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There is one option that I wouldn't recommend to a girl, but I would recommend if you are a guy with decent street smarts. You could live near the 125th St. station in Harlem, which would make it easy for you to explore NYC and you would be close to the MetroNorth station.
I used to live in West Harlem and I was fine. It is definitely in your price range, but it is not a place for the faint of heart. I have a friend (male) who lives on 132nd & St. Nicks and I love his area. I'm cautious about visiting late at night, but I've never been hassled (I'm a mixed race female who looks white) and he's lived there for 10 years at least and never had a problem. If you are willing to cycle, there are lots of nice pockets of Harlem within a 15 minute bike ride of MetroNorth that you could live in. I'm more knowledgeable about West Harlem, but I know other people on this forum could suggest good pockets.
Again, this is only advisable if you have street smarts. Plenty of normal people live in Harlem and are just fine, but you do need to make sure you end up in one of the safe spots.
If you are working in Irvington, living in the NYC limits really isn't practical. Will you be able to walk from the Metro North station to your office? I will bet that most of your co-workers are going to drive to work. A bike isn't practical for everyday either and they do get stollen even if you have a chain and lock.
My suggestion would be to lease a car for 3 years. A lease is kind of like a long-term rental. After 3 years, you don't have to sell the car, you give it back to the leasing company, but make sure you research the idea of leasing a car because there are all kinds of fees and payments and potential penalites. If you do decide to live in Westchester, you will need a car for shopping and getting around.
Leasing a car may be difficult as I don't have a credit rating in the US and I am not sure they would take into account my previous credit history from Ireland.
The walk from the train station is roughly 15 mins, perhaps even less. I am still keen to avoid a car if at all possible as they can be expensive to run especially if something goes wrong.
Does anyone know what the situation for transferring a full-European licence for an American one is? Would I have to start from scratch?
A folding bike may be a simple solution for both storing away from quick fingers and transporting on a train with ease. Granted I mightn't be the coolest kid on the block but slicing time off commuting and reducing Gym expenses may be worth it.
There is absolutely no need for you to have a car,especially if you find a place in The Bronx.The trains from Marble Hill,Spuyten Duyvil or Riverdale to Irvington run fairly frequently and the trip takes only 20 or 25 minutes.The monthly ticket is about 60.00.Even with a 15 minute walk at the Irvington end your total commute would only be 35 or 40 minutes, which would be shorter than the vast majority.Most NY'ers spend at least 45 mins to an hour either driving or on the subway.
You will be able to find a perfectly decent apartment in those areas for 1,000 or 1,100/mo( maybe even less for a studio) if you look ,where you will be 40 minutes from work in one direction on metro north or 40 minutes from midtown on the subway in the other direction.On a limited income you are not going to do much better than that.
You could also look for an apartment in Harlem near 125th St as someone suggested but you will pay more for a lesser apartment in less nice area. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/26/re...l?pagewanted=1
Many thanks everyone, you have all been very helpful.
It seems my solution for NY going to be pedal power on a reverse commute with a MTA monthky ticket somewhere in the Bronx on the Metro-North line.
You might want to periodically check the classifieds in The Echo.There are tons of Irish people all over The Bronx and Yonkers and you might find something there.There is a section of The Bronx, Woodlawn,that is known as County Woodlawn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodlawn,_Bronx )and it is VERY,VERY Irish. It is on a metro north line but not the Hudson Line, which you need to get to Irvington,otherwise I would have mentioned it earlier.There are three metro north lines that run through different areas of The Bronx but only the Hudson line goes to Irvington.If you get to a point where you might be willing to take a bus( adding 15 or 20 min) to the train every day you might want to think about Woodlawn. Lots of Irish pubs,restaurants,faces,etc and they love to "take in" other Irish. It's really a great neighborhood and there is a subway( 4 train) stop nearby. Irish Echo Online
Irish Echo (http://www.irishechogroup.com/index.tvt - broken link) .. classifieds
Sounds like I am going to be abducted , but it's good to know.
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, but it's good to know.
