On New York City: Housing

A reader asked if I would share some advice on what it’s like living in New York City. She said no detail was too small, so I started to build a comprehensive — and somewhat overwhelming — post. So instead, I’ve created 3 different entries: Housing, Budgeting and Lifestyle. I hope each one will give you a realistic idea of what it’s like to live here.

I also want to preface this post by saying that I am just 1 person out of the over 8 million number of people living in the City. New Yorkers are very opinionated, so I encourage you to do more research and build a plan that will work best for you! Today’s topic… Housing.

Realness

Before moving here, I didn’t know much about NYC except what I saw through the eyes of the fabulous foursome featured on Sex and the City. Obviously I’d spent many hours envisioning my life here (which included an idyllic apartment).

Let your dreams of finding a stunning 1 bedroom apartment, just like Carrie Bradshaw’s, on the Upper East Side go! The truth is, you’ll be lucky to find a place with a dishwasher and a closet big enough to hold your clothes.

Your apartment will become your escape, your port in the storm, your zen space (you get the point). As wonderful as New York is, some days will be hard, and you’ll want nothing more than to come home to a place where you can relax and feel comfortable. Before looking, know what your “must haves” are and make sure you truly think you’d be happy in the space before making any commitments.

Where to Look

Before you start looking, have an idea of where you want to live. Are you considering Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island (just in case you don’t know, these are the 5 boroughs of the New York Metropolitan area)? The subway makes it easy to get around from one borough to the next, but you’ll also want to consider commute times, especially to and from work.

I don’t know much about the Bronx or Staten Island, but here are some neighborhoods To consider in the other 3 boroughs:

Brooklyn

• Williamsburg: center of hipstersdom
  Cons: Expect to pay a lot in rent.
  Pros: it’s filled with great restaurants, shopping and fun community events.

• Greenpoint: a nice alternative to Williamsburg
  Cons: rent is still high, but not as expensive as Williamsburg.
  Pros: it’s close to Williamsburg, so you can enjoy the benefits of the hood without having to pay as much in rent.

• Clinton Hill: where it’s chill
  Cons: off the G train (which can be quite fickle)
  Pros: rent is more affordable, it offers many great restaurants and is close to downtown Brooklyn.

• Park Slope: where young families flock
  Cons: expensive. lots of young children and families (if you don’t like kids, may not be the best option for you).
  Pros: pretty quiet, lots of great boutiques and shopping; it’s beautiful!

• My friends recommend…
  Prospect Park
  Ditmas Park
  Prospect Heights

Manhattan

• Lower East Side: trendy meets historic.
  Cons: expect to pay a pretty penny in rent and it’s always crowded and usually noisy
  Pros: there is so much to do! You’re close to other parts of town (soho, the east village, union square, etc)

• The East Village: hippie chic
  Cons: home to many free thinkers/students/bohemians; if that’s not your scene, consider looking else where. Expensive, but your chances of finding a steal are a little higher than other places in Downtown Manhattan.
  Pros: excellent location, good restaurants and great night life

• Upper West Side (including Harlem and Washington Heights): slightly residential
  Cons: not a lot of “green space;” some parts are always busy, so expect lots of noise.
  Pros: if you want to live in Manhattan, but don’t have a huge budget, it’s a great option. It’s also a culturally diverse part of town, so there are lots of yummy restaurants

• Inwood: away from it all.
  Cons: depending on where you’re trying to go, there are long commutes.
  Pros: near Ft. Tryon Park, mix of young and old, quiet and neighborly; it’s pretty and has more greenery than other neighborhoods

Queens

• Astoria: where all are welcome.
  Cons: can end up having a long walk to the train
  Pros: very diverse (big Greek population); excellent restaurants and fun cultural events; many young artists and delicious bakeries; activities to fit ever budget, like $5 yoga classes!

• My friends recommend…
  Sunnyside
  Jackson Heights
  Long Island City
  Forest Hills

Starting the Search

• Contact anyone you know living in the City. While it may seem tedious (and possibly awkward), anyone who lives here knows how hard it is to find a place, and often, they’re willing to help. They may know someone looking for a great roommate — like you — or know of a possible sublet. Also, finding a connection is a great way to avoid paying extra fees, so take the time to reach out to your friends.
• If you know absolutely nothing about the geography of the city, or which neighborhood you’d want to live in, consider subletting or renting a room month to month. This is a great way to figure out where you want to live without getting locked into a long term commitment. For my first 5 months, I rented a room month to month in Brooklyn. It was definitely the right choice for me.
• Consider using a broker if you hate searching for apartments, know where you want to live and don’t mind paying extra broker fees. This is obviously the most expensive way to find your apartment; however, if you find a good broker, it will save you time and heartache. After viewing many disappointing apartments, my roommates and I opted to use a broker. We found a stellar apartment in the neighborhood we wanted to live in, and it was well within our budget.

General Tips

• Always consider safety—I can’t stress this enough! When looking at apartments, take time to walk around the neighborhood, step into a bodega (a little market) or a cafe and be aware of your surroundings. Then notice how you feel… what does your gut tell you? I mention this because your apartment will become your refuge. If you don’t feel safe, it will make your life much more stressful.
• If you’re thinking about using a broker, ask friends in the area for recommendations and/or do some research. There are 2 types of brokers in NYC: amazing ones or bad ones. Hopefully you’ll end up with the former.
• Consider which floor your apartment is on. Cabs are expensive, and if you’re on a budget, you will end up carrying everything home. If you are on the 11th floor and there isn’t an elevator, make sure you consider the fact that you’ll be carrying your groceries, laundry, etc up 11 flights.
• Make sure to take a look around the interior of the building, not just the apartment. Does it look well kept? Is it clean? The Super (someone who lives in the building and is hired by the landlord to oversee it, maintenance and so forth) will be a major player in determining how happy you are in your new home. You should also get the name of the Super, the landlord and/or property manager; then research them. I’ve heard so many stories about unresponsive building Supers and/or managers. it can become unbearably frustrating.

Whew, that was a lot of information—I hope it helps! Feel free to comment below with any specific questions.

—Jaime

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