Apartments in NYC

May 17, 2004 8:13 PM

Tips for finding a temporary apartment in NYC? A friend and I both have internships in NYC this summer, and need housing. I've tried craigslist, but have discovered that most of the listings get a huge number of replies, and its hard to secure a place when you are not already in New York. [more inside]

Since most of the listings fail to include any pictures, I've been requesting some. However, someone local has usually gotten the apartment at that point , and the listing person then stops responding to emails! Other things I've looked into are the dorms at NYU [the application period has passed]. I'm looking for a 2br, 1br, or a share, either in Manhattan, or maybe Brooklyn. Any advice?

posted by reverendX to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total)

You could try the Columbia Dorms, or Pratt, or the Y. Limited-time housing is harder than the normal apt-hunting pain.

Someone here knows a dorm director at NYU--go look in sgt. serenity's thread further down--maybe an email can help?
posted by amberglow at 8:16 PM on May 17, 2004

You and your buddy should go down for a week or four days (including the weekend), collect as many notices and phone numbers as you can from the notice boards, then split up each day and find a place.
posted by raaka at 9:12 PM on May 17, 2004

It's really almost impossible to find a place here if you're not here already. Maybe you should plan to get here first, and stay in a hostel while you look for a roommate situation. I used to live across the street from this hostel, in a great neighborhood on the same block as a police station. It's $30 per night which is $900 per months which is the least you'd be paying in rent anyway - but there are cheaper hostels around town.
posted by nicwolff at 9:21 PM on May 17, 2004

The apartment where I rent a room for $600 has more rooms to rent. I am not in charge of such matters, and it's not a fantastic place to live, but it is in a nice neighborhood on the upper west side. Email me if you want to talk about it.
posted by bingo at 10:07 PM on May 17, 2004

Also try the school of visual arts dorms on like 23rd and lex?
posted by jeb at 6:10 AM on May 18, 2004

Since most of the listings fail to include any pictures, I've been requesting some. However, someone local has usually gotten the apartment at that point

Well, yeah. The NYC rental market is not like whichever one you're used to. You don't ask for pictures and mull it over; you go around with ID and checkbook, and if you find something you like and can afford, you grab it right now. Wait ten minutes and someone else will have it. You think I'm kidding or exaggerating? You won't after you've been searching for a while. Unless you get a room at bingo's place, of course. Good luck!
posted by languagehat at 9:12 AM on May 18, 2004

Thanks everyone; you guys have pretty much confirmed my suspicions on how the NYC rental market works. Apparently most of the dorm options are now closed. (they are reserving any remaining rooms for people actually taking classes) I guess I will try to go to New York a little early and hit the pavement.

Bingo: I emailed you re your place :-)
posted by reverendX at 10:28 AM on May 18, 2004