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Anytime. I will also mention that if you do look in NJ, the Ironbound section of Newark is a Brazilian/portuguese community. Its also right next to train into NYC.
However, you should still be able to find something in your range thats closer.
In NJ I found some studios for $650-$800 in Irvington and East Orange. Are these nice places to live?
Yes, I would avoid Irvington and East Orange, not good at all. I would agree with looking in the Ironbound section of Newark, close to transportation that will get you to NYC pretty easily, with the bonus that it will give you a taste of home, at home. It should not be hard to find a place there within your budget. I am assuming you are not taxed (at least not heavily) on the $2500 a month. In NYC, I think you can find a share in a borough other than Manhattan (even Washington Heights/Inwood in Manhattan may be affordable) within your budget.
Thanks! Yeah, I am really afraid of that. I will only have a document saying that I am a fellow and I will recieve that amount of money. I hope it won't be a real problem.
My younger daughter lives in NYC, and I've discovered that when it comes to rentals, there's New York City and then there's the rest of the world. If you're renting you'll generally either have to have proof of income (I think the standard is 40 times monthly rent) or a Guarantor (meaning: someone with resources who will guarantee payment of the rent). Parents and relatives are the "usual suspects" for playing the role of Guarantor, but if they don't have the resources or are unwilling, there are companies that perform this function for a reasonable fee (Insurent, et al. - Google "guarantor insurance").
Someone mentioned Ironbound, in Newark. That's an interesting area, and probably more feasible to live solo there than in NYC. Just consider, though, travel time to Columbia. It's easy to get into Manhattan from Newark, but then you have to travel fairly far uptown. Your door-to-door commute could be lengthy, and you'd have to factor in the cost of a monthly NYC transit pass (about $125, I think).
Also: your first post mentioned your preference to live alone. I wouldn't try to talk you out of that, but the economics of your situation favor sharing an apartment. You can probably live closer to school, have a shorter commute, and thus have more free time for ... whatever. Plus if you share, you have some built-in social life other than people at school. I could see how it could be lonely living in a foreign country by yourself, especially if it's in a city as big as New York.
First, take the advice of your first answer, and check with Columbia for any help or suggestions.
Second, I understand that you would prefer to live alone, maybe because you're quiet, maybe because you're shy, or maybe because you feel that you're too old for roommates. But I think you should reconsider, and at least start with a roommate, even if you later decide to move out on your own. Naturally, it would enable you to get a better, safer apartment. But also it will help you to have someone there when you're trying to get settled in NYC. It will also just be easier to get a place, I think; NYC is an expensive, complicated city, and many landlords will not want a foreign tenant with very little money. So I think that you should perhaps try to start off by rooming with a Columbia graduate student, or something like that.
Look on Convent, right above City College. Directly below is much more expensive and not so great either in places. Things do come up. Start looking now because students will also be looking.
I would avoid Broadway and most of Amsterdam, but that's just me. I don't like the seediness.
Side streets are block-by-block.
Avoid at all costs. Irvington and E. Orange are poor, depressing and unsafe. Do not live in either city.
Ok, thank you. It seems that it is really a bad idea go to that places.
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It should not be hard to find a place there within your budget. I am assuming you are not taxed (at least not heavily) on the $2500 a month. In NYC, I think you can find a share in a borough other than Manhattan (even Washington Heights/Inwood in Manhattan may be affordable) within your budget.
