Renting in NYC (Murray, Lexington: apartments, rental, neighborhood)

[im2005]

I've heard about the 45x income rule for renting most places in NYC. Do they take into account bonus in that calculation? Obviously, no bonus is guaranteed, but if you have a standard range will they include it?

I have a job offer that would pay $95K salary plus up to 15% bonus. Any ideas on what types of places I'll find in Murray Hill/UES for this price range? I know I could move most other places and live pretty well on this salary, but I suspect that this might not be the case in NYC.

I'm trying to figure this out before I accept and any input would be useful.

[Manhattan-ite]

You gotta be kidding me. You're going to earn $100,000+ and you worry about renting in Manhattan? You're obviously fine. You could pay $2000-$2200 a month and be OK.

Too bad the areas you've chosen are among the most unremarkable and boring of all of Manhattan (Murray Hill and UES: sports bars, residential towers, out-of-towners, young college kids and that's about it).

[im2005]

I've chosen those areas b/c they'd be an easy commute to work, not because they're the areas I'd like to live in. I just want to make sure that I won't be living in a 200 square foot studio infested with rodents, when I could make the same salary in another major city and live very well. I like NYC but don't feel compelled to live there if I can't live comfortably...I'm in my early 30s and over the club and bar scene and that sort of thing.

If anyone else has more helpful information about the type of place I can rent in Manhattan on that income, I'd appreciate it.

[ontheroad]

I don't know what the prices are for apartments in Murray Hill these days, but of the two neighbourhoods you name, the Hill would be my choice.

The only limitation may be local shopping as only a few of the Avenues have neighbourhood grocery stores and other conveniences (near 34th Street, and on Lexington Avenue).

But, when I lived in the Hill (34th & Park) I loved it and enjoyed the vitality of walking into Herald Square.

The UES is also more diverse than is represented generally. Each 5 or 6 city streets can be different, some more vital than others. The 60s are more expensive but the proximity makes them more interesting to working and working nearby. I'd check around Rockefeller University (around 65-70th Streets).

Originally Posted by im2005

I've chosen those areas b/c they'd be an easy commute to work, not because they're the areas I'd like to live in. I just want to make sure that I won't be living in a 200 square foot studio infested with rodents, when I could make the same salary in another major city and live very well. I like NYC but don't feel compelled to live there if I can't live comfortably...I'm in my early 30s and over the club and bar scene and that sort of thing.

If anyone else has more helpful information about the type of place I can rent in Manhattan on that income, I'd appreciate it.

[im2005]

Thank you for your help!

[tregny]

To give you an even clearer understanding of what you can afford click the link which provides up-to-date, accurate average rental prices broken down by neighborhood, apartment size and doorman vs. non-doorman.

http://www.tregny.com/manhattan-apt-rental-report.jsp

I hope that helps. Good luck!