Moving from Texas to New York--help! (Windsor, Carroll: apartments, lease, crime rates)

[mitzy81]

I am a woman in my mid-20s moving to New York some time this spring and don't have any idea where to move. I need some place safe (obviously), not a dump and around $1,200. I'd appreciate anyone's help/thouhts/suggestions.

[Manhattan-ite]

Too clueless for New York, I would say...

1200, safe, not a dump? You're out of luck, I'm afraid.

You could share an apartment with roommates and live in Manhattan. Many people do that.

You could get a studio in The Bronx and some areas of Queens and Brooklyn.

But you better get a plan and an idea of what to expect and get here in NYC.

[j33]

if you are willing to get a roommate, you'll be okay in Brooklyn or Queens (probably not Manhattan unless you are willing to live in a very small space with a roommate), I've got friends living in both of those places (with roomates) on that just fine. Be sure you check out what is required in the lease of an apartment before trying to get one, some of the requirements to get into a space in new york (first and last months rent, security deposit, references, proof of employment and salary, etc) are a bit more onerous than you might be used to.

[Check123]

Welcome to New York City!

Manhattan is out, but you should be able to find a decent apartment in a safe area of Queens or Brooklyn. You probably won't want to deal with Staten Island since your commute would be a bit more difficult; and the Bronx can be spotty, so stay away unless you are very familiar with it.

I pay $1,400/mo. for a one bedroom is a very nice and safe area of Queens, about 50 minutes from Manhattan. You should be able to find an apartment for $1,200/mo. It may not be very large, or in a new building, but you should be able to find one. Be prepared to pay two months rent up front; one for rent, the other as a security deposit... and if you use a broker, be prepared to pay a broker's fee. (about 1.5 months rent)

Things to keep in mind...

1. Stay away from basement and ground floor apartments.

2. Try to find a building that has a laundry room on the premises. There's nothing worse than schlubbing your laundry to and from an overcrowded laundromat, especially in the middle of winter.

3. If you plan on taking mass transit, try to find a place that is within walking distance to a bus or subway line. "Walking distance" varies depending on the person.

4. If you decide to get an apartment in a private house be sure it's a legal apartment. Many are not.

5. Be sure to have a job lined up before you move.

Good Luck!

[Manhattan-ite]

Nobody should rule Manhattan out because of a 1,200-dollar budget.

C'mon!

There are PLENTY of 2-bedroom apartment for 2400 dollars she could share, not to mention 3-bedrooms for 3600 if she shares with two other people.

We all know here in Manhattan many young and not-so-young people who do just that.

But she still should have a defined, focused plan.

[Check123]

True, sharing an apartment is an option. However, unless you really know the person(s), it may become a real pain in the backside. Trusting and relying on others you hardly know is not the ideal situation.

Sounds to me like she's in the early stages of developing a plan. These things take time.

[mitzy81]

Thanks for the comments. As for rent, what if I spent more like $1600 - $1700? Would I have a better shot at a safe, non-dump place to live??

[Manhattan-ite]

You should be fine. There are TONS of 1-bedroom apartments in Manhattan renting at 1,600-1700. But don't worry too much about safety anyway.

Did you know we have one of the lowest crime rates in America? There probably is more crime in Texas where you live than here in New York!

[Check123]

For Manhattan, $1,600 - $1,700/mo. sounds more reasonable than $1,200/mo.

Don't spend your entire paycheck on rent; you'll need money for food, telephone, clothes, etc.

Reminder: You have to take into account how much you'll earn after taxes, which will include city (local) tax.

[woofenstein]

I don't think any of these people have been to the outer boroughs lately.

For 1,200--1,700 you could get an apartment in a lovely brownstone in Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Carroll Gardens, or Brooklyn Heights. These are some of the safest, most beautiful areas in Brooklyn, not to mention the city and only a few stops away from lower Manhattan.

There are other, less expensive areas in Brooklyn that are just as safe but for your price range, why not? You'd be doing your search an injustice if you didn't look into those neighborhoods.