Advice on a trip to NYC before I move... (Scott: apartments, lease) - City-Data Forum

wowitskristin · 07-17-2011, 09:52 AM

Hey all, I'm taking a trip to NYC next week to apartment hunt (in Queens) and go to a job interview. Any other advice on what to do on this trip? As I am planning on moving at the beginning of September to the area. I'm from Michigan btw. Thanks!

speedoo · 07-17-2011, 10:03 AM

Never too early to start getting familiar with the public transportation system:

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If you plan to have a car here, make sure you are clear on the parking situation for where ever you end up living, and give serious consideration to not having a car. Owning and parking a car here is very expensive.

jcoltrane · 07-17-2011, 10:18 AM

What else????

Look for an apartment and go on job interviews, there is nothing else to plan for.

For example, its July, you may find difficulty finding an apartment, at this time, unless the building is newly built with multiple open apartments.

Normally, apts are shown when a lease expires and the apt is vacant. Obviously, that can't be the case for a September rental. You may be fortunate to find someone showing an occupied apartment for September, but this isn't average and a very limiting option.

What will be most useful on this trip is to check out various neighborhoods which have apartments in your price range. Then a month from now you can make a second trip and be focused as to neighborhood.

Other than that your present focus s/b job hunting and not much else. Unless you are among the fortunate being recruited by several firms, and already have multiple offers.

SUPERCHIC · 07-17-2011, 10:19 AM

what area of Queens? maybe we can suggest things in the areas you are visiting to make it easy for you and get more familiar with the area you plan on moving into. WHere will you be staying?

D. Scott · 07-17-2011, 10:50 AM

Spedoo's suggestion on the public trans system is great. Explore different area on foot as well if able to get a feel for the terrain above ground. Esp in areas you are planning to move to. Taking note of places like food shopping, dry cleaning, restaurants etc. Research the are on Google maps first of course to get an idea, but walking the land gives you the real scoop and lets you rub elbows with the locals. Also visit places that of your interest in regards to music, recreation etc. Joining a meetup group conductive to this would be good.

Welcome in advance to you and all the best luck.

30 + year veteran here.

wowitskristin · 07-17-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUPERCHIC

what area of Queens? maybe we can suggest things in the areas you are visiting to make it easy for you and get more familiar with the area you plan on moving into. WHere will you be staying?

I'm looking in Astoria. I also have a cousin who lives in the Bronx so once I move I plan to stay with him for a very short time and then move into an apartment. This trip (I went to NYC on vaca in April) that I'm taking now, is basically to check out Astoria, and possible other locations as well. (I'm open to suggestions! Just want to be close to the city and have easy access to public transportation.) I will be staying in the Bronx with my cousin for this trip as well.

I don't plan to have a car there...I plan on either having my friend help me move with his truck or fly out and have my things shipped, but my friend will most likely help.

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback so far!

wowitskristin · 07-17-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. Scott

Spedoo's suggestion on the public trans system is great. Explore different area on foot as well if able to get a feel for the terrain above ground. Esp in areas you are planning to move to. Taking note of places like food shopping, dry cleaning, restaurants etc. Research the are on Google maps first of course to get an idea, but walking the land gives you the real scoop and lets you rub elbows with the locals. Also visit places that of your interest in regards to music, recreation etc. Joining a meetup group conductive to this would be good.

Welcome in advance to you and all the best luck.

30 + year veteran here.

This is great advice! Thanks!

Cida · 07-17-2011, 03:02 PM

I know some people think it's too early to apartment hunt, but I don't. First, sometimes landlords already know what will be available and sometimes places that have a longer application timeframe are already showing.

You might want to just look at apartment ads and go see anything that sounds good, regardless of the location. First, that will give you a chance to see different neighborhoods. Second, it will give you a good opportunity to ask questions and have a basis for comparison.

Good luck with the interview.

nycjap · 07-17-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cida

I know some people think it's too early to apartment hunt, but I don't. First, sometimes landlords already know what will be available and sometimes places that have a longer application timeframe are already showing.

You might want to just look at apartment ads and go see anything that sounds good, regardless of the location. First, that will give you a chance to see different neighborhoods. Second, it will give you a good opportunity to ask questions and have a basis for comparison.

Good luck with the interview.

This is a good suggestion. See as many apartments as you can possibly squeeze in during your trip, even ones that you might not even consider for one reason or another. I think the biggest stumbling block for a lot of first-timers in NYC are the compromises they are forced to make. Until you're pressed into having to choose between a full-size refrigerator versus a five-story walk up, versus an in-building laundry, versus access to a roofdeck, versus a bathroom with only a shower... most people just assume that all of these things are possible within a single apartment. Yes, perfect apartments do exist, but they rarely come available on the market, and if they do, you've got to be fast and lucky to land them. For mere mortals, you've got a short window of time to look at a collection of available compromises and choose the one that best suits you, so it's probably better if you begin to educate yourself as to the multiple varieties of compromises that exist in finding an apartment in NYC. Start weighing the various "amenities" in your mind and rank them in importance to you. Figure out what you can and cannot live without.

Good luck and don't give up!

northbynorthwest · 07-18-2011, 03:49 AM

Heartfelt advice: Get a written offer first before you sign any lease. I've moved across the country previously only to find out the hard way. Even back then, I'd secured a job, my boss just "happened" to change the job description!