Can we find modern housing in Brooklyn on our budget? (apartment, rent)
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Areas in North Brooklyn such as brooklyn heights, dumbo/vinegar hill, dobro (downtown brooklyn), fort greene, are hot. Fueld by many folks moving out of NYC looking for more space for same price or same space for less price, and you combine that with number of luxury hi-rises already built and more being built... 1800 for 1bed is difficult but doable but you'll need to adjust your expectations. 1800 will likely get you a studio but 1bed is tough unless you go further out as others suggested like Park Slope.
citylove101 brought out good point about Fort Lee which is closer to where you want to on daily basis. However there's actually very few new hi-rise condo in Fort Lee. I can think of only one from top of my head which is the Palisades condo built in 2000s. Majority of hi-rise in Fort Lee are pre-70~80s coop. You can definitely find 1bed for 1800 in those coop and even in Palisades which is built in 2000s. As for your concern of 'upkeep' the coops may be old but they are maintained well and some have gone through or going through major capital reinvestment for update.
Lastly I don't know where in NY you were splitting time but be prepared for 40x income thing for rent in NYC. In NJ, except for coops most never ask for income requirement just background check. Good luck.
It's a shame he won't consider Harlem since there has been a LOT of new development (brand new, never lived in) in that area. What with the real estate market being the way it is, I would think the developers would be opened to renting. The buildings seem pretty swagged out with really good amenities. Search a little on-line and then print out the ones you like and show them to him. He might be open to the idea if he gets a place he likes at the right price.
You should look on the New Haven line of Metro-North (stops at 125 St in Harlem) in Westchester County - Westchester is closer to the City than CT. Towns to consider would be Mamaroneck, Pelham and Rye. In CT, I'd stick to either Greenwich or Stamford -- Greenwich is VERY expensive and more of a suburban family community, so housing options are mostly single family. There are some apartments and condos but again, very pricey. I'd stick to Stamford, it's a small city with lots of new hi-rise apt buildings, bars and restaurants and there are a lot of express trains to NYC from there.
Actually, all 3 of the Metro-North lines stop at Harlem-125th, and the Hudson and Harlem lines are generally considered slightly nicer and more reliable than the New Haven line. I would strongly suggest you look at White Plains, where you should be able to find something that meets most of your criteria, with a ~20-25 min train to Harlem. Please check out the Westchester forum for more info.
Thank you all who have given feedback. We took another swing through Brooklyn with a different broker and saw some much better options. Nothing I would call modern, but some upgraded/renovated in Park Slope. My husband was very positive about what we saw and we were going to take the night to talk about securing a place. Then wham, that night he tells me he doesn't want to live in New York. That the more he thinks about it, the more he knows it just wouldn't be right for our lives. He thinks its a waste of money and a loss of quality of life, even for a dream job. That its not about the apartment but "the whole thing".
I have a few more days to deal with the offer. He says its my choice and he will support whatever I decide. I'm completely overwhelmed.
I am sorry that you are having this conflict and I sympathize. You sacrifice a lot of QOL to live in the NY area. There just isn't a lot of stock with those types of modernized amenities,especially central air and heat. In fact, one of the best parts of NY is that many rents include heat unlike the rest of the country. You will find that most apartments that require you to pay for your own heat are not much cheaper than an apartment that includes it and Con Ed and LIPA are the most expensive electric companies in the US. If you decide to go ahead with the move, I would suggest you look at the high rises in NJ where there are more newer buildings. Don't worry about not being in Brooklyn. Sometimes travel is faster to Brooklyn from outside the borough than within.
Just a last update if anyone is interested. I turned down the position and we will not relocate at this time. We're going to stay here for now, and I'll relaunch my search for a new position in Chicago. Its a city he loves and I enjoy as well. We've decided that the dream job is not worth the other stresses. Thanks all for your help though while we were searching.
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