Moving to NYC...

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 1:25pm

Alright, so this morning my wife got the exciting (but a bit scary) news that she has been accepted to the internship program at Columbia University. Which means, we're moving to NYC!

Awesome. Great. we love it there and visit all the time.

but, visiting is different than living there... and i'm nervous as hell at the thought of finding an apartment because NYC rent is so high.

any BWW members on here living in NYC who can offer some help? maybe hit me up via AIM or PM? I need tips on what neighborhoods to search, all that good stuff.

any help is much appreciated

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:04pm

One of the things you need to take into consideration is are you going to live close enough to walk (a higher rent) or is commuting a possibility (more rent flexibility)?

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:20pm

we'll be selling our car as we wont be needing it in NYC anymore. so definitely its a plus to live near the subway.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:23pm

Check Craig's List as often as possible. It's worked for many friends of mine.

Also, check the obits...that's how I got mine!

My neighbor just passed, her place might still be available. What is your price range?

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:30pm

See Hunting and Gathering.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:39pm

We pay $1700 here in DC (with all utilities). I know NYC will be more expensive, but i am hoping we can find a really nice place for about $1800? with utilities? just 1 bedroom.

in a nice quiet safe area...

[TomMonster]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:42pm

I think you can do VERY well for that. My neighbors place is a one bedroom, probably at that price. They are now fixing it up.

The neighborhood is very safe (Upper West Side in the 80's) right across from the subway (the 1 train which goes up to Columbia).

I'll be back in NYC tomorrow and can ask the landlord Wednesday what the deal is with the apartment.

PM me if interested!

PS: Utilities are not included, but you do not pay for water in NYC, if that helps. Plus no car expense!

Updated On: 2/25/08 at 02:42 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:46pm

Congrats to your wife cuban!

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:50pm

thanks uncageg! :)

tom - sending you a PM

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:51pm

My brother paid 1350 for a studio apartment on 75th and Amsterdam last year. Imagine the smallest studio apartment in New York, and divide that by 2. That's how small it was.

1800 for a one-bedroom actually sounds reasonable if possible. Craigslist can be a pain sometimes. A broker would help you find one, but the fees are steep as hell (one months rent). Plus in NYC, you have to make 40x the rent in annual income (if the rent is 1800, you have to make at least 72,000) which doesn't make the least bit sense to me.

I live on the UWS. Even if I had a choice, I wouldn't live anywhere else..however I do hate that it's Up-and-coming!

[mauriposa]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 2:56pm

<--- Jealous.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:01pm

When are you moving?

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:03pm

Where on the UWS do you live? I'd hardly think of the West 60s, 70s, or 80s as "up-and-coming".

Pab, if she's going to be at Columbia, you should be FINE with that budget getting a 1-bdr in Morningside Heights. The apartments are LOVELY around there, too...if you're willing to go a few minutes farther uptown on the 1 train, you can get stunning, large 2-brs for that much, CERTAINLY a knockout huge 1-bedroom.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:06pm

never heard of morningside heights... will look into it...

dottie - movie early june.

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:07pm

Morningside Heights is the neighborhood in which you will find Columbia University.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:09pm

Columbia is in Morningside. Yay CU.

Ah, Jaily beat me.

Updated On: 2/25/08 at 03:09 PM

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:12pm

ha! goes to show how much i know about NYC. I didnt go with her to any of the interviews so i dont even know where CU is located.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:14pm

The campus proper spans roughly 114th to 120th between Broadway and Amsterdam, but there are university buildings all over the area.

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:14pm

It's a gorgeous neighborhood. I worked at Columbia for a while, and I very much enjoyed being in the area. It's particularly stunning in spring and autumn.

The Official Morningside Heights Website

Updated On: 2/25/08 at 03:14 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:16pm

Oh, what block is that? It's lovely!

And yes, it's a wonderful area.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:18pm

i know this will sound ignorant, but keep in mind i dont know NYC very well so i'm learning about it now... isnt the neighborhood where CU is located supposed to have somewhat of a crime problem? monica says shes always heard the CU hood is not exactly the safest place to live.

[mauriposa]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:18pm

That is beautiful, Jaily. I dream of living in such a place.

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:22pm

Perhaps 10 years ago it was sketchy, but it's no more dangerous (imho) than any other neighborhood in Manhattan, and certainly quite a bit more savory than the neighborhood at the bottom of the hill (the "hill" being Morningside Park, formerly nicknamed "Murderside Park"), which is West Harlem proper.

I often worked very late, and never had any discomfort being in the neighborhood at night. Nor do many of the thousands of students who live there. :)

Updated On: 2/25/08 at 03:22 PM

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:23pm

another random question... what if we wanted to live further outside of the state? a longer commute but maybe it would be more quiet and peaceful? somewhere in westchester? where is further away (and more affordable) without being too far?

[D2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:25pm

Look into Riverdale, in the Bronx.