Help with starting a NYC apartment search

October 31, 2009 8:17 AM

Two young professional creative types looking for an apt in Brooklyn or Manhattan. We'd like a little help getting our search started.

I've read quite a few posts about apartments in NYC but as times change and our price point is a bit higher than other posts I was hoping to recieve responses more in line with our situation. Also, some of the prices mentioned in other posts were studio apts; the price for a 2bdr skyrockets in those same neighborhoods!

We're looking for a 2 bedroom apt (if we're lucky, 3 bedroom so one room can be converted to a project studio) preferably in Brooklyn or manhattan. Optimally our budget is $1900/mo but we can go as high as $2300. We'd also like easy subway access to TriBeCa, but having done the long commutes in my time in California, I don't mind a commute. Finally, safety is of optimal concern: definitely looking for a safe area with a creative vibe to it. Thanks!

posted by FireStyle to home & garden (11 comments total)

3 Bedroom for 1900 is probably not going to happen unless you go waaaaaaaaaaaaaay out. Two bedroom is doable but might not be in your optimal neighborhood. Parts of Greenpoint that are away from the Subway might work for you as would parts of Bushwick.
posted by josher71 at 8:20 AM on October 31

I highly doubt you will ever find a desirable 2 bedroom apartment for that price in Manhattan.

Consider renting studio space as well as an apartment; that might be cheaper than trying to find a multiple-bedroom apartment.
posted by kathrineg at 8:54 AM on October 31

And by 2 bedroom, I mean 3 bedroom. A 2 bedroom...maybe in Manhattan, but it will be tough.

I know a few people who live in Crown Heights, not sure if it has a creative vibe.
posted by kathrineg at 8:55 AM on October 31

FWIW, I rent out my one bedroom Brooklyn apt. for $1925. No way are you going to find a 3 bedroom for that price. For space, consider Queens or the Bronx...plenty of safe neighborhoods in those two outer boroughs and you can find the size you need within your price range as well as the chance to live among a real community of working New Yorkers. As far as "creative vibe" is concerned, you'll be hard pressed to find anything that resembles the NYC of my childhood. Giuliani made quick work of that.
posted by mizrachi at 9:00 AM on October 31

Greenpoint is my favorite neighborhood in Brooklyn, and if you're near the 61, you can hit the L and get into the city pretty easily, or if you're near the Pulaski bridge it's a 10min walk to the 7 to midtown.

In my experience, using a broker can sometimes net you a lower rent, but with the fee it's a wash. They just usually have better places, but definitely just keep an eye on craigslist.
posted by CharlesV42 at 9:39 AM on October 31

I live in Kensington in Brooklyn and prices around here are generally pretty reasonable. Search for 3+ bedrooms in Kensington on Craigslist. I see some now for under $2300. The neighborhood is served by the F and G trains, which are not the greatest of trains, but better than some. I have about a 30-40 minute commute to Manhattan. It's a very safe neighborhood but "creative vibe"? Not really. A few decent restaurants, though, and a very wide mix of ethnicities in the area. Depending on where exactly you are, it can be a Jewish/Bangladeshi/Polish/Russian/Italian neighborhood. Not too far from Prospect Park and the Greenwood Cemetery.
posted by otolith at 10:11 AM on October 31

I don't think you'll find anything in reasonable in Manhattan south of a long commute, but Brooklyn is huge and awesome. I know several people who have decent two and three bedrooms in brooklyn for the lower side of your price range, but it was no one's first apartment.
The secret is putting together a few apartment RSS feeds from craigslist with the slightly differing neighborhoods, rents, and other keywords.
Lastly, I don't know how to answer the safety question because it becomes a catch all for too many things.
posted by history is a weapon at 10:29 AM on October 31

I'm glad I asked this question! I wouldve never thought of kenningston. I'll check out some of the prices. I really don't mind walking a short distance to the train at all. I'm also seeig a trend that I have been leaning towards, which is apartments in BK. I knew the chances of finding affordable places was better there but now I have a better idea of where to look
posted by FireStyle at 1:24 PM on October 31

We're in the process of looking for a place too, and based on very recent apartment hunting, you should be able to find a find a great Brooklyn 2 bdr at the max end of your range -- even if some of the uppity/creative 'hoods of Brooklyn-- Park Slope, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Williamsburg. We saw some great places in those areas in the $2,300 range.

Manhattan's another story. We looked at places in the East Village yesterday, and the mediocre 2 bedrooms were all $2,600 +. West Village is even higher.

Try Streeteasy.com for listings, and consider using a broker. They can help point out things that might not pop up on Craig's List. The fees suck, but they're sometimes negotiable, and you won't regret it if you land a place you love.

If you were to add Queens to the list, maybe consider Astoria? I know so many people who love living there.
posted by cymru_j at 1:45 PM on October 31

I'm in Clinton hill -- you can still get some deals for 2-bedrooms. there's definitely a creative vibe -- Pratt design school has a campus here - but there's also a lot of family-friendly stuff (I am going to just wander the streets tonight where they block off 2 blocks to car traffic and let the kids run wild and one house sets up a talent show on its front yard every halloween).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:51 PM on October 31

I dunno, I got a 3br in the north part of Park Slope for $2800 earlier this year. I'm seeing some sweet 1BRs for 1300-1400 in Williamsburg now too.
posted by jacquilinala at 9:55 PM on October 31