ARGGGH....I hate trying to find an apartment in NYC, such a headache

[sleipnir]

I've been planning a move to NYC, as it's where I want to be. I freelance a lot with theatre/film tech/design, but damn it, it's a frickin' huge headache. It's like having a full time job trying to find a decent place that isn't a rip-off or has radical repugs for roommates. To make matters worse, I can't afford anything over $700/month (for now) which means I have to share/sublet, which is cool, but shit is hitting the fan left and right. And since I lost my apartment in Connecticut, I've got to fly in NYC every other weekend from KC, where I'm at right now!!! As I said, this is really pissing me off and my Connecticut unemployment runs out in 4 months, so time is starting to run down.

Sorry, but I just had to vent, maybe other people have horrific apartment finding stories to vent too.

[Book Lover]

1. Have you tried craiglist.org?

Also, have you looked in the boroughs?

Best of luck!

[sleipnir]

3. Yep, both, argh...

I'm looking in boroughs, mostly where I can afford on my scale. It's just really dry this weekend or they only want girls....

[Red_Storm]

2. rents are very high in NYC.........

$700/month ? not even outside the city in the outer boroughs can you find an apartment for that amount......yeah, it sucks, I know it.....

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. $700 a month? Try Queens/New Jersey

Apartments are really expensive in NYC.

Shares aren't even that cheap...

[Red_Storm]

5. Don't know about Jersey but............

In Queens.....for $700 a month......you will have to settle for a very small apartment and it won't be in a good living area......

[Laughing Mirror]

6. what about a furnished room?

you should be able to find one uptown (Washington Heights, for example) or in the Bronx for under 700

the best way to find a place here is to be here
if you have a cheap room (there are some, believe me) you'll be at an advantage

keep at it, you'll find something, i promise

[Red_Storm]

7. furnished room ..........

might be the best way to go if you can't spend more than $700 dollars a month......there are alot of those in Queens and in nice areas.....Washington Heights ? I would avoid moving there and look elsewhere.........

[Laughing Mirror]

8. Washington Heights is a wonderful vibrant neighborhood

what are you talking about?

i plan on moving there when i leave this tired dead neighborhood where I live, a block from Chelsea Piers

[Red_Storm]

9. What am I talking about ?

I've been in the area many times, one of my friends lived on 155th and St Nick.......one of the happiest days of his life was when he moved out of there to staten island.....I would never advise anyone to move to Washington Heights......you're entitled to your opinion but i've seen enough of it, especially at night....if anyone is going to move that far Uptown.... I would say look in the Bronx, around Throgs Neck......much nicer and SAFER........

[sleipnir]

10. Yeah, I've looked in Throgs Neck, nice

but it's really expensive, I'll probably get something in Queens, hopefully...

[Red_Storm]

11. Queens...........

Look in Astoria, Kew Gardens, Flushing, Sunnyside ............you should be able to find a studio apt or a furnished room......those are all good neighborhoods.......

[jiacinto]

12. Good luck--you'll need it

Looking for places in NYC is a nightmare. I've heard that it entails dealing with housing brokers that require a ton of money at the outset.

I would never consider living in NY. It's way too expensive and too crowded.

But I do wish you luck.

[sleipnir]

13. Thank you.

It's a move that should help me get employed or the right contacts. Sadly, in my industry, NYC is the only place that has steady employment, even with non-union labor. I'm trying to avoid brokers, I don't make enough (you have to start at around $50,000, seriously, before they take an interest in you) and it's too damn expensive to pay a full month's rent as a fee. I'd live with friends, but I hate being a burden and it's so ackward to ask.

[sleipnir]

14. d

Damn it, arghhh....