I have been having a hell of a time finding an apartment in Manhattan that is not $4000 a month or is not up in the 100's. I am looking on Craigs list, and in the papers, and I am wondering if anyone knows a better way to find apartments without paying a brokers fee. Is it necessary to hire a broker? Am I just not going to find anything affordable without a broker? I am getting so frustrated already. Last week I had signed a lease for an apartment, and then the TENANTS wanted us to pay them $1500 for the walls! I have heard of people paying, but not that much money. The landlord lost his backbone and said that he didnt want to argue with them about the walls and that he was going to hold an apartment for someone that was going to pay the tenants! I could understand if the landlord was charging, but he doesnt get a dime if we pay the tenants, so I dont understand his reasoning. Anyway, I appreciate anyones help, and thank you in advance.
ThongLori
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
my friend *recently* got a great broker-free place thru craigs list (no security deposit either -- UNHEARD OF). she is on the upper east side, 81st and York.
there are plenty of affordable places in her area, partially because its not very close to a train. she takes the cross-town bus to the train at Lex and it's fine.
what neighborhoods are you looking in? if you want like west village or tribeca, then yes its gonna be huge rent. also-- are you looking for a 1 BR and wish to convert it to 2? i don't know why you'd need walls built otherwise...
I lived in the east village from 1999-2002 and paid $1700 a month at max for a small 2 BR. I live in Brooklyn for the past 2 years and FH and I pay $1600 for a 1 BR.
ETA-- this is a difficult time of year--- many leases end May 15 and June 1, so you have lots of competition
Imagin916
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
I am looking for a 2 br apt, either converted or a real 2 br because I have a roommate, and as far as neighborhood goes, I just didnt want to go really high up because I work in Brooklyn, and I dont need another 2 hour commute, and the only train that runs by my job is the D train, so I would like to be somewhat close to that, or close to a train that connects with the D at some point. I guess I will just keep checking Craigs list! Thanks for your reply!
ThongLori
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
Imagin, why not consider Brooklyn then??
the realtor I used for my east village place is Ardor... my guy's name was Gus, lord knows if he's even still there. Good luck!!!
Imagin916
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
My roommate works in midtown, and I want to live in the city, even if its just for a year, just to have the experience. Besides, I dont know how much longer I am going to stay at this job in Brooklyn, I am considering working in the city possibly in the fall. Thank you for the info on the realtor, I will do a search online and see if I can find him.
kpny622
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
you need to get Gabriel's NYC apartment guide from the bookstore - it lists apartment buildings that are run by management companies (NO FEE) that you can call directly - I have lived in Manhattan for 10 years and believe me, there are much cheaper apartments than what you describe! Maybe not in a fancy doorman building, but they do exist.
kpny622
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
2 more thoughts -
first, if you sign up for rent-direct.com, it will list all the open and available apartments by neighborhood (with pics) - it's around $150 to join, but you get it for 3 months and they are NO FEE apartments
also - if you are willing to look in Astoria, which is a quick and easy commute to the city, you can get a 2 BR for under $1500
first...ask everyone you know if they know of an apartment opening in their building...
second...think of neighborhoods that you might not...we lived in the lower east side and while at a time it was really crappy...its really up and coming and affordable...and like mentioend above...neighborhoods not near trains...on both ends...
good luck...I agree with you about wanting the experience of Manhattan...its a great one..I miss it terribly...
sweetadeline
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
I'm being ridiculous! Even reading about the stress of finding an apartment in NYC is making me miss living there!!!!!!!
Good luck finding a place!
reallybehind!
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
try the site ardorny.com, which i think is the one someone else mentioned above. a lot of their apts are no fee. good luck. me and dh have to start looking again soon :(
stacey7-13
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
you have FM
Cyngm25
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
try roberthill.com .. i think they have no fee on some of their rentals.
Imagin916
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
Thank you all so much for responding, I have been working the past few days, so I hadn't had the chance to get online.
Thanks again ladies!
MindyL28
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Re: If anyone can help...NYC apartments
Try going directly to the buildings. Many of the big buildings have management companies inside and they don't charge fees. Try some of the buildings in the 33rd/3rd avenue area- those are big buildings with tons of apartments and young people.
Take a day and walk around the areas you'd like to live- you'll see signs in the windows or in front of big buildings where apartments are available for rent.
Bettina Equities is a building management company that has nice buildings all over the city. They are all modern, renovated buildings- mostly with elevators but no doormen. Their office is on 85th Street between 2nd & 3rd avenues and they put out their listings every Saturday. There is no fee and the apartments are nice! I lived in one of their buildings on East 86th Street when I first moved to the city about 7 years ago. I know they have a lot of buildings in the city all over.
Another place that I know is great is West End Towers- they are on 66th and west end which is right near Lincoln Square. I had a few friends who lived in those buildings and they were georgous! One had a 2 bedroom and it was so nice and I don't think it was too outrageous. I know they have a management company in that building too so you can get the apartment directly through them.
My only concern with things like ardorny.com is that once you sign up on their website, they will send you emals for life!
