I need help finding a place in the NYC metro area!

[BloodyWilliam]

Hey, everyone. I just graduated and I got a job in Manhattan. I'm looking for a place in Brooklyn or Queens that I could get for less than $1,000 in an area that's not crime-ridden. I don't know the area that well and there are so many neighborhoods. I don't know what parts of Brooklyn/Queens are "safe" and which are, well, ghetto. Can anyone offer advice?

My ideal apartment would be:
Studio or 1-bedroom
Less than $1,000
Electricity included
Reasonable security
Near public transportation to Manhattan

And while I'm at it, a unicorn would be nice. :)

Also, I found www.classyapartments.com. Um... the offerings they're showing seem really good, but it costs $75/month to access listings (well, $75 for a month, $100 for half a year). Would such a site be a legitimate source for apartments?

I appreciate any advice. Thank you!

[jrthin]

1. Yep. You've got better

odds with that unicorn.

[BloodyWilliam]

2. Thanks.

So maybe I should consider north Jersey, or shooting myself in the head?

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Riverdale ( North Bronx) is largely safe, middle class....

diverse, progressive, picturesque, and not much further from midtown than Bklyn or Queens. It's also cheaper... rent wise; and yes, you can find a 1 br here for under 1,000... with some leg-work.

[BloodyWilliam]

4. Thanks! That helps.

How about Astoria or Bensonhurst? I've seen some places there that look appealing.

I don't know enough about the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Bronx, or Queens. It makes stuff confusing.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. Astoria is a quick commute to midtown. It is crowded and not ....

particularly appealing to the eye. It became gentrified about 10 yrs ago... so I'm not sure what kind of rents are being demanded. Probably a lot.

Bensonhurst, in South Brooklyn, is a nice looong subway ride. Used to be blue-collar ethnics... mostly Italian. Saturday Nite Fever, etc. Not sure about now.

You might think about Inwood.... northern tip of Manhattan. The area between 200th street ( Dyckman) and 220th street. Nice parks, old buildings, interesting mix of people. Very urban. Long subway ride to midtown keeps the rents down.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. As far as Brooklyn goes...

you might want to try Greenpoint. It's not necessarily easy to find a studio or 1BR for under $1000, but it is possible. Plus, it's a safe area. Hope this helps.

[BloodyWilliam]

6. Thanks. It does. eom