Am I living in a fantasy world?

[Dennis Brown]

Yea watch out for Bed-Stuy because despite the gentrification trends there are blocks where the bullets are still flying. You may want to check out Jamaica Queens as a alternate if Jackson Heights doesnt work out.

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Dennis Brown

Yea watch out for Bed-Stuy because despite the gentrification trends there are blocks where the bullets are still flying. You may want to check out Jamaica Queens as a alternate if Jackson Heights doesnt work out.

Bed Stuy is a classic example that danger still lurks in areas in transition and that one must exercise judicious care in moving in. It doesn't mean that one shouldn't move in, just that there are extra measures of caution and vetting to determine a proper fit between the would be resident and the stats for the target area.

[subcriminal]

Originally Posted by Dennis Brown

Yea watch out for Bed-Stuy because despite the gentrification trends there are blocks where the bullets are still flying. You may want to check out Jamaica Queens as a alternate if Jackson Heights doesnt work out.

Clinton hill is very nice too. I was impressed.

[DesiArnez6]

Your price range is reasonable for New York.
New York City is generally VERY VERY safe compared to other major cities. That said there are areas of North Brooklyn and South Bronx to be careful of. These places are not outright dangerous, but still require more caution than other areas.

Check the NYC Affordable Housing Resource Center at: NYC Affordable Housing Resource Center

You should apply early before you even get to New York for Public Housing as the wait can be years, but Public housing here is Amazingly nice compared to other cities, and not just poor people. You qualify for incomes up to around $55,000 a year. Almost all developments have huge apartments, free electricity, heat, water, and have huge parks and trees all around. Search for NYCHA. All my assumptions of public housing were totally shattered when I got to NY. I think it is possibly the best that there is.

Section 8 on the other hand is good if you need it but I would not recommend, as buildings tend to be dirtier, more dangerous. And mostly very poor.

Try housing lotteries, There are many middle income apartment lotteries advertised in papers and that above NYC GOV website, search all those links, but those are the best bets, NYCHA, and middle income lotteries.

Being white, you will probably stick out in many neighborhoods, but you will be safe, and race isnt as big of an issue here since everyone is used to diversity. Taxi? No way, subway is totally safe, and Buses are VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY safe. Buses and trains are 24 hours a day and very extensive, if you feel more comfortable, you can get nearly anywhere by bus at night and they will stop where you want after hours to make sure that you are safe.

[DesiArnez6]

^ Oh, here is a page with some of the lotteries for middle and low income apartments, most are brand new construction and very nice Current Apartment Rental Lottery Opportunities - NYC Affordable Housing Resource Center

Also the Mitchell Lama apartments that I have seen aren't as nice but I suppose better than Section 8, not as nice as NYCHA tho.

[analyticalkeys]

I disagree with Section 8 being dirtier than NYCHA.. it just depends on where you move to. There's some NYCHA like Ravenswood that it feels like your apartment is a closet and some of them have a pillar going right through your living room which is really annoying.. and then there's Queensbridge which has a nice amount of space. The Terrace in Astoria is Section 8, and the apartment is probably bigger than my co-op, and it's right next to Astoria Park.. can't beat that.