Your NYC Apartment- Page 6

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:32pm

I said nothing about your writing, darling. Me criticizing someone's spelling would be quite a hypocritical act.

In actuality, I don't disagree with you on the larger problem of people getting priced out of neighborhoods. But it's not all at the feet of older gay men.

And I quite like my neighborhood -- and not just because it's the only place I can afford right now.
Updated On: 4/16/07 at 01:32 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:36pm

Thank you for your apology, mejust. For those who didn't catch it, "papi" was mejust's affectionate reference to me, not a diminutive for PapaLovesMambo.

And thank you for the "fabulous," muscle. But withoutatrace knows I'm a married man!

Who does not wear "stretch pants and glitter" and knows no other aging queens who do.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:40pm

PJ: if you ever get divorced, you know where to find me...

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:42pm

Yes, sadly we all have Manhunt accounts.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:06pm

I'm actually really glad this thread was started, as I've been meaning to ask some questions.

I'm looking to find an apartment in the fall. Definitely want at least one roommate, though I'm not positive who that will be. It's too early for college students to think about that, but because everyone's so lazy, I'm pretty sure if I say to one or several people I have an apartment, fairly cheap, I did the work, etc...yeah.

But okay, never looked for an apartment before. In NYC, of course cheap is better, I'm looking for nothing more than $1,000/month. I totally don't mind living in Queens or Brooklyn, perhaps preferably Brooklyn at least for next year because it's closer to my school in the village, but I'd like to be no more than half an hour subway ride out of Manhattan.

I also wouldn't be totally against having 2 people share a bedroom, or someone's bedroom be the living room or whatever.

Okay, so now what? So far everyone I've asked has said check craigslist. That's great, but there's...so many ads, most of which are not for the fall.

So what do you guys advise for now? Keep an eye out but don't really start looking till July/August?

Do you guys suggest getting a broker, is it worth it?

Do you guys know of any great apts that might be available fairly cheaply that match my needs?

And also, I hear everyone say things like if you put the work into it, you find the right deal. Could anyone be more specific, either via this thread or PM? For instance, WAT mentioned getting a great deal b/c he was the first to respond to a Craigslist ad. Does that happen? Do brokers find it? Did you know the right people? Did you keep searching creaigslist and village voice till you found a great deal? And whose to say someone else won't find this great deal?

So, I mean, you can tell I'm pretty unknowledgable about the process. Any information anyone could post or PM me with would be immensely appreciated. Thanks.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:10pm

A lot of the listings on craigslist have brokers attached to them (mine did), but the apartment was affordable and in a great location, so if I hadn't been the first person to call and go look at the place, I'm sure someone else would have snatched it up immediately. Just keep checking craigslist every day multiple times a day and something will pop up.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:11pm

Come to my hood, babe! Washington Heights -- you can easily find something for less than $1,000. (I'm assuming you mean per person?). And you can get to midtown in about 15-20 minutes.

And don't get a broker. I did, but I had little choice, because I had only about two weeks to find a place and make a move. But since you have plenty of time, there's no need.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:17pm

Calvin, how long would it take me to get to 14th Street? Fortunately my earliest class next year is 2PM (yes!) so I guess it doesn't matter if it that's long...must be 25-30 minutes if you can get to midtown to 15-20, no?

Well, keep an eye out for me then

WAT, so...if something is newly posted and I respond quickly, they may just take my offer and take it down? So a good way to get a good deal may be to snatch up ones as soon as they are posted?

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:20pm

Do you mean the Union Square area? Probably 40 minutes or so. It takes me 45 minutes door-to-door to get to work, and I work in the East Village.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:23pm

I will tell you my story briefly. I came to NYC in 2000. I vested Manhattan occasionally before that, but I didn't know anything about the city. I didn't understand the subway, and I was confused about the boros. Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island all get some varying infamy because of urban legends and movies.

Queens and Brooklyn both have efficient trains that will put you directly in center of Manhattan in less than 30 minutes.

I came with a group of 3 people (poor like myself). I knew them from college, but not more than by name. We randomly got on the subway and rode as far as we could stand into Queens/Brooklyn. We then walked out of the subway and into a Broker just like that. We told her we needed a 2 bedroom; close the subway and "safe." She drove us to Ridgewood Queens, and it was raining and miserable. We went inside looked around and took it for $1200. That was that. None of had any pretense or expectations other than a strong desire to move to NYC as fast as possible.

Brokers are a good idea if you want to be in control of the rental. I like to control a lease when I have roommates. I can't trust anyone like that. I need a place to live, and I don’t want anyone telling me to “get out”. Craigslist has two kinds of people. Fishy and flakey. It's an ok place to find roommates, but it is not as reliable in any way.

I would recommend going a month before your move and getting a broker. List your criteria..

1. More than one subway to your destination.
2. How many bedrooms?
3. Private building or apartment complex.
4. Budget.

etc.. your list can be a mile long, but have your priorities. Then you can just move in.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:23pm

Yeah, the union square area/a tad further west/6th ave.

If the price is right (ohh, pun, go me...yeah I'm sick and tired, don't consider anything I say to be sensical) I guess I could go 40-45 min.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:25pm

"WAT, so...if something is newly posted and I respond quickly, they may just take my offer and take it down? So a good way to get a good deal may be to snatch up ones as soon as they are posted?"

Yes, if something is newly posted and it appeals to you, call immedately and go look at the place. Hopefully you will get there early enough, like the place, and then you can put a deposit down that day. That's how it happened for me anyway, and I am extremely happy with where I ended up.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:26pm

Ridgewood is 15 minutes from Union Square on the "L" train at Mrtyle Avenue stop.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:28pm

Further west will be even shorter of a commute.

And having a broker definitely makes it easier -- but you'll be paying a hefty fee for their services. Mine was well over $1,000.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:36pm

Mine was the $1200.00 the price of the rent. It's worth it though. Finding a decent appartment is daunting for most people already living here. You can always make your roommates pay into that fee.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:42pm

That is true. I had no roommates at the time. Of course, that means now I'm one of those people who controls the lease.

But wrq isn't too far out of the city, so she might have some luck on her own. Brokers won't do you much good until you're ready to put down the first month's rent, anyway, so it's always a last resort option.
Updated On: 4/16/07 at 02:42 PM

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 9:25pm

WRQ, are you looking to get a new apartment with someone you know, or become a roommate to someone who already lives here?

$1000 total or per person?

I ask because I will actually need a new roommate come July/August, and my place is a 5-10 minute walk from Union Square.

Updated On: 4/16/07 at 09:25 PM

Posted: 4/16/07 at 9:29pm

Not exactly an apartment, but I'll be living in an NYU dorm next year which is essentially comprised of luxury apartments on Water Street. Two bedrooms for three girls, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a dining/common room for $11,790/school year. On the 31st floor. Paid for by Mommy and Daddy (see, I can admit it!). Yes, I'm bragging. I can't wait.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 9:42pm

Thanks so much for suggestions, etc, everyone! Keep them coming.

To be more precise about what Calvin was saying, I currently live in a dorm in the Financial District (despite the fact that my school is near 14th street...), it's nearly $11,000 for the year and I don't even get a working stove. You could see why I'm anxious to get an apartment. But i'll be here until...May 14 I believe, then I think I will go back to suburbia, where Calvin correctly said I'm not far from the city, for the summer. I really can't justify getting an apt. over the summer when I have the option of going home. Going back to suburbia after living in the city will suck beyond belief...but that will at least make me more motivated to find a good apartment.

A broker costs over $1,000? Yikes. Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll start with the idea that I hopefully will not need one.

Cape twirl...I'm not 100% positive how to answer that. Generally, my plan is to look for a room with friends or something. I said something to my mom about the last resort I can find a rommate on cragislist and she went bezerk on me. So not sure that could happen...

but if I know the person already...I mean, I'm a very extroverted, social person and in both dorms I was in this year I've been with roommates/suitemates I barely talk to, which just SUCKS. I do have a lot of friends here on BWW though, and certainly wouldn't be against living with them if they made an offer, or maybe someone even I don't know that well, so long as we meet in advance and get along well...and hopefully if that person has posted a while, i can search posts to hopefully ensure that said person is not psycho. I'm not sure if that's what you were getting at Cape twirl, but I figured I might as well get that info out there.

I'm looking for $1,000 per person...but preferably including electric and utilities and all that crap.

Otherwise, keep the info/suggestions coming! Thank you so much!

Posted: 4/16/07 at 9:46pm

Too bad that you don't live in NYU's financial district dorms where we get kitchens with dishwashers, even. I'm not even a huge fan of NYU as a school, but I do have to admit that our dorms are awesome.

... sorry. Good luck with your apartment quest.

[PJ]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 10:07pm

Brokers are very expensive, but in my opinion, worth it. They take the headache out of apartment hunting. Or rather, they make it as painless as apartment hunting can possibly be. However, you will pay the broker 15% of a whole year's worth of rent.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:58pm

I do have a lot of friends here on BWW though, and certainly wouldn't be against living with them if they made an offer, or maybe someone even I don't know that well, so long as we meet in advance and get along well...and hopefully if that person has posted a while, i can search posts to hopefully ensure that said person is not psycho.

Live alone! Or clone yourself.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:59pm

Many people can't afford to live alone in NYC. I certainly can't.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 12:12am

I was joking, AC. My point was that you can't know every single detail of your prospective roommates' lives. People are people. All you need to do is live in the same apartment. The roommate search doesn't need to be as complicated as WRQ is making it out to be in the part that I quoted.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 12:15am

My apartment is HUGE! I live alone with wall-to-wall carpeting and washer and dryer hookups with water included! All for only $400 a month!!!!!



/Trade-off - I live in Columbus, Georgia.
//Suckage: Cost of living still makes it hard to maintain even when its this cheap.