Which Neighborhood Should I Rent In? (New York, Bedford: apartment, neighborhoods, college)

[SRBU08]

Hi Folks.

So I'm looking to get an apartment in New York City, having just started a new job here. I'm a lifelong New Yorker who grew up on Long Island, so I'm quite familiar with the city. I've just returned from college + a few years of work in Boston, and it's good to be home.

I need some help/advice in terms of neighborhoods that I should be looking in. Before I give the list, here are some details: I'm working with a budget of $1350 a month. I work at 23rd and 6th in NYC, and there's both a subway stop and a PATH station there. I also have a girlfriend living in Montclair that I'd like to be able to visit relatively easily, but I accept that I'll need to do some schlepping if needed.

I was thinking about these areas:

Forest Hills, Rego Park, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Windsor Terrace, Jersey City, Hoboken.

From my research, I think I'm priced out of Hoboken and the nice areas of Jersey City. But I could be wrong.

So what do you think, folks? Am I on target? Can you give me any helpful suggestions?

Thanks so much!

[WiseOwlSaysHoot]

Are you looking for a 1 bedroom, studio, or share?

If you're looking 1 bedroom, you may be priced out of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope. But, if you can find something you like in your price range in those neighborhoods, I say go for it.

For more affordable, spacious living, I would recommend Windsor Terrace or Kensington. That will keep you on the F line for commuting to 23rd and 6th, and be considerably cheaper than the closer in areas - however, you will be giving up some of the amenities and charm.

[yasky]

Oy, Kensington takes 45-50 minutes to get to 23rd St. That was too long for me.

Check on things along the L-line into Brooklyn. I looked all over the boroughs before deciding on Bushwick (up-and-coming area) at Jefferson Street. Reasonable rent, takes 25 minutes door-to-door to 14th & 6th from where you can 1) walk to 23rd or 2) go right upstairs for the F to 23rd & 6th and/or 3) cross the street to the PATH to go to Montclair (if reachable via PATH train).

On the L-line, any stops from Bedford Ave (Williamsburg) to DeKalb will get you to 14th Street in 1/2 hour.

Good luck with your decision . . .

[delg23]

I don't have any great advice but I would focus on Jersey City. You MIGHT be able to find a studio in Hoboken for that, but they will be rare. Jersey city would be real quick to 23rd and can be less expensive. Of course there are definitely bad neighborhoods in JC though. I don't know a whole lot about the neighborhoods because I lived in Hoboken. I know near exchange place, newport, paulus hook are good areas. My friend paid 1200 for a HUGE 2BR NICE apartment in Jersey city heights. The neighborhood was not great, but it was close to Hoboken. Check the places near the light rail.... Also Journal square is cheap.

[Chava61]

Rego Park & Forest Hills are good areas to live in.

[bmwguydc]

If you don't mind paying a bit more for transportation, you can take the LIRR from Forest Hills in about 15-20 minutes to Penn, and then head down to 23rd.

[Henna]

I don't know much about NJ but it seems like that could be your best option with the PATH, and your girlfriend in Montclair.

However, if you want to stay in NYC, if you had access to the E and the F train it would help both your commute to work (f train) and help you get to Montclair (E train to Port authority, then bus to Montclair).

In Queens you could try Jackson Heights and Forest Hills. Both have E/F express trains. You should check the MTA trip planner to see if you can determine commute times. Forest Hills is supposed to be an additional 6 minutes further than Jackson Heights on the express tracks but at rush hour with all the people getting on and off it might be longer. The F train from Jackson Heights to 23rd and 6th (once you are ON the train) should be about 20 minutes (9 stops). Again - check trip planner and don't forget to factor in delays and the time to walk to the station and catch the train.