You see I have no way of knowing as I actually finished HS...silly me.

3. How difficult? Impossible.

I'm not trying to discourage you, seriously! I mean...obviously NY needs more teenage beggars on the street, we just aren't meeting our quota like we used to (damn beggars union strike). Seriously though, finish HS...work a job, save money, and do it the right way. Do your homework about NY, visit it at least once and THEN decide whether you really want to move. I mean the questions you asked could have easily been found out via Google. To live in NY you have to be resourceful, you have to be smart, you have to put up with a lot of people, many of whom aren't the nicest people on the planet. If you can't even take my reply, what makes you think you'll make it in NYC? Until then...it's not the place for you. Try Seattle.

Moral of the story: Finish HS.

[voodoochild]

I second everything that was said above ^.

I have been DYING to move to NYC(I live 10 miles away in Staten Island) for about 6 years now. I am 28yrs old with a career I have been in for 10 years and I STILL can not afford to live anywhere decent in NYC. Not only is rent high there but the cost of living above and beyond housing is nuts.

As for school, you will regret never finishing. Go to college and get on the right career path and then move to the city. Maybe transfer to NYU or something like that in the future. Even a community college.

[youngfashionista0038]

hello,i'm a student frm croatia..i study pharmacy,,and ,one day,I'd really really want 2 move to nyc...Is this possible,to come here and stay legally(because I know it's very hard to get visa 4staying here..:rolleyes:)...how is that possible...is being a pharmacist a good payed job in nyc...?thx 4 answering.....

[Zerstoren]

Hello everyone,

It's great that everyone here is so helpful and informative!

Truth be told, ever since I was a little kid, New York has been a big goal for me. If it's your pleasure to know, moving to New York is #4 on my life-time to-do list, and is the first one not related to family or education!

Now, my problem is thus, I've no idea what sort of salary that I, a professor, could expect from one of the universities in NYU should the oppurtunity present itself to join a faculty. Is anyone aware of the typical income of a science or english literature (yes, both options are open to me) professor?

My requirements for housing are not spectacular. I've no interest in an enourmous loft that makes a mockery of suburban houses in terms of size. Since I have no experience with apartments, it's hard to guess the square footage that is optimum for me; my apologies if this confounds anyone's efforts to help me.

I would prefer to live in the city, which to my understanding means some portion of Manhattan. That aside, my other major concerns are safety and access to public transit.

Am I likely to find such an apartment on a professor's salary to be affordable?

Cheers,
Scott

[Infectious]

Hello everyone,

Now, my problem is thus, I've no idea what sort of salary that I, a professor, could expect from one of the universities in NYU should the oppurtunity present itself to join a faculty. Is anyone aware of the typical income of a science or english literature (yes, both options are open to me) professor?

My requirements for housing are not spectacular. I've no interest in an enourmous loft that makes a mockery of suburban houses in terms of size. Since I have no experience with apartments, it's hard to guess the square footage that is optimum for me; my apologies if this confounds anyone's efforts to help me.

I would prefer to live in the city, which to my understanding means some portion of Manhattan. That aside, my other major concerns are safety and access to public transit.

Am I likely to find such an apartment on a professor's salary to be affordable?

Cheers,
Scott

Hey Scott! I don't live in NY, but I've visited a couple times and have read every single page of this thread so I'll see if I can't answer some of your questions.

As far as salary goes, a poster on this thread had this to say:


I have recently accepted a professor position at Hunter College and will be moving to NYC in July. I will be starting at $70,000/year... On this income, we are thinking that we could reasonable pay $1,200-$1,600/month for an apartment. Now they never said what course of study they were teaching but it gives you an idea as far as salary goes. My estimate for monthly apartment fees for you would be around $1700 maximum(your potential salary divided by 40, I also subtracted 50 for a more conservative estimate) in order to live comfortably, now if you were willing to give up some things you might be able to go higher. Now I'm not too familiar with apartment prices in Manhattan, other than they're WAY out of my budget as a recent college graduate but to be honest with you, I think that unless you're willing to live in the Northernmost parts of Manhattan, you'd be hard pressed to find an affordable place. I've seen small one bedroom studios in Manhattan for $1700. Of course, Brooklyn and Queens are just a just a hop, skip, and a jump from Manhattan and have much more affordable apartments. You could easily get a 2br Apartment in Brooklyn for $1700 a month.

As far as transportation goes, I wouldn't worry about it too much, there are subway stations all over the place and plenty of buses when the subway stations are a little further than desired. NYC and the surrounding Burroughs are pretty easy to get around without a car, and hey since you'll be saving so much money not maintaining a car, you can put your money towards better things; like a better apartment! If you live the true NY lifestyle you should have no problem living in NY. I wish you the best. I'm trying to make the move too now that I've finished college. :)

[regidalo]

We are moving from Europe to New York this summer, and would like to settle in Brooklyn. We have to young teenagers, aged 13 and 14, and we would like them to attend public schools. Is there some kind of public office we apply to for admissions?

[Front_Porch]

regidalo -- http://schools.nyc.gov is the website for you

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[nyc_obsessed]

first of all I have read EVERY page of this thread on and off over the past several weeks, although I have skimmed over most of the ones of posters coming from other countries.

ok so I have done TONS of research, I pretty much live on my computer looking up anything and everything about NYC. I know Manhattan like the back of my hand, I know all the different neighborhoods and play tourguide when I go (I have been there 5 times in the past 4 years with family and friends who have never been and I show them around like i'm a native lol) anyways i've wanted to live there most of my life, oh yeah i'm 27.

So I am finishing up college ( I am graduating next month with an associates in Web Design, I also have an associates in Liberal Arts from a different school) I have been working full time in a high volume Box store (retail) for the past 10 years also. I have supervisor experience and am currently the Visual Specialist for the store. I don't think I will have a hard time finding work in retail in Manhattan...Am I wrong here in thinking that? I am not sure I want to persue a job in Web Design I found I don't like it last semester. I do love what I do now and might want to persue a career in Retail?
Given my research I know that NYC is expensive. I do want to live on my own if possible because I own two small dogs I can't part with. I have only looked into apartment buildings that allow small dogs under 25lbs. I don't know much about outside buroughs but have learned alot about Astoria and LIC and some areas in Brooklyn. I don't want to live in Harlem or the Bronx.

Forgive me if I missed it but I haven't seen anything on many NJ cities? I heard Newark was not safe at all, what about like Jersey City or Hoboken, Hackensack, West New York etc.. Or I don't know much about Staten Island, does anybody on here know of anybody who lives there? I have been there once for lunch at a friend of a friends house and it seems very suburban, are there parts that I can find a decent apartment? I don't really want to have a car, I know about the Staten Island Ferry (obviously) and have been on it several times, is there reasonable apartments close to the ferry so I don't need a car?

About jobs, I have been stalking Careerbuilder and Monster.com, I make about $12 in Michigan where I work, can I expect to find a similar job in a retail Visual position (which there are lots of openings on those sites) for more money? I am hoping I can find a "entry level" web design job that makes more money once I am in the city, but I want to find something in retail to give me an income.

As much as I know about the city, I am clueless as to how I am going to make this move work. I plan on moving by the end of summer. I have a feeling I am going to need a roommate, I will do whatever it takes to make it happen. OH YEAH, is there a big roach problem? I did see one post of roaches and that made me squirm, nobody else mentioned it, is this really a problem still? Sorry if I seem naive on this because I don't hear about it anymore, that post was the first I heard about it in years.

I have so many questions, I hope I get a response I will appreciate any feedback :)

Jen

[nyc_obsessed]

I forgot to mention I have looked into Roosevelt Island, I really like this little Island, does anybody know anybody who lives there? I know it's small, it looks like a nice area to live though, and gorgeous views of the skyline :)

THANKS!
Jen

[Front_Porch]

Nyc_obsessed:

I married into a Staten Island family (in fact, I got married there). It is lovely but often feels more like NJ than like Brooklyn or Queens. It is hard for me to imagine that you would do well there without a car, because even if you live in the neighborhood right near the ferry where are you going to get your groceries? What about when you want to buy a lamp?

On the other hand, maybe finding a roommate with a car might be the way to start.

Roosevelt Island is a bit of a commute so the residents there are generally people who work on the East Side, often diplomats who work at the UN or medical personnell who work at the East Side hospitals.

It all depends on where you are going to end up commuting to -- if you work downtown, Jersey City would be fairly convenient for you. Newark is a huge city, and has some bad parts, but also some very nice ones, and is probably safer overall than you think it is.

Roaches are generally not a huge problem, although they can be more so with pets because food and water are out all the time.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[s4s4r3]

Hi you guys, I have a question for you, I am looking at a Executive Assistant in the Fashion Industry, and I have been trying to figure out the Salary compared to the cost of living and the average annual salary that I could find for a starting position was $57,600. Is that good, can I survive on that? I have housing setup with a friend to move into her house completely paid for (She is moving to Maui and doesn't want to sell) that should shave $1200 a month off my costs.

Please give me feed back!
Thanks!
Seth

[BrooklynRider]

$57,600 is a decent starting salary for an Exec Assistant.


To the poster above asking about Jersey, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Weehawken are all areas you might want to look into for housing. They are directly across the Hudson from Manhattan and have good transportation to Manhattan.

[brianac]

The Hunt
A First Foray Into New York

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/02/16/realestate/600-hunt.jpg Ruby Washington/The New York Times

A seemingly nice building on Ninth Street went unseen. An owner in Christodora House didn’t allow smoking in the unit. An apartment on East 10th Street overlooks Tompkins Square Park. Zeyd Rahman is awaiting a delivery of furniture to fill his new home. More Photos > (http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/17/realestate/0217-HUNT_index.html)

By JOYCE COHEN (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/joyce_cohen/index.html?inline=nyt-per)
Published: February 17, 2008

OPTIMISTIC about getting settled in his new home and starting work, Zeyd Rahman began his apartment hunt the moment he arrived in New York last month.

Multimedia
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/02/17/realestate/190-hunt-ss.jpgSlide Show (http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/17/realestate/0217-HUNT_index.html)The Hunt (http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/17/realestate/0217-HUNT_index.html)

His company, which was transferring him from London, put him up temporarily at a Howard Johnson hotel on East Houston Street. As soon as he got to his room, he went online and searched Craigslist.org for a studio or one-bedroom rental.

He had heard that everyone in New York used that Web site to seek housing.

“The minute you get on,” he said, “it feels that it is the right place because there is so much stuff,” neatly sortable by neighborhood and price.

“I thought I could just do this on my own,” he said.

But his e-mail messages and calls went unreturned. The best listings seemed to be outdated or unavailable. “I must have looked at 100 things online” before managing to land an appointment to see a place, Mr. Rahman said. “There’s a lot to filter.”

Mr. Rahman, 29, who grew up in West London, graduated from the University of London and went to work in marketing. He lived with roommates in an attached row house in Islington, in North London, where his share of the rent was approximately $1,200 a month.

The place was too small for the four roommates plus assorted visitors and girlfriends. Everyone wanted to watch his own television shows. “The fridge was too small, but there was no place to put another one,” Mr. Rahman said. He was thinking about buying a house of his own.

But that idea evaporated after a visit to New York last summer. It was so appealing that he asked for and received a transfer here from his employer, the global marketing agency Iris Nation.

His company gave him a relocation package and two weeks to get settled.
Mr. Rahman figured it was wise to live within walking distance of his office, which is on Broadway near Bleecker Street, in a neighborhood with “enough going on around it so life will be interesting but not too crazy,” he said. He expected to spend, at a minimum, $2,000 a month.

His first appointment was for a place on East Ninth Street. The building looked nice from the outside. The agent, who met him out front, said she also had other nearby places to show him.

“Almost by way of small talk, she said, ‘Where are you from?’ and I said, ‘I’ve just come over from London yesterday,’ ” Mr. Rahman said. She asked whether he had a credit history in the United States or a bank account or a Social Security number, all of which he would need to rent an apartment. No, no and no.

But his employer would provide initial financing and act as guarantor, he told her. “She completely lost interest and just left,” Mr. Rahman said, leaving him standing on the pavement.

He was surprised to be given no chance to negotiate but assumed it wasn’t worthwhile for the agent to bother with a tenant who didn’t have the requisite paperwork.

“I know estate agents in the U.K.,” he said, “and they have a reputation of pushing things on you.” He started to realize things might be different here.

A colleague told him that $2,300 was a cutoff point. Below that, he would find only cramped apartments in bad neighborhoods. It seemed to be true. He saw a few tiny places on the Lower East Side, where the streets felt raucous. “Seamy is the wrong word,” Mr. Rahman said, “but you can imagine coming back every night and having to pick your way through punk bars and tattoo shops.”

He was glad to encounter the Christodora House on Tompkins Square Park, which he considered the heart of the East Village. A woman was renting out her one-bedroom condominium in the elevator doorman building.

“I had never been in a lift that nice,” Mr. Rahman said. Though the $2,400 apartment was small, “it was an amazing building and had a nice feeling about it — bright and clean.” It was by far the best he had seen, in a prime location, too.

“No Smoking” was the first thing he noticed on the application form. It never occurred to him that he wouldn’t be able to smoke in his home. All of his London roommates smoked. (Only last summer did England ban smoking in enclosed public places.)

Could he hang his head out the window to smoke or go outside every time? Nope.

Then, he found a listing for a one-bedroom on East 10th Street for $2,400. It felt like a New York apartment and seemed spacious, “even though it probably isn’t that big,” he said. It cost more than he wished to spend, but he decided that, at least for his first year in New York, he was willing to pay more for a nice place in the right neighborhood. This, too, overlooked Tompkins Square Park.

He filled out the application as best he could and explained his situation. The rental agency, Tower Brokerage, seemed amenable.

He returned to the apartment for a second look “to make sure I wasn’t overdoing it in my head or giving it attributes it didn’t have,” he said. “I don’t trust myself in these kinds of situations. I get excited by first impressions without checking the details. I didn’t do the things you’re meant to do, like test the taps or check the shower.” He couldn’t quite remember whether the kitchen had a sink. (It did.)

The brokerage scrutinized his application. It ran a credit check — on his boss. The management company required a security deposit of six months, or $14,400, which his company advanced.

Mr. Rahman moved from the Howard Johnson and had a mattress delivered to his new home. He awaits the delivery of more furniture. On the block, he was glad to discover the storied Life Cafe, which is “almost becoming an extension of my house,” he said. Only once did he have a night of real noise, apparently from a bar a few doors down. “I hope it is a freak thing,” he said.

His colleagues have already visited him at home. “They said it has got so much character and is really nice,” he said, even if it’s not a tremendous bargain. But, hey, London is expensive, too. “I’d be hard pressed to find something as nice as my flat in a comparable area,” he said.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times company

[nyc_obsessed]

Thank you both for your replies! Front_Porch thank you for responding, I was hoping you would!

Anyways I forgot to ask, I heard from the grapevine not sure if it is true that there are companies in new york that can help you locate a job in the price range that you are looking for to afford housing costs? Say if my rent were 2000 a month they would try and set me up for interviews that would allow me to pay my rent? I did hear this from like two or three people but you know how that can go....just wondering!

Thank you!

Jen

[Fahzee]

^ I'm not saying that companies like that don't exist, but I've never heard of anything like that. Be careful of scams, or anyone who wants a money upfront.

IMO You're better off sticking to Monster, Mandy, and all the rest to find employment

One small point - and this is NOT a steadfast rule: many creative jobs in this city are freelance positions - i.e. you're hired for a specific project (like building a new webpage for a retail company, for instance), and you have to look for a new job once the project is finished.

The day to day website maintenance jobs tend to be more permanent positions - but those are generally programing jobs, not design jobs.

the only exception to this that I've seen are website CONTENT jobs - media companies like Viacom, AETN, UNiversal, various news outlets, etc upload hundreds of hours of new content each month, and they all employ a litany of programmers AND designers to keep the sights looking fresh. Most of the people hired are still freelance - but the freelance contact is open ended, meaning you basically have a permanent job (although one with limited healthcare, and all the other negatives of being freelance)

EDIT: NYC-Obsessed - I reread your post, and realized you may have made up your mind that Web design isn't for you. There's a lot of retail in this city, although I'm not sure how people go about finding openings. You'll find the majority of the big box stores in the outer boroughs, or in NJ/ Long Island.

[nyc_obsessed]

wow, thank you so much for giving me that information, I didn't realize that most web design jobs in the city were freelance! But yeah I would love to get into a retail setting in the city, not necessarily a box store, i just have worked in one for 10 years, I would LOVE to work for Barney's or Bergdorf Goodman's....Or any other store along 5th ave would be awesome :) I have been looking into the outer boroughs for places to live, like staten island or long island, I just want to be in Astoria, or Manhattan if for the simple fact that I don't want a car! But i'm going to keep looking!

[718Bound]

Long Island is not an outer borough... Many people live on Long Island and work in the city, but Long Island is not actually part of the city even although two boroughs are on the actual Island... Take it from someone who grew up on Long Island, you are going to need a car! I am living upstate now and planning on moving to NYC and will not even consider Long Island... Yea it's home, but I could not imagine the commute daily on the LIRR or driving in. Growing up I have seen friends parents do it... Their cars would be gone way before we would have to be to the bus stop in the morning to go to school and usually see them coming home while at their house 7, 8, 9 o clock at night... Maybe providing a better life for their children by living out on on Long Island, but why would someone without a family want to put up with the commute? not something I would want to do!

I have been looking into the outer boroughs for places to live, like staten island or long island, I just want to be in Astoria, or Manhattan if for the simple fact that I don't want a car!
You do know Astoria and Manhattan are not the only places to live in NYC that you do not need a car? Right? Astoria is nice and fun, but is getting expensive... Get an idea of where you will be working and look at neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens that run along the subway line that will bring you into the area you work in easily...

Not trying to be mean or a downer, but if you are planning on working retail, you can probably rule out living in Manhattan... Unless you want to pay most of your money to rent... Even then you are missing out on alot... Try to take a visit some time to nyc and visit some neighborhoods in the outer boroughs and see what you like... You can find an affordable place... Maybe not Astoria, Park Slope, or Williamsburg but a safe neighbor hood with a decnt commute to work and to other areas when you want to have some fun...

Best of luck!

[The Benniest]

Question about jobs. I am very young at the moment, and will want to be moving to New York either during college (transfer student) or immediately out of college. If I were not to work in retail, where do young adults (ages 20 - 23) work? I almost guarantee that I will be working in some kind of retail to help me get started on rent prices, but as time goes on, I would like to branch out in my dream/goal of graphic design/photography.

Also ... has anyone here ever heard anything about photography "shops" or jobs around Manhattan? I would love to live in Manhattan and would love to work in there as well, it's just finding the job to pay the rent that will be the problem for me.

Any help would be great. Thanks,
Ben

[718Bound]

There is nothing wrong with retail... I was just trying to tell nyc_obsessed that if (s)he is planning on working retail living in Manhattan is more of dream then a reality... You will be in school though... So you will probably already figure your cost of living into student loans.... Again nothing wrong with retail, many jobs I have come across seem to pay very low and trying to live off that in NYC is a scary thought... You would probably need 2 or 3 jobs to get by...

I myself plan on working retail when I first move... Ask anybody who has moved before, it is not easy to get hired when you do not live in the NYC area. So I plan on taking a retail job so I don't blow all the money I have saved just on living until something better comes along.

While on the subject does anyone know any employment services that place people right off the bat into retail settings?

[nyc_obsessed]

While on the subject does anyone know any employment services that place people right off the bat into retail settings?

I actually asked a question similiar they said there was no such thing, unless I just didn't word it right. Anywys thank you for your advice, and yes I know that there are more neighborhoods that I could live in without a car, I am just not familiar at all with the other boroughs. Manhattan I have down pat! :) I did actually know that long island isn't a borough, I guess I just wasn't thinking when I was typing. But thank you for telling me about the commute to LI, I definitely don't want to do that then. I am actually coming to the city this summer around june/july to neighborhood search and apartment hunt. I know that it is hard to get a job without being in the city, are they good about setting up possible interviews for when you will be in the city? In previous posts I know a lot of people said they made the move and then searched for a job. A lot has said this is the best way to do it, but I want to be a little more prepared, is it possible to do it before making a move? I did get some advice from previous posts about subletting while looking for a job, so I have some options :)

Thank you for your input on retail, you weren't being mean or discouraging, I have come off my cloud of having a penthouse on 5th lol and i've become realistic that I can't afford Manhattan until I get into a higher position, I have found retail jobs however with my experience on careerbuilder and monster that start at 60 to over 100 grand a year. I know that won't happen right away though.

[s4s4r3]

Okay, I have added everything up and after taxes I will make $3,171.27 a year, is that enough to live on? As I mentioned I have housing taken care of, meaning, I have a friend who is moving out (she owns) and is going to let me live there rent free.
My total income would be $38,055.24 and I have attached below a break down of the taxes so that you can tell me if it is accurate.

Monthly Gross Pay $4,800.00

Federal Withholding $852.00
Social Security $297.60
Medicare $69.60
New York $255.90
NY SDI $2.60
City Tax $151.03
________________________________

Net Pay $3,171.27
Annual Salary After Taxes: $38,055.24

Thank you,
Seth

[Billy_G]

Hello. I live in Greece and I'm planning in moving in nwe york, in a few years. Altough i will carry some money, I want to know where are the cheapest neighborhoods in NY, if there are jobs for high school graduates.

[The Benniest]

There is nothing wrong with retail... I was just trying to tell nyc_obsessed that if (s)he is planning on working retail living in Manhattan is more of dream then a reality... You will be in school though... So you will probably already figure your cost of living into student loans.... Again nothing wrong with retail, many jobs I have come across seem to pay very low and trying to live off that in NYC is a scary thought... You would probably need 2 or 3 jobs to get by...

I myself plan on working retail when I first move... Ask anybody who has moved before, it is not easy to get hired when you do not live in the NYC area. So I plan on taking a retail job so I don't blow all the money I have saved just on living until something better comes along.

While on the subject does anyone know any employment services that place people right off the bat into retail settings?
Any idea how long after moving into the New York City area that you move to only 1 job, where you will be good and living?

[BrooklynRider]

Also ... has anyone here ever heard anything about photography "shops" or jobs around Manhattan? I would love to live in Manhattan and would love to work in there as well, it's just finding the job to pay the rent that will be the problem for me.



Lots of places like Duggal, graphics service bureau, or C2Media, for example.

[The Benniest]

Lots of places like Duggal, graphics service bureau, or C2Media, for example.
Okay thanks. I'll check these out.

Question: For someone who has never lived in NY City or even been there (yet), where/what would be a good place to live coming in as a NOOB new yorker? I've been debating on searching and looking into prices in Midtown/Downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and some parts of Queens. Other places I've seen on sites like NYCDwellers (http://www.nycdwellers.com/) include: Beekman, and Murray Hill. From a map I got, I can see that Murray Hill is quite close to Midtown, which is a definite PLUS for me. :)

Also, about rent. What is a good and fair price range to start looking at? If I choose to go to a 4-year liberal school here in Iowa, I will be around 21-22 years old and will be able to have a steady job. As said above, I will (am planning) on getting more than one job when I first move to get started but I was just curious. Where are the really expensive areas in New York City? If at all possible, I would *love* to live in Manhattan.

Any suggestions and tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Ben

[media35]

"Establish NYC residency as soon as you get here. That way, you'll be eligible for lower tuition and financial aid at the CUNY schools for the fall semester of 2009. The CUNY system can offer you a higher quality education than almost any place in Iowa."

This comment is so typical of the New York Attitude it is a cliché. Our favorite saying in the Midwest to New Yorkers, is “ oh please do tell us what is wrong with our city, our schools, you name it”. We can’t wait to hear how it is done in New York. Don't bet on CUNY being better than any of the colleges in Iowa.

[The Benniest]

"Establish NYC residency as soon as you get here. That way, you'll be eligible for lower tuition and financial aid at the CUNY schools for the fall semester of 2009. The CUNY system can offer you a higher quality education than almost any place in Iowa."

This comment is so typical of the New York Attitude it is a cliché. Our favorite saying in the Midwest to New Yorkers, is “ oh please do tell us what is wrong with our city, our schools, you name it”. We can’t wait to hear how it is done in New York. Don't bet on CUNY being better than any of the colleges in Iowa.

I do not media35. I don't necessarily like someone saying that due to the fact that they do not even live here. I'll make the decision when I move, and where I go to college before/after I move.

[BrooklynRider]

Okay, I have added everything up and after taxes I will make $3,171.27 a year, is that enough to live on?

Just as a matter of clarity, your math looks correct - but it is $3171.27 per month.

It should be more than enough to live on and you could probably have a savings account on the side.

Housing always eats the biggest chunk of earnings in NYC.

I'm not sure of the utlity arrangements, but figure the following:

Monthly expenses
$70 Electric (for Fall, Winter Spring.)
$130 Electric (for Summer w A/C running)
$30 Gas
$76 Monthly subway card
$50 Cable Internet
$50 Cable TV
$ ? Your phone bill

You can go to the supermarket and buy groceries to keep meal costs down, but I think you'll make ample to eat out as desired.

Movies are $12.50
Museums are generally $6.00 to $20.00.
Theater is $20 to $75
Cocktails are $5 to $12

Anything else you are figuring on?

[BrooklynRider]

Ben,

Punzie's way is one alternative.

I suggest you pursue the education that meets your study requirements - whereever the school happens to be. You might have plenty of opportunities in Iowa or any other state in the country.

I New York, a good job is not always dependent on college education, but a good college education makes employment easier. Graduating from a top school in your field of interest will get you the highest possible salary.

Not knowing what your study interests or career aspirations might be, it would be erroneous to suggest that a CUNY school is right for you. School is still a time for fun, learning and the very important lessons of time management, stress management, public speaking, team work, and how to listen. They are courses of study, but they are absolutely necssary to thrive in NYC.

I would also be wary of moving to or accepting any living situation in which you do not pay rent. Again, Punzie might have experience to the contrary, but I believe that getting board by doing chores or helping a home owner is closer to endentured servitude than the excitement of moving to NYC on your own.

Unless you come from a family of wealth that could support you, it is likely you would have to seek roommates to defray housing costs. Yuo could probably find a place on your own, but it would be in the farther reaches of Bronx, Brooklyn, or Queens.

Depending on your career path, you could consider coming to NYC in summer months to undertake internships and develop the experience and industry connections that will get you employed when school ends. Summer will offer lots more in housing as you could find more sublets and simple furnished room rentals.

Manhattan is going to be expensive. Murray Hill used to be an affordable student haven, but no more. I admire your choice of Beekman, but that are is not cheap. If your heart is set on Manhattan, Upper Manhattan will be cheapest (above 110th Street). Even in Upper Manhattan there are very expensive areas.

I do agree with Punzie that money in the bank will make a huge difference. Most landlords will require a guarantor before you move in. They want someone with a credit history to assume responsibility for rent if you fail to pay.

Eight million people live in NYC, so it is not beyond anyone's capability to succeed here. It is very different from the midwest and smaller towns because the huge population means interdependence. It is also (obviously) very culturally diverse. For some folks, it can be quite a shock to be on a subway car and half the people are speaking languages other than English.

Seeing your posts throughout WiredNewYork, I think that you have the makings of a very successful New Yorker.

[The Benniest]

Not knowing what your study interests or career aspirations might be, it would be erroneous to suggest that a CUNY school is right for you. School is still a time for fun, learning and the very important lessons of time management, stress management, public speaking, team work, and how to listen. They are courses of study, but they are absolutely necssary to thrive in NYC.
The field of interest I would like to pursue is Graphic Design and/or Photography. I have a passion for both. A school I have been looking partially at in NYC is the New York Institute of Photography (http://www.nyip.com/). Has anyone heard anything about this school?
I would also be wary of moving to or accepting any living situation in which you do not pay rent. Again, Punzie might have experience to the contrary, but I believe that getting board by doing chores or helping a home owner is closer to endentured servitude than the excitement of moving to NYC on your own.
This is something I've been very lenient on in deciding about. I'm not the kind of person who likes to do chores, nor liking to do chores for other people. So I think I would get tired of doing this very quickly. I think either a roommate or a cheap, nice apartment is right for me, which is what I have been looking for.
Manhattan is going to be expensive. Murray Hill used to be an affordable student haven, but no more. I admire your choice of Beekman, but that are is not cheap. If your heart is set on Manhattan, Upper Manhattan will be cheapest (above 110th Street). Even in Upper Manhattan there are very expensive areas.
My mind is in ALL different places about there to live. I want to live here because of this, I wanna live there because of that ... it's confusing at the moment. If I'm going to live in Manhattan, I do not want to live as far up as Inwood or Washington Heights. However, if those are the cheapest places in that, I guess I'll have to make sacrifices. As time moves on, I can make my way down to where I really would like to live ... midtown/downtown.

I see that Murray Hill is in the area of Park Ave. and the Chrysler Building, which would be nice to live around. What is the estimate rent price range in this area? Beekman is just something I came across while browsing NYCDwellers. There seem to be some really nice apartments in this area and I would like to continue my search for a "cheap" one. :p
I do agree with Punzie that money in the bank will make a huge difference. Most landlords will require a guarantor before you move in. They want someone with a credit history to assume responsibility for rent if you fail to pay.
Yes, this is something I am planning on doing. I just don't want to do it, until I know exactly where I will go to college. I have two colleges I am looking at at the moment, one being a 4-year and the other: 2-year. If I choose to go to the 4-year (where I've been already been accepted), it will be about $12,000 a year for tuition, and the 2-year will be well under that at approx. $2,000 a year. If I do go to the community college, that will give me a much better perspective of how much money I will have when I graduate and make my way to NY.
Eight million people live in NYC, so it is not beyond anyone's capability to succeed here. It is very different from the midwest and smaller towns because the huge population means interdependence. It is also (obviously) very culturally diverse. For some folks, it can be quite a shock to be on a subway car and half the people are speaking languages other than English.
I'm sure this won't be a problem for me. I love diversity and like listening to languages that I don't understand. I mean, they could be cursing at me and I would still think it's cool. :D
Seeing your posts throughout WiredNewYork, I think that you have the makings of a very successful New Yorker.
Thank you. It's posts like this ^^ that really get me motivated.


Thanks for your reply BR .. as always. :)
Ben

[MidtownGuy]

I moved to New York when I was 20 with no place to live. Now I'm a designer and I live in midtown. You say this is what you want so I will try to give you some advice.

If you REALLY want to make it work as easily and painlessly as possible, NYC is where you should go to college for art and design. The fashion and design companies here feel very confident hiring from New York schools like F.I.T., Parsons, etc. that are well connected with the industries they are a part of. The relationship between design schools and the companies that recruit from them is very close. Future employers are situated on the very streets surrounding the schools, your professors will either be working in the industry or be well connected to people that are. You will be able to secure internships at companies that specifically recruit from FIT, Parsons, or other respected local schools; they don't spend much time looking further afield because they don't need to...they know this is where the serious young designers are. When you graduate, there will be a job bank at school with listings placed by design companies. Your professors may already have contacts at those companies.

Being in design school is about way more than the brick and mortar building your classes are in. It is about the city around you, which serves as inspiration, source of materials, and contact with the industries in which you will work. You will have field trips to some of the greatest museums in the world where you will sketch from a real Picasso instead of a slide projector in the midwest. When you want encouragement from professionals, someone like Donna Karan is giving a lecture at your school. To sum up, you are SURROUNDED by the people and organizations that have similar goals. The other students in your classes will be from Paris, Seoul, London, Johannesburg, you name it, because they were drawn here too, like moths to the light. Anyone who tells you that getting a NYC design job after attending school in Iowa will be as easy as if you had atended FIT or Parsons is just very unaware of this field.

When you go to college here, you will likely have institutional help with housing, and you will have a period of time to get established...forming a social network, meeting potential future roomates, co-workers, business partners, etc. By the time you graduate, you already have leads right here, in the city where you want to be. You don't have to "start all over".

What is the alternative? Years in a school in the midwest that may or may not get you a good design or photography job in NYC, followed by years of "saving up" for the big move; eventually arriving here without any personal contacts in the design industry and an educational resume that makes you look less seasoned than the hip design students who spent the last 4 years studying right here in the middle of all the trends. Also competing for design jobs are all of those Europeans and Asians, highly trained, who also want to move here and have design careers in New York. They will also be your competition, not just the New York students. Give yourself every advantage that you can, and that includes the right school.

Many companies who have their corporate headquarters elsewhere will keep their design departments located in New York. They've found they just can't lure the design talent away from New York. This is for all of the reasons above and more. If you are really serious about design, I just don't see how there can be any debate.

You would start by putting together a portfolio, which will be a requirement for being considered for acceptance at the good art schools.

For other fields like business or law or medicine, attend school in the midwest if you like. I don't pretend to know much about those fields and it probably doesn't matter geographically. Design is different.

In NY the best way to get through school is not a part time retail job where pay is low and hours will conflict with classes...instead, many poeple find being affiliated with a catering agency is the best way. Hours are very flexible, often at night, and you can get 16-25 dollars an hour, more if you know how to mix drinks. You make your schedule day to day. My next door neighbor is in his first year of graduate school, made possible because he gets $22 an hour working gigs like Cipriani on weekends and some nights. He meets lots of interesting people and can support himself when combined with a few loans.
Modeling is just not realistic for most, I'm afraid. I have contact with a lot of models because they come to my studio to have me retouch their photos. They complain about spending most of their time going to casting calls all day, and guess what many of them do to actually pay the bills...catering or bartending!;)

I wish you the best of luck, and anyone else who wants to move here. For me, once I settled on being an artist, I moved my butt here and never looked back.

[MidtownGuy]

I just wanted to clarify- I'm not sayng anything bad against schools like RISD or Savannah, just talking about the easiest way to get esablished here, in NY.:)

[The Benniest]

MidtownGuy, I very much appreciated your post. Thanks a lot.

I took a look at some schools that you mentioned in your post, including F.I.T. and Parson's. Unfortunantly, the majors of Photography and Graphic Design are closed for Fall 2008, which is exactly what I need. :confused:

Are there any other universities/colleges IN New York that are good design/photography schools? Some of the schools I've already looked into include New York University and the New York Institute of Photography. I was looking at the requirements (http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=3186&profileId=1) for NYU and they seem out of the question for me ... unfortunately. It'd be really nice to go to that school. As asked before in this thread, has anyone ever heard anything about the Institute of Photography?

Thanks again,
Ben

[BrooklynRider]

Great post MidtownGuy.

Pratt is a respected design school.

[The Benniest]

I had a suggestion brought up tonight while talking with my mom. I've explained this to MidtownGuy, that my grades in high school are not the absolute "best" and my GPA is looking the same as the grades. I'm quite dissapointed at this and would really like to get it UP before applying to any New York schools. This being, because I do not want to get denied at schools like F.I.T. or Parson's. Or even NYU if I do get the requirements!

If I were to go to a community college here for 1 year and try very hard to get up my GPA and start to create a nice, balanced portfolio, would I still have a good chance in New York? Like I said, I don't necessarily want to apply to a New York design/art school with the GPA I have now. I do not think I would have a very good chance of getting in.

Lemme know,
Ben

[adchick82]

Benniest - I can't speak to whether you will be able to get into the design schools as a transfer student, but I can speak to the mechanics of how you apply as a transfer student.

At most colleges/universities, you are required to apply as a transfer student if you've obtained a certain number (typically 24-30) of credit hours at a college/university/community college. At that point, your high school GPA won't be what they look at - the biggest impact it would have is that they'll just verify that you actually graduated.

So, if Midtown Guy can vouch for the potential ramifications of applying as a transfer student (and it wouldn't be a huge problem/disadvantage), then doing a year at a community college could be the perfect solution for you, both in terms of putting together a better academic package and being able to save money.

Of course, they might put far more credence in your portfolio than in your GPA, but I was an advertising major at a public university in Texas, so I'm not much help on that front ;)

[718Bound]

If I were to go to a community college here for 1 year and try very hard to get up my GPA and start to create a nice, balanced portfolio, would I still have a good chance in New York? Like I said, I don't necessarily want to apply to a New York design/art school with the GPA I have now. I do not think I would have a very good chance of getting in.

Lemme know,
Ben

Ben- Why not go go to a community college for two years and get your associates and then apply to a four year school? That way you have time to work on your grades and save ALOT of money.

[718Bound]

Ben, another thought... I don't know where you plan on attending community college, but instead of going to community to prepare for a school later in New York why no just attend a CUNY community college? Think of it this way if you attend community college in your home state of Iowa it might give you something to shoot for (NYC). Or you might be miserable thinking "I cannot wait to get to NY" affecting your mindset and mood in turn affecting your grades. Why not study in a place you want to be... It may make you happier and affect your grades!

[85forever]

I'm lucky i found this page while it was still fresh.
Just a 'lil intro about myself. Im from Sydney, Australia. 22 years old. I've been really keen on moving outta Oz for a long time and have always have a fascination about NY.
So here's my situation I'm hoping some of you guys can help me out on a little...
I've completed a Bachelors Graphic Design University degree and am currently working as a webdeveloper/ web content administrator - more on the IT side than design but I enjoy both and am good at both. I am also about to launch a small indie t-shirt label (just something I started building during Uni and finally have some money to play with).
But, NY is where I want to be and where I really want things to happen for me and I’m trying to figure out how to go about this. I’m glad I came across the posts about NY design colleges/universities by Midtown and others. I’m just wondering if it’s possible for me to do a Masters or some kind of extra study in one of the NY schools you guys have mentioned?
I know an Aus Citizen can visit the US with a 3 month Visa. But I’d like to study for longer as I know a Masters may take more than 6 months. Does anyone know if there are any exemptions for someone looking to do extended studies more than 3 months? It’s through the studying that I am really hoping to land a job and maybe be allowed to work and live in NY – and hopefully continue my little clothing label on the side i know NY is agreat place to play with small hobbies..


That’s my plan, please don’t hesitate to put it to me straight- whether im dreaming or the idea sucks, or if its do-able.. as long as its constructive.

Thanks.

[The Benniest]

adchick82, thanks for your reply on transfer students. I'm sure that will help tons if I do decide to go to school here for a year and then transfer to a design school in NY. :)
Ben- Why not go go to a community college for two years and get your associates and then apply to a four year school? That way you have time to work on your grades and save ALOT of money.
This is yet another possibility. There are so many possibilities right now for a person my age wanting to move to New York, who, in about 5 months will be in college/university.

My biggest concern that I've mentioned a lot in this thread is money. And, like you said, going to college at a 2-year school here in Iowa would give me a chance to build quite a bit of money.
Ben, another thought... I don't know where you plan on attending community college, but instead of going to community to prepare for a school later in New York why no just attend a CUNY community college? Think of it this way if you attend community college in your home state of Iowa it might give you something to shoot for (NYC). Or you might be miserable thinking "I cannot wait to get to NY" affecting your mindset and mood in turn affecting your grades. Why not study in a place you want to be... It may make you happier and affect your grades!
718Bound, you have a major point here about grades and what not. To answer your first question, if I do happen to go to community college here, it would be at DMACC (http://www.dmacc.cc.ia.us/) (Des Moines Area Community College), in Des Moines.

I was introduced to CUNY by Punzie, in a conversation I had with her, and since then, have not looked anything up on the university. I took a look this afternoon after school and had no idea that CUNY were in boroughs like Brooklyn and Manhattan, which I was very impressed with. I'm going to be looking at, requesting information from, and researching CUNY tonight, seeing that this, like DMACC, could be a very serious consideration.

Thank you for reply 7128Bound,
Ben

[The Benniest]

As BrooklynRider suggested in this thread to a question of mine, that if my heart is really set on living in Manhattan, I should look into Upper Manhattan.

While looking at NYCDwellers tonight, I found a really affordable, nice apartment in Harlem. Now, my question is, and I hope I don't make anyone mad, but is Harlem a safe community/neighborhood? Also, being the n00b that I am, I had no idea what Harlem and Morningside Heights were as close as they are to Central Park, which tells someone like me that it's not far at all from midtown, depending on how you get there. :p

To give you an example of what the price ranges (per month) were that I observed are: $1,200, $1,150, and $1,195. Very affordable and perfect the income that a college student will be bringing in. 2/3 prices I listed are in Morningside Heights, and the other is in Harlem. However, I find NYCDwellers quite difficult to browse for apartments on, because I'll write down the listing code, go back to look at it again, and it will say that that listing code doesn't match anything they have. :( I think this might be the cutting off point for that site. Anyone have any other good "apartment-searching" websites? Any help would be appreciated.

So...going back to the original question about Harlem and it being safe or not. Is it?

Thanks for any replies!
Ben

[The Benniest]

If I may ask, how often does something like THIS (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/benthal/b6e28d86.jpg) happen? This is a beautiful apartment and the costs of $1,550/month look very cheap. I'd move there in a heartbeat! I've attached bigger versions of all of the pictures below.

:rolleyes:

[nyc_obsessed]

However, I find NYCDwellers quite difficult to browse for apartments on, because I'll write down the listing code, go back to look at it again, and it will say that that listing code doesn't match anything they have. :( I think this might be the cutting off point for that site. Anyone have any other good "apartment-searching" websites? Any help would be appreciated.

So...going back to the original question about Harlem and it being safe or not. Is it?



Well from what i've read and heard from many sites, Harlem is considerably safer than it used to be, there are still rough areas, but over all it is much safer. That apartment looked awesome! need a roommate? i'm moving there hopefully by the end of summer :)

I have been searching newyork.craigslist.org, villagevoice.com, newyorktimes.com and not sure how reliable this site is, but ny.oodle.com, I search them daily. Pretty easy to use, I agree NYCDwellers is difficult to use, i'm not a fan.

Hope this helped?;)

[The Benniest]

Well from what i've read and heard from many sites, Harlem is considerably safer than it used to be, there are still rough areas, but over all it is much safer. That apartment looked awesome! need a roommate? i'm moving there hopefully by the end of summer :)

I have been searching newyork.craigslist.org, villagevoice.com, newyorktimes.com and not sure how reliable this site is, but ny.oodle.com, I search them daily. Pretty easy to use, I agree NYCDwellers is difficult to use, i'm not a fan.

Hope this helped?;)
Hi nyc_obsessed. Yes, your post helped some. :) Just after posting my many posts (:p), I searched Harlem on Wikipedia and read about the CRIME RATE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem#Crime) and how it's dropped quite dramatically through the recent years.

About a roommate for the apartment I linked too, I think that may come as a problem, seeing that the apartment is 1 bedroom. If it wasn't 1 bedroom and was that cheap still, I'd probably consider it. :)

Thanks for the links. I'll take a look at them.
Ben

[Schadenfrau]

Honestly, you'd do better to spend more time looking for an apartment you can afford and less time thinking about crime rates.

[kliq6]

Great post MidtownGuy.

Pratt is a respected design school.

Midtown, just curious where did you move to NY from?

[The Benniest]

I can definitely relate to this concern. There are plenty of crabby home owners who treat free boarders like indentured servants. But there are also laid back home owners who give free boarders a reasonable number assignments and let them set their own schedules.

Ben is most worried about money and a place to live when he first arrives here; it follows that he should seriously consider finding an easygoing homeowner to work for on a monthly basis until he finds a reasonable apartment.
Like Punzie says in the first paragraph about the crabby/nice landlords, with my luck, I would get stuck with the crabby people resulting in me leaving the apartment complex and having no back up plan on living. Another reason why I would like to live in my own apartment, and paying my own expenses.

I am worried about money, being only eighteen and still in high school for a few more months. I like how you said that I should keep the option open to work for a nice homeowner until I find a reasonable, affordable apartment.

Ben

[Billy_G]

Hey so will anyone tell me about the rent on new york? Anybody knows if it is easy to be hired in a job like a waiter or something like that? And please can anyne tell me how can I come to New York and get a green card, without having a relative in America? Thanks everyone!!!

[kristynmarie]

Hey Everybody!

I've just landed my dream job in NY. It pays 40k. I just bought a new truck so I'm wondering if I'd be better off looking for a new place in NJ vs. Brooklyn due to parking? Also, I'm more concerned about how I'll be getting back n forth to work. If I was to live in Jersey would the train be the best way to go? I know once I'm in the city I can just hop on the subway to get where I'm going. I'm a bit overwhelmed by mass transit in NY & NJ. Any advice is mucho appreciated!

[kristynmarie]

A Jeep Liberty.....so it's a reasonable size vehicle. Would you recommend the best places to look for apartments in the Brooklyn/Queens area. Thanks again!

[718Bound]

A Jeep Liberty.....
Are you locked into a loan? Why do you feel you need to move with a vehicle? $40k a year... living expenses... Then the cost of the vehicle... Did you ever get a quote to see how much insurance will be? I don't know about Ohio but the research I did insurance is over 3X higher in NYC then it is upstate. That is only basic insurance... I don't even want to think about how much they will charge you if you have a loan and are required to have full insurance... Or if you have the vehicle paid off and decide to go with basic insurance and someone does great damage by hitting it while parked on the street and takes off. Then you have to think about gas being predicated at going to $4 a gallon this summer and driving an SUV... So even if you are planned on driving it to work, public transportation would be so much less compared to gas and parking costs...

If you plan on using public transit anyway to go to work what is the point of having a vehicle? To have it sit on the street while you pay outrageous insurance just to have a car?

There are many reasons to move to NJ, but this is the first time I have heard to have a place to park your Jeep Liberty... You would actually live in NJ, work in NY (be double taxed?) just to pay higher insurance, use public transit anyway just so you can have your Jeep in your driveway???

Don't get me wrong! (Maybe besides you?) I am one of the biggest Jeep lovers on this forum.. I have to fight the urge every day to go down to the dealership and sign papers for a (05+) Grand Cherokee that I love so much... but i don't because I don't need that financial commitment because I too plan on moving soon, the insurance rates would kill me (in NYC) until I get a good job, and why pay for gas and the trouble of driving in NYC when you live in a city with such a fantastic transit system!?!

If you can sell it and use the money to put down on a nice apartment (and have some money saved just in case)... Work and take the subway for awhile, when you are more stable buy that Jeep!:) If you are locked into a loan, it depends how far in you are... I hope you decided to sign for that loan before you decided to move to NYC...

[kristynmarie]

Thanks for the info! Upon further review and the advice of friends that have lived there, I have decided against purchasing my Jeep:( I have wanted one since I was old enough to drive but it's just not reasonable at this point. SIGH! I have also decided against NJ and will more than likely be moving to Brooklyn or Queens. I figure the money I save from not having a car and not having to take the train I can put towards finding a better place. BTW, I'm working at Columbus Circle. I'm not worried so much about commute time as I am about the cost. I am assuming that if I live in Brooklyn I can get to work by taking the subway? How much is that a month? Taking this all in I feel like my head is going to explode! I can't tell ya how much your assistance is appreciated. Cheers!
--Kristyn--

[BrooklynRider]

A monthly unlimited subway metro card for 30 days is $81.

[The Benniest]

I was looking at the article for Midtown on Wikipedia, and I came across a picture of the Peter Cooper Village apartment (http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/NY-New-York-Peter-Cooper-Village-Apartments.html) complex(es). Anyone know how much these apartments can get up too? I would LIKE to live alone if I move, but knowing my money situation(s) .. I won't be. Soo... average rent price/month for 1-2 people?

I read through some of the reviews on that site, and some are complaining, and some are happy to be living there and think it's great. So I don't know what to think...

Any help is appreciated.
Ben

[adchick82]

I looked into a share situation for a converted 1 bedroom at Stuy Town (same developer/owner/management/whatever), and it was roughly $2,500/month (plus bills) total for both people for one of the renovated (non-rent controlled) apartments... And that was with a lease that had been in effect for 2 years...

[Front_Porch]

According to the Post, one-bedrooms at Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village are now running about $3,000 a month, with the possibility of one-month free (what we in the biz call an OP bonus) if you sign a lease.

$3,000 for a one-bedroom isn't particularly cheap or expensive -- with ST/PCV you get some nice amenities -- the complex is off to itself in a way that offers some suburban-like green space -- but it's also less centrally located than some other competing apartments.

More here:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03052008/news/regionalnews/free_rent_for_stuy_towners_100527.htm

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[The Benniest]

Ok thank you (again) Ali. Your help is, as always, appreciated.

The Peter Cooper Village Apts seem like a "been-living-in-ny" for a while kind of idea. For me at least.

*goes back to search for cheap apartments in Manhattan* :(

[kristynmarie]

I'm considering Sunnyside as an alternative to Astoria and Long Island City. Can anyone give me any information on whether or not it's a good area?

As to Ben:
I hear ya! I've been looking and I'm getting more and more nervous about the cost of finding a decent place:(

Best of luck!

[The Benniest]

I'm pretty much set on when I move, I'm going to need a roommate ... without a doubt.

How hard is it to find a roommate? Are there listings in the local newspapers? Where are other places I can find them?

Thank you,
Ben

[lewis9234]

Hi everyone,

I'm from England and i'm about to finish college. I have 4 A levels and will soon be off to uni. I was thinking about going to uni in London, but I would really like to go to uni in NYC and do a course in journalism. Can you tell me what universitys there are in NYC? What are they like? how much they cost? and any other info that I would need.

thankyoux

[The Benniest]

Here is a list of colleges/universities in New York City that I found on Wikipedia.

List of colleges and universities in New York City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_New_York_City )

Almost all of the colleges on that page ^^^ have links to other wiki pages, so you might try furthering your search there. I'm sure that on the individual college pages, there are links to their home page.

Hope this helps,
Ben

[NYLivin]

Hi everyone,

I would love any advice, encouragement or help. My husband and I are trying to find a new place to live (we are currently in student housing, but my husband is graduating). We both work in Midtown West and honestly, for the first couple years, our main concern is the commute and price. Ideally I would prefer to stay in the midtown area as we both are going to be working ridiculous hours. Are we realistic in thinking that we can get a studio/1bedroom for under $2500? What areas would you suggest that would be a short commute, but more bang for the buck than midtown?

Thank you all so much for any guidance!

[kristynmarie]

"seriously consider finding an easygoing homeowner to work for on a monthly basis until he finds a reasonable apartment"

Can anyone give me info on where I can find homeowners that are looking for help in exchange for room and board?

[Front_Porch]

I would try craigslist

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[nicolanicola]

Lewis9234, hi.

I'm no expert but I'm from the UK and also considered university in the US - went through the whole application process, in fact - and as far as I know from my research, it is very VERY expensive. Think tens of thousands of dollars per year.

Also you will probably need to take the US standardised tests (SATs) to get in as A Levels generally aren't considered evidence enough of your ability. It's a long, expensive slog unless you are lucky enough to qualify for some sort of scholarship.

In the end I decided to stick with the relatively cheap and very good UK university system and now, a year after graduating I am finally moving to New York.

You could also look at a course in the UK which includes a year-long placement in the U.S. - I know there's a lot of those.

Either way - good luck!

[IhaveNoName]

I apologize if this has already been addressed, but I am moving from virginia (right outside DC) to park slope in brooklyn. Does anyone have moving company recommendations? What kind of price estimate should I be expecting? Thanks in advance for any info!

[The Benniest]

Not very familiar with moving services/trucks, but one that comes to mind is U-Haul (http://www.uhaul.com/).

Might want to check them out..

[wahigringo]

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the best place for this, as I've lived in NYC for a few years, but the lady friend and I are looking to relocate to Brooklyn and I am looking for some advice on neighborhoods.

Background: We have lived in upper Manhattan since we got here and it's ok, we like the space, but there's not a lot going on. Most of our friends live in Brooklyn and we'd like to be nearer to them as well as more restaurants, nightlife etc.

I would be working near 125th in Harlem so I'd want to be near an express train (A,D,2,3) or maybe the L since that's an easy transfer.

We have been looking at W'burg (out to the Grand Ave stop on the L), South Slope and surrounding areas, or maybe even some places a little further out. Can anyone comment on whether good businesses, bars, etc are springing up further out along these lines, and what the areas are like? We're going out this weekend to look around, but I thought I'd ask too.

We're looking for a large 1BR or a 2BR, trying to keep it under 1800 but could afford more if we wanted to. I'd rather save on rent and pay down some loans if possible. Thanks.

[missg]

hey all! i'm thinking about relocating back to nyc from arizona. i have four young children and i need to be near a good community college to transfer nursing schools as well as public schools for the kiddos(although i'm sure anything back there is better than here!!). i actually have section 8 housing that i would like to transfer as well. does anyone have any ideas on good safe areas that i can start my search? any help would be most greatfully accepted!:D

[ashbomb]

Hello, all, this is my first time posting here. So, here goes.

I live in central Florida, near Tampa, in a quiet suburb. Let me not forget to mention I'm only turning 14 this year. I know, I know, I'm so young, but I have big dreams. So anyway, one side of my best friend's family lives in Long Island. She told me New York is like our downtown (really small) times a million. From that time I was obsessed with New York City, and I've been determined to get there. I haven't been there yet, but I'm begging the 'rents to take me this year, because I've been wanting to go since I was maybe 9 years old.

Anyway, I hope I didn't bore you all to death yet. On to my actual question:
I know I'm only 14, but I really would like to move to New York City after I graduate college, most likely.
So, is there anything I can do now, even though I have another 10 years?
And also, I'm looking at possibly becoming a lawyer when I'm older. Are there good law schools in NYC?

Thank you so much, I hope someone actually read this.

[The Benniest]

Hi ashbomb.

It's good to have big dreams about anything .. including moving to New York City. I don't like there at the moment (I'm 18), but would really like to move either after college or transfer in the middle of college.

I googled for New York Law Schools and easily found THIS. (http://www.top-law-schools.com/new-york-law-schools.html) That should help a lot. If you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask. ;)

-Ben

[ashbomb]

Thanks so much! Maybe one day I see you up in New York.

I'll just continue to start saving up money and checking out schools.

[Schadenfrau]

You're very pragmatic and articulate for a 14 year-old, Ashbomb.

You might want to consider looking into undergraduate schools in the NYC area- I found that was an ideal way to transition myself into life here. There are many schools outside of the city with good access to public transportation into the area, as well.

I moved here for school, and I think I was a bit better prepared for adult city life because of that. You've got the cushion of dorm life and a meal plan, but you're also able to access city internships to get a foot in the door before you need to be paid for it. You can also gain first-hand knowledge of different neighborhoods, what sort of commutes you'll have, costs, cultures, and simply whether or not NYC is right for you.

Fortunately, you have plenty of time to plan and you've already started early. Keep up the good work.

[ashbomb]

Thank you, I s'pose. I hope that was meant in a good way!

Yeah, I've thought about that. Moving there while I was still in school would at least insure a place for me to stay, which would be really nice. And I could continue to save up money and be able to look around for places in preparation of graduation.
One question though, as I'm not too college-savvy, is an undergraduate school the same/similar to a community college? Like, community college for 2 years, then a university for a second 2?

[Schadenfrau]

I totally meant it in a good way.

Undergraduate school is just a regular college- a four-year school to get your bachelor's degree. As schools in the area are mostly pretty competitive, I'd advise moving here for all four years, not counting on transfer credits. I know that others will disagree, but it's not as common in New York for people to attend community college and transfer for the last two years as it is in other places.

And it's good that you're thinking about saving money, but you should remember that there are plenty of grants and loans out there. Don't judge a college based solely on price- think about where you really want to go.

[ashbomb]

Hahaha, okay, thanks.

Oh, I guess community colleges are a pretty big thing here. I actually have a prepaid college fund, I'm not sure all what schools it applies to, but I know there's a lot of them, all over the country. And it is either 4 years, or 2 and 2. I meant saving money for getting a place and stuff, and since I know it's pretty expensive up there.
Thanks for you help though. (: It's all pretty much undecided right around now- I'm not even positive on what high school I'm going to, let alone college, so I still have plenty of time. Thank you guys so much!

[Hawkeye]

This is truly a fantastic resource for anyone moving or considering moving to New York so thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute to this thread. I have spent several hours reading the majority of the posts which have given a great insight into many aspects of living in 'the greatest city in the world'.

My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon in New York last summer and I can honestly say that no city anywhere has had the same effect on me. The pull to return and experience living in the city on a full time basis has been incredible and the intense feeling of wanting to make that life changing decision just won't go away. We are planning a visit from Edinburgh, Scotland again in July of this year and would like to get a real feel for everyday life as well as further enjoy some of the more 'touristy' things. In essence we are looking to make it a bit of a fact finding trip as well as a holiday. What things would New Yorker's advise ?

At the moment our timeframe for a possible move is Summer 09 so is at an early stage ! We are in a fortunate position job wise as my wife works for Citibank and will get a transfer and I work from home (as well as looking after our young child). Am I right in thinking we will be fine for visa's given she will be employed by a US company ? Our research into neighborhoods has really only just begun but our preferred option is certainly to live in Manhattan though I fully appreciate this is hardly narrowing things down very much, nevermind the practicalities of cost etc !

One quick question my wife is shouting ! - could any parents out there tell us if it is easy to get reliable, safe sitters to look after kids ?

Thanks again for all the great info on here, any further pointers of things to do (more day to day) when we next visit would be greatly appreciated.

Andy

[The Benniest]

I apologize if this has already been addressed, but I am moving from virginia (right outside DC) to park slope in brooklyn. Does anyone have moving company recommendations? What kind of price estimate should I be expecting? Thanks in advance for any info!
I know this was an old post (^^^), but who knows, they might still be active. :)

While googling a bit tonight, I came across THIS. (http://www.manhattanapts.com/movers.php) Should help a great deal :)

[Bill2008]

Yes, you read it correctly. :o

My income for 2007 was near zero, and for 2008 might be the same, so obviously i fall far short of the 50x income requirement for most apts in Manhattan. However, between my S-corp's 401k and savings, i do have about $300k, and no debt. Will that be enough to sway a Landlord? (i also have a 780 FICO score, if that matters). I don't have a guarantor.

I'm looking for a 200 to 300 s.f. studio anywhere in Manhattan (preferably near a Whole Foods :)), and am looking to spend $2k per month. I'd prefer one of the high-rise type buildings, not one of those old brownstones. I can write a check for any amount to pre-pay X months' worth of rent. Will this work? (i assume i will need to pre-pay a few months rent, since i dont show income, and wont have a job when i move there)

This is my first post here, and i am very excited at the possibility of moving to NYC! (live in Boston now)

ps - one LL i called said "you write a check for 9 months rent up front, and you're in". Is that typical policy?

[Front_Porch]

Hi Bill--
Your lack of income and lack of a guarantor make you an extremely poor risk for a New York City landlord. Retirement assets and a credit score don't make monthly rent payments.

I am sure you can find someone who will rent to you if you pay a year's rent up front, but most landlords won't even do that. I certainly wouldn't rent you my condo. What if you move in for a year with the rent pre-paid, and then refuse to vacate in year two? There's not a judge in the world who will attach your retirement assets, so what recourse does the landlord have? To sue you and get a judgment against your non-existent income?

Your best luck will be to look in Brooklyn or Queens, so you can deal with a smaller landlord. I hate to sound like a downer, but in Manhattan, you'll probably have to pay over the market rate to get someone to take this deal.

My guess is that means it will cost you $2,500 a month for a studio in a high-rise.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[Bill2008]

Hi Ali - thank you for the reply. I have 100k in cash (the other 200k is in the 401k). It sounds like that doesnt matter though.

Would this scenario work?: I pay 1 year up front *and* give them a 6 month deposit that they permanently hold?

Also, do they look at 1 yr's income or two? The reason i ask is that if (being optimistic here) my business has a good 2008, i might have income in the 50k to 70k range. Would that put me over the top for a Jan 2009 move-in date (when combined with my 100k cash on hand)? Or is that 40x income/rent criterion a hard #?

I guess i'm trying to figure out what (if any) shades of grey there are in these criteria? (I'm 40 yrs old, so i want to avoid asking Dad to be a guarantor).

Thank you for your help!

ps - maybe the Manhattan LL i talked to today was a rare exception when he said: "you write a check for 9 months rent up front, and you're in".

[Front_Porch]

Bill, I totally get where you're coming from, I published a book last year and my schedule Cs were not pretty.

But 40x rent is going to be a hard number with an institution, say a no-fee rental building.

With a small landlord, it's really just a matter of how charming you are. Maybe this Manhattan landlord who will take nine months is the one for you.

But if something breaks, what leverage do you have? Your landlord might be a great guy who fixes things tout suite, but if he's not and doesn't, you've given away the card of withholding rent.

If a tri-state guarantor is at all an option, DO IT. Look at it this way -- it's an uncomfortable parental conversation, but then you're done. You could give your year's worth of rent up front to dear Dad, and then he can dole out your rent month-by-month, and in return for that little bit of embarrassment for everybody, you keep from having six months' worth of assets tied up in an escrow that maybe you can't get back.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[Bill2008]

Thanks, you've definitely helped me narrow the issues:

- Tri-state guarantor: not an option for me - my parents live in MA

- Huge deposit with small LL: risky, since they can ignore repairs more easily (not to mention the risk of loss of said deposit).

- Large managed "corporate" type building: a 'hard' 40x requirement means that my corp's W2 to myself for 2008 needs to be at least $80k for a $2k place

One final question: will they care that i am self employed, and will they want to see 2007's tax return as well?

Thank you for your help! :)

[mrstratton]

so...i'm planning on moving to New York BY Summer 2009. That gives me 14 months. so...i know i want to save enough for First month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit, broker's fee, and enough to live off of in case i don't get a job as soon as i'd like.

so...anybody have any suggestions as to how much that might be? and a good neighborhood near enough to take the subway but not too close to be too expensive.

keep in mind, i'm from texas, and am used to paying between $450-$550/month for rent, so i also need to know a good estimate on what that kind of rent (see above) might actually be.

THANKS TO EVERYONE!!

[NYLivin]

Okay so at least I don't think they were asked in this forum (it took three evenings, but I finally got through this whole thread. Great information!).

Quick scenario. I am not new to NY but still think of myself as new since I have only been here 7 months. I have two options for moving dates, the third week of May or the second week of August. My husband starts his job in September and we do have the letter stating his employment offer etc. I am currently working in Hells Kitchen area while Husband will be working near Times Square.

If anyone has some time I would appreciate any input on these three questions.

1) Would it make a difference if we moved in May or in August? I have one broker telling me that May is the heavy month for moving, so I may want to wait till August and I have another broker stating August is a worst time to find housing. I don't know who to believe (though my gut says August may be harder with the influx of students).

2) If we move in May, are we going to have a hard time qualifying for a place since my husband's job does not start till September? While I make a decent salary, I certainly don't make enough to equal the 40x rent. This concern is making me think moving in August may be a safer bet.

3) We have pretty much decided that we want to stay near the Hells Kitchen area since my husband will be working awful hours and I would rather him spend an extra hour with me than on the subway commuting. That being said, I must admit I am drawn to these "luxury" apartments I keep reading about in LIC. The idea of getting a really nice one bedroom apartment is a little alluring. This weekend we are going to go check it out, but anything I should be thinking about in regards to LIC? Any good or bad thoughts?

Thank you all again!

[Schadenfrau]

"The reason i ask is that if (being optimistic here) my business has a good 2008, i might have income in the 50k to 70k range."

If you're being truly realistic, you'll start looking beyond the 96th Street line in Manhattan with that sort of income. Well beyond.

[Front_Porch]

schade: Remember this is a freelancer who asked the question.

A business income of $50 to $70K on the tax returns might well actually be twice that, depending on what deductions and expenses look like, and that's a story you can talk a landlord through.

Bill 2008: it's possible that they might want to see some old tax returns.

mrstratton: Manhattan one-bedrooms are running around $3K right now, you can certainly find things for $2,500 that are decent.

NYLiv: the vacancy rates probably differ by neighborhood from Hell's Kitchen to LIC, so pick your target neighborhood and then re-ask the question.

Get your husband's employer to generate a letter on company letterhead stating that he is starting a position {TITLE} at a salary of {$XXK} on {STARTING DATE}.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

[ta3formforged]

I am wondering how much of a rent increase to expect when my lease expires 8/31. I am in the first year of my lease in a pre-war, 6 story building with laundry and elevator but no doorman. The 1 bedroom apartment was renovated right before I moved in so it's in great shape. I am currently paying $2,875, and it's in the UES. I always pay my rent in full on time.

Obviously it's not rent controlled since I haven't lived here since 1970 and it's not rent stabilized because the rent is too high, right? I can't find any information out on the web on rent increases for those apartments not subject to rent control or stabilization...any ideas on the rent increase I can expect?

Thanks!

[Bill2008]

"The reason i ask is that if (being optimistic here) my business has a good 2008, i might have income in the 50k to 70k range." If you're being truly realistic, you'll start looking beyond the 96th Street line in Manhattan with that sort of income. Well beyond.

Nah...not necessary. I can live anywhere (geographically) in Manhattan that i want, because many places will take a 12 month up-front payment. But it will be much harder for the managed/"corporate" type buildings, who it sounds like want to see those tax returns.

The real issue, per Ali's advice, is whether i want to take the risk of putting down such a large deposit e.g. $24k for a $2k/mo place (i can live in as small as 250 sq ft). Also as she mentioned, as a self-employed person, incomes are really higher than what a tax return shows, so i can walk a LL through that.

[meakin88]

hi everyone, im moving to New York at some point this year ( when ive saved the money)

im moving from London, England and im 19 years old, im an american citizen so thats all sorted.


i was just wondering about the night life, being a brit i love to drink and go clubbing, but i will i have to give all this up when i move to NYC?

and would a english fake id work?

[flyingwaitress]

Hello,

I am a twenty-something flight attendant living in Atlanta, but I have recently been relocated to New York. Instead of commuting to work 3-4 times a month from ATL, I have chosen to make it easier on myself and move to NY.

I have been doing some research but I am still unclear on the best neighborhoods that are closest to either JFK or LaGuardia. I have heard that most flight attendants live in Kew Gardens, but I feel that I am severely limiting myself if I only consider one neighborhood. Kew Gardens is okay-- relatively safe and there is easy access to both airports--but is it a bit on the expensive side for my salary. I do intend to have "roommates"; I would like to use a second bedroom as a crash pad for other commuting flight attendants; however, I would like to find something that I can afford on my own if that plan should ever fall through.

Can anyone recommend any other neighborhoods that might be convenient and affordable for a flight attendant? I am also looking at Flushing, Richmond Hill, and Jamaica...can someone please tell me a little about those as well?

And, if I wanted to rent out my second bedroom but remain the sole renter on the lease, how should I explain that to my landlord? Should I even mention it?

Thanks so much!!

Jonnie

[ta3formforged]

I am wondering how much of a rent increase to expect when my lease expires 8/31. I am in the first year of my lease in a pre-war, 6 story building with laundry and elevator but no doorman. The 1 bedroom apartment was renovated right before I moved in so it's in great shape. I am currently paying $2,875, and it's in the UES. I always pay my rent in full on time.

Obviously it's not rent controlled since I haven't lived here since 1970 and it's not rent stabilized because the rent is too high, right? I can't find any information out on the web on rent increases for those apartments not subject to rent control or stabilization...any ideas on the rent increase I can expect?

Thanks!


Anyone? This question (unlike others near this one) has NOT been asked in this forum before, and I cannot find any answers for apartments NOT stabilized or controlled.

[lofter1]

The simple fact that your rent is over $2,000 / month does NOT mean that the apartment is NOT Rent Stabilized. If it is then the annual increase is regulated. Do not depend upon the word of either your landlord or RE agent regarding the status of the apartment. Would you believe that Landlords in NYC have actually been known to lie about the allowable rent for an apartment? Amazing but true.

Call DHCR and talk to someone there. You have nothing to lose by inquiring about the status of the apartment. Note that individual apartments are Stabilized, not entire buildings.

DHCR - Rent Administration (http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ora/ora.htm)

Contact Info (http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/general/contact.htm#ora)

[ta3formforged]

Thank you for the reply--what if it is not stabilized? What can I expect to see for a rent increase?

[Optimus Prime]

Thank you for the reply--what if it is not stabilized? What can I expect to see for a rent increase?

If it isn't stabilized you can probably expect they will charge you a market rate. Whatever the market rent is for a 1BR in a small, prewar, non-doorman, laundry, elevator building in your particular neighborhood (more specific than UES, because there's a big difference between, say, 90th and York and 77th and Madison). Check a few sites and see what it would take to rent something similar to your apartment, and that is a good estimate.

Another way to estimate would be a 3-5% increase. So for example at 4% you're looking at 2990.

Both of these methods are just estimates, ultimately your landlord is the only one who knows what the increase will be (and they probably don't even know yet themselves).

[Optimus Prime]

and would a english fake id work?

Probably not. NY bars are pretty good about checking IDs. There's simply too much at stake for them not to be.

Also, going out in this city is obviously ridiculously expensive, so if money is an issue for you, you will want to be careful about that.

[lofter1]

Pack a flask and order a Coke :cool: