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Help me find a Manhattan apartment for 3-6 months

kanuck — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:43:43 -0800

Looking for resources / advice on finding a Manhattan apartment for 3-6 months (Feb-July 2008). Furnished would be preferable, but I can deal with buying some throwaway furniture.

I'm open on price range, though if it gets up to "corporate temp housing" level expensive, that isn't too useful.

I live in Seattle and am expecting to take a trip in order to handle closing arrangements. I've considered just coming to NYC for a week (is that enough?) to do everything in person (looking at places, haggling, signing papers etc) -- thoughts on that approach? (in particular, how far in advance would be best to maximize my odds?).

Other thoughts:

1) Craigslist: most of the ads seem to be for comparatively short term sublets (days or weeks, rather than months). I'll probably post a "housing wanted" ad there at some point, but am really looking for other options.

2) Apartment brokers: given my requirements, will they useful / required?

3) Universities/colleges: do any in Manhattan make student housing available to non-students?

How to avoid paying an insane broker's fee when renting a Manhattan apartment?

Afroblanco — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 13:41:04 -0800

How to avoid paying an insane broker's fee when renting a Manhattan apartment? My roommate and I are looking to move into a 2-bedroom apartment on Sept. 1.

All of the brokers that I found on Craigslist say the same thing - "You're moving at the worst time of the year, and our fee is 15% of annual rent."

There don't seem to be too many non-broker options.

What are some strategies for getting around this? As far as I see it, Craigslist has already failed us.

nasty, brutish, and short

Falconetti — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:43:47 -0800

I have a questions about apartment hunting in New York. This summer I will be working in downtown NYC and then a year after that will be moving there permanently working at the same place. I am not really looking for online apartment listings, but rather if there are any websites, books, or publications that provide valuable advice for finding a place in general. Ideally, it would be something that provides information on maximizing one's apartment search, tips and tricks to avoid unscrupulous brokers and other sundry pitfalls, and any other advice.

I am fairly flexible as to the type of apartment and am looking in the $2000-$3000/month range. Although I am asking generally, I am hoping to live somewhere that is with 20-30 minutes of work (by subway), such as the LES or Park Slope. Unless someone magically comes into my life, I anticipate living alone, as well.

I've checked the other threads that are relevant to this topic. Any personal advice or experiences is also appreciated.

Studio Space in NYC

grumblebee — Sun, 18 Jul 2004 15:36:02 -0800

I would like to start doing some messy art: oil painting and maybe some metal sculpture. But my NYC apartment doesn't have any space for this. I was wondering if there are any studios in New York City (or Brooklyn) that one can rent (or share) by the hour. I won't be using it enough to rent the space for long periods. I might use it once a week. I might go a month without using it. The perfect place for me would be reasonably priced and stocked with basic equipment, i.e. easles. If there isn't a place like this, someone should start one. Not a bad business model for luring wanabe artists.

Shiny, tiny new apartment in Manhattan or affordable charm in Brooklyn?

hsoltz — Wed, 19 May 2004 09:25:02 -0800

Another NYC Real Estate Question: the SO and I, who have always lived in charming smallish walk-ups with leaky tubs/peeling paint in Queens-like proximity to 'the big city,' have been seduced by the siren song of new construction downtown. With their pre-opening rent breaks, brand-new appliances, and convenience to both work and play, these "luxury buildings" appear to offer a whole new standard of living at an attractive price. However, ... [mi] ...we're slightly paralyzed by the thought that the same rent, or less, could land us a spacious yet locationally-challenged loft in Brooklyn. (Everything we're seen is far from a subway.) So which sounds better to you: "location, location, location," or the ability to inhabit opposite ends of an apartment without being able to hear each other?