Where to look for a decent cheap, small, studio (Union: apartments, to rent)

[mg82gtr]

I'm looking for a studio under $1,000/mo. Small is fine. Boring, unhip neighborhood is fine. Feeling safe walking from train to apartment at 3am is necessary. 45 minutes or less (by train) to Union Square. Not a roach/rat/bedbug infested falling apart building.

I really don't want to go above $950/mo. Are there any neighborhoods where this is possible or should I just give up now and go back to my search for a roommate?

I've seen a few studios in that range, but they were horrible...either a dirty, trashy, infested building in a decent area like Sunset Park, or they were listed in a place like Brownsville or South Bronx where I don't want to get off the train at 3am.

Am I looking for something that doesn't exist? Is everything under $1200 going to be either infested and falling apart or in the worst neighborhoods in NYC?

Additionally, is there a better way to look for this elusive apartment than by scouring craigslist? I think I've called/emailed/texted about 30 different people at this point during my week long craigslist search, and seen a total of two apartments because nobody can seem to call me back or keep an appointment.

I know I'm not going to find anything in Williamsburg or whatever trendy neighborhood it's hip to live in now....I'm perfectly fine with that. I don't have kids so I don't care about schools.

If anybody can point me towards some areas to look for or agencies to contact, please let me know. Or, simply tell me that I'm dreaming and that there's nothing out there under a thousand.

Thanks!!!

[Fred314X]

Yeah, that price is going to be a challenge. And safety is, of course, completely subjective.

I don't mean to come off sounding like a dinosaur, but then I might be one so you shouldn't be too surprised, but if you go a little more low tech in your search, and check out local neighborhood newspapers, you could actually do better than craigslist.

[bluedog2]

Studios range from about 800/mo to 950/mo in Pelham Parkway.It's 35 or 40 mins to Union Sq. Bedford Park,Pelham Bay and Morris Park are also possible places to look.

Pelham Parkway( Bronx) Photos

[pureistheword]

Look near the bottom of Brooklyn (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Gravesend etc..). Very safe, quiet, unhip areas with studios around $900

[Kefir King]

Try Jersey City. It's close and a lot cheaper. Stay near a PATH station and you may get all you are looking for. But still, $950 won't get you a very big place.

[Chava61]

For $900-$1000 a month you can get a large studio apt. in Rego Park, Queens in a nice rent stabilized bldg.

[Henna]

a 45 minute commute to Union Square at rush hour or during the day is going to take longer at 3am. The trains do not run as often.

[nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by pureistheword

Look near the bottom of Brooklyn (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Gravesend etc..). Very safe, quiet, unhip areas with studios around $900

these are the cheapest to rent in, a little further away from the city, but safe and affordable, I know, I am in bensonhurst.

[BearMM]

Bensonhurst is not safe

[Ruready4Bklyn]

Originally Posted by BearMM

Bensonhurst is not safe

LOL really?