Moving to NYC next fall - where should we go? BKLYN? Queens?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

I'm (hopefully) going to be in grad school and the SO will be working. We are probably going to be in the $700-$800 dollar range. Advice?

[Misunderestimator]

1. I haven't lived there in years... and always lived in Manhattan

You COULD try Washington Heights. They may still have cheap rents up there, and it was pretty nice even back when I lived in NY (I lived on the upper west side for about 7 years, but the first 3 years I lived in NY I moved around a lot, and I lived in Washington Heights for about 6 months). Also Hoboken is just over the river, and VERY convenient to lower Manhattan.

[matcom]

2. $700-$800?

my advice: move somewhere less expensive

never lived in NYC but i can't believe you would get out of the projects for that amount. i KNOW you can't in Boston. hell, i'm out in the burbs west of Boston and you can't get ANYTHING out HERE for much less than $1200 (unless you don't mind shacking up with critters)

good luck

[Misunderestimator]

3. I was gonna say the same... even 10 years ago I couldn't find

much for that. The Washington Heights 2-bedroom I had was only $700... but that was about 15 years ago. The Upper west side one-bedroom was $1,100, and no separate kitchen.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. I've found some little places in Astoria and Brooklyn. We might be able

to rustle up more

[russian33]

8. Astoria is nice, I got a few friends there

And prices are reasonable...I'm in Far Rockaway, Queens...and rent is not too bad here, but it a hike to the city, about hour and 15 minutes by A train.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

9. We need to be as close to Manhattan as possible

[russian33]

21. Then Astoria would be perfect

Right across the river, a couple of train stops, and you're in mid-town

[dr.strangelove]

5. You will have a hard time, but they are out there

Further out in Brooklyn and Queens will be OK. You can find small one bedrooms in the 800s in far Brooklyn. The above poster was right about Jersey City and some NJ areas. The NJ train system is fantastic. Hoboken is out of your range, but Jersey City and some other NJ areas are in range. You might also consider going north to Yonkers or White Plains and taking the Metro North train into the city. You can find one bedrooms for 800ish in Yonkers and White Plains too.

The other thing is that salaries are higher in NY. Don't know what your SO does, but you may be able to raise that range a bit. If you can get to 1000, you can find a one bedroom in lower Manhattan or the upper east side, or you can find a 2 bedroom on Staten Island, Brooklyn or Queens.

Good Luck.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

6. She is in the teaching field. In CT she is making good money as an arts

substitute teacher. She can get good recommendations and might be able to make good loot.

[liontamer]

35. ct pays much better

don't expect to make as much in nyc. Maybe you could try westchester?

[Quetzal]

7. I say move to Harlem

Which grad school are you attending? Columbia? My brother got some killer deals on the upper West Side - I don't even know how the f*** he got them. I believe Columbia provides some sort of subsidy in the area? Not sure.

About Harlem - It is not as bad as the press hypes it up to be. I read an article about a woman who lived in Harlem for half of her life. She was only robbed when she moved to midtown.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. I have some friends in Harlem - good idea. I'm applying to the School of

Visual Arts Masters program in Illustration (I got my undergrad there). Its down on 23rd & 3rd

[Misunderestimator]

11. Actually.... since you'll be down that far on the east side...

I'd look in alphabet city... It was getting cleaned up when I moved away, maybe it's nicer now... or go straight across to the west side to Tribeca. Either way, you'd be really close to school.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

15. I've seen some nice places in the LES but they were pricey - we'll see.

Since I go to the MET so often Harlem might not be a bad route. And Craig's list has a bunch of apartments that fir the price range there

[Lavender Brown]

16. Rents are becoming outrageous in Alphabet City

Even if you go as far east as Ave. C. it is 1400+ just for studios. :(

[liontamer]

18. he won't be able to afford alphabet city

[Misunderestimator]

22. Dang... how things change when you've been gone for 10 years

[Me.]

12. Harlem is Great

But I doubt you can find anything there as it has become the new area for gentrification. The brownstone up there are going for $1,000,000+. The upper west side has become the place where everyone wants to be and a one bedroom is now starting at $1500.+. I would suggest Washington Heights which is in the 180+ block, or as has been said, NJ which is affordable and a quick commute.

[Quetzal]

13. I heard about that

I went to NYC for the Republican protests and when I stayed with my brother on the Upper West Side, I noticed fliers pertaining to Columbia's gentrification campaign - what is that all about?

[Me.]

17. Columbia is trying to buy up everything

Right now they are trying to get their hands on the projects that start at 126st & Broadway. I don't know where they think those people will go to live...

[Yavin4]

14. $1200??

Try $1,800 at least, and that includes BKLYN and Queens. I should know I live here.

[liontamer]

19. tough call

Not knowing where your wife will work it's hard to be specific, but since you'll be on the 6 line, maybe the bronx.

other possibilities are:Upper manhattan, deep in brookyln or far into queens

[Lavender Brown]

20. Astoria or Long Island City

You can get something fairly inexpensive, and they are both only one stop away from midtown. You could definitely spend about 800-900 if you got a two-bedroom and had a roommate, but since you're a couple you probably wouldn't want to share an apartment.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

23. Thats the way its looking. We might be able to spend more - we'll see

Thanks

[pagerbear]

24. Inwood and Washington Heights are good for cheap rents

And there will be the added bonus of being near me.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

27. I''ve been waiting for you -thanks. I've been checking Craig's list. That'

the area I want - Washington Heights. We'll hopefully have more like 900 - 1000 but I want to lowball for now. Where are you?

[pagerbear]

28. I'm in Inwood

It's quite a nice area, most parts.

[pagerbear]

25. Online resources for no-fee apartments and subleases

www.nofeerentals.com
www.rent-direct.com
www.cityleases.com

And, of course.....
www.craigslist.com

[CO Liberal]

26. Try New Jersey

But even that may not be that cheap. My kids were renting a two-bedroom apartment in Wharton (in Morris County, just north of Dover) for $1,000 a month. And they considered it a bargain!!!!!

There are many apartment complexes in Parsippany (especially around the Lake Hiawatha area). And there's frequent bus service into Manhattan.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

29. What about Jersey City?

Not the Pavonia/Newport area (right on the Hudson), but perhaps a little further in, around the Grove Street (downtown) area... It's very close to the PATH (train that takes you into Manhattan) and it's an area undergoing a major renaissance. I live near the Grove St. PATH and I can tell you that in the 1 year I've been here the area has changed a lot... It's a very easy commute into the city and, if you wish, you can always catch the ferry. You could find something decent for $1000 or so. I do not think that $700 is doable, though...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

30. 700-800 for an apt?

you should be able to find something in bklyn

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

34. We could probably eek out more too - but we'll see

[Crankie Avalon]

31. You might try Greenpoint...

...although being able to go to $1000 would make it more of a sure thing.

The G train isn't so convenient, but it's a nice neighborhood right now and it's still a lot more affordable than Williamsburg.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

32. good call W

thanks!

[noonwitch]

33. Staten Island or New Jersey

I've heard Hoboken has affordable areas.