New York City - cost of living advice (Ridge, Boston: fit in, rental)

[missbonfig]

Henna,

Thanks for the great advice re: neighborhoods. One last question, how long is the commute from Bay Ridge to Midtown?

As for rent stabilized apartments, how realistic is it that a newcomer to the city like myself could get one? Also, do they (I'm assuming the city has a say in this) only consider households with a limited income? (Even though $50K gross is not the world in NY, it might not classify as low income any longer...)
I'm not to clear on this whole rent stabilized apartment issue. From what I understand, it sounds like some kind of guarantee that the rent cannot be raised the following year. Is this about right? Or what else does it entail and how easy is it to get into one of those types of apartments?
Also, would I really want to get into a rent stabilized apartment? (I don't mean this to sound harsh, but what's the catch/the drawback? Are they really old and run-down or located in undesirable areas? If not, why do they exist?)

Lastly, do landlords generally raise rents on a yearly basis? If yes, by what %?

[bx718]

Don't rule out the bronx........ You will be working one block from grand central which is an express stop for the 4 and 5 trains.

If you live in morris park, the rents range between 900 and 1200 for 1BR apts. I've seen 2BR apts from 1200 and up as well. A quick search on craigslist might be helpful - classifieds - craigslist

It takes about 20 minutes from Morris park to grand central (6 stops) since the 5 runs expressly during rush hour. There is also a good Carribean presence in the north Bronx with associated access to the foods etc....

[Henna]

I don't know the commute from Bay Ridge but it's been talked about a bunch of times here. Try http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-y...bay-ridge.html

I think it's pretty easy to find a stabilized apartment, but it doesn't mean it will be cheap. Just means the rent can only go up a certain percentage, which varies by year. They are going to be more concerned that your income is high enough (40x monthly rent) not concernd with looking for someone with a low income.

Here are all the answers to your questions about rent stabilization NYC Rent Guidelines Board

Another benefit of being rent stablized is that the landlord cannot kick you out at the end of your lease. You must be offered another lease. In smaller landlord-owned buildings (say, an apartment in a private house) you would sign a lease - usually either a one or two year lease, and at the end of that period, the landlord does not have to offer you another lease and then you would have to move if you are not being offered another lease.

[missbonfig]

Originally Posted by bx718

Don't rule out the bronx........ You will be working one block from grand central which is an express stop for the 4 and 5 trains.

If you live in morris park, the rents range between 900 and 1200 for 1BR apts. I've seen 2BR apts from 1200 and up as well. A quick search on craigslist might be helpful - classifieds - craigslist

What about safety in this area? Do apartments tend to be newer or kind of old?

It takes about 20 minutes from Morris park to grand central (6 stops) since the 5 runs expressly during rush hour. There is also a good Carribean presence in the north Bronx with associated access to the foods etc....

Apart from rush hour, how frequently do trains run, say on a Sunday or at 8pm?

[missbonfig]

Originally Posted by Henna

I don't know the commute from Bay Ridge but it's been talked about a bunch of times here. Try http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-y...bay-ridge.html

I think it's pretty easy to find a stabilized apartment, but it doesn't mean it will be cheap. Just means the rent can only go up a certain percentage, which varies by year. They are going to be more concerned that your income is high enough (40x monthly rent) not concernd with looking for someone with a low income.

Here are all the answers to your questions about rent stabilization NYC Rent Guidelines Board

Another benefit of being rent stablized is that the landlord cannot kick you out at the end of your lease. You must be offered another lease. In smaller landlord-owned buildings (say, an apartment in a private house) you would sign a lease - usually either a one or two year lease, and at the end of that period, the landlord does not have to offer you another lease and then you would have to move if you are not being offered another lease.

a) Thanks for the great links and hints. Will check them out now to get more info on Bay Ridge.

b) As for the train you mentioned from Queens (I believe the F) how frequently does it run? During rush hour and after rush hour?

c) Walking distance:
How long does it take to walk from Grand Central Station to 285 Madison Ave?

d) Taxes
As a single person, how much net income can I count on approx. on a $50K income?

[Irish Eyes]

That address is really right outside Grand Central - check out Google Maps. You'd be under an hour from Bay Ridge. I can't say exactly because I don't work in Midtown anymore. There is also an express bus that goes from Bay Ridge and would drop you on Madison about a block from your office. It's more expensive ($41 a week for unlimited ride that can also be used on all subways and buses) but sooo worth it. I think irs.gov has a paycheck calculator that would show you what you'd have after taxes. I grew up in Flatbush and for me it was a place you work to get out of. I wouldn't consider the other places. For Brooklyn - if you land in Bay Ridge you won't be "settling" at all. There's GREAT restaurants and tons of parks.

Look into Queens too, though. A lot of people in midtown live there while a lot of Brooklyn people work downtown.

[Henna]

The F train that runs between parts of Queens (Jackson Heights and Forest Hills etc) and midtown Manhattan runs every 5 minutes during rush hour, every 6 to 8 minutes other parts of the day and then every 10 minutes as the evening hour starts to get late (say 10 pm) and then every 15 minutes after midnight. Not sure what happens later than that - maybe every 30 minutes in the middle of the night. More info at MTA Home Page, click on schedules. There's a schedule for every train line.

[cjma79]

Originally Posted by 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

Even if it is by gas, the law doenst require the landlord to pay for it..
Only requires to supply it, meaning keep it in working condition.

[missbonfig]

Originally Posted by Henna

The F train that runs between parts of Queens (Jackson Heights and Forest Hills etc) and midtown Manhattan runs every 5 minutes during rush hour, every 6 to 8 minutes other parts of the day and then every 10 minutes as the evening hour starts to get late (say 10 pm) and then every 15 minutes after midnight. Not sure what happens later than that - maybe every 30 minutes in the middle of the night. More info at MTA Home Page, click on schedules. There's a schedule for every train line.

Henna,

In your experience is the F train a reliable train? I currently live in Puerto Rico and every 5, 10 or even 15 minutes of public transportation sounds like pure heaven to me!!!
Also, what are the conditions of the train? Are they run down, ok, fairly new? Dirty? Creeps on the train or mainly decent commuters?
(Don't really plan on traveling much after 10pm during the week...)

I'll check out the tax calculator. (Hope what I find is not too disappointing...)

[missbonfig]

Originally Posted by Irish Eyes

That address is really right outside Grand Central - check out Google Maps. You'd be under an hour from Bay Ridge. I can't say exactly because I don't work in Midtown anymore. There is also an express bus that goes from Bay Ridge and would drop you on Madison about a block from your office. It's more expensive ($41 a week for unlimited ride that can also be used on all subways and buses) but sooo worth it. I think irs.gov has a paycheck calculator that would show you what you'd have after taxes. I grew up in Flatbush and for me it was a place you work to get out of. I wouldn't consider the other places. For Brooklyn - if you land in Bay Ridge you won't be "settling" at all. There's GREAT restaurants and tons of parks.

Look into Queens too, though. A lot of people in midtown live there while a lot of Brooklyn people work downtown.

Express bus? That sounds interesting. However, is an express bus realistic in the sense that you might run into traffic defeating the express function? (I'm willing to splurge on public transportation if it helps cut down on commute time... I honestly believe the mantra time is money.) Now, have you taken the bus and had a good experience? How did you do it? Part of the route express bus and then hop on a faster train?
Are there any train train options except the subway that might save me some time?