Finding An Apartment In New York City

They say finding an affordable apartment in New York City is impossible, but I'm here to help make the impossible possible. After all, I have gone through this twice.

Below are some of my tips and tricks for finding an affordable apartment in New York City. It's definitely not an easy task...you've got to kiss alot of frogs before you find your prince!


Before you even think about moving, your first step is:

Be Realistic

New York City is one of the most expensive cities to live. 8 million people in this city and you think you're going to find the perfect apartment for less than $1,000? Think again. Demand is so high here, so its important that you keep your expectations in check. List out your wants and your needs - do you want a dishwasher? Have your heart set on a particular neighborhood? Believe it or not these are the tiny details that really make all a difference when it comes to finding an apartment within your price range. Make sure you know what's most important to you before you go into it, because chances are you'll have to compromise somewhere along the way.


True story: I saw an apartment in East Harlem for $1,600 a month. It featured all upgraded appliances including a dishwasher, microwave and washer/dryer in the unit but it would not even fit my full size bed. The next day, I saw an apartment in the building next story for $1,100. It did not have new appliances but it had TWO bedrooms, living room and kitchen. These are the kind of problems you will run into when looking for an apartment in New York City.

 

Be Prepared

Apartments in New York City go as quick as you can snap your fingers. If you're ready to start checking out apartments, be prepared with paperwork. The apartment of your dreams could slip away simply because someone submitted their paperwork first. Make sure you have a copy of your photo ID, recent pay stubs, reference from your current landlord, proof of employment, 401k documents, etc. as you check out apartments.
 
Once you know what you're looking for, you can begin the search. To help find you an apartment, you could rely on any of the below:

 

Ask Everyone You Know

Seriously, do not be shy. Ask friends, family, coworkers, people at the local deli, etc. I guarantee you that someone you know, knows someone who is giving up an apartment (same goes if you're looking for someone to take over your lease). The good news about trying to find an apartment through someone you know means you can trust them. It may not be the dream apartment you're looking for, but chances are it's affordable.

 

Checking Out Leasing Offices

Do your research and find management companies that own buildings in your dream neighborhood and see if they have any vacancies. By doing this you may also have luck and will be able to skip the fees by going directly to a leasing office.

 

Craigslist

Craigslist gets a bad rep but I actually found my first apartment on Craigslist. I lived with two other girls my age in a duplex in Midtown East that had 3 bedrooms, a dishwasher, 1.5 bathrooms and  washer/dryer in unit. And we all paid less than $1,300 a month. It's absolutely doable to find a diamond in the rough, you just need to be patient.

If you're not in a rush to move, I highly recommend scouring Craigslist every day for new apartments. Don't let no pic listings fool you but you can't always believe what you see. Over time, you'll figure out what is legit and what's not. It also goes without saying to never pay someone if they ask for funds. 

 

Listing Sites + Apps

Sites and apps like Zumper, StreetEasy and Naked Apartments are all a great way to check out apartments. Some of the listings are outdated or of similar apartments rather than the actual unit, but if anything they are a great way to get an idea of what you are working with budget-wise. Also note that most of the listings are through brokers, so you may wind up paying a fee.

 

Use a Broker

This is not my first choice, but if you are in a pinch and want to find something you'll actually really like then go with a broker. This is the most expensive option - they can charge up to 15% on your year's rent - but that also means you're paying someone to find something you'll really like. Of course, if you're not being realistic with your budget then you may never find your dream apartment but it's totally possible with a broker.

It's no easy feat, but finding an affordable apartment in NYC is totally possible. If you have time, go with Craigslist and if you have been saving up try going with a broker. Use your networks and never settle for something you really don't want!