decent areas to live in NYC that dont cost an arm and a leg?

[jaybert]

Any suggestions? I'm thinking about moving there once I graduate (have a job where I can choose which city I live in...since I am traveling every week anyways).

I really want to live in NYC, but apartments seem to be all crazy priced. My preferred situation would be to find a 1BR (w/ living room...no studios), but otherwise sharing a 2BR apartment (same..must have living room, sharing a bathroom is fine) with 1 other person.

Do you all have any suggestions as to areas of NYC which I should look into? Safety comes first, dont want to get mugged coming back from the Subuway. Ease to get to the airport (either one) and into Manhattan (and especially ease of getting back to the apartment late at night) are both important.

I am thinking Astoria, Queens, though I hear some parts of it are kind of sketchy. I finish school in August, so I still hav eplenty of time...but I would like to be able to narrow my search to a certain area before I really start looking.

 

[Zim Hosein]

What is your monthly projected budget for rent jaybert?

 

[jaybert]

I dont have a strict budget.... I could afford up to $1500 or so, maybe more...but I would like to spend less since I would not be living there more then 3 or 4 nights out of the week. I would like to stay ~$1k for rent, which means I would most likely have to share a 2BR w/ someone else, and not in Manhattan

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
What is your monthly projected budget for rent jaybert?

ding ding ding!

 

[Legendary]

Do you have/plan to use a car?
Also, like Zim said, what's your budget?

 

[BigJ]

My friend is in a similar situation and has found some affordable places in Brooklyn. Just make sure you stay away from Bedford-Stuvesant after sundown.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

new jersey?

 

[ThePresence]

I would look into the Passaic/Clifton area. Sure, it's NJ, but it's just a few minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, 1/2 hour from midtown. Really nice area, definitely nicer than Brooklyn (I grew up in Bklyn ). If you can't afford the city right now, why not find somewhere else until you can move into the city.

 

[jaybert]

Originally posted by: Legendary
Do you have/plan to use a car?
Also, like Zim said, what's your budget?

i have a car, but i plan on selling it if i decide to live in NYC.

 

[DaWhim]

bensonhurst

 

[IndieSnob]

Astoria in Queens.

For Brooklyn:
Carrol Gardens
Park Slope (it can be spendy, but you can find some deals)
Prospect Park/Prospect Heights (be close to Flatbush as possible) - I lived on Prospect Place between Vanderbilt & Underhill and loved it
Bensonhurst
Parts of Williamsburg

 

[Ready]

Have you tried the public library?

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: Ready
Have you tried the public library?

i think we have a winner.

 

[jaybert]

Originally posted by: jewno

Originally posted by: Ready
Have you tried the public library?

i think we have a winner.

and i'm glad to see your 8+ posts/day are all quality ones! A+ for you

 

[cliftonite]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I would look into the Passaic/Clifton area. Sure, it's NJ, but it's just a few minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, 1/2 hour from midtown. Really nice area, definitely nicer than Brooklyn (I grew up in Bklyn ). If you can't afford the city right now, why not find somewhere else until you can move into the city.

<-- From clifton

 

[jaybert]

oh yeah, for those who made real suggestions, thanks. i'm not really researching very heavily yet, I just want to get an idea of some good areas to look into when the time comes. I think Queens may be my best bet. from what i can tell, its easier to get to the airport from there than from manhattan or brooklyn.

 

[Aznbruin]

If you plan on living in nyc - live in manhattan only. There is no substitute. Living in manhattan is once in a lifetime opportunitiy and don't let new jersey get in the way of that.

there are some hidden deals in craigslist, but I would check the hells kitchen area if you want to go on the cheap. My friends have also been able to find great deals on the upper east side. This is really far east on the 1st avenue area since it is a bit of a hike to the subway it is a bit cheaper, but not by much.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: jaybert
oh yeah, for those who made real suggestions, thanks. i'm not really researching very heavily yet, I just want to get an idea of some good areas to look into when the time comes. I think Queens may be my best bet. from what i can tell, its easier to get to the airport from there than from manhattan or brooklyn.

Depends which airport, there are 3 major airports. If you live in Jersey it's easy as pie to get to Newark Liberty.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I would look into the Passaic/Clifton area. Sure, it's NJ, but it's just a few minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, 1/2 hour from midtown. Really nice area, definitely nicer than Brooklyn (I grew up in Bklyn ). If you can't afford the city right now, why not find somewhere else until you can move into the city.

<-- From clifton

clifton-ite...cool.

 

[bharok]

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I would look into the Passaic/Clifton area. Sure, it's NJ, but it's just a few minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, 1/2 hour from midtown. Really nice area, definitely nicer than Brooklyn (I grew up in Bklyn ). If you can't afford the city right now, why not find somewhere else until you can move into the city.

<-- From clifton

no
I'm from Rutherford and we have to many damn commuters already .

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: bharok

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I would look into the Passaic/Clifton area. Sure, it's NJ, but it's just a few minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, 1/2 hour from midtown. Really nice area, definitely nicer than Brooklyn (I grew up in Bklyn ). If you can't afford the city right now, why not find somewhere else until you can move into the city.

<-- From clifton

no
I'm from Rutherford and we have to many damn commuters already .

Yeah, rt. 3 sucks in rush hour.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: bharok

Originally posted by: cliftonite

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I would look into the Passaic/Clifton area. Sure, it's NJ, but it's just a few minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, 1/2 hour from midtown. Really nice area, definitely nicer than Brooklyn (I grew up in Bklyn ). If you can't afford the city right now, why not find somewhere else until you can move into the city.

<-- From clifton

no
I'm from Rutherford and we have to many damn commuters already .

Yeah, rt. 3 sucks in rush hour.

so does route 4 enroute to george washington bridge.