Where should I live?

[BChico]

I graduate in May, and work starts in July. I have been looking on CraigsList and other various aparatment site, but I still dont know what the best way to go is. We are shooting for $1500 a month, but it doesnt seem like you get very much for your money around NYC. We have been primarily looking in Jersey City, which I am liking less and less. We went to see an apartment around Journal Square and it was a dump for $1400/ month. We were looking farther out too, like Bayonne, Elizabeth, Rutherford...etc.

If anyone has some good advice on where I should go, I would appreciate it. We will be making around 90k together, not really sure what kind of rent bracket that puts us in. Im not opposed to living in NYC, I just cant find any places around 1500. BTW, ill be working in mid-town.

 

[bigrash]

Look in Queens. there's some nice places around here.

let me know if you need any help

 

[Atomicus]

Apartment in Queens on Queens Blvd, Flushing, or Elmhurst. Relatively cheap, close to public transportation if you're so inclined, and safe.

 

[blackdogdeek]

have you looked into hoboken or weehawken? there are ferries from both those places to midtown with free shuttle service across the island. there's also the path from hoboken to 33rd st and 6th ave. there's also buses that go to the port authority (40th and 8th ave) from there.

 

[BChico]

Originally posted by: bigrash
Look in Queens. there's some nice places around here.

let me know if you need any help

I do need some help...being from rural pennsylvania, I certainly have a different image in my head of Queens/Brooklyn, from what it is really like. What is it like, is it safe? Any areas with young people...etc?

 

[gigapet]

another vote for queens.....astoria maybe?

 

[BChico]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
have you looked into hoboken or weehawken? there are ferries from both those places to midtown with free shuttle service across the island. there's also the path from hoboken to 33rd st and 6th ave. there's also buses that go to the port authority (40th and 8th ave) from there.

Yeah, hoboken seemed a little high, unless the prices on CraigsList are marked up. Would go with the path over ferries since they cost so much more...

 

[DBL]

bklyn obviously

 

[EPCrew]

it depends on what kind of "luxury" you're looking for. you could find a decent studio or a small 1br for 1500 in nyc. you'll have to do some searching but they are available. talk to a broker and ask about no fee apts if you can't afford the fee. also, most high-rises will have their own management office within the building. you can stop by one of those and inquire about any availabilities. i currently live downtown in a luxury high-rise but there is a chance that i will be looking for new living arrangements come june. an ex coworker of mine recently moved into a decent sized 1br in midtown east for 1800. from what i hear, his management keeps their building immaculate, and they're all rent stabalized. i will be giving them a call if and when the time comes.

 

[Jikininki]

if you dont mind living a little further outside of the city (like..20-30 minutes) maybe some place in Bergen, Essex or Passaic county in NJ?

But honestly...nowhere near NYC is cheap. I think it's all about luck and who you know. I know a guy who was able to get an AMAZING place in Hoboken that looks out at the NY skyline b/c he met an elderly couple who was renting out the top floor of their house. They gave him a great price too.

If I get a chance I'll ask a couple of my friends where they live around the city and how much they pay. I know my cousin's girlfriend has a nice place in NY..just not sure where in NY.

2 places to avoid tho, imo...Jersey City and Newark..unless you can find a decent place by the schools in Newark (RU and NJIT).

 

[TitanDiddly]

Solution: Don't work in the city. BTW- Stamford, CT.

Nashua, NH is the place to be.

 

[mk52]

my buddies apt: 24th and park ave 450sqft, ground floor, no direct sunlight - $1450
my apt: Astoria queens, 20min form city, 1200sqft, lotsa light and nice view - $1900

 

[PAB]

Originally posted by: BChico
I graduate in May, and work starts in July. I have been looking on CraigsList and other various aparatment site, but I still dont know what the best way to go is. We are shooting for $1500 a month, but it doesnt seem like you get very much for your money around NYC. We have been primarily looking in Jersey City, which I am liking less and less. We went to see an apartment around Journal Square and it was a dump for $1400/ month. We were looking farther out too, like Bayonne, Elizabeth, Rutherford...etc.

If anyone has some good advice on where I should go, I would appreciate it. We will be making around 90k together, not really sure what kind of rent bracket that puts us in. Im not opposed to living in NYC, I just cant find any places around 1500. BTW, ill be working in mid-town.

If you're going to be staying in Manhattan, you're going to pay through the nose.

Working in Midtown, Queens is a workable option. Its a working class area generally with rents that are in your range. Rego Park/Forest Hills is supposed to be pretty nice. If you go in the Long Island City/Astoria area, you can take the train right into midtown pretty quickly.

Going in the opposite direction, I was in Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst last year and that's a somewhat inexpensive area. Apartments can be had in the $600 range, but you'll have to hunt them down and your commute into midtown is going to take longer.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: BChico

Originally posted by: bigrash
Look in Queens. there's some nice places around here.

let me know if you need any help

I do need some help...being from rural pennsylvania, I certainly have a different image in my head of Queens/Brooklyn, from what it is really like. What is it like, is it safe? Any areas with young people...etc?

I think Queens and Brooklyn are very different. Queens is more of a mixed place with people from different background. I would say it's very safe, unless you end up getting a place around Jamaica. Astoria is a few minutes away from the city so everything is nearby. I live in Flushing and it's not too far from the city and it's also pretty close to Long Island so i get the best of both worlds.

I think Manhattan has a younger crowd though.

 

[BChico]

Originally posted by: bigrash

Originally posted by: BChico

Originally posted by: bigrash
Look in Queens. there's some nice places around here.

let me know if you need any help

I do need some help...being from rural pennsylvania, I certainly have a different image in my head of Queens/Brooklyn, from what it is really like. What is it like, is it safe? Any areas with young people...etc?

I think Queens and Brooklyn are very different. Queens is more of a mixed place with people from different background. I would say it's very safe, unless you end up getting a place around Jamaica. Astoria is a few minutes away from the city so everything is nearby. I live in Flushing and it's not too far from the city and it's also pretty close to Long Island so i get the best of both worlds.

I think Manhattan has a younger crowd though.

Any particular street I should look on in Astoria, the apartments look nice from what i have looked at.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: BChico
Any particular street I should look on in Astoria, the apartments look nice from what i have looked at.

Brooklyn, Queens and any outer boroughs are all very different places. In fact, the neighborhoods within each borough vary tremendously. You should really set aside some time to visit any of the places you are considering living. I'd imagine it would help you make up your mind pretty quickly.

 

[YetioDoom]

129 W. 81st St.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: BChico

Originally posted by: bigrash

Originally posted by: BChico

Originally posted by: bigrash
Look in Queens. there's some nice places around here.

let me know if you need any help

I do need some help...being from rural pennsylvania, I certainly have a different image in my head of Queens/Brooklyn, from what it is really like. What is it like, is it safe? Any areas with young people...etc?

I think Queens and Brooklyn are very different. Queens is more of a mixed place with people from different background. I would say it's very safe, unless you end up getting a place around Jamaica. Astoria is a few minutes away from the city so everything is nearby. I live in Flushing and it's not too far from the city and it's also pretty close to Long Island so i get the best of both worlds.

I think Manhattan has a younger crowd though.

Any particular street I should look on in Astoria, the apartments look nice from what i have looked at.

the two main streets that I know are Steinway St. and Hoyt Ave. They're both very busy areas cause that's where they have all the stores and stuff. Any apt around those areas are kinda nice

 

[badmouse]

Don't forget to add in car costs. That is assuming you'll be bringing a car with you.