Brooklyn, NY: moving advice/realtors

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I will be looking for a 1-bedroom very soon. Can anyone recommend a good realtor, or good movers?

B61 (calstars), Monday, 23 February 2004 03:35 (twenty years ago) link

Craig's List.

hstencil, Monday, 23 February 2004 05:14 (twenty years ago) link

four years pass...

How much would I be looking at to sublet a room in brooklyn for 4-6 weeks early this summer? Nothing fancy, just a safe place to sleep and stash some equipment. Also if anyone here can hook me up, even better!

admrl, Thursday, 10 April 2008 19:39 (sixteen years ago) link

This isn't quite what you're asking for, but if you're alright with Queens (Astoria) and if you're talking more like late June/July rather than May/June, email me at c0✧✧✧.b3c3t✧✧✧@gm✧✧✧.c✧✧

C0L1N B..., Thursday, 10 April 2008 20:08 (sixteen years ago) link

c 0 l 1 n . b 3 c k 3 t t 4 2 at gmail.com

C0L1N B..., Thursday, 10 April 2008 20:09 (sixteen years ago) link

i mighbe be willing to let you stay in my bedroom.

ian, Thursday, 10 April 2008 21:38 (sixteen years ago) link

Take it to baltimore hippies

Whiney G. Weingarten, Thursday, 10 April 2008 22:02 (sixteen years ago) link

I'm a realtor. Most brokerages don't deal in short-term rentals or sublets, for that type of situation craigslist is definitely your best bet. The prices on short-term sublets vary hugely because they depend on what the lease-holder is paying. For 4-6 weeks it could be anywhere from $600 and up, although you're more likely to find a lot of sublets that are priced much higher than that. You could also look at sublet.com but I've never used that site personally so can't endorse it 100%.

Good luck, I hope you find something and if you have any questions about a particular address or building you are welcome to e-mail me and I'll see what I can find out about it.

saudade, Friday, 11 April 2008 00:51 (sixteen years ago) link

Anywhere specific in Brooklyn? When I was looking last summer the prices in Williamsburg and Greenpoint for shares ran from around $700-$1000/month. I think you could find something reasonable for around $800-$900/month.

Virginia Plain, Friday, 11 April 2008 01:26 (sixteen years ago) link

hey as it turns out i am joining the hordes of educated young people fleeing new orleans and am moving to brooklyn. end of june. searching for an apartment in new york seems to be a much different and more complicated animal than it is down here (applications? brokers? so strange). what is the best way to start this process? when is the best time? etc

adam, Friday, 11 April 2008 01:57 (sixteen years ago) link

As soon as you can. It only takes one NY Times trend piece on some random neighborhood to inspire landlords to jack the rent prices up $200

burt_stanton, Friday, 11 April 2008 02:55 (sixteen years ago) link

craigslis craigslist craigslist + oodles of caution

Dr Morbius, Friday, 11 April 2008 13:27 (sixteen years ago) link

Adam, are you planning on getting your own place or doing the roommate thing? You can start looking for roommates via CL a lot earlier than you can start looking for a new place of your own (which requires an application package). Especially in the spring it is incredibly busy and the market is so tight (less than 1% vacancy, yikes) that landlords only want to talk to people who are ready to move within about 2 weeks, locked and loaded.

Get your paperwork in order and keep it all in a folder so you can have it ready at a moment's notice. This includes W-2's from the past 2 years, letter of employment on letterhead that states your place of employment and salary, pay stubs (if you have them) and possibly also bank statements. The landlord or broker does a credit check which you have to pay for and sometimes there's an added application fee that runs between $50-$100. If you aren't yet employed or are coming from out of state you need a guarantor, which can be anyone willing to give their financial documents to the landlord (W-2, bank statement, pay stubs) and sign a form that states they will be responsible for the rent if you abscond. This sounds really intimidating but in actuality these landlords don't want their units empty ever and they will work with you to get you the apartment you want. The simple fact of having all your financial information and paper on hand will put you ahead of the majority of people. Sometimes if you are moving into a roommate situation this stuff is also required.

As Dr. Morbius said, use oodles of caution and trust your instincts. Do not give money to a "broker" or "landlord" who has no office or seems even remotely sketchy. I'm sure you'll do fine, don't worry. It seems a lot scarier than it actually is.

saudade, Saturday, 12 April 2008 03:54 (sixteen years ago) link

The realtor will call your job, so let your boss know ... usually they'll ask for the name and nummer.

burt_stanton, Saturday, 12 April 2008 04:19 (sixteen years ago) link

How cheaply can one eat and live in Brooklyn and survive?

admrl, Sunday, 13 April 2008 18:21 (sixteen years ago) link

depends where you want to live and what you like to eat. I imagine you can eat beans and rice pretty much anywhere and do ok, no?

Brooklyn is large...i.e. it would be the 4th largest city in the US if it was a city. You can pay almost nothing and live in a terrifying neighborhood or you can pay millions and live with celebrities. More likely you'll pay somewhere inbetween and live with a bunch of graphic designers.

dan selzer, Sunday, 13 April 2008 23:52 (sixteen years ago) link

I can't imagine it would cost any more than living in San Francisco or L.A. You can spend tons of money if you are so inclined, but you can also be fairly prudent. In the summer, you can do lots of stuff for free.

Virginia Plain, Monday, 14 April 2008 01:58 (sixteen years ago) link

Eh. The price for a decent studio in SF will get you a studio in a crack house in Brooklyn about 2 hours from Manhattan. Rents have really skyrocketed over the past 3 or so years.

burt_stanton, Monday, 14 April 2008 02:00 (sixteen years ago) link

burt, teach us how to handle the edginess.

felicity, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:04 (sixteen years ago) link

I lived in Williamsburg proper above a brunch bistro and below another brunch bistro.

burt_stanton, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:10 (sixteen years ago) link

omg you're amazing can i like, touch you or something?

tehresa, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:11 (sixteen years ago) link

http://myspace-002.vo.llnwd.net/00713/20/01/713361002_l.jpg

ian, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:12 (sixteen years ago) link

Three pieces of advice: One, use a broker if you can afford it because they have access to better apartments. Two, get roommates to help defray the costs. Three, have ALL of your application materials ready when you go looking at places so if you find something that works, you can go ahead and apply on the spot. Sure it's a painful process, but that's just cuz people want to live here.

As for short-term sublets, I've known loads of people who have done fine by craigslisssst, just use discretion, etc. God knows there are millions of people who have to jet off to Europe for two months and are looking for someone to cover their rent while they're gone.

Aaron W, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:20 (sixteen years ago) link

And advice for teresa:

Hmmmmmm, it is all food for thougth. It is navigating this modern world of coed/cosexuality friendships that has like, blown my mind. The truth is, people have enough friends; certain people are around because the tension is fun, and when that's over or goes too far, that's it. Sometimes people act on it for life filler. People in power like to exercise power in sexual form. It's what they call... gorwing up.

-- J0rdan S., Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:20 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark Link

burt, U funny.

felicity, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:20 (sixteen years ago) link

admrl, do you have a space you can swap? Has anyone for that matter done the very intriguing housing swap that people advertise on CL?

In addition to brokers and CL, I think you might find some good stuff just walking around your future neighborhood if you can swing a trip. They are some ludicrous inefficiencies in "edgier" neighborhoods due to some of the landlords not being all that up on prices and not using computers. Right when I was moving, one of my neighbors who did not speak English had a sign up for their two-bedroom apartment with yard in Wburg PROPER. I asked how much they wanted and they told me something nuts like $1400.

felicity, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:25 (sixteen years ago) link

woahhhhh.

tehresa, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:28 (sixteen years ago) link

Wow, that shit doesn't happen down here in South Brooklyn, but then it is fairly posh down here, eh?

For the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill area, I recco Vita Realty and Brooklyn Heights Realty (both have offices on Court Street). Also Candice at Brooklyn Heights Real Estate. I had decent experiences with all of them when I was looking. There's a dude named Allan Gerovitz at Douglas Elliman who is supposed to be the king of this area, but he is kind of picky about who he works with. Again, if you can afford a broker you should use one because those people really really want you to find a place so they can get their fee.

Or just find a cheap place in Outer Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy or Sunset Park and be perfectly happy except for the schlep into the city and safety.

Aaron W, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:32 (sixteen years ago) link

Three, have ALL of your application materials ready when you go looking at places so if you find something that works, you can go ahead and apply on the spot.

Very key. Among such materials I recommend printing out one of your free annual credit reports from freecreditreport.com (credit bureaus are required by law to provide one free report per year). You can also print out a free credit score by signing up for a 30-day trial membership and them cancelling.

I saved a $50 "credit check" renter's application fee by just bringing the stuff with me.

felicity, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:32 (sixteen years ago) link

Except use annualcreditreport.com instead, which is the official one. That freecreditreport.com charges you a sneaky monthly fee for their "credit monitoring service" that you won't notice for months, which I found out the hard way.

Aaron W, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:36 (sixteen years ago) link

haha get one trialmemberships30daycancellationcalendar.xls

felicity, Monday, 14 April 2008 03:39 (sixteen years ago) link

Both Adams should move to Queens instead. We're real friendly here.

Virginia Plain, Monday, 14 April 2008 04:09 (sixteen years ago) link

I'm not moving, just have been offered a very good summer internship that is hard to turn down. I can't swap because my wife has to stay in LA for the most part.

admrl, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 02:11 (sixteen years ago) link

More likely you'll pay somewhere in between and live with a bunch of graphic designers.

-- dan selzer, Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:52 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

can't stand those people

sanskrit, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 02:48 (sixteen years ago) link

adamrl, did you find a sublet yet?

lauren, Tuesday, 22 April 2008 16:32 (sixteen years ago) link

i offered adam my bedroom, but he hasn't gotten back to me in a week or so.

ian, Tuesday, 22 April 2008 19:26 (sixteen years ago) link

Yea, I was wondering if there were deals to be had in Chinatown for 1 bedrooms...

Catsupppppppppppppp dude 茄蕃, Tuesday, 22 April 2008 20:08 (sixteen years ago) link

not brooklyn

tehresa, Tuesday, 22 April 2008 20:09 (sixteen years ago) link

Chinatown is notorious for having apartments rarely become vacant.

You two.

felicity, Tuesday, 22 April 2008 21:18 (sixteen years ago) link

God knows there are millions of people who have to jet off to Europe for two months and are looking for someone to cover their rent while they're gone.

Err, yeah, actually I have to jet off to Europe a couple times over the summer. End of June to early July, also various parts of August. I have a place in East Williamsburg / West Bushwick... Actually I haven't moved in yet and have no idea what the place looks like yet, but my friend swears its nice and has central air! When you coming to NY? My rent is like $700/mo.. If you dont find something for the entire time and want to break it up a bit maybe you can take my room for a couple weeks when im gone. dunno

phil-two, Thursday, 24 April 2008 12:53 (sixteen years ago) link

what should I think about applying for a cheap apartment in Midwood?

I wd like to meet adamrl, seems like a perceptive filmdude.

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 14:14 (fifteen years ago) link

have you gone to visit the neighborhood yet? i like it, based on limited familiarity. we drive through it pretty often and make the occasional stop for pizza at difara and a walk around.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 14:30 (fifteen years ago) link

I've been there a few times, but not lately. The apt has to go through "board approval," I wonder what that fee'll be.

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 14:32 (fifteen years ago) link

My brother just signed to buy a place in Carroll Gardens; his realtor? Someone named "B3th Kug3l".

G00blar, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 14:57 (fifteen years ago) link

summer sublet-lookers, i have a classmate subletting her room in park slope this summer. however, it's $925, which may be more than you want to spend.

tehresa, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 15:21 (fifteen years ago) link

I thought I might see studios around Greenpoint listed for $1100 or under, but those days are gone, yes?

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 15:36 (fifteen years ago) link

i think they can still be found? possibly not so much through craigslist or brokers, though?

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 15:38 (fifteen years ago) link

i haven't seen many studios listed, period, in gpt. that said, i've seen a decent number of 1brs advertised in the 1200-1400 range but i assume that the demand is enormous.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 15:38 (fifteen years ago) link

xpost - actually, the listings i've seen were all through local realtors.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 15:39 (fifteen years ago) link

my friend in brooklyn seems to have decided that i should live in lefferts gardens. tell me about this place. is it nice? is it affordable? i am not very concerned with safety as i am big and have a pit bull and new orleans has stripped me of all fear. i would like to be able to purchase groceries without using public transportation.

adam, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:00 (fifteen years ago) link

you can purchase groceries in mostly any brooklyn neighborhood without using public transportation

cutty, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:10 (fifteen years ago) link

what kind of groceries? like organic produce or spaggetios?

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:14 (fifteen years ago) link

both, preferably.

this whole convenient grocery store thing is very alluring as at the moment i have to get on the streetcar and then walk a mile to get to the store.

adam, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:18 (fifteen years ago) link

there are about five grocery stores within walking distance of my house, and certain people might say i live "out of the way."

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:20 (fifteen years ago) link

i'm not really familiar with prospect lefferts but you can ask about grocery stores on this messageboard? http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=69df758d9d26f3a67557f70438e8b120

i'm sure it's safe, especially if you have a dog. i have trouble finding fresh produce in crown heights though and usually have to travel to get it.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:22 (fifteen years ago) link

you could also move to red hook, which has the best grocery store ever.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:22 (fifteen years ago) link

all of these neighborhoods with seductive names! every time i worry that i am getting in over my head i think about this guy:

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/153/862541~Crocodile-Dundee-2-Posters.jpg

and realize that everything will be ok.

adam, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:25 (fifteen years ago) link

yeah there are plenty of nice places to live in brooklyn. i've personally lived in
greenpoint
carroll gardens
red hook
williamsburg
crown heights

they all have their charms. sunset park is on my list of places to try.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:31 (fifteen years ago) link

I feel like studios don't enter the general market that often xposts

Catsupppppppppppppp dude 茄蕃, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 16:46 (fifteen years ago) link

I'm past the "trying" stage, I want to move to the place WHERE I SHALL DIE!

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 17:24 (fifteen years ago) link

lefferts gardens is one of those areas that's supposedly been on the edge of gentrification for years. i know a few people who've moved there because they're hung up on the idea that they need to buy a house and are willing to make some sacrifices in the process. the main complaint i've heard is that it's inconvenient, transport-wise.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 17:40 (fifteen years ago) link

transport doesn't seem like it would be too bad if you're near the Q train? but i don't really know.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 17:44 (fifteen years ago) link

it probably depends on what part of the neighborhood you're in.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 17:58 (fifteen years ago) link

ooh i am very interested in being a gentrifier! yuppiedom is something i aspire to in general. advice on achieving this goal in nyc is also welcome.

adam, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 18:23 (fifteen years ago) link

just curious - why is your friend lobbying for lg?

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 18:37 (fifteen years ago) link

she likes the proximity to the park, for my dog's sake. it supposedly is in my price range and, i think most importantly, she finds it aesthetically pleasing. she of course has some fabulously cheap (for the area) and nice apartment in park slope.

the thing about this move to ny is that i am pretty sure that i could move to the lamest neighborhood in all brooklyn and still feel like i was in a more happening place than i am now.

adam, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 18:57 (fifteen years ago) link

Sunset Park is calm / relaxing / cheap / large-apartmented, Bell -- probably great if you're like me and don't mind traveling a few minutes for your socializing and going out. Also: access to cheap bowling, highest point in Brooklyn, Vietnamese food, Hasidic families keeping it neighborhoody

nabisco, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:02 (fifteen years ago) link

yeah i'm actually not planning on moving anytime soon and staying in c.heights for another year at least, but i think i would like living there someday.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:05 (fifteen years ago) link

hopefully your friend can scout out apts for you in advance, adam. sometimes listings conflate prospect-lefferts garden with flatbush, and the latter is not very safe.

nabisco otm re: sunset park. ba xuyen, a growing chinatown, melody lanes, the rainbow bar, brownstones - yay!

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:08 (fifteen years ago) link

Hasidic families keeping it neighborhoody

Maybe in Borough Park? In S Wburg, this does not compute. :(

Laurel, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:09 (fifteen years ago) link

ha, that thought crossed my mind.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:10 (fifteen years ago) link

man, i'm so happy in my neighborhood (prospect heights) it's crazy. access to a variety of restaurants and bars as well as grocery shops, the park, museum, botanial garden, library, people who leave bags of books out on the curb, flowering trees in the backyard, hearing birds when i wake up in the morning, close to convenient bus and 6 trains (four lines), and my apartment itself is pretty great if i do say so myself.

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:14 (fifteen years ago) link

...except there are other ppl living in it! more of an issue when you're 30, perhaps.

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:23 (fifteen years ago) link

my roommates are both awesome and do not get in the way at all.
If i wanted to pay double what i do now i could probably find a one bedroom or studio within a few blocks of my place.

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:25 (fifteen years ago) link

i don't want to be in new york when i'm 30, i want to in a farmhouse in rural new england raising goats and smoking homegrown.

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:25 (fifteen years ago) link

I've got some goats I'll trade for an apartment

nabisco, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:29 (fifteen years ago) link

hopefully your friend can scout out apts for you in advance, adam

i'll be up there later this month, which is when i hope to do some productive apartment searching.

adam, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:39 (fifteen years ago) link

nabisco

how many goats?

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:40 (fifteen years ago) link

he is just trying to trick us. don't trust a man who freely barters his last goats.

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:43 (fifteen years ago) link

they are probably old and sickly goats

bell_labs, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:43 (fifteen years ago) link

I will likely be in NY when I am an old and sickly goat.

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:46 (fifteen years ago) link

ian I'll probably still be in NY so hit me up if you need an artisanal goat cheese wholesaler

dmr, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:47 (fifteen years ago) link

blue apron are helping with startup cash for cheese cave construction.

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:49 (fifteen years ago) link

- healthy, friendly goats, non-smokers, no drugs or growth hormones
- offering 300 goats per month
- goats are conveniently located in East Africa, just steps from Suez Canal
- MUST PROVIDE OWN GOAT TRANSPORTATION
- no overnight visits with goats

nabisco, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:00 (fifteen years ago) link

- MUST PROVIDE OWN GOAT TRANSPORTATION

dealbreaker.

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:02 (fifteen years ago) link

i mean seriously dude, you can't even go halfway with me on this goat transport issue?

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:04 (fifteen years ago) link

* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with other commercial goat interests

dmr, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:04 (fifteen years ago) link

300 goats per month is a lot of fucking goats!

ian, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:05 (fifteen years ago) link

I am rushing to Midwood to look at studio, will probly have to get dinner at this Difara b4 getting back on Q to go to movie screening.

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:09 (fifteen years ago) link

300 goats per month is a lot of fucking goats!

gross, dude, nobody said anything about fucking them. u got problems

dmr, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:11 (fifteen years ago) link

can you tell I'm having a slow work day

dmr, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:11 (fifteen years ago) link

i heard you don't get buybacks at daddy's if you smell like goats.

chicago kevin, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:13 (fifteen years ago) link

lol let's keep the daddy's beef confined to just 6 or 7 threads ok

dmr, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:13 (fifteen years ago) link

difara dinnertime can be a long wait.

dan selzer, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:16 (fifteen years ago) link

goat beef?

yeah, I figured... can I get to-go then? I can't sit thru a Dalton Trumbo documentary w/ no dinner.

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:17 (fifteen years ago) link

Ha, as of the last time I bought an east-African goat, they were going for less than US$1 each, so 300 is not a bold offer

nabisco, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:19 (fifteen years ago) link

morbs, the set-up is one elderly man making pizzas for a devoted mob of customers. there's no waiter service - you order at the counter, once you've made your way to it. we go during off-off hours because otherwise it's too much hassle. call me a sad example of our convenience-obsessed society, but waiting an hour and a half for a pizza (even if it's the best pizza in the city) is beyond me.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:21 (fifteen years ago) link

gahhhh, that won't work, then

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:25 (fifteen years ago) link

the area's not a dead zone, though - there are quite a few middle eastern places scattered around cia/aves j and k, iirc. plus some glatt kosher places but i wouldn't recommend eating at one of those unless you're keeping the dietary laws.

lauren, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:29 (fifteen years ago) link

I think if you just get slices, and stand your ground at the counter, you have a chance of getting food at a reasonable rate.

Yeah, going into a glatt kosher place and asking for a ham and cheese sandwhich is NOT COOL.

dan selzer, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 20:36 (fifteen years ago) link

An acquaintance of mine has a lovely 4-room floor through in G'point for under a $1,000. She got it through a broker a few years ago. *sob*

Virginia Plain, Thursday, 8 May 2008 01:17 (fifteen years ago) link

I had time to eat in Manhattan... Place is similar size to my Kensington place AND $75 less a month. :o I could take taxis again.

Dr Morbius, Thursday, 8 May 2008 13:22 (fifteen years ago) link

and also be near me! except i will only be there for another week and a half and then just 1 day a week next fall.

tehresa, Thursday, 8 May 2008 13:25 (fifteen years ago) link

I like Sunset Park a lot. Nonetheless, probably gonna move to Lefferts for the Q train convenience and proximity to Prospect Park. Also, apartments are very large there. I will miss Clinton Hill but I can't afford a bigger apartment here.

saudade, Thursday, 8 May 2008 13:27 (fifteen years ago) link

two months pass...

what's bed-stuy like?

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:44 (fifteen years ago) link

tbh i think crown heights is a much better neighborhood in the same price range.

it also depends on where in bedstuy, what train you are close to, and where you're commuting to.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:50 (fifteen years ago) link

putnam, near kingston-throop, commuting to soho

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:52 (fifteen years ago) link

i live in bed-stuy, step off

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:52 (fifteen years ago) link

this is not for me btw

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:53 (fifteen years ago) link

what kind of 'price range' is appropriate for bed-stuy (or crown heights)

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:53 (fifteen years ago) link

1BR or 2BR? look on craigs list!

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 13:57 (fifteen years ago) link

cutty i wasn't saying anything bad about bed-stuy, i just think crown heights is underrated

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:00 (fifteen years ago) link

ha i was telling max to step off ;)

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:06 (fifteen years ago) link

i wd prefer it if u guys did the work for me

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:06 (fifteen years ago) link

it's not even for you, though

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:14 (fifteen years ago) link

frankly cutty if u live in bed stuy thats all i need to know <3 <3 <3

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:15 (fifteen years ago) link

Those neighborhoods, at those prices.. why not live in Bridgeport and make origami out of all the leftover money each month?

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:22 (fifteen years ago) link

bridgeport, CT?

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:31 (fifteen years ago) link

Yes.

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:35 (fifteen years ago) link

gtfo with this bridgeport

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:36 (fifteen years ago) link

tracer this is like the time you were all "why are you guys spending $100 on jeans? why not just buy them at the thrift store?"

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:37 (fifteen years ago) link

Depart: 8:14AM
Arrive: 9:26AM
Travel Time: 72 min.
Through train: Y

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:39 (fifteen years ago) link

Ha Max it kind of is. I would never live in Bridgeport though I don't think.

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:39 (fifteen years ago) link

i live in princeton and commute like 2 hrs each way so im not unsympathetic

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:41 (fifteen years ago) link

to the idea that it makes more sense to live outside of the city, i mean--the commute kind of sucks tho

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:42 (fifteen years ago) link

i just don't understand the "those neighborhoods at those prices!" when the money i would probably be paying slightly less rent but $200/month more and an extra hour each way on the metro north and living in fucking fairfield county, instead of in walking distance of great restaurants, parks and museums.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:44 (fifteen years ago) link

well, i am commuting w/in the 5 boroughs for at least an hour each way anyway, so it can't be that much worse and i'm sure you have lots more space!

tehresa, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:44 (fifteen years ago) link

xpost to max

tehresa, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:45 (fifteen years ago) link

i commute an hour each way as well, but commuting from CT would be 2 hours each way.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:46 (fifteen years ago) link

i cant complain about my living situation esp. since my job pays for my transpo but this is one of those things where everyone has a difft set of needs for where they live--my girlfriend for example does not want to live in new jersey with my parents or in bridgeport, ct by herself

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:47 (fifteen years ago) link

also i have a somewhat irrational hatred of connecticut :)

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:47 (fifteen years ago) link

proximity to friends is pretty important and youd lose that living in bridgeport

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:47 (fifteen years ago) link

Sorry I really was being devil's advocate, I hate Connecticut too.

I've spent some time in Bed Stuy though and I don't recall the great restaurants, parks and museums.

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:48 (fifteen years ago) link

my old boss used to commute from LIC to hartford, ct. he said it was really nice. i can imagine a metro north ride might be less stressful than my 3 trains and transfers, especially if you are going north when everyone else is going south.

tehresa, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:48 (fifteen years ago) link

Also, completely agreed about friend proximity.

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:49 (fifteen years ago) link

yeah i was talking about crown heights specifically there i guess though you could easily walk or bike to these places from crown heights and there are some awesome restaurants in bed-stuy

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:50 (fifteen years ago) link

you need amtrak for hartford

gabbneb, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:51 (fifteen years ago) link

sorry that made no sense.
should read: you could easily walk or bike to these places from crown heights bed-stuy

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:52 (fifteen years ago) link

sorry i don't know why i said hartford i meant new haven.

tehresa, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:53 (fifteen years ago) link

major gripe with metro north and nj transit is that they don't run all night.

carne asada, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:56 (fifteen years ago) link

where i live in CH (a large 1 bedroom for $1200/month) i am 3 blocks from the brooklyn museum & botanical gardens. i saw cheaper apts in the neighborhood (1 bedrooms from $850 up) but i picked this place because it had a lot of space, high ceilings and 6 windows. it is two blocks from the 4 express train which does take me 1 hour to get to work, but i don't have to transfer trains. i love it and i don't feel like i am paying too much at all.

bell_labs, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:58 (fifteen years ago) link

what kind of place is your gf looking for? a share or her own studio/1br?

lauren, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 14:58 (fifteen years ago) link

shes looking for a studio/1br but probably open to roommates

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 15:02 (fifteen years ago) link

she can move into my room

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 15:04 (fifteen years ago) link

jpegs plz

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 15:04 (fifteen years ago) link

major gripe with metro north and nj transit is that they don't run all night.

NJ transit just needs one ne corridor train at like 3AM and theyd have all their bases covered

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:14 (fifteen years ago) link

hey look another shitty thread about nyc with opinions!

Catsupppppppppppppp dude 茄蕃, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:15 (fifteen years ago) link

or you could just bring a book!
xpost

carne asada, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:18 (fifteen years ago) link

well yeah

max, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:19 (fifteen years ago) link

metro-north to new haven is ~1:45 and the seats aren't amtrak-quality. i wouldn't want to do it every day.

that kid who got shot in crown heights on monday probably isn't too big on the place right now

gabbneb, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:20 (fifteen years ago) link

There's definitely been an uptick in crime in Brooklyn this year. I wonder what's up with that.

burt_stanton, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:25 (fifteen years ago) link

http://www.bls.gov/ro2/chart1.gif

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:26 (fifteen years ago) link

haha otm

tehresa, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:27 (fifteen years ago) link

Good times.

burt_stanton, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:27 (fifteen years ago) link

definitely that, and i wouldn't put a little bit past La Nina (which is the answer to everything)

gabbneb, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:32 (fifteen years ago) link

Hahahahahah -- Tracer, you are so infuriating. Do you do it on purpose?

Laurel, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:42 (fifteen years ago) link

tacer are you still in london? why not move to ipswitch or something

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:43 (fifteen years ago) link

The making-origami part was clever, though. Or maybe just "clever", but I laughed!

Laurel, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:43 (fifteen years ago) link

cutty my (affordable) neighborhood in London is full of beautiful houses, parks, great restaurants and museums, and doesn't feel like an abandoned, decaying shithole.

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:45 (fifteen years ago) link

Ipswitch, on the other hand...

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:46 (fifteen years ago) link

what neighborhood is affordable in london?

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:46 (fifteen years ago) link

you live in mayfair, don't you

cutty, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 16:47 (fifteen years ago) link

Hackney

this explains my obsession with buses

Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 17:02 (fifteen years ago) link

Bridgeport has cheap housing, there are some parts that are supposed to be pretty nice, especially closer to the water, and it could use people moving in, but I'm not gonna be the one to do it

gabbneb, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 17:45 (fifteen years ago) link

stay strong, gab! the ues needs you!

tehresa, Wednesday, 6 August 2008 18:11 (fifteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...

she signed the lease yesterday

max, Thursday, 28 August 2008 14:43 (fifteen years ago) link

your mom?

Catsupppppppppppppp dude 茄蕃, Thursday, 28 August 2008 14:51 (fifteen years ago) link

Brooklyn, NY: flying roaches/mice

calstars, Friday, 29 August 2008 03:33 (fifteen years ago) link

hay guys before ilx dies tell me ur favorite things in brooklyn that i can do this weekend, restaurants, parks, stores, bonus points if they are in 'stuyvesant heights' aka south-central bed-stuy or if they are a quick bike ride or walk away from there (intersection of stuyvesant and hancock), but its cool if i have to take a bus or train

max, Tuesday, 2 September 2008 19:32 (fifteen years ago) link

five years pass...

ok so like 6 years after i last posted to this thread i'ma move for real. my wife is nyc born and raised and all her family and friends are in brooklyn but finding a place is still a massive drag.

the major problem is that we have a big old dog with whom i am unwilling to part as she's like 15. (and another small dog and 2 small cats.) any ideas for finding pet-friendly landlords? maybe you or someone you know has an amazing place to rent us? we're in the $2k/month range which seems absurd to my small town yokel eyes but whatever.

adam, Sunday, 22 June 2014 23:11 (nine years ago) link

i will admit to being in the early stages of a meltdown as i feel like the long-distance search for both housing and employment is maybe not working out so well

adam, Sunday, 22 June 2014 23:41 (nine years ago) link

g'luck (i can predictably be of no help)

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 00:53 (nine years ago) link

What neighborhoods are you looking in? In that price range for a 1BR I'm guessing you'd probably be talking about Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Sunset Park, Ditmas Park, some of the southern prospect park neighborhoods, depending on your standards in terms of space (if you have a big dog I assume you don't want a little tiny cramped place). Agents make things easier but can add a lot to the cost. Get a couple apps for your phone (trulia, streeteasy, idk are there better ones now?) and check frequently, call right away, and be prepared to sign quickly. Have a folder with all the docs you need and just bring it to every showing along with a check to make out. As far as pet friendly, I guess you just have to ask or see what the ad says. If you see a place you really like, take it immediately.

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 01:06 (nine years ago) link

2k will be fine in the places that hurting mentions above. Also Kensington a p nice place.

calstars, Monday, 23 June 2014 01:09 (nine years ago) link

Just don't rent a place above a coffee shop, bodega, or restaurant and you'll be fine.

calstars, Monday, 23 June 2014 01:10 (nine years ago) link

I pay waaay less than 2k for a studio here, but there's nothing to do in Kensington

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 01:10 (nine years ago) link

kensington has a pleasant vibe. what's the train situation like there?

hurting, those are basically exactly the neighborhoods we are looking at. my wife is really into ft greene at the moment for whatever reason. i feel you on the bring everything and make an offer on the spot tactics. unfortunately we're still in new orleans and basically deploying my mother-in-law to go look at places for us. this is not a good way to look for apartments if you were wondering.

there are like two different kinds of pet friendly afaict--a reluctant "pet-friendly" that makes getting a place a total hassle (no dogs over 7lbs! $10000 pet deposit) and landlords that don't g a f abt pets. apt listings should make this distinction.

adam, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:23 (nine years ago) link

I can't imagine why your wife likes Fort Greene, although it might be the same reason Bjork likes Fort Greene, which is also the reason you guys probably won't find an apartment you can afford in Fort Greene.

Yeah, finding an apt through your MIL is not a good way to go, unless she's tech savvy and can give you a live Skype tour or something and can hand over a check on your behalf if you like it. I would recommend just coming up here for maybe 3-7 days and setting up as many showings as you can and committing to signing on a place.

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 13:35 (nine years ago) link

My guide to Brooklyn is that any neighborhood with the word "Green" or "Greene" in its name is a good neighborhood

, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:35 (nine years ago) link

i will admit to being in the early stages of a meltdown as i feel like the long-distance search for both housing and employment is maybe not working out so well

i am in the same boat right now. even down to looking for a pet friendly place (i don't have a dog and a cat now but would like to)
we're making a trip up in a few weeks, i think, with the plan of having all the relevant documents and being ready to sign on the spot.

Karl Malone, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:35 (nine years ago) link

If you have the cash to do it, you could offer a larger deposit to compensate for potential pet damage. My friends recently did this looking for a place.

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 13:36 (nine years ago) link

finding an apt through your MIL

this sounds like a direct to dvd film where 40 minutes in the young couple find themselves living in the spare bedroom of a superfundamentalist family and all of their neighbors call the cops on them if they play the hi-fi after 6pm

Karl Malone, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:37 (nine years ago) link

fort greene is nice why is it hard to imagine why someone would like a neighborhood w/ brownstones, restaurants and a nice park

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:39 (nine years ago) link

why is it hard for you to understand verbal irony

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 13:41 (nine years ago) link

sometimes it's hard via the internet, that's why you should use smiley faces

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:42 (nine years ago) link

dude. we almost signed a lease on a place above one old italian lady (the owner) and below another old italian lady (her daughter). we still might.

my MIL is cool and takes iphone videos and narrates them sarcastically. still not ideal.

yeah ft greene seems fuckin expensive. i think where we're at is: my wife hasn't lived in new york for like 10 years so the meteoric rental price increases don't seem quite real to her, so she thinks there is some perfect huge cheap place in a dope neighborhood and we just have to find it. she is returning today from a weeklong trip where she was unable to find a place she was into.

i appreciate yalls advice. i might supply my MIL with like a dossier of docs and a blank check. there's no way that could go horribly wrong.

adam, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:47 (nine years ago) link

Try Philly

, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:49 (nine years ago) link

a direct to dvd film where 40 minutes in the young couple find themselves living in the spare bedroom of a superfundamentalist family

quite possible if you landed in Boro Park.

Kensington is served by the F (a line on which entirely too many people now live) and the G unless you live beyond Church Ave, in which case its presence is gen a pain in the ass. But if you're iatee, the fact that you never get a seat is a stirring sign of MTA efficiency.

yes, i love living near nice restaurants while I'm frying up a turkey burger at home.

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 13:49 (nine years ago) link

my wife hasn't lived in new york for like 10 years so the meteoric rental price increases don't seem quite real to her, so she thinks there is some perfect huge cheap place in a dope neighborhood and we just have to find it.

Everyone thinks this for a while and maybe like 1/100 find it, and it's usually through a connection

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 13:51 (nine years ago) link

To be fair, the rise has been so fast that it's disorienting -- a neighborhood can go from "seems a little sketchy" to out of your price range in like 3 years.

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 13:53 (nine years ago) link

greenford stuyvesant is nice. so is prospect greenforts and greenspect heights. clinton greene too but I think it's prob too pricey now.

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:57 (nine years ago) link

have you considered fort ditmas?

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:57 (nine years ago) link

You mean Fort Greenmas?

, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:58 (nine years ago) link

sorry yes

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:58 (nine years ago) link

xxxpost man I hope we can keep our current apartment for some number of years, because I just don't know what our neighborhood will cost in that time (bed stuy, to be serious)

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 13:59 (nine years ago) link

xp you might also consider Fort Island City, Greens

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:03 (nine years ago) link

a lot of the to-be-gentrified parts of brooklyn (sunset park, bed stuy) are so enormous that it's hard to imagine then completely done over in 10 years

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:05 (nine years ago) link

Man, an unlimited Amtrak pass between Philly and NY costs $1350

I bet you could find a big 2 bedroom near 30th street station for around $1000

You'd have a 3 hour commute each day tho

, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:08 (nine years ago) link

some people do it

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:09 (nine years ago) link

incidentally there are people who have nyc -> nyc commutes that are worse than philly -> nyc. like I had a friend who had to do astoria to staten island.

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:11 (nine years ago) link

3 hours on a train with seats and a power outlet vs. 2 hours standing on the F

, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:11 (nine years ago) link

The MTA should build an underwater line to Staten Island

They already have plenty of experience from dealing with the G

Thank you, thank you

, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:13 (nine years ago) link

we should just trade hoboken and jersey city to nj for staten island, that way we don't have to build anything

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:14 (nine years ago) link

unlimited Amtrak pass between Philly and NY costs $1350

for a year? that's almost exactly the same as an unlimited NYC MetroCard

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:14 (nine years ago) link

No per month

, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:15 (nine years ago) link

lol amtrak

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:15 (nine years ago) link

i suggested just buying a farmhouse in rural vermont and spending the saved money on ATVs and liquor but no dice. i also suggested living in any other city in the entire country but no dice.

i like sunset park but ppl are like oh, the r train or whatever, it takes forever, like i'd be way out in the provinces riding a mulecart into the city, but i think maybe some of that is new yorkish subway snobbery? idk

adam, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:16 (nine years ago) link

incidentally there are people who have nyc -> nyc commutes that are worse than philly -> nyc. like I had a friend who had to do astoria to staten island.

― iatee, Monday, June 23, 2014 10:11 AM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

lol there are like 5 people fitting that description and your friend is crazy

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:17 (nine years ago) link

sunset park is basically queens but a much worse commute than queens

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:17 (nine years ago) link

Sunset Park has dope mexican and chinese food

, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:18 (nine years ago) link

unless you're used to drinking in Park Slope xp

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:20 (nine years ago) link

xxxp R train does take forever. You can transfer to an express N train which is a little faster, though service in that part of Brooklyn can get pretty janky. I used to work on the border of Boro Park/Bensonhurst and it's a long haul.

Spectrum, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:22 (nine years ago) link

a lot of the to-be-gentrified parts of brooklyn (sunset park, bed stuy) are so enormous that it's hard to imagine then completely done over in 10 years

eeeehhhhhh 10 years? I can imagine it.

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:22 (nine years ago) link

yer forgetting there will be another market crash and possibly two more Sandy-level flood disasters in the interim.

just keepin' it real

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:24 (nine years ago) link

the 1% are building those 90-story needle condos in Manhattan for a reason y'know

son of a lewd monk (Dr Morbius), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:24 (nine years ago) link

Yeah tbc I don't really believe that all of Brooklyn is just going to keep gentrifying at the same rate until it's done. I just don't think there is enough yuppiedom to fill the entire borough. Plus there's going to be different demand in the "brownstone" neighborhoods/the ones that have awesome parks, and not all areas do.

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 14:46 (nine years ago) link

bed stuy is brownstone central. I think it's going to get snatched up in pretty short order.

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 14:51 (nine years ago) link

yeah for sure

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 15:05 (nine years ago) link

bed stuy & crown heights def already in the gentrification process, let's not kid ourselves. sunset park will take a little longer.

ian, Monday, 23 June 2014 15:06 (nine years ago) link

It seems like the neighborhoods most likely to go that route are either formerly rich neighborhoods (nice brownstone housing stock) or industrial neighborhoods (warehouses to convert to lofts or empty, cheap land to build new condos)

Hier Komme Die Warum Jetzt (Hurting 2), Monday, 23 June 2014 15:13 (nine years ago) link

proximity to decent transit also matters, like red hook would be much further along than it is now if there were a train, but only a certain type of person is gonna accept really bad commutes. that's another limiting factor.

iatee, Monday, 23 June 2014 15:19 (nine years ago) link

I'm interested in what will happen in a place like flatbush. pretty decent transit, right by a huge beautiful park, but filled with dense huge elevator buildings, the exact type that seem least suited to rowhouse lovers or loft renovators. also sandwiched in between two ditmas park and prospect lefferts.

chinavision!, Monday, 23 June 2014 15:38 (nine years ago) link

four weeks pass...

bushwick it is! see yall next month

thanks for the info

adam, Monday, 21 July 2014 22:40 (nine years ago) link

one month passes...

aaand here, what thread do the cool new york ppl hang out on

adam, Thursday, 21 August 2014 20:18 (nine years ago) link

there's not really a new york thread, there are just 20 threads that only new york residents comment on

iatee, Thursday, 21 August 2014 20:34 (nine years ago) link


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