Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I think it's much a matter of personal choice. When I was that age the city was profoundly boring to me. I had more fun out in the country. All a matter of choice and economics.
If you can put up to your employer's match in 401K, and still break even, then live in Manhattan. Have a little fun. Most of the young people in my work are doing it and having a ball. Last thing you want to have to do is commute back to NJ after a long day at work (I do it, but I have 2 kids that need a good school) or a night of going out. If you are even considering Manhattan, then you are probably the type of person that would be bored in NJ. Do not worry too much about saving at this age. As long as you are not in debt, you will be ahead of 90% of the people your age.
For 1200 you can probably get 2 roommates in a 2 bedroom converted (the livingroom is turned into the 3rd bedroom and that person usually pays less rent then the other). Do not worry if it is small, you will probably not be there much, and if you plan on being in your apartment a lot, then again NJ is probably better
edit: lots of people are suggesting Manhattan, Hoboken, JC, etc.....these are all better options (well, Manhattan and Hoboken are, JC for midtown is debatable at best), but they are not affordable better options.
Hoboken and downtown Jersey City are way cheaper than Manhattan, and cheaper than at least parts of Brooklyn. JC's fine for a Midtown commute, too; IMO at least as good as Hoboken because there are a lot more subway connections from the WTC PATH station, and the Herald Square PATH station is too far to walk from most jobs in Midtown anyway.
Manhattan is marginally doable on that budget, but you'd be better off finding a good roommate or two and getting a bigger place in Hoboken/JC/Brooklyn.
I would consider Montclair or Hoboken before NYC. Both are commutable via train and meet many of your criteria. If you move to the city, saving will be difficult, as the COL is high.
I am young college grad student who just got a job in New York beginning in the Fall. I am still deciding on whether living in New York would be better for me or living and commuting in New Jersey would be better. I want to be able to save so I am not planning on spending too much on rent. Also, as this is my first apartment, I would appreciate any information on how to get an apartment/or where it will be easier to get an apartment, if you don't have a cosigner and your credit is not good.
WHOA! I'm surprised all of you missed the part I highlighted.
I have consulted with many people about this topic over the past few years. Based on their knowledge of the subject matter, NewCareerGirl has much bigger and serious problems to address before even contemplating a move to the NYC metro area. No cosigner? Bad credit??? And you are thinking about living in this metropolitan region??? No offense, but the credit score is who you are. It can affect your employment opportunities, purchasing power, and even your social life. Every landlord will request your credit score AND pull it. Manhattan landlords will demand superior scores, and New Jersey landlords will be nearly as demanding. If you don't present accordingly, you will be shown only one part of the apartment... the door.
I presume you may want to date once in a while. Well, you can all but forget that with your bad credit. Many well-to-do young men will not contemplate entering into a relationship with a woman with poor credit, as it could negatively affect their own good credit. And finding this out is very easy today, especially for people working in the financial sector.
Of course there are exceptions to this, but unless you qualify for section 8 or can qualify for public assistance, you are going to have a very tough experience until you can straighten this out. Good luck!
I presume you may want to date once in a while. Well, you can all but forget that with your bad credit. Many well-to-do young men will not contemplate entering into a relationship with a woman with poor credit, as it could negatively affect their own good credit.
Seriously? You know, the credit agencies neither know nor care who you're dating. There's no line item on the credit card for "dining with deadbeats".
Also, she already has a job lined up.
But yeah, bad credit will make the already-difficult job of finding an apartment even harder.
I would recommend Downtown JC preferably near Grove St where your commute will be so easy and you will still get your "charming" feel of neighborhood AND as you're young, MANY many options for night life.. enjoy!
Loving downtown JC more and more each day. We took the ferry from Warren Street this weekend to Liberty State Park and ate dinner outside overlooking Manhattan. Unbelievable and all within a 5 minute walk (to the ferry) from my home.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
