Where to live based on your profile and budget
Residential and family-friendly neighborhood near Central Park. Excellent schools, museums, pleasant neighborhood life. The preferred choice of French families.
Trendy and lively neighborhood. Bars, restaurants, nightlife. Young and creative atmosphere. Ideal for young professionals and singles.
The quintessential hipster Brooklyn. Cafes, galleries, markets. More space than Manhattan for a similar budget. Very popular with young expats.
Brooklyn's family neighborhood. Brownstones, parks, excellent schools. Village atmosphere with proximity to Prospect Park. Alternative to Upper West Side.
Historic neighborhood in full renaissance. More affordable than the rest of Manhattan. Rich cultural history, jazz, soul food. For tight budgets.
I am applying
Expect between $2,500 and $4,000 for a Manhattan studio, $2,000 to $3,000 in Brooklyn. Add 1 month security deposit and sometimes broker fees (up to 15% of annual rent). For the first month, plan for 4-5 months' rent total.
Upper West Side for families, East Village/West Village for young professionals, Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Park Slope) for a more relaxed vibe, Harlem for tighter budgets. Avoid Midtown for long-term rentals (too commercial and noisy).
Searching alone, expect 4-10 weeks. With a Remoters hunter, the average is 2-4 weeks. In NYC, good apartments go in 24-48 hours, you need to be very reactive. Avoid May-August (very competitive).
NYC landlords require: passport, visa, proof of income 40x monthly rent, credit report, reference letters. Without an American guarantor (80x rent income), you'll need to use a service like Insurent or Rhino, or pay several months upfront.
Broker fees are commissions paid to real estate agents, typically 12-15% of annual rent (1-2 months' rent). Some apartments are "no-fee" (fees paid by owner). A hunter can help you find no-fee options.
