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I will be moving to NYC in the near future (3 months). I've been searching here, Yelp, and various other google hits for some advice that's germane to my situation. I try not to clutter boards with things that have already been discussed, but I would like some advice if anyone is willing...
I will be working pretty close to Times Square in Midtown. I would like to live in an area that's an easy commute, but I'm afraid that it may not jive with my personality. I see people talk about hipsters and frat-guys all of the time. I don't think I necessarily fit into either of those. Murray Hill looked like a good option for me at first, but I read on here some things that didn't sound flattering.
Personality wise, I tend to like indie music and movies. I'm not very political. Don't have a problem with any races (looking forward to some diversity, actually, as I'm coming from Texas). I don't party, but I'll grab a beer now and then. I love live music, but I don't want to deal with it blaring through my windows every night while trying to sleep. Good/nicer restaurants are a plus. Definitely NOT the alpha-male type. Very open-minded and accepting of others.
I'm 30, male, and single. Whitey. No skinny jeans for me.
Budget - depends on the apartment, but a MAX of $2800/mo. Would prefer to keep it closer to $2500 for a true 1BR.
Amenities - I'm partial to an area that will have high-rises, as I would like to have an onsite fitness facility that's fairly nice.
Lastly, and I know this is bordering on pathetic, but I've been in rural east texas for 5 years where the dating pool is non-existent. I'm planning on making up for lost time and I'm hoping to date/get serious with someone, so I'd like to be in an area that would have more women in my age range (24-35'ish).
Murray Hill always gets a bad rap, but it is largely unjustified. Most of its bad rap comes from its significant concentration of under 35 single people. Sounds right up your alley.
West Hellz Kitchen, as well as Midtown West have new high rise developments with amenities you seek. They may be budget busters though..not sure on the rents but they are easy commutes to Times Square. Murray Hill is a long walk, and not much happening there, and mostly the college scene replayed over and over again. Stick to the west side.
Well at your age you should have stopped wearing skinny jeans back in the late 1980s early 1990s like the rest of us.
Haha - I felt like I needed to clarify that i wasn't trying to fit in with whatever's considered hipster style!
Thanks for the advice so far, guys. Midtown West looks like it might be exactly what i'm looking for. Definitely appears that I would be able to find a high-rise in that area from looking at craigslist.
Has anyone ever tried to get a discount on their lease by paying a full year in advance? Is that something that's done?
Just be careful with ads on Craig's List. They might be advertising a flex 1/studio and calling it a 1 bedroom. I do not think you'll get a discount by doing that, but you might get one for signing a lease longer than 12 months.
Most of those high rises are managed by a handful of property companies. No need to look on Craig's List OR go through a broker when you can walk right into the building and speak to property managers/ leasing agents.
Whether or not you can get a discount depends on the vacancy rate in the building. If the units turn quickly, it's less likely the management would feel the need to give discounts. If it's a brand new building and leasing slowly, it's more likely.
Spend time in the area though- some people like Midtown West and are willing to deal with a long walk to the subway and less conveniences nearby (especially in the new buildings close to the Hudson). Other people are willing to live in a nice place and sacrifice the quintessential NYC neighborhood "feel" that other popular areas offer.
Well I did just stumble upon something about Midtown West having a higher crime rate (5 murders in 2009), so that gives me pause.
What do you mean by "less conveniences nearby?" I didn't mention in my first post, but I assumed I'd be able to grab things like groceries fairly close to just about any manhattan apartment. Could you clarify, please?
I need to look at the subway maps and see just how far I might have to walk to get to a stop. I'm a habitually late riser, so being close to a subway is more of big deal than I let on. Sounds like Murray Hill is in the same boat, just from what I've read on these forums.
Just be careful with ads on Craig's List. They might be advertising a flex 1/studio and calling it a 1 bedroom. I do not think you'll get a discount by doing that, but you might get one for signing a lease longer than 12 months.
Yeah, I've heard the craig's list horror stories. Hopefully I won't have to deal with that, as my company will be providing me with a broker for free. I just use craig's list as a gauge since I'm so far away. I've been looking at streeteasy as well.
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