How long should it take us to find a place? (New York: apartment, to rent)

[samananana]

Around August, my boyfriend and I are planning on moving out of Florida. We're not totally set on New York City yet, but since it's one of the top contenders, I'm trying to collect as much information as I can so we can make the best decision. I know that moving to New York City may not be the smartest choice, but the city seems to have everything we want - diversity, culture, opportunities, a fast-paced lifestyle, and seasons. If we settle on NYC, I know we'll be willing to make a lot of sacrifices and live on an extremely tight budget in order to make that happen.

We'll be moving with, at minimum, $10,000 saved. I know it's going to go extremely fast, so I'm trying to budget it as much as I can and account for all potential expenses. I have a few friends who might let us sleep on their floor for a few days when we first arrive and are trying to settle in, but if that falls through, I know we'll be in a hotel or a hostel until we find an apartment. Assuming that we are aggressively looking for a place the moment we arrive, about how long should it take to find a place of our own and get moved in? We're hoping to spend no more than $1,600 a month on a studio or one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn or Queens (or Manhattan, if we somehow get incredibly lucky). Preferably in a safe-ish neighborhood, close to a subway.

Thanks in advance!

[jcoltrane]

You will not be able to rent an apartment if you do not have a verifiable JOB!

You do not know how much you can afford in rent until you have a JOB!

You both should focus on finding a job, FIRST!

[samananana]

Fair enough! We're both well aware of the need to move with a job and will be applying pretty aggressively over the summer months. I know how difficult, if not impossible, getting a job in one city while living halfway across the country can be. That's why we're not totally set on New York City. We're considering a number of cities across the country, and if we get a solid job offer in one particular place, that's probably where we'll be going. I currently work for a bank, and I'm hoping that they'll be able to transfer me to another location. If not, I'm planning to apply for other similar financial institutions where my experience will (hopefully) give me a better shot at getting hired.

Is moving to NYC without a job really, really, really challenging and highly unadvised, or is it literally impossible? We're both willing to move without a job and take on some temporary work - between the two of us, we both have pretty extensive experience in retail, customer service, bartending, and waiting tables, and we're not above taking really low-paying jobs at first until we find better work.

[gogoamy]

Originally Posted by samananana

Fair enough! We're both well aware of the need to move with a job and will be applying pretty aggressively over the summer months. I know how difficult, if not impossible, getting a job in one city while living halfway across the country can be. That's why we're not totally set on New York City. We're considering a number of cities across the country, and if we get a solid job offer in one particular place, that's probably where we'll be going. I currently work for a bank, and I'm hoping that they'll be able to transfer me to another location. If not, I'm planning to apply for other similar financial institutions where my experience will (hopefully) give me a better shot at getting hired.

Is moving to NYC without a job really, really, really challenging and highly unadvised, or is it literally impossible? We're both willing to move without a job and take on some temporary work - between the two of us, we both have pretty extensive experience in retail, customer service, bartending, and waiting tables, and we're not above taking really low-paying jobs at first until we find better work.

The problem is you won't be able to get an apt without a job. Most landlords will want you to make 40x the rent ($1600 rent x 40 = $64,000 year salary minimum). If you fall short of that, most will require a guarantor that makes 80x the rent. Some landlords require that the guarantor be a New York State resident. Finding an apt in NY is much more difficult than anywhere in the US. You say you will have 10k in savings, but most of that will go towards your new place - first, last and one month security deposit (plus a brokers fee if you go that route). It's not impossible and some landlords are more easy going (esp in outer boroughs), but it will be very very difficult.

[MilksFavoriteCookie]

Originally Posted by samananana

Around August, my boyfriend and I are planning on moving out of Florida. We're not totally set on New York City yet, but since it's one of the top contenders, I'm trying to collect as much information as I can so we can make the best decision. I know that moving to New York City may not be the smartest choice, but the city seems to have everything we want - diversity, culture, opportunities, a fast-paced lifestyle, and seasons. If we settle on NYC, I know we'll be willing to make a lot of sacrifices and live on an extremely tight budget in order to make that happen.

We'll be moving with, at minimum, $10,000 saved. I know it's going to go extremely fast, so I'm trying to budget it as much as I can and account for all potential expenses. I have a few friends who might let us sleep on their floor for a few days when we first arrive and are trying to settle in, but if that falls through, I know we'll be in a hotel or a hostel until we find an apartment. Assuming that we are aggressively looking for a place the moment we arrive, about how long should it take to find a place of our own and get moved in? We're hoping to spend no more than $1,600 a month on a studio or one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn or Queens (or Manhattan, if we somehow get incredibly lucky). Preferably in a safe-ish neighborhood, close to a subway.

Thanks in advance!

Too lazy to read all right now, but finding isn't the problem over here. Qualifying for what you want is.

[NyWriterdude]

Originally Posted by samananana

Fair enough! We're both well aware of the need to move with a job and will be applying pretty aggressively over the summer months. I know how difficult, if not impossible, getting a job in one city while living halfway across the country can be. That's why we're not totally set on New York City. We're considering a number of cities across the country, and if we get a solid job offer in one particular place, that's probably where we'll be going. I currently work for a bank, and I'm hoping that they'll be able to transfer me to another location. If not, I'm planning to apply for other similar financial institutions where my experience will (hopefully) give me a better shot at getting hired.

Is moving to NYC without a job really, really, really challenging and highly unadvised, or is it literally impossible? We're both willing to move without a job and take on some temporary work - between the two of us, we both have pretty extensive experience in retail, customer service, bartending, and waiting tables, and we're not above taking really low-paying jobs at first until we find better work.

Without a job, you can move here and rent a ROOM temporarily until you get an apartment. But like everyone said, you won't be able to get an apartment without a job as the landlord will want to verify employment.

So with that said, though it is difficult to get a job when you're not in town, if you're good in certain fields its certainly possible. You can make sure you have a job offer lined up before moving here.

[jcoltrane]

I think it rude and disrespectful, when a poster applies the effort to articulate themselves and posters reply that they are too lazy to read the OP's post.

Is it a matter of Attention Deficit Disorder and/or plain simple inability to appreciate the efforts of others?

Should posts be limited by and/or tailored to the reading deficiency and/or ADD of others? Even if it is just plain laziness??

Hmmmmm....

[livingsinglenyc]

Perhaps you could you a guarenteer? A parent or relative?

[samananana]

If necessary, we'll have a guarantor. They'll meet the income requirement but don't live in New York, so I don't know how much of a problem that will be.

[hershey48]

assuming you have jobs,I think you should be able to find 1bdm for <1600 in clinton hill, prospect heights bk. Also astoria in queens.