Moving to NYC and need help (Mount Vernon, Vernon: apartment, for rent, insurance) - New York City - New York - City-Data Forum

alwaddle · 10-14-2007, 11:05 AM

I am moving to NYC and want to make sure I will make it out there. I have a budget of 7000 a month. Granted it will need to support myself, husband, elderly grandmother that lives with us and our two dogs. That is how much we make currently which I am assuming will go up when we move out there. I want to find out where would be a good place to live that is safe and affordable. A safe area for my grandmother with elevator due to her age. Also, I need to be close to parks or somewhere that has a some what backyard for my dogs. I currently live in a nice suburb of Dallas, with a house that is 2000 square feet and a half and acre for the dogs. I know that it will change when we move to the city but I want to move. Would it be better to look for a place in NJ and commute to NYC. We thought of buying a house in Madison or somewhere close to commute. I just need some help. I have my own business in Texas which will relocate as well as working in production and acting on the side. I travel to NYC and LA often since I do freelance production. I just want to be closer to NYC so that I can spend more time and get more jobs. Please let me know if you have any help or ideas for us. We looked at moving to LA but decided we would rather fly out to LA. We like the idea of getting rid of our multiple vehicles and only keeping one. As well as all the expenses that come with having cars and everything else. Plus we love to walk and take the subway. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Elvira Black · 10-14-2007, 12:27 PM

How much of that 7K a month can you allot to housing? NJ or Long Island might be a possibility, or maybe some areas of Brooklyn or Queens. I think the Queens housing market might be a little "softer" right now than the five boroughs--maybe NJ and LI as well, though Queens might be an easier commute to Manhattan. I'm assuming of course that you want to purchase a house. There are other options, but your budget and cost of living will determine a lot of this.

Coops may also be an option, since they have many amenities included with the maintenance, but probably no backyard space (though again, there may be some garden apt developments that will have more private green space, dunno). Some city neighborhoods have dog runs in the local parks.

Elvira Black · 10-14-2007, 12:29 PM

Sorry, meant to say that the outer borough housing market (everything outside of Manhattan) , as well as Long Island and other metro areas, might be more of a buyer's market now. NYC proper has been more immune to this trend.

Viralmd · 10-14-2007, 01:12 PM

Renting will be more difficult with two dogs. Are you planning to buy? What's your budget for buying? I know you've got $7000/month, but what can you afford to buy? How much of a commute are you willing to tolerate?

alwaddle · 10-14-2007, 03:52 PM

I make 7000 currently but will probably be making close to 9 or 10K after the move. I don't want to spend more that 3500-4000 a month on rent. I would like to buy, but thought about renting until we figure out where we want to settle down. We thought about living in NJ and commuting into NYC. There are many homes that are around the same price as the home we currently live in. I just didn't know if it would be possible to find a place within NYC. I also thought about Westchester county and commuting. I have an aunt that owns a lovely home in Mount Vernon. I don't know about the commuting. I don't really want to drive into NYC everyday, I would rather take a subway or train into work. What would you suggest? I do have two dogs but they are well behaved and great animals. They just need some space to have fun and run around. I would like them to enjoy their life and not be tied down to an apartment building all the time.

Songbird42 · 10-14-2007, 04:10 PM

Rent in Manhattan is outrageous, try renting in NJ or Queens for at least 6 months, I'm sure that after 6 months you and your family will get a "feel" for what is right for you. NJ home prices are out of sight, and the taxes NJ residents pay is a "sin". Your one of those lucky people who can afford several thousand to pay for rent. Living in NY is expensive, you might be able to commute from outside the city. Good luck on your search.

alwaddle · 10-14-2007, 04:22 PM

Would it be better to live in NY and commute or live in NJ? Well, I live in a state that does not have state income tax so I am not used to that! What is the difference between NY and NJ and their state income tax?

Elvira Black · 10-14-2007, 06:08 PM

You might want to rent a townhouse/condo or house. There are houses to be rented, I'm sure, in some parts of the city and the 'burbs.

I think someone said it all evens out between NY and NJ taxes, more or less?

You might like Jersey City or Hoboken (in NJ)--the latter is more pricey though and closer to the city, I think, but both are shortish commutes. I think you'll have a decent array of choices...there are quite a few.

Viralmd · 10-14-2007, 06:30 PM

Renting a townhouse in Manhattan will run at LEAST $10,000/month. Not including electricity, phone, cable TV, etc.

I would suggest that you try Westchester. You can commute in by train, easily and it'll be easier to find a place that will take your dogs. And if you're MAKING $7000/month, you're not going to be bringing anything like that home.

There's not much difference in NJ and NY state income taxes. But it all depends on where your job is: if it's on the West side, NJ is easier. If it's on the East side, Westchester and Connecticut would be easier (you get into a different train station).

Also, if you want to live in Manhattan, get rid of the car. It's costly to park (at LEAST $400/month) and insurance is also pricey.

Elvira Black · 10-14-2007, 07:16 PM

But of course...I think she was looking for something outside Manhattan. You'd have to be very well off to afford a Manhattan townhouse.