advice on moving to Manhattan (Greenwich, Washington Heights: apartment, rent, broker)

[kilroy2981]

I need some advice for moving to Manhattan. I live on Long Island but I work in Manhattan doing construction. The wife and I are leaning on moving to Manhattan because the prices and taxes for houses in LI are pretty damn expensive. I make 4k a month and the wife makes 2k a month on LI, she wants to quit and find a job in the city if we move. I'm leaning towards a 2 bedroom apartment. Which is the nicest neighborhood to live in? We both like the quiet tree lined streets of Greenwich village and Gramercy. We have a German Shepherd dog, so I'd like to be near a park that allows dogs. I dont think I'd like midtown too much because of the noise and traffic, thats kinda why I'm leaning towards downtown. As far as the rent goes I dont wanna spend more then $2,800-$3,000 a month for a 2 bedroom. I figure with utilities I dont wanna choke myself. We wanna be able to enjoy it, ya know? Anybody know of a good broker or website? Any ideas will be appreciated, thanks!!

[Viralmd]

Your desires aren't very realistic.

Having a dog limits your options and increases your rent. Having a big dog limits you even farther.

There are many nice parts of Manhattan. But you won't find a 2 BR apartment in your price range on the UWS, UES, midtown, Gramercy or downtown. MAYBE in Washington Heights, but that's pushing it. You need to do more research.

Downtown the only park is Battery Park (Gramercy Park is for keyholders only) and I'd hardly call Tomkins Square Park a park.

You need to earn 40X a month's rent to be approved by a landlord.

You might find what you want in another borough, but not Manhattan. Look at the sticky at the top of this board about moving to NYC, and do the necessary research.

[middle-of-nowhere]

$3,000 for a decent 2-BR apartment is definitely something really really rare, if not entirely unrealistic, for everything you are looking for (a unit that allows a german shepherd, tree lined streets, near park, etc). If you are willing to take a walk-up 2-BR in maybe the far east towards the East River in the Upper East Side, I think you can find some deals.

But then, the income is also a bit problematic. The previous poster said that landlords and brokers will require at least your combined annual gross income be 40x the monthly rent. So for a $2,500 apartment, you have to be making at least $100,000 (or $2500 x 40). In other words, you'd have to be bringing in $8-$9k/month. And in Manhattan, it's not uncommon for landlords in the more desirable areas to require 45x or 50x!