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Need your help: Apt hunting

NYTA, I need your help/recommendations/suggestions. I'm looking to find a new apartment... a 1 bedroom in SoHo, West Village, or East Village. What is the best way to find a place? I'm searching Craigslist, NYTimes, and using a broker (Citihabitats). My budgest is no more than $2,500 a month.

Am I missing anything? Know of any good places on the market?

Thanks,
Keith

you think you can find a 1 bedroom in soho for $2500? try maybe a studio

quote:

Originally posted by dcctnycprincess you think you can find a 1 bedroom in soho for $2500? try maybe a studio

i've found a few already

You can find 1-BRs in Stuyvesant Town for that much, though you'll probably be looking at living as far east as Ave. B or C, though there were a few openings on 14th St & C when barosoap and I were looking last month. The building looks bland from outside and there's no doorman, but the actual apartments are pretty spacious (12x15 bedroom, 12x18 living room, 9x9 dining alcove, large kitchen). Location has something to be desired, but you are right on the border of the East Village and are fairly close to Union Square. PM me if you want more info, as I've lived there for 3 years.

The leasing office is a huge pain in the ass, though, so I hope you made 100K last year and can show you'll make it this year (40x monthly rent).

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 i've found a few already

The few you found has probably been on the market for a few months now. Often space downtown is not as luxurious when you consider the square footage. $2,500 is a decent budget to work with, there are apartments in the UWS that will range from 2,100-2,700 for more than double the space you find downtown. Of course the benefits of living downtown is pure convenience.

There are some really nice NEW buildings down in Battery Park that are going around that price range, some studios for cheaper with even larger space if you want to consider.

If you are looking for a broker, I can recommend. Your best bet is craigslist, but I warn you, alot of listing services out there are for apartments that a priced reasonably only because there is a high turnover for those apartments. That means you are selecting from the low of the low. Occassionally you'll find a gem here or there, those you'll need to scoop up.

Also, apartment hunting has a ton of tips you'll need to consider. Fitness center, lounge areas, pools even, yards, decks, the whole nine. I went through this with dcctny/kristin and she knows how much of a job it is to go hunting for an apartment.

My guess is some have the luck and some have to try harder. Wish you the best

Re: Need your help: Apt hunting

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 NYTA, I need your help/recommendations/suggestions. I'm looking to find a new apartment... a 1 bedroom in SoHo, West Village, or East Village. What is the best way to find a place? I'm searching Craigslist, NYTimes, and using a broker (Citihabitats). My budgest is no more than $2,500 a month. Am I missing anything? Know of any good places on the market? Thanks, Keith

www.move.com
www.rent.com
www.apartments.com

thanks guys/gals... keep the suggestions coming!

i've looked at Stuyvesant Town but didn't really spark my interest. i *may* be going to stern in the near future so i would like to be close to that...

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 thanks guys/gals... keep the suggestions coming! i've looked at Stuyvesant Town but didn't really spark my interest. i *may* be going to stern in the near future so i would like to be close to that...

I remember around 15 years ago, you have to be on the "infamous" stuy town wait list just to get a chance to get an apt there. People were on that list for as long as 3 years.

quote:

Originally posted by verndogs I remember around 15 years ago, you have to be on the "infamous" stuy town wait list just to get a chance to get an apt there. People were on that list for as long as 3 years.

i know it's a great area for families... school district is sup. to be great. but i'm single... i'm looking for something more in the middle of everything.

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 i know it's a great area for families... school district is sup. to be great. but i'm single... i'm looking for something more in the middle of everything.

It's actually a pretty good location with lots of young people. There are still some families but most have moved out with the recent rent hikes and you'll see more and more "yuppy" types out and about. We're only a stumble away from all the EV bars and St. Marks. It's also an easy cab ride to the Meatpacking District and Chelsea where most of the EDM events are. lol I hate Stuy Town management but it still seems like one of the best bets in the city.

Good luck w/ Citihabitats. My friend works there, and I believe you'll still be looking at at least a 12% broker fee. When we were inquiring about places last month he said there really aren't any "no fee" apts right now given it's a landlord's market.

EDIT: Also forgot to mention, NYU actually rents some of the apartments for their students. I'm not sure how many, but that's another reason there's been a recent turnover from the older community to younger adults.

i can't imagine spending that much money on a 1 bedroom apartment.. jeez, might as well buy a place if you're gonna throw that much away on rent!


sry :-X just my 2cents..

looks like you've got all ur spots down tho, shouldn't have a problem getting what you're looking for keith good luck to u!

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 thanks guys/gals... keep the suggestions coming! i've looked at Stuyvesant Town but didn't really spark my interest. i *may* be going to stern in the near future so i would like to be close to that...

i agree - stuy town is pretty much on the outskirts of it all

and it's pretty close to stern, well atleast i think so. walking in nyc is really common, you'll find walking from Ave C - broadway is pretty much a "walk in the park" - there is so much to look at from C on over to even as far as 6th.

and i guess it's time i'll add my 11 cents to the downtown topic
BUT WHY? why does everyone HAVE to live downtown lol? Granted you are in the heart of it all, to me there is just something about downtown that bothers me. I mean I "hang out" there yes, but living there...its just alittle too cramped for me. I enjoy my space (even though i live in a studio) and the quietness at night which downtown doesn't really cater to.

and the sales pitch...
why not find an area that's quieter during the night, just as easy to get to, and minutes away from the wonderful parks we have. The upper west side is nothing short of spectacular! personally the parks, the neighborhood, and the quietness is what really sells the UWS (UES even). Basically anywhere in manhattan is accessible once you live in it so the convenience factor is irrelevant. well that's all i have to really say about midtown - uptown areas, i think it's the most overlooked neighborhoods as all the attention is driven downtown. I'm alright with that too, just thought i'd offer up some reconsideration for ya...

(^^kristin received the same treatment from me when she asked me for apt hunting advice, and looky here, she's an UES resident! - LOL)

i currently lived (and have lived) in midtown west for the past 3 years... i'm just bored of seeing guys in business suits and european tourists every time i walk around, haha. UES/UWS just isn't "convenient" enough for what i'm looking for this time around... doesn't mean 5 years from now i may not buy a place up there...

lunasea, i hear you... i'm looking at dropping $30K a year on RENT! it sucks... but what can you do... i don't have the $1M right now to buy nor do i want a long ass mortgage when i'm not sure if i'll be here long term yet.

i was hoping maybe some of you know someone who is moving out and/or knows of an apt for rent in their bldg, etc.???

i'm sure you can find 1 br apts for 2500, but i saw some and there was no way i'd be living there - you can find anything in any price range, it just depends on what you want - more space, windows, a kitchen etc.

i chose ues b/c it's quieter at night and i have my space that i can come home to without having to deal with the crowds. i can always go to chelsea, the clubs etc. i'd rather not deal with crowds and other shit in that neighborhood all the time. just my 2 cents.

ps - i really think that the rent vs. buy thing in nyc is a push - you can actually probably have a nicer place renting for the same amount or less in buying. i was looking to buy at first and if you want anything like my current apartment you would have to pay more than $1 M - most 500 sq ft condos go for $600,000 - 700,000.

not all areas of soho/w village/e village are noisy and/or crowded? esp not at night when i'm home from work... i mean i dont *plan* on living on b'way or anything... there are plenty of quiet, tree-lined blocks in those areas...

quote:

Originally posted by kid nyce i agree - stuy town is pretty much on the outskirts of it all and it's pretty close to stern, well atleast i think so. walking in nyc is really common, you'll find walking from Ave C - broadway is pretty much a "walk in the park" - there is so much to look at from C on over to even as far as 6th. and i guess it's time i'll add my 11 cents to the downtown topic BUT WHY? why does everyone HAVE to live downtown lol? Granted you are in the heart of it all, to me there is just something about downtown that bothers me. I mean I "hang out" there yes, but living there...its just alittle too cramped for me. I enjoy my space (even though i live in a studio) and the quietness at night which downtown doesn't really cater to. and the sales pitch... why not find an area that's quieter during the night, just as easy to get to, and minutes away from the wonderful parks we have. The upper west side is nothing short of spectacular! personally the parks, the neighborhood, and the quietness is what really sells the UWS (UES even). Basically anywhere in manhattan is accessible once you live in it so the convenience factor is irrelevant. well that's all i have to really say about midtown - uptown areas, i think it's the most overlooked neighborhoods as all the attention is driven downtown. I'm alright with that too, just thought i'd offer up some reconsideration for ya... (^^kristin received the same treatment from me when she asked me for apt hunting advice, and looky here, she's an UES resident! - LOL)

the big downside of the UES is that there is only the 4,5, and 6 lines that run through the upper east side. If you can live through a ridiculously cramped commute every day (it gets even more fun when there are Yankees games), then the UES isn't bad at all.

quote:

Originally posted by dcctnycprincess ps - i really think that the rent vs. buy thing in nyc is a push - you can actually probably have a nicer place renting for the same amount or less in buying. i was looking to buy at first and if you want anything like my current apartment you would have to pay more than $1 M - most 500 sq ft condos go for $600,000 - 700,000.

Not only is there the mortgage to worry about. There are monthly maintenance fees which can range from an additional $800-$2000+ per month. Not to mention some co-ops have really strict boards w/ crazy rules about how many visitors you can have etc. Buying a nice apt in a good location is ridiculously tough in NYC.

quote:

Originally posted by verndogs the big downside of the UES is that there is only the 4,5, and 6 lines that run through the upper east side. If you can live through a ridiculously cramped commute every day (it gets even more fun when there are Yankees games), then the UES isn't bad at all.

yeah - the train is really crowded, but since i'm working from around 7 - 7 it isn't too bad

Re: Need your help: Apt hunting

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 NYTA, I need your help/recommendations/suggestions. I'm looking to find a new apartment... a 1 bedroom in SoHo, West Village, or East Village. What is the best way to find a place? I'm searching Craigslist, NYTimes, and using a broker (Citihabitats). My budgest is no more than $2,500 a month. Am I missing anything? Know of any good places on the market? Thanks, Keith

I don't know what your financial situation is like but willing to pay $2,500 is absolutely insane. Might as well live outside of Manhattan, buy a house, have something to show for it and commute in. My 2 cents.

Re: Re: Need your help: Apt hunting

quote:

Originally posted by ludawg23 I don't know what your financial situation is like but willing to pay $2,500 is absolutely insane. Might as well live outside of Manhattan, buy a house, have something to show for it and commute in. My 2 cents.

you're obviously from boston, and not nyc

no, seriously that's not what i'm looking for.. but i agree, 30K a year is a lot for rent.

Re: Re: Re: Need your help: Apt hunting

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 you're obviously from boston, and not nyc

hahah yup. There are even those who think moving out of Manhattan into a different borough is admitting defeat regardless of space and value.

It really just depends what you life situation is ATM.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Need your help: Apt hunting

quote:

Originally posted by barosoap hahah yup. There are even those who think moving out of Manhattan into a different borough is admitting defeat regardless of space and value. It really just depends what you life situation is ATM.

i went to school outside boston... living outside boston is much easier/accessible than living outside nyc, imo. but that's neither here nor there... i'm not looking outside of those three areas i mentioned in my first post.

Re: Re: Need your help: Apt hunting

quote:

Originally posted by ludawg23 I don't know what your financial situation is like but willing to pay $2,500 is absolutely insane. Might as well live outside of Manhattan, buy a house, have something to show for it and commute in. My 2 cents.

If you make $100K a year, it's not really that bad of a percentage, which I'm assuming he does because of his interests in M&A and venture capital. Most recent college grads I knew from school spent more than that percentage of their salary on their apartments.

Don't get me wrong, $30K is more than I could afford by myself, but my roommate that barosoap's replacing told me that he could easily handle it, and have lots of money left over.

i wont speculate on price... it is what it is... i'd like to afford a nicer place, but i feel like spending 30K on a place to live is enough as it is...

but yeah, i do like m&a (my job) and venture cap (hopefully a future job). and oakey, tx, space bros, etc. haha

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