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I am starting a new job here in Chicago that has authorized a move to New York City whenever I want (its consulting), and I am interested in where I should be looking at. My wife and I have two cats, but will be starting a family soon and she wants to be closer to her parents (they live by Lincoln Center) when we have kids.
My salary will be $82,500 (not sure if I can get a cost of living increase when I move, but I will try), and my wife is currently not employed, but has a teaching degree so she will be looking at those kinds of jobs before we actually "make the decision".
We currently live in a smaller 2 bedroom (900 sq feet) and we pay $1250 a month and free street parking (we own a car, but will probably sell it if we move), and I would live something similar, maybe a little bigger, and a budget of at most $1,500 (not sure how reasonable that is).
The office is in Manhattan (W 13th and 8th) so I would be looking to live somewhere along the L subway line if it's too far to walk or quick bus (figuring where the office is, that seems likely).
Here is the "type" of apartment we are looking for
2 bedroom, or 1 bedroom with office
100 sq feet or larger
pet friendly
dishwasher included
in-unit laundry (not a huge thing, but a preference, we are open to not having this)
I hope I provided enough information, please let me know if any more info is needed.
I am starting a new job here in Chicago that has authorized a move to New York City whenever I want (its consulting), and I am interested in where I should be looking at. My wife and I have two cats, but will be starting a family soon and she wants to be closer to her parents (they live by Lincoln Center) when we have kids.
My salary will be $82,500 (not sure if I can get a cost of living increase when I move, but I will try), and my wife is currently not employed, but has a teaching degree so she will be looking at those kinds of jobs before we actually "make the decision".
We currently live in a smaller 2 bedroom (900 sq feet) and we pay $1250 a month and free street parking (we own a car, but will probably sell it if we move), and I would live something similar, maybe a little bigger, and a budget of at most $1,500 (not sure how reasonable that is).
The office is in Manhattan (W 13th and 8th) so I would be looking to live somewhere along the L subway line if it's too far to walk or quick bus (figuring where the office is, that seems likely).
Here is the "type" of apartment we are looking for
2 bedroom, or 1 bedroom with office
100 sq feet or larger
pet friendly
dishwasher included
in-unit laundry (not a huge thing, but a preference, we are open to not having this)
I hope I provided enough information, please let me know if any more info is needed.
Thanks!
I think for that budget it will be hard to find a 2 bedroom apt. Also in-unit laundries aren't common in NYC as most large apt. buildings have a laundry room in the basement.
I think for that budget it will be hard to find a 2 bedroom apt. Also in-unit laundries aren't common in NYC as most large apt. buildings have a laundry room in the basement.
I figured on the laundry, but its still a preference if we can find a steal. Even in Western Queens and Brooklyn 1500 isnt enough for a 2 bedroom or large one bedroom? I figure Manhattan is out of the question.
I think a major factor is if your wife can get that job. Obviously you know that NYC is going to be a lot more expensive than Chicago. So solve that question first if you can so you (and landlords) know what you are working with for total income. Next do not tie yourself to the L subway line since it is a crosstown line you can really live where ever you can afford and then make it downtown to 14th street on any subway and then switch to the L (which is very easy). This will open up a lot more possibilities to you. You may find that the biggest hurdle is "pet friendly" at least that is what I have found in my past searches..
PS- $1500 is no where near enough for what you describe... you really should explore that before you commit to move again
I would say unless you are way out in the outer boroughs you are looking at 2,000 to 2700 ,
Since you have cats instead of dogs, it's actually a little bit easier on the pet friendly part.
For 1500 a month, in order to have that large of an apartment you're going to be deep in the boroughs or some parts of Jersey.
Or you can up your monthly rent expense. 2000 a month would make it a lot easier to find a 2 bdr that isn't too far from your work.
I would also recommend selling the car. You could apply the cost of insurance and maintenance and all that stuff into your rent payment to have a better place to live than having an inconvenience on the street that you won't use much.
On the L-Train, anything in Manhattan, Williamsburg and probably Green Point is out of the question on your budget. Your next option is Bushwick. I have friends who live there, and it’s far better than it used to be, but it’s still a bit sketchy. I wouldn’t want to raise kids there.
Is the home office a necessity? If you really want to move, I’d get a one-bedroom for the first year or so to see how you like the city, etc., and then upgrade when you actually have children. Extra rooms in New York are a huge luxury.
Honestly it sounds like a terrible idea. If you are looking to start a family soon, that is a happy and wonderful thing but it is laden with major STRESS. Moving to a new place is also obviously a huge source of stress. Why would you add to an already difficult situation? The NYC rental market is absolutely nothing like the Chicago rental market. No one markets an apartment as a 'one bedroom with an office'. Even if it's the size of a broom closet, it's a bedroom. Maybe this is harsh and just my personal view, but you'd be better off staying there and letting your wife focus on raising your planned children. You have to think of them and their well-being. They'd be better any day of the week moving out to a Chicago suburb where their mom can relax and they can just focus on being kids. And if you've progressed in your career by that point to where you are making 200K+ and become more familiarized with the city a few years down the road... that would be a more appropriate time to look into relocation. You cannot just consider the rent alone. You also have to consider the cost of decent schools. Really, it sounds like you need marriage counseling. Are you unhappy with Chicago, your spouse, or both?
Everyone here is saying that a 2BD or 1BD with an office is pretty slim with that budget. How about a large one bedroom (like over 1000 sq feet) with no office? Is that more or less the same?
Sell the car and look at Kew Gardens in Queens. You can take the E to work--stops at 14th & 8th--and LIRR will get your wife to the West Side to visit her parents. You're still going to have to come up in budget, though. 2 bedrooms in convenient areas start around $1900. A large 1 bedroom would be more in your range and there are lots of cat friendly buildings.
Quote:
Is the home office a necessity? If you really want to move, I’d get a
one-bedroom for the first year or so to see how you like the city, etc., and
then upgrade when you actually have children. Extra rooms in New York are a huge
luxury.
This is very true.
And the L train is not fun--probably one of the more troublesome lines; don't know why.
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