$$$Price on NYC living$$$- Page 2

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 12:40pm

What about Staten Island? Is that a big pain in the a$$? Is it as bad as people say?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 12:46pm

A friend of mine lives in West New York. She has a spacious two-bedroom apartment for $1000 a month. She doesn't own or need a car. The jitney comes around every ten minutes, and the ride into the city on a day without any traffic is around 15-20 minutes. You should look into WNY; it's a great community.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 12:49pm

Pretty much, borstalboy. You never know when the ferries are going to screw up (though it's a beautiful ride), and otherwise the transportation system there is even worse. There is that beautiful baseball field, and the Tibetan museum, but on the whole, it's just tough to get around without a car.

I lived in JC for awhile, and didn't have any trouble getting around without a vehicle, but I just didn't like the area. Also, I didn't find JC all that cheap, either.
Updated On: 8/2/05 at 12:49 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:49pm

JC is probably Jersey City

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 1:52pm

I live in Brooklyn and I pay less than $700.00 a month for a 1 bedroom/1 living room/ full bath/ and seperate kitchen. I have a laundry room in the basement and elevator(no doorman, but a great super.)

How did I find this apartment? My friend lives in the building and told me an apartment was available.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:01pm

Staten Island is just such a shlep to midtown. I made the decision a long time ago that one of my priorities was to be able to live close to everything I do, because I just can't stand to commute - even 20 minutes on a train wears me out - I'd rather walk there, regardless of the weather, if I can get there in under an hour - plus, thats better for my heart. So, naturally, I pay through the nose to live in midtown. We share a very tiny one-bedroom for $1600.00, and it's the most I've ever paid in 43 years on earth. I am getting much keener on the idea of owning someday, if it is at all possible. (And probably not in New York)

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:15pm

Evelyn:
My having a car while living in downtown Jersey City is simply a luxury for my partner and I and not at all needed. There are some neighborhoods and parts of Jersey City some would say a car is required -- I was referring to the neighborhoods mentioned in my first post. Sorry, I assumed that after typing out Jersey City, the JC reference was inferred.

The PATH train, light rail, ferries, busses and jitneys make transportation not an issue.


The reality is people will sacrifice one thing to do what is important to them -- as Redhot said -- a commute is simply not an issue for him and I agree. I was living "in town" and moved to the burbs to try to keep a bad relationship working (mistake) -- the commute was awful -- at that point in my life I wanted "space" and found my haven just the other side of the Hudson (Jersey City) -- some find it just the other side of the East River...to all those looking to this great area -- take all the comments made into consideration and do what feels right for you at the time!


You will find what works -- it's just this great metro area of NYC is not just Manhattan -- even though that is what brings us here

Updated On: 8/2/05 at 02:15 PM

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:32pm

Absolutely, KMF. It's all a trade-off. I live in NYC, though not in Manhattan. My commute is about half an hour. I use the time catch up on my reading, go through my mail, and occasionally I'll commute by bike. I own my house, and have a yard & rooftop to garden in/on.

I've lived in Manhattan, and it worked for me then. At the moment, I prefer what I have now.

Guess what we're trying to tell you is to keep an open mind. If you just HAVE to have that studio in Hell's Kitchen, go for it, but you're better off widening your horizons. Some parts of Brooklyn are pretty hip, reasonably cheap, and fairly close to Manhattan.

Look at the classifieds, see what's availiable, check out a few neighborhoods. Time Out mag can help you find your way around. Explore! And good luck.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:39pm

craigslist.org allows you to search for non-broker fee apts. It is possible to avoid the broker fee.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 10:42pm

NYC is a great city. The number #1 requirement to adjusting to living here is an innate desire to want to live here. If you posssess that you will make whatever compromises are necessary to succeed.

However, it's important not to view living here through rose colored glasses. It's tough, it's expensive, and it can prove to be lonely time and time again. However with personal perseverance you can succeed. I moved here because I was determined to live here. The reason was that simple.

In a nutshell, if you want to make living here work for you, you will, regardless of the cost to the pocket book.




Updated On: 8/3/05 at 10:42 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 6:29am

I lived in Astoria for about 45 years & lived in the basic same apartment all that time. I grew up in one house & when I got my own place I moved to the connected building next door as they were one of the few who would take a pet. This was a move I regretted as I got the landlord from hell.

Astoria changed drastically over that time.I have not been back there in years.

You can cut down to save money. When you go to the movies, sneak in soda & goodies. Try going to a bargain matinee if possible. Buy discounted tickets (TDF , TKTS, BWAY BOX ) for Broadway shows. There are many ways to stretch your money. I take off my hat & due to the gray hair I get into the movies for 1/2 price. Buy store brands instead of brand name foods

By the way, Jersey City has the Loew's Jersey & Stanley & Staten Island has the St George

[cabarethed]

Posted: 8/3/05 at 9:26am

After I saw one of my friend's apartments and living situation in Hoboken, that immediately became my goal rather than Manhattan. She works in JC, has a perfect apt for one, is a couple blocks away from the Path (all night to NY for $1.50 in 15 min, hello), and the town was so cute. It was the peak of spring, and everyone turned this huge grassy area in front of the skyline into a little beach of sorts. That whole area is so my new goal.