Moving to New York

[lofter1]

Correction to your post ^^^

The $175K Income benchmark that triggers possibility of de-regulation of an RS unit is based on Total Household Income -- roommates included.

[Big Apple, eh?]

Hello all,

First time poster on this forum, so be gentle...

I have moved from Canada and am now enjoying my residence in midtown Manhattan, courtesy of my company. I work in lower Manahattan (downtown?) by NYSE.

First things first, of course, so had a look around central park, went to Rockefeller centre...

But for the past week I've been going out and seeing apartments for myself. Now hold on, before you go and all, I looked through the first 30 odd pages of this article ...I'm telling you, its not very easy going through the whole thing. I have gone out and seen some apartments (~25) primarily through craigslist.

I focused on Jersey (mainly because, its affordable, close-ish, and has some Indian stuff happening). I have been told to be weary of certain areas such as Bushwick, Washington heights, some far up in the Bronx. Now, I usually dont like asking for help unless I have to. So here I am.

I am looking to spend about ~1100 (yea I know...not looking for someplace in Tribeca or SoHo, thats for sure). People at work have been less than forthcoming about what and where etc.

I am running out of time, and need to get this setup as quickly as I can.
1) 1 bedroom apartment (not a studio)
2) ~1100/month (no share)
3) ~30-40 minutes to WTC path or City Hall MTA

I am a reasonable fixer upper...but I dont want to unless I have to. I am drawing absolute blanks on Queens and Brooklyn. I understand Flushing might be an area that would be reasonable, but I think its about an hour or so by train?

Personal situation: I am in my late twenties, male, single, zero US Credit history, Canadian Credit History very much ok, and making close to 6 figures...before taxes...man I thought Canada was bad with taxes...Federal, State AND city) Actually this is another reason I was looking in Jersey...they have a slightly higher state tax...but no city tax (yet).

Wow, this turned out longer than I thought. I'll do my best to answer if you have any questions.

Thank you immensely for your help.

[Schadenfrau]

Inwood.

[OmegaNYC]

^ Iwood would be a good choice. You'll be downtown on a A train in about 20 minuets. It always run express.

[Lance75]

Inwood's a good suggestion.

Bay Ridge in Brooklyn is also a nice neighborhood, although it's probably close to the upper limit of your desired commute time.

Newark, perhaps? The Ironbound district is interesting, and it's short walk to Penn Station.


Any reason you absolutely must have a bedroom? If you're willing to settle for a studio, it could open up a few more possibilities. Given your age and marital status, it might be worth giving up some space to be in a "hipper" location close to other young singles.

[Front_Porch]

For that price, I second Newark. There are rental units downtown (which is a little intimidating, so check it out at night) as well as in the Ironbound.

Foreign nationals can find housing difficult -- get a letter from your Canadian bank, stating your great credit history, and another one from your U.S. employer stating you are employed as a 'JOB TITLE' at a salary of $$XX.

Have those in hand, so you can make your case on the spot when you find something.

You are paying an extremely low percentage of your earnings in rent -- 25% is pretty "standard" and people have been known to crash through it -- but when you make your case to a landlord, turn it into a positive -- a sign that you're fiscally conservative.


ali r.
{downtown broker}

[penetrode]

Hi guys,

I am moving to NY the last week of October. I'm relatively familiar with the city and visit multiple times a year. I have a good friend up there and plan to stay with him until I get everything settled. Here is my plan/question;

I am an accountant and will be getting promoted to a business analyst. Surfing various employment websites, it looks as though in my field, I will have no problem finding a job up there in a reasonable amount of time (max 4 weeks)? I’ve re-done my entire resume and will be using my friend’s Manhattan address. I have about 2.5 years of experience and I estimate my salary to be in the $60k range. My girlfriend is a commercial real estate agent and will be re-locating to NY as soon as I get on my feet; Our combined income will be in the 6-figure range. My lifestyle is low maintenance, I don't go out to the trendy clubs, gamble or just blow money randomly. My partying is defined as a few guinnesses on the weekend. To put it bluntly, I don't go out much, most of my time is relagated to my girlfriend or recording music.

Housing
I’ve been researching this on and off and have narrowed it down to a few choices. I want to get a 450-500 sqft studio $1700 per month preferably in Murray Hill, east village, or les. I am considering Williamsburg as well. Looking on craigslist, this price looks definitely attainable. I figure renting a studio might be the best route because it’ll allow me to save a little bit of money and also give us about a year to settle in to the city and move into a bigger apt the next year. It seems that the studio apts $1500-1700 range all have broker fees? I’m willing to pay a broker fee if I can find that so called “perfect” place.

You guys live up there and should have a better idea if what I am planning is reasonable. Am I thinking entirely too positive or are my plans, particularly housing plans unrealistic? I’d love to hear what you guys think!

Thanks in advance!
chris

[Big Apple, eh?]

Hey All, thanks for the responses so far. Lance asked about the requirement/preference of a 1 bed vs. studio. Although I would love to live somewhere in Manhattan, or someplace a little more "hip" as you say, I am somewhat of a cooking hobbyist, and Indian food, has a very strong aroma, which is very well and good, but its not that great when it settles into your business suits, and your other clothes, and walking and mingling with clients becomes somewhat of an event Superficial, yes I know, but that's the way it is. So I just segregate the beautiful cooking area...air it out...and enjoy a good meal or few. Plus a one bedroom simply offers that much more convenience in terms of not sleeping in an alcove etc. I am definitely open to suggestions as I have not really lived in studios before.

Ali also asked a question about the low percentage of earning in rent. It does appear so, but from the preliminary calculation I have done, the taxes are going to lop off a significant portion of the earnings, with my budget coming out to just about 20% of my net earnings That, and I figure I might as well start saving up (for anything and everything...look into 401k, roth etc..)

Input? suggestions? Critique? All always welcome.

Thanks again.

[Schadenfrau]

A one-bedroom isn't going to offer you much more protection than a studio in the way of cooking smells. A good closet door and ventilation would take care of that, so don't write a studio out of your search.

[haloperi]

Question:

Should I read all 62 pages (Has there been good suggestions/questions-answers in these pages)?
or
Can someone summarize all the important tips? (All and/or any tips) [[you'd be my favorite person for the entire year, lol -- although, I don't know how much that means to you, haha]]

(If you need to know my situation, I'm looking to share a room/apt and my price range would be around 500 dollars - preferably in central~lower Manhattan)

[clubBR]

Hi guys,

I am moving to NY the last week of October. I'm relatively familiar with the city and visit multiple times a year. I have a good friend up there and plan to stay with him until I get everything settled. Here is my plan/question;

I am an accountant and will be getting promoted to a business analyst. Surfing various employment websites, it looks as though in my field, I will have no problem finding a job up there in a reasonable amount of time (max 4 weeks)? I’ve re-done my entire resume and will be using my friend’s Manhattan address. I have about 2.5 years of experience and I estimate my salary to be in the $60k range. My girlfriend is a commercial real estate agent and will be re-locating to NY as soon as I get on my feet; Our combined income will be in the 6-figure range. My lifestyle is low maintenance, I don't go out to the trendy clubs, gamble or just blow money randomly. My partying is defined as a few guinnesses on the weekend. To put it bluntly, I don't go out much, most of my time is relagated to my girlfriend or recording music.

Housing
I’ve been researching this on and off and have narrowed it down to a few choices. I want to get a 450-500 sqft studio $1700 per month preferably in Murray Hill, east village, or les. I am considering Williamsburg as well. Looking on craigslist, this price looks definitely attainable. I figure renting a studio might be the best route because it’ll allow me to save a little bit of money and also give us about a year to settle in to the city and move into a bigger apt the next year. It seems that the studio apts $1500-1700 range all have broker fees? I’m willing to pay a broker fee if I can find that so called “perfect” place.

You guys live up there and should have a better idea if what I am planning is reasonable. Am I thinking entirely too positive or are my plans, particularly housing plans unrealistic? I’d love to hear what you guys think!

Thanks in advance!
chris

Personally, with your financial benfits, I'd buy a one or two bedroom apt. in Long Island City (Hunters Point)

[momomoriah]

http://thehudsoncondo.rtrk.com/coupo...do-px.rtrk.com

i mean is that even possible??
im dying to live in nyc im going to massage therapy school at the moment and hopefully ill find somewhere to work up there. but is that really a good profession to live there? or should i apply at f.i.t. for fashion merchandising?

[Freedom]

I am currently planning to move to New York in early 2008, and will be attending Milano The New School in Fall of 2008. Could anyone recommend the best way to find a good school for my daughter (age 7). Also, how would you recommend I begin my apartment search? Would you recommend finding an area near where Ryan will go to school, where I will go to school or do my best to just find safe and affordable - and do whatever I must do to get where I have to be? I have far more questions than I have answers at this point; so I am so thankful for this site.

[ta3formforged]

I understand it's not recommended to rent something "sight unseen" but is it possible to do so? I spoke w/ a broker today, and she said that landlords won't let you sign a lease if it's "sight unseen"--any truth to this?

If I want to have a lease start around August 15th, when should I start contacting brokers or go out to NY?

My wife wants to live in somewhere charming, cute, safe, within a few blocks of the subway, and somewhere between $2,300 - $3,000--any ideas? We were thinking Upper East Side or Brooklyn Heights but would LOVE some other ideas.

[Schadenfrau]

Question:

Should I read all 62 pages (Has there been good suggestions/questions-answers in these pages)?
or
Can someone summarize all the important tips? (All and/or any tips) [[you'd be my favorite person for the entire year, lol -- although, I don't know how much that means to you, haha]]

(If you need to know my situation, I'm looking to share a room/apt and my price range would be around 500 dollars - preferably in central~lower Manhattan)

If you had read this thread like everyone suggested, you wouldn't have such unrealistic ideas.