Moving to NYC from NC, need moving/neighborhood advice (Fulton: apartments, transfer)

[sach1282]

Hey there guys!

So I'm moving to NYC September 1st with my girlfriend. The two of us are living together and are looking for possible apartments. We've contacted a couple realtors and are fanatically browsing craigslist, and have even arranged a trip during the second week of August to visit the city and hopefully nail down an apartment.

Before we embark on this adventure, however, I wanted to get the advice some of the forum users here, since I've used City-Data before and the people have always been helpful and friendly.

In any event, we're looking for a 1+ bedroom place, 650+sq ft, with a max price of ~$2300/month. I need to be able to get to the financial district within 30 minutes for my job, so that's the distance limitation. This leaves us with a relatively small area to look, and I'm not sure if, given the limitations, my criteria is realistic. We've been looking mostly in Brooklyn (Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and possibly Gowanus, Park Slope, and Prospect Heights, as well as South Williamsburg (near the JMZ/L lines). We know that essentially all of Manhattan is out of our price range, but we've been checking near Chinatown and the lower east side as well just in case.

So, what do you think? Does this sound possible? Too wide? Too narrow? Let me know!

[Chava61]

If you are willing to extend your commute to 35-40 minutes, you can include Astoria, Queens in your apt. search.

[Mightyqueen801]

Does it have to be NY? You could afford the nice sections of Jersey City, a short hop on PATH directly across the river from the financial district. Quieter, though. But great views of Manhattan.

[sach1282]

Originally Posted by Chava61

If you are willing to extend your commute to 35-40 minutes, you can include Astoria, Queens in your apt. search.

Thanks for the tip!

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Does it have to be NY? You could afford the nice sections of Jersey City, a short hop on PATH directly across the river from the financial district. Quieter, though. But great views of Manhattan.

It doesn't have to be, but my girlfriend may be attending Columbia next year, and that makes the distance a bit further. We also prefer the NY atmosphere.

[Adhom]

Does your girlfriend plan to commute to Columbia daily? It's at least 1.5 hours to Columbia from all the neighborhoods you listed. I know someone who works at Columbia and the daily commute from Brooklyn has really worn her down.

[bmwguydc]

I second the notion of the Columbia commute being a problem from parts of Brooklyn. Someone I know works at Columbia and moved to Riverdale because the commute could be two-hours on a bad day, missing transfers, delays, etc. Plus, it's easier for her to keep her car in Riverdale. Astoria would not have a bad Columbia commute, and it's not that much further to the Financial District, where you would each have about a 40-45 minute commute. Are you required to be thirty minutes from the office, or is that a preference?

[Harlem resident]

I would not consider Brooklyn if Columbia is a possibility.
I know people who were literally worn down by that commute as well.

You can probably find something good in your price range near the express trains at 125th.
The A is around 30 minutes to Fulton Street, barring delays.
I would stay west of St. N. Park.

[vision33r]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Does it have to be NY? You could afford the nice sections of Jersey City, a short hop on PATH directly across the river from the financial district. Quieter, though. But great views of Manhattan.

Most out of towner thinks moving to NYC means living in Manhattan. There comfort level from other state is that commute to work should be less than 15-20mins.

Little do they know what that means in terms of costs in NYC area and the big change in quality of life.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by sach1282

Thanks for the tip!



It doesn't have to be, but my girlfriend may be attending Columbia next year, and that makes the distance a bit further. We also prefer the NY atmosphere.

Originally Posted by Adhom

Does your girlfriend plan to commute to Columbia daily? It's at least 1.5 hours to Columbia from all the neighborhoods you listed. I know someone who works at Columbia and the daily commute from Brooklyn has really worn her down.

Um, no, if you lived in one of the high-rises in Fort Lee, NJ, Columbia would be less than 20 minutes away, MUCH closer than Brooklyn. Fort Lee would be more than 30 minutes to downtown, though, I think.

Study a map of the area so you get a feel for the geography and where the crossings over/under the water are. I'm not saying New Jersey if you really want NYC, but you do have to understand the layout of the islands on which the city sits and the fact that north Jersey sits EAST of Manhattan and therefore many places are more accessible from there.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by vision33r

Most out of towner thinks moving to NYC means living in Manhattan. There comfort level from other state is that commute to work should be less than 15-20mins.

Little do they know what that means in terms of costs in NYC area and the big change in quality of life.

Someone said Astoria, which might be a good trade-off for access to both downtown and Columbia. But geez, some parts of the NJ waterfront are a lot more city-like than most of Queens. And you get the gorgeous view of Manhattan's skyline.