Moving to UWS soon: looking for feedback on areas (White Plains: subletting, apartments) - City-Data Forum

mattru · 01-24-2010, 01:28 AM

I am planning to move to the UWS (maybe 70's - 90's?) in a month and have some basic questions since I've never lived in NYC. Thanks for any thoughts you may have

1) I would like a 1-br place for ~$2500/month on rent.. Does this strike anyone as problematic? I know it will be small, but I'd like it to be big enough for a small couch, 50" plasma TV, and a queen bed. Maybe a living room that's say 15x20 and a bedroom that's 14x14 or larger??? Am I over or under estimating the size?

2) What can you tell me about the various sub-areas (70's's, 80's, 90's 100's?) How significant of a difference is there in terms of price and feel?

3) I would really like some coffee shops / bars that relatively close to my building. Will I find these withing a block or two no matter where I am or should I focus on specific sub-areas?

4) I am budgeting $550 for a garage because I will drive to work in in Westchester. Does this sound about right?

5) Will an agent really help me find anything better than I can do by myself on craigslist?

6) I would like to bike and run in central park and riverside park. I assume once in UWS it's all a few blocks away so location isn't critical here?

Any other tips for a total UWS newb (and NYC newb) are appreciated.

Thanks!

Viralmd · 01-24-2010, 05:18 AM

The UWS is one of the more expensive areas. A one bedroom is not very likely. More like a studio. And 14 x 14???? Are you KIDDING? If you DO find a one bedroom it will be MINUTE.

I think it's foolish to throw money away on a garage and gas and car insurance (wait until you see how much THAT is in NYC) just to live in NYC. You can easily live in a larger apartment in White Plains, take the express train to Manhattan when you want, AND you won't have the NYC income tax to worry about.

But that's just me.

StinaTado · 01-24-2010, 07:18 AM

The studios in my building are going for about $2000 and they are 12x20. The smallest 1 bed unit in my building goes for $2600 and has a 12x20 combined kitchen/dining room/living room and a 12x12 bedroom (which is a nice size to me considering my last room was 8x10). I also live in a co-op, and from my understanding, co-ops are a bit cheaper because it is such a hassle to get in. We are subletting from family and the red tape to move in was incredible! I live in a decent building, but it's not a luxury building or anything. The only thing we have is a doorman- no gym, no pool, no balconies or anything like that.

You can find a one bedroom for $2500 but it will be tiny or not newly renovated. Honestly, if you're working in Westchester, you'd better making a LOT of money to make it worth the hassle of coming from the city every day.
ViralMD is right, there are much better places to get for $2500 with faster commutes into the city up in Westchester.

If you must must must live in Manhattan, check out 100-110th from Amsterdam to Riverside drive. It's technically part of Morningside Heights, I believe, but it has become an extension of UWS. Lots of bars, restaurants, and cafes, it's near Riverbank State Park and Central Park. Absolute Bagel is on 108th and Broadway and it's AMAZING!

As for going to a realtor, it can be good if you're on a limited time schedule and need to see a ton of apartments quickly, but remember, it will cost you around a 15% fee- that's almost two months of extra rent.

As for the rest of your questions, the UWS is a wonderful place to live and I love it. You are close to everything and I don't know that there's a dramatically different feel throughout the neighborhood. I'd say it feels pretty similar from 66th up to about 110th. Further than that and it starts splitting into Columbia and Harlem, which have their own feels.

mattru · 01-24-2010, 09:23 AM

Thanks guys. I guess I was a bit off on the size for $2500. Not sure what I was thinking with 14-14 for a bedroom, but smaller is fine.

Does moving above 90th make a big difference in terms of what you get for the money or not really? I'd still like to hear more thoughts on how the price and feel changes as you progress from the 80's up to say 110. The higher areas might be a good tradeoff for me since I'll be commuting north anyway.

The city tax, garage, and car insurance are certainly going to be depressing, but life is short and Westchester is boring. I've lived there in the past and I'd like to try living in NYC this time, just for the experience. I can definitely "afford" it. The question is whether I can make it a positive enough experience to be worth the money.

kemcnyc · 01-24-2010, 10:24 AM

As high up as 110 on the West is fine. Still really nice that way and has been getting better and better for a while now. I think your numbers are pretty realistic. Think you can score a 1 BR (smaller than you mentioned) rather easily. $550 for parking is do-able... but as someone mentioned, you are throwing that money away. You will not need a car in the city. You might want to look for other options (either getting rid of or keeping it in the burbs somewhere for occasional weekend use).

Check out Washington Heights West above 181st (sometimes referred to as Hudson Heights). I am like a broken record suggesting this neighborhood, but it is a good sleeper pick. Not the best commute, but its nice and a better bang for the buck. (Also more car friendly if you are adamant on keeping your car).

mattru · 01-24-2010, 10:38 AM

Thanks Kemnyc. I would LOVE to keep the car out of the city, but then I either need to

1) Live closer to Grand Central (thoughts on this?)
2) Take the 1 train north to Metro North at the Marble Hill station.

Either way, we're talking a 1 hour 20 minute commute, instead of a 35 minute drive (it's reverse commute and I know people who do it and say it's not too bad).

Can someone convince me that there exists a public transportation option that isn't awful?

SeventhFloor · 01-24-2010, 05:55 PM

like viral mentioned before, i think you be better off living in white plains, it has a very nice and convenient downtown district.

mattru · 01-24-2010, 06:00 PM

Thanks guys, but I've quite familiar with White Plains and I don't want to live there. I'm living in Manhattan. It's just a question of where.

kemcnyc · 01-31-2010, 06:38 AM

Hi Mattru- As far as the Grand Central point.... you might want to look into the Flatiron section. Gets cheaper the more East you go. Not my first pick as far as neighborhood (not that is is bad... just not much of a neighborhood IMO) but it could be a practical choice.

Or Murray Hill. Think you can DEFINITELY get something in your range there (apt wise.... not sure about parking there)

bluedog2 · 01-31-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattru

Thanks Kemnyc. I would LOVE to keep the car out of the city, but then I either need to

1) Live closer to Grand Central (thoughts on this?)
2) Take the 1 train north to Metro North at the Marble Hill station.

Can someone convince me that there exists a public transportation option that isn't awful?

Marble Hill will not get you to White Plains.It's on the Hudson line and White Plains is not.
The West Side is not a viable location if you want a swift public transport commute to White Plains.Your options are Murray Hill near Grand Central,Harlem near 125th St or sme neighborhood in The Bronx that has a station on the Harlem Line.These would include Fordham,Bedford Park/Mosholu area near the Botanical Garden stop and Woodlawn.