Where to start my Life!!! (Mineola, Washington Heights: fit in, transplants, apartment)

[smrice]

Right now I am currently a student living in Westchester. I will graduate shortly with a focus in Magazine editoring and journalism. Point is I want to go into the magazine business and I Know NYC is the place to be/work. However, I need some help in determining the best place to live for a new grad. I am looking to rent right now. My criteria for this new setting is some place mostly safe and diverse. I am in an interracial relationship so diversity is a must. I don't know what rent is these days in NYC so I could use some figures too, if possible. Approximates are fine... I was thinking about the upper east/west side. To be close to family. What are the people like? How are the schools? How safe is this area? I know its expensive but that's okay.
Are there neighboring areas anyone could recommend that have access to the subways?
-Thanks

[lammius]

Schools? Do you have children already?

If you're sharing a 1-bedroom in the UWS or UES, you're looking at $2,200/month at the cheapest. Farther uptown in Harlem and Wash Hts you'll find some cheaper stuff. Just look at craigslist and you'll get an idea. Keep security deposit and 15% broker fee in mind!

[NickL28]

Originally Posted by smrice

Right now I am currently a student living in Westchester. I will graduate shortly with a focus in Magazine editoring and journalism. Point is I want to go into the magazine business and I Know NYC is the place to be/work. However, I need some help in determining the best place to live for a new grad. I am looking to rent right now. My criteria for this new setting is some place mostly safe and diverse. I am in an interracial relationship so diversity is a must. I don't know what rent is these days in NYC so I could use some figures too, if possible. Approximates are fine... I was thinking about the upper east/west side. To be close to family. What are the people like? How are the schools? How safe is this area? I know its expensive but that's okay.
Are there neighboring areas anyone could recommend that have access to the subways?
-Thanks

You are looking at a minimum of $2,000 a month on the UES or UWS (UES means 96th Street or south).

And not only do you need to find an apartment -- you need to be approved for it. You need to make at least 45 times the monthly rent, have a FICO score well in the 700's or higher, show 2 years w-2's (most new grads have parents who are easily able to guarantee and in most cases pay the rent), and maybe 6 months of bank statements. Plus, you won't feel like you fit in unless you are making $200,000 or more and can blow all your money on clothes & going out to the trendy restaurant or 'lounge' (as transplants call bars) of the week.

Since you are from Westchester I don't think the above will be a problem with parents guaranteeing & paying the rent.

[smrice]

No, no children yet... I don't think I could do Harlem, but Wash Hts sounds good... Clothes and trendy restaurants are my kind of things. Looks like I'll fit right in. However just in case, I do plan on having a fam. eventually. Do you think Wash Hts. will be a decent place to have one?

[smrice]

Ooh! I recently came across Astoria, Queens... I've heard of this area but I am a little skeptical being that it's Queens. Help?

[Rachael84]

There's nothing wrong with Queens. It's one of the safer boroughs. Astoria is a nice area. It seems many younger people are now moving there.

[mead]

You're afraid of Queens, but want to live in Washington Heights? Oh boy, this should be a fun experiment.

[smrice]

As you can tell I don't know too much about the area hence, asking for your advice... What about some suburbs around the city with a short commute time say, 1 1/2? Not too worried about transportation, been doing it my whole life. What's poppin' on LI?

[smrice]

I hear Mineola is a pretty decent town?.