Was housing always a nightmare in NYC?

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:55am

Especially Manhattan?

I'm dying to get out of my Manhattan apartment - as it's my third one here and (yet again) requires multiple trips by the exterminator. So, I've been making my way to Brooklyn neighborhoods like Park Slope and Williamsburg only to realize that they have some sort of.... weird aversion to fast food, and lack anything that would justify $900 in monthly rent for an apartment with multiple roommates (seeing Peter Sarsgaard in Park Slope can't be exciting forever). Anyway, I'm trying to stay in Manhattan without having to wake up a 5:00AM to anything crawling on my forehead. Anyone here know of someone looking for a roommate for $1,000 or less, even if it's just a week to week prorated sublet, or where to look besides Craigslist? I'd like to not bother with the real estate agencies unless they're willing to pass off my student loans and a difficult job search as responsible for mediocre credit.

[matjomae]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 12:23pm

Wish I could help! Had you posted this a couple weeks ago we could have gone on a search together.

I spent two months going to 'interviews' for open rooms off of craigslist in Manhattan and *finally* found the perfect apt for $800/month on the UES. The apartments are out there, you just have to be willing to put in time. A lot of time.

To note, during my search I was also highly considering Astoria, Queens. You might like it; a lot of us on Manhattan just never think to venture out there. There's cheap rent (I was looking at about $600-$700 a month there), nice sized rooms, tons of fast food and other restaurants, grocery stores, Starbucks, etc and it's only 10-15 minutes to midtown.

Good luck!