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I have recently got a job opportunity in Long Island City (near Court square metro station) with annual package of roughly $ 85K (under L1 b visa).
I would need the members expert view on a decent location to stay for 2 people (myself and spouse) for around monthly rent of approx $1500. May be a studio would suffice for us or max a 1 BHK.
Many people have advised me on staying in New Jersey but I understand the commute would be very long from a decent place in NJ (Edison or Iselin) fitting that budget. Considering I would not mind a commute of about 45 mins to 1 hour is it better to stay somewhere in queens (Astoria or Jackson heights) or in New Jersey ?
I am also trying to make a rough estimation of basic monthly expenses as mentioned below.
Rent approx 1500 - 1600
Groceries (2 people) - 400$
Electricity & Gas - 200$
Cable and internet - 100 $
Phone - 80$
Travelling - 250$
Other including eating out - 150 $
Medical insurance (2 people) - 500$
all inclusive 3200 $
Request your opinion if I have considered majority expenses (may be not all). if not please guide me with additional requirements if any.
Also I want to understand the requirement for renting an apartment. I can get the employment letter from the employer, SSN will be obtained, however I do not have any credit history in US (good credit in India but not sure if that will be useful) nor any relative to sign a guarantee.
What are my options for renting an apartment with the above deficiencies..?
I have mentioned some of the suggested places above, however members can advise any other suitable locations other than the above considering the below.
1.Don't need really big apartments, have stayed in Mumbai and used to small apartment through my life.
2.Indian vicinity would be preferable for ease of specific groceries or Indian eating options..
3.Secure place.
4.closeness to subway is preferable as am not planning to buy a car at least for the 1st year.
I'm not too familiar with the Astoria rent prices but you could definitely find a decent-sized one bedroom in Jackson Heights. You also have the E train at that station which is express - it's only one stop to Court Square. Your commute time would probably be about 10 minutes. If you were coming from Astoria you'd probably have to take the N/Q train to Queensborough Plaza and then transfer to the 7. Or the R train to Jackson Heights and then transfer to the E. Commuting from NJ isn't worth it - that commute would most definitely be longer than an hour.
2.Indian vicinity would be preferable for ease of specific groceries or Indian eating options..
If this is important for you, you should listen to other Indians working in NYC. In NYC and NJ (Jersey City) there are Indian ethnic enclaves where you would find everything you need from your culture. However, if you prefer to immerse yourself in something different and assimilate, follow the advice of people here and find something in the hot affordable neighborhoods for transplants.
Yes... Queens. Google a subway map for NYC & find out which lines go from LIC to nabes with a south asian population, off the top of my head it is the 7, N, R, E, F lines, maybe more. Find out where there are clusters of Indians along these routes. This will make your initial settling in a bit easier.
Astoria is probably too expensive for you, I don't know where Indians live to be honest, there are certainly stores in Jackson Heights catering to south asians.
Many thanks to you guys for your wonderful suggestions.
Can you also give your suggestions on the monthly expense estimate that I had shared above.if it looks reasonable or have I missed any important components...
Also if some one can help with with some Indian neighborhoods other than Jackson heights may be little farther (one way travel less than 1 hour) from Court square which can provide me with cheaper but safe housing. Would help me in saving some bucks
You can try the flushing area near the botanic garden. There is a Indian population there, but the majority is Chinese. Jackson heights has a Patel brother grocery which my coworker from India asked me to take him once, he felt like he was back in India walking through the stores. Biggest population of Indian will be in jersey city as most of them work for corporations in Manhattan.
Request the members to please suggest on the expense estimate shared earlier. If it looks reasonable or have I missed any important components...
Also I understand that there are a few requirements for renting an apartment in New York - Credit History, Guarantee, One month Deposit, Annual Salary being greater than 40 times the rent etc..
Since I'm travelling from India I do not have any US credit history nor a guarantor. I can provide an employment certificate if required. Can the members please suggest on the options that I have so that I can be prepared while looking for an apartment..
Jackson Heights would be a good choice, has a large Indian community, relatively close by on the subway to workplace, decent neighborhood. Beware most Indians in Jackson Heights are from a different part of India than where you're from (not 100% sure, but I think the population is largely Bengali/Bangledeshi).
Wikipedia says that Indians make up about 5% of New York City residents. So -- not too many. I have heard that the Indian stores in Jackson Heights are mostly frequented by Indians who drive over from other places like Long Island and New Jersey. Not sure if that is true or not. I am sure there are some Indians who live in Jackson Heights, especially near the 74th St. hub, but I'm pretty sure that in my own JH building, which has 100's of residents, there are no Indians (also no Bengalis) However, I am several blocks away from the 74th St. area.
This article lists the following neighborhoods in Queens as having Indian populations: South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Glen Oaks, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, Bellerose, Floral Park, Elmhurst and Flushing. http://www.aafny.org/cic/briefs/indian2013.pdf
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