Desperate for an affordable place in the NYC area

[hannya]

I'm not sure which section this topic would belong in, but hopefully if it's not in the right section it can be moved to the appropriate section.

I am extremely desperate for some tips on some reasonably priced housing in the NYC area, preferably $800 and lower.
I have known people who rent 3 bedroom apartments for that much in the Bronx, so it definitely exists...I just don't know where to find it.

My family consists of me and my two parents who are retired and senior citizens, one of which is a Vietnam Veteran. So we would need a place with 2-3 bedrooms.

My situation is pretty tough. Last year I was going to school in NYC, dorming as an out of state student (I live 680 miles away from NY). Eager to find a place to stay, I began renting a basement apartment. Unfortunately I was not aware that NY state laws prohibit this. Since a neighbor brought it up, despite how many people get away with it, the landlord panicked and I was forced out.

Because of this, I have missed this semester because I no longer even have a place to stay in NYC. I am being held back from rooming with someone because my parents insist that I wait until they find a reasonable place in NY. Apparently that is just that problem. They can't find an afforable place in NYC or in the area, and because of this we are all suffering in a very unhealthy place that is literally killing us.

There has to be somewhere in NYC that would suit us. It's perfectly clear that not everyone in the city, the Bronx, Brooklyn, S.I., Northern New Jersey, and Queens is rich, so there must be somewhere reasonable.

Please give tips. I need to get back to school and live a real life again. It would be greatly appreciated.

[TLOZ Link5]

Here's what I could find with a quick search:

http://www.forrent.com/search/results.asp?r=4479944

[BrooklynRider]

Start looking for those "Roommate Wanted" ads.

[hannya]

^That's the problem. I have to find a place so that my parents can stay there also.

Actually, that's partially what got me in this situation in the first place. NY zoning laws only legally allow 2 families per house (I was in a situation with other non-related students), so since the neighbors were nosy I got forced out because the landlord panicked. :(

[BrooklynRider]

You'll probably need to head to cheaper neighborhoods of Queens & the Bronx. Yonkers might be an option.

You're parents are retired or retarded? I don't understand why they need to move with you? Are they footing your bill or are you footing theirs? Either way, they should go find some subsidized senior citizen housing and you should find a roommate, rich boyfriend, or college with a dorm.

Good luck!

[lofter1]

^ I second the motion for the rich boyfriend.

[alibrot]

get a place for yourself...find someone who needs a roommate - you can get one for $500 in queens easy - criagslist is the place to go. why are your parents moving to nyc? they obviously can't afford it. yea, people arent rich, but 2 social security checks, plus you working while you're in school should cover 1,000 a month for a one bedroom in queens or the bronx, or uptown. what does being a vietnam vet have to do with this situation?

sounds like your parents cant afford retirement...maybe they should reconsider.

even get yourself a poor boyfriend..they still live somewhere.

[hannya]

You'll probably need to head to cheaper neighborhoods of Queens & the Bronx. Yonkers might be an option.

You're parents are retired or retarded? I don't understand why they need to move with you? Are they footing your bill or are you footing theirs? Either way, they should go find some subsidized senior citizen housing and you should find a roommate, rich boyfriend, or college with a dorm.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tip on neighborhoods, but I didn't think that Queens would be cheaper than BK. You talking about South Jamaica?

My parents are retired and on a fixed income. The place where we all are is bad in general. A lot is tied into this and it's hard to explain in a few words.

Since you mentioned subsidized senior citizen housing, would you happen to know of any in NY (especially with a priority for veterans)? They've actually tried that before, but somehow they weren't successful. Perhaps that would be best to pursue.

I already have a boyfriend but he really isn't in a position to do anything since he is trying to get an education himself like I would be doing if I was not here, which is completely understandable.

The other options are really easier said than done, especially when I'm not even anywhere near NY right now. I just got out of a college dorm which costed $10,000 a year, got thrown out of the roommate situation (roommate also was thrown out) solely because of zoning laws, and my bf honestly can't do anything. But thanks.


Alibrot: Being a Vietnam vet with certain status (disabled...in this case) gets priority in certain housing situations. That is why I mentioned it.

Also alibrot, you mentioned my parents being unable to afford "NYC". Like I mentioned in the first post, I have friends who rent like 3 bedroom apartments in the NY area for 800 a month....so it does exist....I just need to know where....

[BrooklynRider]

There is a VA hospital in both Manhattan and Brooklyn that might be able to answer questions regarding his eligibility for housing. Catholic Charities operates numerous federally subsized housing blocks in the city, certainly in Brooklyn in Queens. Note: Brooklyn & Queens would be Catholic Charities Diocese of Brooklyn; Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island are Diocese of New York. United Jewish Federation also provides services. In short, services are there. It seems that you are doing everything. I don't know where you currently live, but most senior centers have social workers and entitlement specialists who could guide your parents and assist them with paperwork.

As tough as your situation is, you have to make a decision as to whether you can successfully pursue school AND be a caretaker. It seems you would be more help if you could strike out on your own and complete school, rather than moving a group to be with you.

It's sounds like your emotions (and guilt) might have an overriding influence on your decisions. You might feel bad about what you have to do, but the logical decision doesn't seem the most "comfortable" (or compassionate) from your present state of mind.

[hannya]

There is a VA hospital in both Manhattan and Brooklyn that might be able to answer questions regarding his eligibility for housing. Catholic Charities operates numerous federally subsized housing blocks in the city, certainly in Brooklyn in Queens. Note: Brooklyn & Queens would be Catholic Charities Diocese of Brooklyn; Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island are Diocese of New York. United Jewish Federation also provides services. In short, services are there. It seems that you are doing everything. I don't know where you currently live, but most senior centers have social workers and entitlement specialists who could guide your parents and assist them with paperwork.

Okay great, I'll look into those. Thanks a bunch.

[TLOZ Link5]

Good luck.

[krulltime]

I have friends who rent like 3 bedroom apartments in the NY area for 800 a month....so it does exist....I just need to know where....

Hmm... if you already have 'friends' who rents 3 bedrooms for $800 a month, then why are you asking us? Ask your friends!

In anyway... Good luck!

[hannya]

Hmm... if you already have 'friends' who rents 3 bedrooms for $800 a month, then why are you asking us? Ask your friends!

The fact that I even brought it up was to make sure there is no doubt that there are afforable places in NYC, and obviously others know about that. Please believe that I have done pretty much what I logically could have been able to already, asking 'friends' to say the least.

I only came on here to ask for any possible tips.