Chi-town couple moving to NYC (apartments, to rent, neighborhood)

[Divine2]

My husband and I (and a baby on the way) are relocating to NYC. My husband will be working in Battery Park.

We are looking to rent a 2 BDRM/ 2 BA (at a minimum 2 BDRM, 1.5 BA). We would like to spend no more than $3500 on rent.

Ideally speaking we want to live in Chelsea, Financial District or Battery Park area. This way commute time for my husband will be less and we will still be in Manhattan. We don't want to be in Hoboken or Brooklyn. We'd rather go to Upper West if nothing is available within our price range.

1. Will we be able to find something in the areas that I mention and within our price range?
2. I've been to NY a couple of times and always found the financial district dead at night but I've also heard that places are more affordable there. Is it safe to walk at night in that area?
3. Any other suggestions.....

Thanks

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by Divine2

My husband and I (and a baby on the way) are relocating to NYC. My husband will be working in Battery Park.

We are looking to rent a 2 BDRM/ 2 BA (at a minimum 2 BDRM, 1.5 BA). We would like to spend no more than $3500 on rent.

Ideally speaking we want to live in Chelsea, Financial District or Battery Park area. This way commute time for my husband will be less and we will still be in Manhattan. We don't want to be in Hoboken or Brooklyn. We'd rather go to Upper West if nothing is available within our price range.

1. Will we be able to find something in the areas that I mention and within our price range?
2. I've been to NY a couple of times and always found the financial district dead at night but I've also heard that places are more affordable there. Is it safe to walk at night in that area?
3. Any other suggestions.....

Thanks

you're at the low end, get a sunday NY Times and view the listings

[UpstaterInBklyn]

2BR, 1.5BA places are hard to find in Manhattan and command a premium. As a a previous poster indicated, your $3500/mo budget is on the low end of the scale for Manhattan. You might find something, but there will likely be a trade-off (tiny rooms, 4th floor walk-up etc.).

Battery Park City is beautiful. You literally live on a waterfront esplanade. The main criticism, however, is that you are isolated from the city, with very few grocery stores, etc. To get to lower Manhattan or TriBeCa, you have a cross a pedestrian bridge over West St., which is basically an expressway.

I've read that rents in the financial district are falling a bit. A lot of new luxury buildings went up there in the last few years, with developers taking advantage of post 9/11 tax breaks. Several office buildings were also converted. I guess so far, the area hasn't really reached "critical mass" to become a vibrant 24-hour neighborhood. There are some beautiful brand-new apartments, however. As for the safety, I can't comment specifically, but I can't think of any reason it would be dangerous. The usual advice applies: keep your eyes and ears open.

It will be easier to find 2BR places with more square footage in the outer boroughs or Jersey. Give those areas a chance. A lot of relocators initially have the "Manhattan or nothing" attitude until they get to see how nice some areas outside of Manhattan really are. Park Slope Brooklyn is exceptionally child-friendly and very upscale. When you have your baby, you will find a ton of other families and activities/support systems in the neighborhood.