My friend is really fun and outgoing so we get along perfectly. Like in all friendships we have our moments because she is the kind of person that always has to win in every discussion but I always tend to keep my calm and in the end just agree to disagree. Besides that, I have really high expectations living with her. I think is going to fun and over the top awesome.
We have been looking for apartments via Craiglist.com and NYTimes.com but its really hard just by photos. Also I want to live more midtown between 80s and 20s. At the beginning my friend was good with the idea since her boyfriend lives in midtown west but now she wants Upper Side meaning 90s or lower Manhattan meaning Financial District. What? No way! I want to live near my job (midtown) and being able to take a cab without a hole in my pocket. I know this might sound a bit uptight or spoiled but I’m not a subway person. I really don’t like them. They’re dark, scary and I’m so afraid of getting mugged. I know that people in NYC are fearless and ready for everything but I still no New Yorker. I’m just an island girl.
I’m sure I will get pass my fears as soon as I get a chance to experience things but at least for the first year I want to be close to everything and especially my job. I tried to tell her but she keeps saying things justifying the alternative. Like Financial District has express subways and its way faster to get to our job or the difference between 90s and 80s is just $3 a cab. Also she says that its cheaper which is true considering that I was looking for a $2500 to share, that would be $1250 each but she wants a $2200 and pay $1100 each. But the truth is that I don’t mind paying $150 more for a better location or a bit bigger apartment. I’m going to be moving overseas without my family and not knowing anybody in the city so at least I want to like where I live. It’s not that big of a difference in budget and we can afford it.
I’ll be apartment hunting at the city in August and as I said before I had never lived in the city so I’ll be open to the different possibilities and options. I will look at all the neighborhoods and after all maybe I get there and fall in love with the Upper Side or perhaps the Financial District. Who knows?
Any NYC real estate advice? General real state advice?
Roommate advice?
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11 comments:
No advice, but just wanted to say good luck! Things have their way of working out in the end so.. try not to worry too much!
No advice on New York real estate (haven't been there yet!), but I do have advice on roommates. As long as you two can discuss things in a mature fashion and not resort to passive aggressive things such as communicating solely by notes (which is what my "best" friends I lived with for two years ended up doing to me, I'm sure you will love living with your friend. She sounds awesome! Just be open and honest and if any problem arises, talk about it right away and don't let annoyances build up.
I have no advice too! But roommate advice? Well, communication is the best solution. Be more open. Discuss everything. Good luck on your apartment hunting! Your post is somewhat related to my post recently.
I have a bunch of unsolicited advice but it is said with LOVE.
I can speak of the 90s on the East...BEAUTIFUL! On 2nd avenue TONS of cool bars and restaurants, on Madison Ave all designer stores and beautiful shops, on 5th Avenue Central Park. I would love to live anywhere between East 90-100th st. The train haves you in midtown in less than 30 minutes.
There are NO $3 cab rides because of traffic. It may take as long as 15 minutes to get down one street. Check out the taxi rates here http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/taxicab_rate.shtml
Taxi's are for once in awhile late at night when you don't want to ride the train. My rule no train after 9pm. Prior to that and thanks to God I've had no issues.
The train is the best buy for your money. $89 (or maybe its $101...i don't know I get my train passes pre tax so they are mailed to me) for a monthly pass will get you all over manhattan. Save your money for late night cab rides home not to and from work. You will probably spend more than that in a week due to traffic. My dad was a yellow cab driver so I know. If you tell them you are new in town you will get taken to Brooklyn just to come back across the bridge and go uptown. Train stops don't change.
I don't know about west side in the 90s but up to 86th I love love love those neighborhoods. The financial district is awesome but it empties out after work hours so coming home late might be a little solitary. Look into Gramecy (20-30s on the East side...very cute and affordable)
I bought my apartment on Craiglist in queens. NY Times are great leads but you have to be here to really see. I posted a listing on Craiglist about what I WANTED and said Realtors call me. Hey why not let them do the work and call you when they have what you need. I don't know if you have friends here but if you are coming in August I'd be happy to travel with you around town to visit apartments. I love looking at real estate. Apts in NYC tend to be on the tiny side. Just as a guage my apt is 950 sq ft for big 1 bedroom apt. Always ask for the sq ft size.
Email me if you have any more questions I'd be happy to help.
Stopping by from the Lady Bloggers Tea Party. I am intrigued by your adventures in NYC.
Based on this entry, it's become clear to me that you have a much, much better job than I do.
Nonetheless, I think I have advice for you.
If I had the financial freedom to live on one of the Upper Sides, I would pay close attention to which had the best train access to where I work.
The funny thing about living in Manhattan vs. living in the boroughs is that it's often easier to get to Midtown and Downtown from a borough than it is from Upper Manhattan. Take a look at the map and you'll see what I mean. Central Park really splits up the island and the trains on it.
Upper East Side and Upper West Side are pretty similar... West Side has more of a snobby atmosphere but it also seems to have cooler stores and restaurants. East Side is more chilled out and it has plenty of amenities but seems to have less interesting restaurants and stores than the Upper West.
But they're really pretty similar. Just figure out whichever one will give you an easier train commute.
As for the cab thing- even if you make a lot of money, riding cabs every day is not a good idea financially. It also is slower. Commuting over 50 blocks in Manhattan during work hours can easily take twice as long as the train ride.
I'm remembering why I'm a NJ suburb chick... I hate subways as well... and actively enjoy being able to drive my car to and from work with minimum traffic/fuss - but being in NYC is amazing - good luck!
As for the roommate... tread lightly - I have seen and experienced the end of friendships over things as absurd as whose turn it was to empty the trash --- Take a lot of deep breaths to try to avoid unnecessary screaming when things get tense!
I'm also in the midst of a long-distance battle with the NYC real estate market, so I really feel your pain. Based on everything I've been told, $1250 WITH roommates would afford you a pretty comfortable place (nothing fancy but way more comfortable than what I'll probably end up with). Having a friend in on it with you will help tons, too! Good luck & keep us posted.
Hey girl!! I got your comment when I joined the 20SB. That's so crazy cuz I used to live in New York!! I moved from Cali to New York. I didn't know anyone there. I had never even been there when I made the decision to quit my job and move there! You need to just jump right into head first!! I got SOOOOO lost the first month, but that's the only way you learn! I used to take the subways ALL the time, late at night after work cuz I had no choice. I went to NYC with $500 and started in Harlem. 148 and Broadway. I'm a little girl (well I'm 26) but I was 22 at the time and I'm 5'3 105 lbs. I honestly carried a knife with me! You have to do what you gotta do if you want to make it out there! At the end of my journey in New York I was living in a VERY nice one bedroom in a very nice part of Queens. I made my way to the top, making great money. BUT I had to start at the very bottom! Good luck!!!! I love New York and miss it everyday day of my life! Let me know if you have any questions!! =)
Thanks for such great advices!! This is so nice of you guys!! I'm definitely be contacting for some detail advice... ;)
Ok I'm going to look into the 90s too!! Again thanks!!!
Hi! I have been in NYC for a year and a half now, and have always relied on Craiglist for apt leads. I am actually looking for a new place with roommates right now and am back on Craigslist for the search. Always make sure to go with "No Fee" apartments. You used to always have to pay a fee, which is normally one month's rent, to the real estate broker who finds the apt for you, but these days with the economy being so different, you can EASILY find a ton of places without a fee. Feel free to shoot me any comments or questions on my blog or email!
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