Where to Rent on a $2,000 a month budget (New York, Ridge: appointed, real estate market)

[Libertine]

My girlfriend and I will be moving to NYC in a little while and our budget is going to be around $2,000/month. We both know New York like the back of our hands and I'm pretty familiar with the city's real estate market. But I've never tried renting an apartment in New York before. What areas do you suggest renting in given the following preferences:

-1 bedroom is a must, no studios
-We cook so we need a decent kitchen with god forbid, countertop space
-We'd prefer living in the city (UWS, West Village are at the top of our list), but aren't opposed to BK or parts of Queens especially Fort Greene, BoCoCa, or Ridgewood
-Close to the train
-Close to a Duane Reade
-We have a dog
-We want to be near park space
-We like the intimate, European feel of the West Village

Is it possible to live comfortably, with our standards, in the West Village or UWS, or should we look elsewhere?

[Libertine]

And if someone could tell me what's the best way to go about the whole apartment hunt in NYC

[newyorker24]

Where are you moving from?

[Libertine]

I live in D.C., but have also lived in Chicago for a few years.

[newyorker24]

UWS is a possiblity for $2,000 a month, or at least close to that amount. Wanting the big kitchen might be a limitation. I am looking at apartments in that area as well and am quite disappointed by many of the "kitchens" that seem much more like a kitchenette. It seems like in some places you're lucky to get full size appliances, and counter space is very limited. To be honest the buildings where I have seen that most/many apartments have a full size kitchen with normal size appliances and decent counter space tend to be newer/renovated buildings (such as the ones in Fidi) and the townhouses/brownstones.

There are a lot of listings on Craig's List as well as the New York Times website- check those out. The ones that have a decent kitchen will definetely include a picture of it in the ad. I don't even inquire about places where the kitchen is not pictured because I can only imagine why. There are also some brokers in the area that may be able to help, just tell them what you are looking for and that you want something where the landlord is paying the fee- lots of that going on right now.

[Libertine]

I've heard there's a broker fee you're supposed to pay, is that true?

[newyorker24]

Right now many landlords are offering to pay the broker fee in order to entice tenants to move in. Just do an online search for no-fee apartments. Many of them are not no-fee, just means you do not have to pay the fee. I've seen many apartments so far that do not require me to pay a broker fee.

[kandle]

I live in the UWS so I am completely biased. You will be able to afford a one bedroom apartment here. A Dog will not be a problem in the UWS a lot of us own them but it is very expensive owning a dog in Manhattan. You might need to sacrifice on the size of the kitchen. CitiHabitants has an office on 72nd between broadway and west end but closer to broadway. You will have to pay a broker's fee. Trains are a plenty and so is Duane Reade, CVS and Rite aid; in addition there are plenty of Bodegas and small pharmacy stores. You will have Central park and Riverside park in the UWS.

Good Luck!

[Sahona]

Completely agree with what Kandle said. We used the same agency to find our apartment on the UWS and they certainly had loads of places to see. We have a great apartment but my only complaint is the kitchen. I love baking and wish I had more counter space and a dishwasher.

[Chava61]

You could probably find a large one bedroom with a large kitchen (which would include a dining area) in Forest Hills in Queens for approx. $2000.