Apartment Hunting in Astoria (New York, Ridge: real estate, apartments, rental)
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My wife and I are moving to NYC from New Orleans in August and so far think we're going to choose Astoria as our new home.
We're hoping to find a 1 bedroom that is at least decent quality near the Ditmars Blvd stop for 1100-1300. How realistic is this? I've seen posts that indicate this price range but most are a year or two old. We're going to try to go it alone without broker at first - but am willing to use a broker if need be.
I've also been wondering - is the 30th Avenue stop a good one to look for apartments nearby as well?
Lastly - we're both taking the bar exam in late July (i.e. going to be very busy this summer!) and wanted to know how far in advance we should schedule a trip to NYC to go looking?
Why Astoria by chance? It's a weird stew pot of generational immigrants who speak lousy english, and yuppies. I've lived there...off the Ditmars N/Q stop. I wouldn't live there again. Your price range is realistic though.
The main interest in Astoria is the rental prices, safety and proximity to Manhattan. We also both speak several languages (although not Greek or Italian) and enjoy areas with mixed cultures and ethnic foods. I am also interested in living near Flushing and Jackson Heights for the Asian culture and foods.
In the end, we seem to have settled on Astoria since comparable neighborhoods like Bay Ridge in Brooklyn are a long commute and aren't as interesting to young people probably.
Granted it's appealing geographically and pricewise. I just found it too quiet and isolated feeling except for a couple of the main thoroughfares. (Broadway, 30 Ave, a small strip of Ditmars.) YMMV.
I recommend looking for apartments off 30th Ave. The amenities such as a New York Sports Club, bars, cafes, mix of ethnic food, liveliness, and housing stock is better than the Ditmars area I believe. For a nice 1 bedroom anywhere in Astoria you will need to spend at least 1400 unless you can find something in a private residence.
You are correct, the ethnic food in Astoria is incomparable - one of the many reasons I will never leave. Here are some suggestions once you move in: Bartolinos, Opa, Watawa, Iji Sushi, Spiced, Yaijai Thai, Sanfords, Peteys Burger, King of Falafel cart, etc.
You are correct, the ethnic food in Astoria is incomparable - one of the many reasons I will never leave. Here are some suggestions once you move in: Bartolinos, Opa, Watawa, Iji Sushi, Spiced, Yaijai Thai, Sanfords, Peteys Burger, King of Falafel cart, etc.
NONE of that is germaine to Astoria, with the possible exception of Opa all can be found elsewhere, and with better quality and/or authenticity.
What is germaine to Astoria is the Euro Cafe culture and coffee. Few places with so much readily availlable GOOD coffee.
The main interest in Astoria is the rental prices, safety and proximity to Manhattan. We also both speak several languages (although not Greek or Italian) and enjoy areas with mixed cultures and ethnic foods. I am also interested in living near Flushing and Jackson Heights for the Asian culture and foods.
In the end, we seem to have settled on Astoria since comparable neighborhoods like Bay Ridge in Brooklyn are a long commute and aren't as interesting to young people probably.
Do you speak Spanish? There is a large Latino population.
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