New York City - cost of living advice (Ridge, Madison: low income, rent stabilized apartments)

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by KB4

Heat is not included in many big post-war apartment buildings in Manhattan where apartments are heated by individual HVAC units.

I've lived in one of those buildings: you pay for the electricity to run the FAN but not for the heat, itself. The electricity for the fan is minimal.

[missbonfig]

Originally Posted by KB4

Heat is not included in many big post-war apartment buildings in Manhattan where apartments are heated by individual HVAC units.

Are these "post-war" apartment buildings very common outside of Manhattan? I think I read they exist in Queens, but more to the West? What's the general opinion on them?
If they are similar to what I remember from London, they are not all that bad. The thick walls come in handy; very sturdy (less likely to be drafty) and they keep the noise out better. However, they are usually highrises, no? And, at least in London, were kind of located in semi-creepy (after dark) areas.

PS: I must seem like a nut-case asking so much about heating, but in Europe this really drives up the cost of living during the cold months and I'm trying to have a realistic budget BEFORE I make the move to NYC.

[Viralmd]

I lived in a flat in London where you had to put in 50 p for about 10 minutes of heat. Awful.

If you're coming from outside the US you also need a visa valid for working in the US, unless your employer is transferring you.

[KB4]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

I've lived in one of those buildings: you pay for the electricity to run the FAN but not for the heat, itself. The electricity for the fan is minimal.

You are probably talking about something different. I know people who pay hundreds of dollars per month to run their HVAC in wintertime and there is no heat unless you are running this unit.

[missbonfig]

Hm interesting... I will make sure to be very aware of the type of heating system then. So overall it sounds like central heating is more recommendable?

COMMUTE
I've been checking Brooklyn, Bay Ridge area to the southwest of Brooklyn right? The commute to midtown definitely looks longer (on the subway) than say from Midtown to Astoria, Queens?

About how long would it take from Bay Ridge to Midtown (280s Madison Ave.)?
How about Midtown to Astoria?
Does the yellow line run quite frequently? Is that area of Brooklyn (Bay Ridge) safe after dark? How late does it run?

BROOKLYN vs QUEENS
My friend, a Brooklyn native, has recommended the following areas:
Which do you rate best? I've read some controversial stuff about Bed Stuy, for example. On a scale of 1-10 how do you rate the following Brooklyn neighborhoods? (And then compared to Queens Astoria?)


Bay Ridge
Bushwick
Flatbush
Prospect Heights
Bed Stuy


Is the Bronx worth considering? If yes, which neighborhoods?

[Henna]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

BTW, I don't know anywhere that heat is not included...I don't know where you're from but central heating is standard in NYC.

My friend lives in a rent-stabilized one bedroom apartment in Elmhurst Queens. The rent is in the 700s - like maybe $750/mo.

The heat is not included, and I'm pretty sure the heat is electric and not gas.
It's a small, post-war building with probably about 6 apartments in it - the kind with the small balconies, but it's not one of the newer ones.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by Henna

My friend lives in a rent-stabilized one bedroom apartment in Elmhurst Queens. The rent is in the 700s - like maybe $750/mo.

The heat is not included, and I'm pretty sure the heat is electric and not gas.
It's a small, post-war building with probably about 6 apartments in it - the kind with the small balconies, but it's not one of the newer ones.

Well, I'm gobsmacked...I've lived in NYC for just about my entire life (more than a half-century) and I've NEVER heard of or lived in an apartment where the heat wasn't included. Live and learn!

[Henna]

Originally Posted by missbonfig

Hm interesting... I will make sure to be very aware of the type of heating system then. So overall it sounds like central heating is more recommendable?

COMMUTE
I've been checking Brooklyn, Bay Ridge area to the southwest of Brooklyn right? The commute to midtown definitely looks longer (on the subway) than say from Midtown to Astoria, Queens?

About how long would it take from Bay Ridge to Midtown (280s Madison Ave.)?
How about Midtown to Astoria?
Does the yellow line run quite frequently? Is that area of Brooklyn (Bay Ridge) safe after dark? How late does it run?

BROOKLYN vs QUEENS
My friend, a Brooklyn native, has recommended the following areas:
Which do you rate best? I've read some controversial stuff about Bed Stuy, for example. On a scale of 1-10 how do you rate the following Brooklyn neighborhoods? (And then compared to Queens Astoria?)


Bay Ridge
Bushwick
Flatbush
Prospect Heights
Bed Stuy


Is the Bronx worth considering? If yes, which neighborhoods?

I can see that your friend is trying to help you by suggesting places within your budget. Of that entire list, Bay Ridge is by far the nicest place to live. Bushwick, Flatbush, Prospect Heights and Bed Stuy ALL have crime and safety issues. I do know people who live in every one of those neighborhoods and have been fine there (of course not everyone is going to be the victim of a crime), but for a newcomer to the city like yourself and also for someone who has expressed that they do not need a "hip" place to live, I would suggest avoiding all those areas on your list in Brooklyn EXCEPT Bay Ridge.

For your commute, Astoria would seem like the best choice. Astoria is also a great neighborhood with lots of places to eat and parks etc. But don't neglect areas in Queens such as Sunnyside, Woodside and Jackson Heights. They all have easy commutes (between 10 and 20 minutes once on the train) to midtown on the 7 train which brings you right into Grand Central Station. Jackson Heights also has the F train which would take you to 40th St. and 6th Ave in Manhattan in about 15 minutes. There is a pretty good summary of the neighborhoods here Queens' Neighborhoods: Close to Manhattan

Also, wikipedia has articles about these neighborhoods as well.

[Henna]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Well, I'm gobsmacked...I've lived in NYC for just about my entire life (more than a half-century) and I've NEVER heard of or lived in an apartment where the heat wasn't included. Live and learn!

I was surprised too. I guess it's because it's electric heat and the tenants have to pay the electric bill. I wonder if this is happening more with newer buildings - it's a great way for the landlord to get out of paying for heat.

[Henna]

This FAQ from Citi Habitats states that if the heat is electric it is not included.
New York City Real Estate Rental FAQs for Manhattan Lofts and NYC Apartments