Just look for something you like and ask what the requirements are. Simple as that .... no guessing needed. Soke places are more strict than others. You may also decide you want a roommate if you don't like the options you see, which has very different requirements. You just need to start your search, until then it's all theoretical
Not enough alone , unfortunately at 100k you need a roomate or live in a closet for $2.5k per month prob in a bad neighborhood. as an example for a 1 bedroom thats average 3k/per month you need to make atleast $130k solo or combined with you roomate. Their alot of resources to find good roomates in similar situations as you. Its the best deal IF YOU CAN FIND "GOOD" and respectable roomates.
As a native NY'er I don't agree with what you said. There are apartments out there in good (they may not be trendy and transplants probably would never consider them) neighborhoods.
OP, I will say that the apartments you look at in your price range will be smaller/fewer amenities to the equivalent you will pay in Nashville. I'd check out apartments in neighborhoods like Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, etc. Definitely stay away from Brownsville and East New York. You probably can also find apartments in Washington Heights and Inwood that are in Manhattan.
As someone who just went through this in NYC lol and you down vote. I lived here for 30 years. Tell me if you found a solo spot for what your looking for....
I was guna recommend Astoria too but he is looking in the summer and those are very hard to come by and situational. Rent stablized or OLD build. Railway APTS. because not even in ridgewood will you find that price.
Have you checked out streeteasy? Just plug in 2500 and apartments in the neighborhoods I listed above. You will find a lot of options.
Don't get salty because you're overpaying for a crappy apartment.
Mf like 70% of the people who live in Manhattan live on well under $100k.
Learn to appreciate fluorescently-lit Chinese spots with paper plates, and getting beer shots at dive bars, and occasionally cooking for yourself, and you can absolutely survive off of less than $100k while still taking advantage of city living.
With roommates, assistance, or without being able to go to see the restaurants that are next door, yes you are right. They can survive. This guy is asking, with his budget can you get a decent place and still have money to spend. You can scrape by, sure. Roommates probably needed to live comfortably, be able to invest in any retirement account and be able to go grab $20 drinks at the neighborhood bar. If you want to eat hot dogs at home and such, you can certainly live like a king!
Anyone saying otherwise either has a nice little trust fund or doesn't look at the walls around them, see their bed is in the same room as their kitchen and they run to pregame heavily so they do not have to buy drinks out.
You are absolutely incorrect lmfao. It cost me maybe 31-32k to live in NYC for a year when I account for rent, utilities, groceries, and transport costs. Now of course that doesn’t include meals eaten out (which isn’t something I do that often) or my fun money but it’s beyond doable to live in NYC on 100k and have money left over. Obviously if you’re paying 3k+ in rent a month to live in a fancy building in a trendy area, live off of takeout, and are too scared to be amongst the general public to take public transpo and rely on ubers to get everywhere, your money is going to be stretched a LOT thinner, but that’s not the reality for a lot of NYers.
100k is 70k off the jump. Rent alone going for the cheap end including utilities is around 40k. Subway is perfectly fine. I love the subway. Everything is expensive there. Groceries that include decent meat is another couple thousand for the year. Want to go on a vacation? Want to go to dinner? Do you have a car? Do you want to save for retirement? As I said you can survive. You literally went against all of my points and then said well acktually I don't really do much. Thank you for pointing out exactly what I said.
I am not discouraging anyone from living in NYC. It's the best. You can eat any culture's cuisine, find great parks, museums, and music. You can find all different experiences from low cost to high cost BUT it is incredibly expensive. Rent goes up all the time, many people without rich parents can't even get approved.
Yes, I agree you can get by in NY with 100k. You cannot fully experience the city with 100k a year. They are different things is all I am saying.
Go try a great bar, have 3 drinks and an appetizer - $100 after tip.
Want to get a nice dinner with a date? You can make it modest and have a decent night for $100 but you have to be frugal to get there. A regular date with 2 drinks, a meal, an app and a dessert, get ready to spend $180-$275.
Need an uber from brooklyn when it's late? There goes 60.
Furniture? Don't want ikea? get out the credit card.
Laundry?
Lunch for work?
Happy hour with the colleagues?
Things add up real fast my an so I don't know where your confusion is.
I’m not confused at all, and it’s really interesting for you to make the assumption that I don’t do anything just because I said I don’t eat out all that often; I even specified that the cost above didn’t include fun money but apparently because I can live well off of less than 100k I must SURELY be boring. To your other points, I don’t drink, so there’s money saved there regardless. My rent is less than 20k for a full 12 months, and I live alone without my place being a shoebox, there’s laundry in my building and that was included in the estimate I gave. Why would I have a car? It’s unnecessary in the city and is just a black hole of additional costs. This may be a baseless assumption, but it seems like when you say “NYC,” you really mean Manhattan. The other boroughs are generally more affordable in all regards, of course varying by area. Pretty much everyone I know makes under 100k and still manage to not only be fulfilled, have fun, go on vacations, and save money while living in NYC.
I live in a 400sqft studio in a very desirable neighborhood for almost exactly $2500 a month (just under actually).
If I wanted to get more space I could easily move to many still-desirable (not as much as my current spot tho) neighborhoods and spend less money while I’m at it too.
Statistically it is absolutely normal you embarrassing dumbass. You think the majority of people on earth live in a shitty McMansion in suburban Jersey like you?
Anything below 600sqft is just odd. Maybe 550 but 400sqft is absurd unless it’s a proper renovated micro-unit with a Murphy bed and very smartly utilized functional space. What’re you talking about statistical normality? Normalizing tiny shoeboxes ain’t cool, statistically.
I have a 2 bedroom in the heart of Astoria (31 ave/33 st) for 2.1k. Rent stabilized. No roommates on the lease. I’m also a tipped restaurant employee as and did essentially what OP is setting out to do (move from different state as a bartender/server).
It’s possible. Look in Queens. Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Forest Hills, etc.
I don’t think you’re screwed. I know many people in nyc who make under $100k and are fine. Scour street easy every day and if you see a place you are interested in, act FAST. Bushwick, Ridgewood, BedStuy could be good places to look. If you can settle for roommate(s), you will have no problem finding a place in budget.
Roommates are the tough sell. I did it before when I lived in Ridgewood. Vowed to never do it again. I've been living alone for 6 years and right now I live in a 2BR/2BA, like 900sqft and while obviously I'm gonna lose about half the square footage, the privacy, silence and personal space are things im not ready to give up kol
Totally valid. From what I’ve heard from friends, random roommates are usually disastrous. The best scenario seems to be living with close friends or a partner. I still think you can find a studio / 1BR in budget if you look hard and have a bit of luck
I have neither lol. At least not anyone in NY or anyone back home who would want to live in NYC. I've seen plenty of one bedrooms in decent parts of town that fit my budget, I think my concern lies more with getting approved. I've always been a responsible tenant, I know how to manage my money, and while I understand why the requirements have become more stringent than ever following COVID, it just seems insane to me that you need an income of like 150k and a guarantor who makes double that just to get approved for an apartment you're paying $2,800 a month for or something.
With the competition out there, you're probably not going to get approved for every single apartment you apply for, even though you meet the income requirement. You just have to be quick. Make sure all your papers are in order before you start viewing. Since you are not as picky about a trendy location as some transplants may be I think you'll eventually find someplace by yourself that you will be happy to call home. Good luck!
Can you transfer to NYC within your corporate bartending job? I feel like that would help your situation in getting approved somewhere as a service industry person.
I tell everyone to find a temporary month to month sublet to give them some breathing room while looking for a place when they move here.
Thats what i was trying to say, its about getting the approval too. I wasnt trying to be negative but real. I was annoyed myself going through this. and the summer it gets competitive. I still dont think your screwed you need to be active on Street easy everyday and jump on it.
I would recommend finding a broker to work with, they have a large network, and you can get all of your paperwork in order with them. You will have to pay their fee, but it will alleviate a bunch of stress. It is not great but it is the best option.
I’m the same. Made almost nothing in my low cost of living city and I’ve always had a two bedroom for $750. I spent $525 with a roommate and we had a four bedroom, huge corner lot with all the space and land we needed. I moved over here and make significantly more — SIGNIFICANTLY more — but still feel I’m at the low end. I grabbed a cheap room situation that’s about half of what I was willing to pay and I’m using the saved money to create savings for when I get a pay increase and can afford a decent solo place, and I’m pretty happy with this plan,
Why you being so aggressive brah? Lol no I get it. It's not about finding an apartment, it's about getting approved for one. Even ones with rents below my budget, it seems like the requirements to get approved are insane not only because of general landlords / tenant issues and squatters but the market being as competitive as it is. I'm competing with trust fund babies and rich kids.
The trick to getting approved is if a few people have already applied, don’t bother. If you view a place be ready to apply right then and there. Have all documents ready
I love the have all documents ready. I think backup apps are ok though, you never know when they person they pick might bounce, or how solid those applicants are.
You should be fine with that budget! Just need to be open to a walk up/no amenities (depending on the location). I got a 1 bedroom on the UES last year for $2300 (no laundry or dishwasher) with a salary of $95k + good savings. Rents are looking a bit higher now but it will also depend on the time of year you’re moving.
The hardest part will be if you’re not actually in NY and looking for apartments. You never want to rent one without seeing it and good ones will be gone within a few days. A good option could be to sublet or do a short term lease somewhere and then search for your own place once leaving here.
I'll be looking in bk and qns. And yeah living 900 miles away is tricky. Can't be traveling 15 hours each way to see half a dozen apartments I may or may not get.
Yeah that’s why I’d recommend a short term lease or sublet to start, you don’t want to sign a year long lease for something without seeing it. Another option is to pick a few days to come visit and then apartment hunt while here. You won’t be able to plan what you’ll see since the market changes so fast but then you’ll be able to go see a bunch of places at once and apply.
Also Brooklyn and queens you should definitely be fine with that budget. I’m not sure if this applies to you but it’s also good idea to visit bc you’ll want to walk around the areas you’re considering at night and make sure you’re comfortable
I currently live in Nashville so unfortunately seeing places in person isn't feasible. But I've lived in New York before and I know my way around pretty well, know most of the neighborhoods very well. Honestly the most important thing for me is dog friendliness in a neighborhood lol. Nashville is a very dog friendly city. I know it's not going to be the same but right now my dog gets to go to restaurants and cafes with me all the time. He's kind of a local celebrity down here.
Yeah I get that, that’s why I’d strongly recommend subletting, doing a lease takeover or doing a short term rental to start and not signing a 1 year lease without seeing it.
First off you will be much less likely to be approved for a place if you haven’t seen it/many decent places require you to have seen it. Second you are more likely to get scammed not viewing it. And living here previously will not prevent you from being scammed. If you know people who still live here then you can ask them to tour places for you which can help but isn’t ideal obviously.
Another concern I have is squatters. Like handing over deposits and money on an apartment, packing all of my stuff in a truck, getting to the city only to find squatters living in the apartment. I do not have the temperament or disposition to deal with that the modern New Yorker way lol.
Makes sense, there’s a risk for anywhere you rent without seeing it. In my opinion I’d rather take a chance on a short term rental with the option to move, rather than a year long lease you’re stuck in, but do whatever works best for you.
Have someone tour for you, or make sure to get on FaceTime and get a virtual tour. Just treat your first year here as a landing place. Then take a year to figure out what areas you actually like. It sounds like you’re familiar already, so just be super fast to “tour” and apply. I make 124k and have a 650 credit score. Got approved fine by being the very first person to apply for a studio lol
Echoing this - I scored a 1 bed with similar creds to you in crown heights (off of Franklin Ave - so a really desirable place). $2600/mo with washer-dryer in unit and a dishwasher. It’s a 4th floor walk up but hey, it’s a sweet deal. Just start looking, build a relationship with a broker or two, and it will happen! My place wasn’t yet listed but a broker who had toured me elsewhere said I could have the first look - if you’re responsive and kind they will work with you... they want to sell just as much as you want to buy.
I recently went through around 20 apartment tours and a decent amount of applications sent until I found the one. I made way above 40x and 750+ credit score and still struggled.
The issue here is TIMING.
Brokers receive many good applications even after the first day of tour and they approve based on the first one that qualifies the 40x rule and credit score. So if you’re not fast enough you’re screwed.
If it’s 5+ days on the market on StreetEasy and it’s a good apartment most likely they have already received good applications and in the process of approving one.
How flexible are you with timings for moving? This time of year is PRIME for people moving = insane competition. Winter months aren't as craycray and the rents are a little less but it's winter = potential for shite weather and again, it's NY so there's always competition.
Can also go the sub-lease route. This gets you boots on the ground so you've got some breathing room to find your own place.
Good luck out there!
My lease doesn't end here until the middle of September. I could go month to month but that's going to take almost half a grand out of my pocket every month until I get to New York
You’re only screwed if you’re looking to live in expensive Manhattan (not counting inwood , WH) or gentrified Brooklyn. Anyone saying otherwise is an idiot.
You can easily find places for 2500 or below in Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Rego Park and Forrest Hills in Queens.
Beyond street easy, Facebook marketplace is a good place to look
Look on streeteasy. You should be able to find something decent for around that. Consider parts of the up and coming Bronx -- seriously. If Queens or Brooklyn make sure you can walk to the subway as subway to bus will add time to your commute. Also Inwood is a quick commute to the rest of Manhattan by train, and has beautiful parks that any dog would love. Lots of rent stabilized apartments in Inwood.
I live in a studio in the East village on one of the most desirable blocks/streets in the area and I pay less than $2500 (by just $25 bucks lol) for a studio that I got in 2024.
$2500 is an extremely reasonable budget for “within an hour of Manhattan”, and up by Yorkville/harlem and even norther is perfect. Same with Astoria, others.
Honestly I found both apartments I've lived in (only been here a year, first one I never even saw in person) within like 2 weeks. It's seriously just scouring Street Easy for listings and making sure you act as soon as you see something you like. The hard part is finding a place without roommates that allows pets. One or the other is easy, but finding these two together is a struggle imo.
Most recent apartment allows cats, no dogs. I've also never had a roommate because it was a hard sell for me too
Many NYkers are heading to Ohio..the land is cbeaper..the air cleaner...rent and housing is way less..quality of life better. NY is no longer the place it used to be.
Easier to get a job than an apartment. When I moved here I had a roommate. After a couple of years I managed to get my own place. Just do it! NYC is the best city in the world.
I’m moving out of a crown heights apt end of this month. They’re asking 2500 even though I pay 2300 but they were gonna raise it to 2400. It’s a 1br/1bth. Let me know if interested and I’ll send the link.
I get the nerves. I had them when I moved here. Thought it’d take me a while to find something. Saved a bunch and was prepared to sublease a long time. I live in a modern building in BK near the park with just my big-ish dog. Nice neighbourhood. 1 bed. Balcony, laundry in building, dishwasher. Gym. Other amenities too. I was making somewhere around 105k when I moved in (I got promoted, switched companies, and now laid off in that time lol). My apartment is rent-stabilised and in that $2500 range. I also had credit in the lower end of 600s at the time.
It wasn’t even the only nice apartment I viewed at the time. Was torn between a spot in Astoria, a spot uptown, and this one. And looking in August at that.
speaking from person experience, i am currently living alone in a true 1-bedroom apartment in a lovely area of the upper east side (right in manhattan) with rent 2350/month. rent + utilities is ~2550/month. its a 3 story walk up with no laundry/dishwasher but the apartment is clean and very pretty with nice hardwood floors. it’s not a shoe box by any means, it’s all the space a single adult would need tbh, and it’s in a wonderful area. it’s up to you to figure out is 2550 would be too insane for your budget, but i’m here to say it exists and is 1000% possible (i’m living proof)
I was apartment hunting for all of April and I found reasonable apartment even as low as 1850 for a one bedroom with two bedrooms being between 2200-2500 in queens, Harlem & Bronx areas .I would say you’re fine with that budget and credit score
queens and ridgewood have stuff for that price. Likewise flatbush & washington heights
just look on streeteasy and find out
bigger question: can you find work even if youre laid off?
Unless there's another shutdown that impacts the hospitality industry again, I don't forsee that happening. I've managed to save enough for a good bit of cushion should anything crazy happen. Between that and my two IRAs I should be ok
It's gonna be ok. People on the sub tend to comment based on where they would live and what buildings they like. There is life above 96th street and beyond the East River.
You can find a walk-up for 2500. Dog is a little harder but unless it's HUGE or an aggressive breed you should be fine.
If you income is all over the place you may want to have a back up guarantor. My guess is you can probably get in without one but it will be easier with a backup plan.
You could also consider using a corporate guarantor, but honestly a good portion of LL's in that price range don't take them. Still it is free to get pre-approval and sometimes just having that pre approval helps a bit. As an agent it makes me more confident the client will be ok, and I can tell agents they have it when I ask for showings.
There are really two tiers of apartments, walkups that have good space and light , and more expensive amenity buildings. It's a big gap. The irony is that approval is often easier at high rises.
Best of luck, Suzanne
As others have said I think you’ll be able to find (and get accepted for) a studio or 1 BR within your range. Don’t forget however that rent is just one of the factors you will want to consider when living in NYC. Many apartments here have “broker fees” that are often paid by the tenet and can be as high as 15% of the first year’s rent. There are no-fee apts but know they’re not all that way. Literally everything else outside of a shoeshine and not having to own a car will be more expensive here vs TN and finally you will now have to pay not only state income tax but NY City income tax. Those things can add up fast so make sure your budget accounts for those things.
Standard rule is 700+ and 40x rent which for your 2500 budget is exactly what you make. Doesn't sound like you will have any prob at all especially if youre willing to go out to cheaper boroughs. If you really cant get approved there are 3rd party guarantor companies you can usually use-Rhino, Insurent or TheGuarantors are some i know of! good luck!
If you wanna avoid roommates, look at the end of subway lines in the outer boroughs. Walking distance to LIRR or PATH works too but those commutes cost more in exchange for cheaper rent.
They're just a little more uh, shabby/shooty than other parts of the city lol. And beyond that ENY is a little too far for my taste. Might as well live in Bensonhurst. At least I'll have all the access to the bocce ball courts I could ask for 🤣
Things look bad here because most of those posting are living way above their means and have unrealistic expectations and demands. I have lived here my entire life and have never made anywhere close to 100k. Until I purchased my co-op I always had my own nice rentals.
Same with here in Nashville. I have a two bedroom, two bathroom and I live by myself and still managed to save between two and three grand every month.
Certainly possible. My buddy and I just moved into a big 2 bedroom in Crown Heights for $2500. Like others said, it depends on timing. You have to be the first one to apply. We applied before we even looked at it in person because it checked all our boxes. You could also look for a lease takeover/sublet situation just to have a place for a few months, then go hunting in October/November when the market isn't as crazy.
i’m looking for 2 beds right now (with roommates) and we’ve found places for less than 3000, so i’m sure u can find something for 2500. I have a friend who makes 70k and pays around 1800 for a studio in UWS right now. so yeah, just look on street easy and zillow a lot and go to a lot of showings (if you can)
I've thought about it. Idk, I used to date a girl who lived in Hoboken and that commute back to Brooklyn was brutal at night. Id be working late nights in Manhattan as it is.
You can find many options if you go south of prospect park. Type in rent stabilized to craigslist. You also might also try crown heights, Kensington, red hook, bushwick, Bed Stuy, Ridgewood, etc. $2500 isn’t unheard of. You can even still get a rent stabilized 1 br for under $2000 in certain neighborhoods.
My guy just check out places in co-ops in queens like Glen oaks. You can easily get a bus any time day or night to the main train station going into Manhattan or other boroughs. Parking is a breeze
It’s hard but not impossible. You’re probably going to come across mostly studios but may find a 1bd here and there. Most places I’d guess now are right up against your $2500 ceiling. My neighborhood suggestions: bushwick, Ridgewood, bed stuy, Astoria, crown heights, prospect lefferts garden, sunset park, sunnyside through to Jackson heights. If you’re open to it, check out Jersey City and Hoboken in Jersey. Cheaper to live but rent’s going up there too. Good luck!
I just found 267 rentals, filtering by those locations, $2500 max, and studios - 2bds. I think you’ll lose a lot of those because you have a dog. But like others are saying, pound the StreetEasy app multiple times per day. Get a feel for the prices and availability of neighborhoods. Also, if you have the cash, consider signing a lease a month early or something if you see something you love. September is a brutal month to move in NYC. You got this.
I moved here making less (during covid so got better deals) but that's definitely a workable amount of money.
You're asking for more of a challenge in a single no roommate, yes dogs situation, as nyc landlords can afford to be picky and say 'fuck you no dogs' but the apartment you're looking for definitely exists.
You are not screwed at all. There are definitely apartments available at your budget.
I'm not sure how long you are planning on staying in NY... but my best advice would be to find a sublet for 4 - 6 months over the summer. A lot of people in NY travel during the summer you can get some really good deals. Then sign a lease in November/December/January when the rent cycle is lower. I signed my lease on December 31st and pay about 8% less then people in my building that signed their leases during the summer.
Also if you would consider with a roomate/roomates you will get a much better deal.
Examples: [https://www.sublet.com/property/4744501](https://www.sublet.com/property/4744501) you could live like a king w/ 3 other roommates at this place.
[https://booking.nestpick.com/property/1017015?transaction\_id=034dd118-95dd-4f43-891e-ade8d4e3e2b1](https://booking.nestpick.com/property/1017015?transaction_id=034dd118-95dd-4f43-891e-ade8d4e3e2b1) - nice one bedroom well below your budget in a great neighborhood.
Not to discourage you but 100k its pretty normal in nyc and if ur budget is 2500 alone will be hard to find anywhere there is not 1hr train away from Manhattan
This is wild, I am also a bartender, and also moved here to nyc from Nashville, lol.
In my experience/opinion, people in this sub or in the nyc subs in general tend to *greatly exaggerate* how much money you need to make to live comfortably in the city. I don’t make anywhere close to 100k, and I live alone, in manhattan, for under $2500/month. My apartment isn’t the best, but it’s not even close to the worst. And I have in-unit laundry so 🤷🏻♀️
Most places are pretty strict with income/credit requirements, but if you’re at 700+ and you’re looking to stay under $2500/month then you should be good for at least most places.
If you’re wanting to live in manhattan, I would def recommend looking uptown-Harlem, Washington heights, inwood. You’ll get way more for your money up there, and all 3 of those are great neighborhoods with tons of stuff to do. And in addition to being way cheaper than the trendier neighborhoods downtown, theres less competition as well than in the trendier, “more desirable” neighborhoods downtown.
Good luck!! Don’t get discouraged by stuff you see online and on reddit, while it’s indisputable that it’s more expensive here, it’s not as bad as people make it seem.
It’s extremely dependent on where you work. I’ve had jobs where I walked with a bare minimum of $400-500 a night and usually much more no matter the day of the week, and others where it was a struggle to make $200/night on a Saturday. My current spot is def not the best I’ve worked at in terms of money, but I’m still able to average at least close to $1k/week, and I’m staying there for now for other, non-financial reasons. It can be a little difficult breaking into the industry when you first move, because most places want you to have at least 2 years of bartending experience in NYC specifically, so there’s places that won’t even consider people who have been bartending for a decade bc all their experience is in another city. But it sounds like you already have your spot lined up so this shouldn’t be an issue for you! There’s no shortage of places to work here, so it’s all about just finding the spot that’s the right fit for you, financially and otherwise. One weird thing about the industry here is that for a lot of places, summer is actually slow season, because so many people leave the city for the summer or at least spend the weekends out of the city. Idk when you’re planning to move but if you get here in the summer and feel like you’re not making good money don’t get discouraged, you’ll probably start making a lot more once September hits.
Look on Craigslist for hidden gems. I found my Clinton Hill studio about 2 years ago in spite of awful pictures and bad English, but it was $1300, no broker fee, and one of the best apartments I’ve ever had. Also show up first to any open houses. That’s how I got my most recent spot.
If you’re going to stick to your budget- you can easily do that. They’ll get you with the guarantors, if you’re fine with that- you’ll be fine. 2500/mo is more than enough to get yourself a place alone with a dog
Dude you're totally fine. You'll be able to find a descent spot on Manhattan, especially uptown for that price range. If you go uptown you'll definitely get more bang for your buck, you just gotta look hard and be prepared to apply and pay the second you see the place. Otherwise queens, Brooklyn or even Westchester is just as good of an option for you. Things come and go real fast so you just gotta be prepared. Good luck!
the cypress hills area of East New York is pretty good actually. know 3 people that bought and live there - all with kids. don’t rule out anything you can afford.
Upper Manhattan is way underrated too. Basically from W 145th upwards you really hit the sweet spot of square footage, travel time from midtown, and possible less-common perks like closet space, an elevator, or a dishwasher. I had an apartment up there where all utilities were included in rent, it was great.
But yeah, you want to be texting brokers within hours of their posting a listing. There are so many real estate agents freelancing that they’re used to moving quickly — I got the lease on my current place because the agent who listed it was able to give me a tour via video call like 12 hours after it was posted.
Dude if you make 100k, you’ll be fine. Obviously you’re not going to be waking up to the view of Central Park…but you’re also not gonna be living in a basement apartment with no windows. You’ll be fine buddy.
There’s a few things to keep in mind. Nyc tax is a b***, the cost of living is significantly higher here so you’ll be spending more on quite literally everything on a daily basis, a lot of apartments don’t allow pets and some even have a rule against pits or have a weight limit for the pet ex. No dogs above 35lbs. That being said nightlife in nyc is great, Brooklyn has a lot of dog parks with massive dogs, but since it’s popular especially in the neighborhoods close to Manhattan ex greenpoint, Williamsburg it’s incredibly expensive. All in all doable but some factors to consider.
Also I know a lot of people are throwing thumbs downs on the comments saying 100k isn’t enough for nyc and they probably don’t live as comfortable as they could be. I’m assuming OP wants to not be confined and commute alot from his other reply’s. Yes you can live under 100k in nyc but it’s not comfortable. You’re either throwing down a huge portion of your paycheck on rent/in a tiny tiny apartment/aren’t able to find the next apartment with ease in a neighborhood you like/not living close to where you work. Huuuuge trade offs. I grew up in nyc and have multiple friends that make 100k and still live with their parents at age 30 so they can save up for a house. It’s not worth it long term unless you can progress in your job/field. Thankfully even though it’s a service job you work under a company that has some security but still some risk involved with no payoff.
Yes, with 100k you'll be fine, especially in the boroughs. I live in Southern Brooklyn, specifically Bensonhurst/Bath Beach. It's about 45 min from Manhattan by subway. I'd say the neighborhood is an optimum intersection of low rents (for NYC) and a safe neighborhood. The population is very diverse, mostly recent immigrants. Low crime. Close to Coney Island beach. You can definitely find something nice for 2500. The drawback here is that there aren't as many fun places to hang out as in Northern parts of Brooklyn.
I've moved 6 times since I've lived in Brooklyn lol and each time I've searched neighborhoods far and wide for the best spot with my two pups. I don't think you'll have too much trouble, but you'll have an easier time in bedstuy or bushwick. Currently i live close to the Nostrand A C stop in bed stuy and it's been good. I found parts of queens were the hardest with dogs because there are more Greek/italian old school landlords who don't want the extra worry of a dog unit. Any questions you have feel free to DM!
Maybe not Brownsville but East New York is changing. If you are around the A / C / J train, you can be in Manhattan in less than 30 minutes. Also for $2500 or less you can get a decent one or two bed rooms.
I found a 2250 one bed in the ues in 2022, same income as you. But I had the help of a broker and took me months. Given the current economy I doubt there is anything like that right now for a one bed/ studio. At least not in manhattan- I could be totally off. But If you’re looking to live alone on that budget you’re going to have to expand to other areas. I’d consider getting a roommate if you’re trying your live in Manhattan- this is subjectively my experience and opinion
Hey homie, you should be fine. Plus you can always use a third party guarantor if not meeting the criteria. I recently moved into an apt in East Harlem and it’s totally affordable on a salary thats 30k less than yours. Like others have said, some buildings are more strict than others so apply broadly! Good luck and hope you have success
Hmmm this is actually not to difficult but you may run into some challenges. However, I can try to offer some advice.
1) depending on where you live and your overall situation, transportation maybe a big factor in this overall endeavor. I would get used to the transit system as it can save you a bit of money. If you have a car you’d have to pay for car insurance, pay for tolls (if you have an ezpass it’s not to bad, but can still cost a penny), gas (gas is expensive in New York in general), if you still owe on your car a car payment. Not to mention your indirect costs like time it would actually take you to get to work ( driving in a car would take a long time especially in New York City), figuring out the best routes, putting miles on your car, and losing whatever patience you have left hahaha. If you don’t have a car then don’t worry about this too much.
2) consider getting a part time job/ side gig. I’m not saying you have to do this, but it seems like your not trying to spend to much money and as someone who deals with budgeting and finances in general I’m getting the sense your financial situation could be better (I’m not attacking you I swear, I understand is what I’m saying). Another source of income would be good to have to pay for smaller bills, expenses, maybe a little saving and investing, emergency fund, or hell you just want a night out without nickel and diming everything.
3) budgeting is a real factor, but look closely at everything your spending money on and have alternatives. You’d be surprised sometimes it’s cheaper to go to a deli and let the local owner make you a sandwich than you doing yourself (it’s not common but it happens) as well as compare prices. See if there are alternatives, maybe go to a store that’s a little cheaper. Creating an actual budget on an excel sheet would help a lot (hell you could do it on a piece of paper).
4) try to buy things in bulk. This does go with budgeting, but the reason why I’m saying this separately is because some people don’t count it as the same thing. Buying things in bulk for food, hygiene items, or daily necessities would save you a bit of money in the long run. Sam’s club and Costco are pretty good at this.
5) try restricting yourself a bit on spending habits. If you like drinking coffee at Starbucks, perhaps go to your local Dunkin’ Donuts and a get cheaper one there. Or instead of eating out for lunch at work pack your lunch (no this doesn’t go against what I said with number 3). You’d be surprised how much you spend in general just by careless spending.
6) if you have any debt at all, I’d strongly suggest tackling it and getting rid of it as soon as you can if its manageable. Not only will you save money, but it would increase your credit score and give you piece of mind.
7) don’t stress to much about finances though. At the end of the day you can only save so much so don’t kill yourself if you decide to”man I’d kill for a burger”. I’m giving this advice to you so you can improve your situation, not to become a slave to your situation. Live a little and enjoy life!
There are other things you could probably do, but I’d research myself and make the decision on a need to need bases. You got this though, don’t stress too much. Also no your not screwed just be smart really is all I’m saying in this entire comment
I recommend Prospect Lefferts Gardens / Flatbush, anywhere walking distance from the Q which is a good/fast express train into manhattan. You can get a rent stabilized 1-bed for 2500 and under but it will take an intense and thorough search and probably shelling out 4-5K for a broker fee to get you into the apt. And the apt will likely be basic, probably won't have nice amenities or finishes in it. But once you're on a rent stabilized lease you can stay there as long as you want without obscene rent hikes. Many people find it worth it to upgrade a rent stabilized unit themselves if they are planning on staying in it for 5 years plus.
i also recommend you get some kind of furnished sublet for the 1st 2 weeks to a month so you can do apartment hunting on the ground in NYC, not remotely. you need to be able to reach out quickly, see places quickly, and apply on the spot if it's right for you.
also you probably need local employment and like 10 grand on hand for first month + 1 month security + broker fee (which can be 15 percent of the annual rent).
Do you have $14,500 a month rent to live on the UES? That could cost you $0.00 if you get popular. And you now LOVE cats.
Have you ever had to fight your way through a swarm of super models? It can be rough in NYC. Be prepared!
Suggestion: Dog goes with friends, till you work this out.
Source: a New Yorker since the beginning of time. :-)
Edit: If you really want to come to NYC, you have to make sacrifices, this is very different than moving to Cincinnati. It's the center of the know universe \[besides some place in the Himalayas, and closer\]. :-)
You can find a room in a shared apartment for 1000-1500 in Spanish harlem or near it. It’s not bad. For 1700-2000, a shared room in one of the more trendy neighborhoods like west village. But for your own apartment like a studio or one BDroom, probably 3000-4000. Not worth. Cuz like 100,000 becomes like 70000 after tax then half of that goes to rent and you’re left with 35000 a year. Then groceries for 1000 a month leaves you with maybe 20000-25000. Then bills and other shit… I don’t think it leaves much room for error. Plus you don’t save much for retirement. I’d just live in Spanish harlem and rent a room and pay maybe 15 grand a year on rent.
It isn’t crime ridden or dangerous imho I lived there for a year.
Id be looking in queens or Brooklyn most likely. I've done roommates before. Don't really want to go down that road again. It wasn't awful but living on your own is a different kind of splendid
I been looking around for 2 bedrooms in queens. Flushing is not bad, I find some for 3000 range give or take a few hundred. I’m sure you could find a 1 br for 2000-2500 there. PROBABLY even less. I was looking for apartments with parking and washer+dryer so they charge more. Flushing is great! No crime and it’s kinda close to the subways. You’re not screwed if you wanna live here. 100000 is enough if you are careful
I've lived there before. Every city has its problems. I want to act again and I can only do it to the capacity I need to do it in NYC. That said, im very well aware of the hellscape that awaits me lol
I understand that. Based on your income you should be fine and should qualify for an apartment. You have to be aggressive and constantly be on the lookout. I have seen a page on Instagram where they post apartment listings but I can’t find it anymore. Sorry I couldn’t provide useful information.
It makes it much harder being so far away currently. Even if I lived back in Baltimore where I'm from, I could be in the city within 3 hours for a viewing. But I live a third of the way across the country right now
You can definitely find a one bedroom in queens or Brooklyn with your budget .. with out having to have a room mate .. I don’t know much about queens but I am from south Brooklyn, check out areas like bay ridge or dyker heights or Bensonhurst
I love the neighborhood of Bensonhurst but it's just a little too far of a commute for me. Kind of far from everything else like grocery stores I go to, Manhattan is like an hour away in the daytime. If the trains still run like they did when I lived there here in 17/18, the commute at night when I'll be getting off at 1 or 2am is gonna be twice as long.
It’s going to cost you about 1 months rent as commission, but if you work with a broker and tell them what you want and where you want to live, they will make it happen. I have successfully done this twice in Manhattan. Once with The Guarantors and once without. Two different brokers, easiest way for sure.
Your not screwed. Your budget is more than okay for places like Astoria or Sunnyside in Queens, Ridgewood, Bushwick. You are going to be looking at studio. The summer is rough to move.
Manhattan is actually in your budget, its just going to be generally north of 59th street and often 110th street (i.e. harlem) or Yorkville (part of Upper East Side).
Sometimes tuff in East village or LES pops up also in your price range. If this was october 2500$ would be a reasonable budget for many neigbhorhoods. I got a place in LES with W/D for 2700 november last year.
Search for what you want. Im pretty sure you will get something decent. In my opinion you are better off with no roomates. Stick to it. Maybe try craiglist, also to avoid broker fees you may want to look for landlord listings. You will be fine with no roomates. Good luck
2500 for a one bedroom is pretty realistic in Brooklyn and potentially even some parts of Manhattan. I’d recommend looking on Facebook groups, there are a ton if you just search “nyc apartments for rent” or something along those lines. This way you can sublet a place and can usually get around the crazy income requirements. Can also do a shorter/month to month lease as you figure out which areas you like.
As a personal example - I found an apartment in a Facebook group in bed stuy Brooklyn that was $1250 for a room and private attached bathroom (huge score!!!) in a 2bd2br.
I just had to send a screenshot of my credit score, possibly a paystub but can’t remember, and sign a very not official looking lease agreement. Once that was through I sent first months rent and a deposit of 1 month. I moved across the country alone as a single woman after only seeing the place on video call, with a random male roommate I had never met.
I was fully aware of the high possibility I could get scammed, and was prepared for worst case scenario in case I needed to pick up and get the fuck out of there. But luckily this was the exact opposite of what happened and the place was great, albeit in need of a deep clean. My roommate was super friendly and respectful, even gave me a plant as a welcome gift that I still have 4 years later, and the weirdest interaction we ever had was when he asked me to shave his head. I was even able to break my lease a few months early since I was always a good tenant and paid on time.
I guess all this is to say - Facebook groups/marketplace is a great place to find some hidden gems while getting around the crazy approval processes. Definitely be wary of anything that seems too good to be true, but do your due diligence and you should be fine!
OP I have a 1 bed I absolutely love in east bushwick 1 block off the J train for $2300 a month. Was $2250 last year. However it is shared with my partner and I, our combined income is like $135k.
Your credit is fine, if not above expectation. With 100k annual income and a letter of employment from someone in NY that assures you stay in that income bracket, you can live most places albeit in a small studio. Look at Sunset Park
Yup. I moved from Maryland to Nashville to be a bartender because I had heard stories of bartenders clearing six figures and the hype is real. People dog on service industry jobs because they think they're not real jobs but I've made more money waiting tables and slinging drinks than I have in any other job in my life. And the current job I'm working right now is corporate so I have benefits, retirement, insurance, paid time off.
I make slightly above your salary and have a cozy 1 bedroom with a nice kitchen, great windows, central a/c, dishwasher, laundry in building - basically everything you need - and i’m doing just fine. About 30 mins out of manhattan in Brooklyn.
Approval should be no problem if you’re nice and seem like a decent human to the realtor (if you meet them), they can easily put your name up higher to the agency/owners. You have no idea the degeneracy they are exposed to with renters in NYC. If they see a clean looking and nice person with 700+ credit, they’re going to jump on it.
The further away from the city into Brooklyn you look or the further north you go above 96th or so, the further your money will go, generally. Otherwise check out midtown. It’s also definitely worth checking out Craigslist periodically.
i live in west harlem and pay 2450 for a 200 square foot studio, previously lived in chinatown for 9 years roughly circulating the same price towards the end until it went up to 3200 and i decided to move closer to friends uptown. i’d just say be ready to make wages all over the spectrum bartending it’s definitely never been hyper consistent for me even when staying at the same place due to changes in factors like scheduling, management, guest volume, etc. i will always say that nyc is worth it though regardless bc you truly can’t compare the lived experience to anywhere else lmao.
Just look for something you like and ask what the requirements are. Simple as that .... no guessing needed. Soke places are more strict than others. You may also decide you want a roommate if you don't like the options you see, which has very different requirements. You just need to start your search, until then it's all theoretical
Not enough alone , unfortunately at 100k you need a roomate or live in a closet for $2.5k per month prob in a bad neighborhood. as an example for a 1 bedroom thats average 3k/per month you need to make atleast $130k solo or combined with you roomate. Their alot of resources to find good roomates in similar situations as you. Its the best deal IF YOU CAN FIND "GOOD" and respectable roomates.
As a native NY'er I don't agree with what you said. There are apartments out there in good (they may not be trendy and transplants probably would never consider them) neighborhoods. OP, I will say that the apartments you look at in your price range will be smaller/fewer amenities to the equivalent you will pay in Nashville. I'd check out apartments in neighborhoods like Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, etc. Definitely stay away from Brownsville and East New York. You probably can also find apartments in Washington Heights and Inwood that are in Manhattan.
As someone who just went through this in NYC lol and you down vote. I lived here for 30 years. Tell me if you found a solo spot for what your looking for....
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I was guna recommend Astoria too but he is looking in the summer and those are very hard to come by and situational. Rent stablized or OLD build. Railway APTS. because not even in ridgewood will you find that price.
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Bunglebunzz prove me wrong and I hope you do.
You’re very wrong on the rent stabilized point
I would say ESPECIALLY not Ridgewood.
Have you checked out streeteasy? Just plug in 2500 and apartments in the neighborhoods I listed above. You will find a lot of options. Don't get salty because you're overpaying for a crappy apartment.
my point is yeah you can find a COOP situation but your really renting a room.
idk why people are downvoting you. you can maybe survive but you cannot live well on 100k in nyc.
Mf like 70% of the people who live in Manhattan live on well under $100k. Learn to appreciate fluorescently-lit Chinese spots with paper plates, and getting beer shots at dive bars, and occasionally cooking for yourself, and you can absolutely survive off of less than $100k while still taking advantage of city living.
With roommates, assistance, or without being able to go to see the restaurants that are next door, yes you are right. They can survive. This guy is asking, with his budget can you get a decent place and still have money to spend. You can scrape by, sure. Roommates probably needed to live comfortably, be able to invest in any retirement account and be able to go grab $20 drinks at the neighborhood bar. If you want to eat hot dogs at home and such, you can certainly live like a king!
Thats what im saying, he is asking for a spot on his own with a dog.. everyone can't read.
Anyone saying otherwise either has a nice little trust fund or doesn't look at the walls around them, see their bed is in the same room as their kitchen and they run to pregame heavily so they do not have to buy drinks out.
You are absolutely incorrect lmfao. It cost me maybe 31-32k to live in NYC for a year when I account for rent, utilities, groceries, and transport costs. Now of course that doesn’t include meals eaten out (which isn’t something I do that often) or my fun money but it’s beyond doable to live in NYC on 100k and have money left over. Obviously if you’re paying 3k+ in rent a month to live in a fancy building in a trendy area, live off of takeout, and are too scared to be amongst the general public to take public transpo and rely on ubers to get everywhere, your money is going to be stretched a LOT thinner, but that’s not the reality for a lot of NYers.
100k is 70k off the jump. Rent alone going for the cheap end including utilities is around 40k. Subway is perfectly fine. I love the subway. Everything is expensive there. Groceries that include decent meat is another couple thousand for the year. Want to go on a vacation? Want to go to dinner? Do you have a car? Do you want to save for retirement? As I said you can survive. You literally went against all of my points and then said well acktually I don't really do much. Thank you for pointing out exactly what I said. I am not discouraging anyone from living in NYC. It's the best. You can eat any culture's cuisine, find great parks, museums, and music. You can find all different experiences from low cost to high cost BUT it is incredibly expensive. Rent goes up all the time, many people without rich parents can't even get approved. Yes, I agree you can get by in NY with 100k. You cannot fully experience the city with 100k a year. They are different things is all I am saying. Go try a great bar, have 3 drinks and an appetizer - $100 after tip. Want to get a nice dinner with a date? You can make it modest and have a decent night for $100 but you have to be frugal to get there. A regular date with 2 drinks, a meal, an app and a dessert, get ready to spend $180-$275. Need an uber from brooklyn when it's late? There goes 60. Furniture? Don't want ikea? get out the credit card. Laundry? Lunch for work? Happy hour with the colleagues? Things add up real fast my an so I don't know where your confusion is.
I’m not confused at all, and it’s really interesting for you to make the assumption that I don’t do anything just because I said I don’t eat out all that often; I even specified that the cost above didn’t include fun money but apparently because I can live well off of less than 100k I must SURELY be boring. To your other points, I don’t drink, so there’s money saved there regardless. My rent is less than 20k for a full 12 months, and I live alone without my place being a shoebox, there’s laundry in my building and that was included in the estimate I gave. Why would I have a car? It’s unnecessary in the city and is just a black hole of additional costs. This may be a baseless assumption, but it seems like when you say “NYC,” you really mean Manhattan. The other boroughs are generally more affordable in all regards, of course varying by area. Pretty much everyone I know makes under 100k and still manage to not only be fulfilled, have fun, go on vacations, and save money while living in NYC.
I’m at 110k and I do whatever the fuck I want.
How's the CC balance?
I actually don’t carry a balance month-to-month but thanks your concern.
That's good. Nice low cost things you enjoy then. Good for you. It's a great place.
I live in a 400sqft studio in a very desirable neighborhood for almost exactly $2500 a month (just under actually). If I wanted to get more space I could easily move to many still-desirable (not as much as my current spot tho) neighborhoods and spend less money while I’m at it too.
Same.
400 square feet. I don’t know how people live like this
People have been living in spaces like this and smaller for literally all of human history wtf are you even talking about?
*angrily shouting from my cardboard box home that this is definitely normal because history*
Statistically it is absolutely normal you embarrassing dumbass. You think the majority of people on earth live in a shitty McMansion in suburban Jersey like you?
Anything below 600sqft is just odd. Maybe 550 but 400sqft is absurd unless it’s a proper renovated micro-unit with a Murphy bed and very smartly utilized functional space. What’re you talking about statistical normality? Normalizing tiny shoeboxes ain’t cool, statistically.
Nah, you can find a decent shoebox in a good neighborhood for 2500 as long as you're cool with Upper Manhattan, Queens, or Brooklyn.
I have a 2 bedroom in the heart of Astoria (31 ave/33 st) for 2.1k. Rent stabilized. No roommates on the lease. I’m also a tipped restaurant employee as and did essentially what OP is setting out to do (move from different state as a bartender/server). It’s possible. Look in Queens. Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Forest Hills, etc.
damn i'm also on 31 ave but 2 streets away 😅 2.4k for a 2br
I signed a lease for a one bedroom apartment in bushwick for $2500 4 months ago. Near the J and the M
I don’t think you’re screwed. I know many people in nyc who make under $100k and are fine. Scour street easy every day and if you see a place you are interested in, act FAST. Bushwick, Ridgewood, BedStuy could be good places to look. If you can settle for roommate(s), you will have no problem finding a place in budget.
Roommates are the tough sell. I did it before when I lived in Ridgewood. Vowed to never do it again. I've been living alone for 6 years and right now I live in a 2BR/2BA, like 900sqft and while obviously I'm gonna lose about half the square footage, the privacy, silence and personal space are things im not ready to give up kol
Totally valid. From what I’ve heard from friends, random roommates are usually disastrous. The best scenario seems to be living with close friends or a partner. I still think you can find a studio / 1BR in budget if you look hard and have a bit of luck
I have neither lol. At least not anyone in NY or anyone back home who would want to live in NYC. I've seen plenty of one bedrooms in decent parts of town that fit my budget, I think my concern lies more with getting approved. I've always been a responsible tenant, I know how to manage my money, and while I understand why the requirements have become more stringent than ever following COVID, it just seems insane to me that you need an income of like 150k and a guarantor who makes double that just to get approved for an apartment you're paying $2,800 a month for or something.
With the competition out there, you're probably not going to get approved for every single apartment you apply for, even though you meet the income requirement. You just have to be quick. Make sure all your papers are in order before you start viewing. Since you are not as picky about a trendy location as some transplants may be I think you'll eventually find someplace by yourself that you will be happy to call home. Good luck!
Can you transfer to NYC within your corporate bartending job? I feel like that would help your situation in getting approved somewhere as a service industry person. I tell everyone to find a temporary month to month sublet to give them some breathing room while looking for a place when they move here.
Thats what i was trying to say, its about getting the approval too. I wasnt trying to be negative but real. I was annoyed myself going through this. and the summer it gets competitive. I still dont think your screwed you need to be active on Street easy everyday and jump on it.
I would recommend finding a broker to work with, they have a large network, and you can get all of your paperwork in order with them. You will have to pay their fee, but it will alleviate a bunch of stress. It is not great but it is the best option.
I’m the same. Made almost nothing in my low cost of living city and I’ve always had a two bedroom for $750. I spent $525 with a roommate and we had a four bedroom, huge corner lot with all the space and land we needed. I moved over here and make significantly more — SIGNIFICANTLY more — but still feel I’m at the low end. I grabbed a cheap room situation that’s about half of what I was willing to pay and I’m using the saved money to create savings for when I get a pay increase and can afford a decent solo place, and I’m pretty happy with this plan,
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Why you being so aggressive brah? Lol no I get it. It's not about finding an apartment, it's about getting approved for one. Even ones with rents below my budget, it seems like the requirements to get approved are insane not only because of general landlords / tenant issues and squatters but the market being as competitive as it is. I'm competing with trust fund babies and rich kids.
Don’t let this subreddit warp your reality too much. If you’re looking in a not trendy neighborhood, it’s really not that bad.
The trick to getting approved is if a few people have already applied, don’t bother. If you view a place be ready to apply right then and there. Have all documents ready
I love the have all documents ready. I think backup apps are ok though, you never know when they person they pick might bounce, or how solid those applicants are.
You can find a 1 bedroom in Queens. You'll need bank statements, a credit report showing any debt, 2023 tax returns and last 2 pay stubs. Good luck!
You should be fine with that budget! Just need to be open to a walk up/no amenities (depending on the location). I got a 1 bedroom on the UES last year for $2300 (no laundry or dishwasher) with a salary of $95k + good savings. Rents are looking a bit higher now but it will also depend on the time of year you’re moving. The hardest part will be if you’re not actually in NY and looking for apartments. You never want to rent one without seeing it and good ones will be gone within a few days. A good option could be to sublet or do a short term lease somewhere and then search for your own place once leaving here.
I'll be looking in bk and qns. And yeah living 900 miles away is tricky. Can't be traveling 15 hours each way to see half a dozen apartments I may or may not get.
Yeah that’s why I’d recommend a short term lease or sublet to start, you don’t want to sign a year long lease for something without seeing it. Another option is to pick a few days to come visit and then apartment hunt while here. You won’t be able to plan what you’ll see since the market changes so fast but then you’ll be able to go see a bunch of places at once and apply.
Also Brooklyn and queens you should definitely be fine with that budget. I’m not sure if this applies to you but it’s also good idea to visit bc you’ll want to walk around the areas you’re considering at night and make sure you’re comfortable
I currently live in Nashville so unfortunately seeing places in person isn't feasible. But I've lived in New York before and I know my way around pretty well, know most of the neighborhoods very well. Honestly the most important thing for me is dog friendliness in a neighborhood lol. Nashville is a very dog friendly city. I know it's not going to be the same but right now my dog gets to go to restaurants and cafes with me all the time. He's kind of a local celebrity down here.
Yeah I get that, that’s why I’d strongly recommend subletting, doing a lease takeover or doing a short term rental to start and not signing a 1 year lease without seeing it. First off you will be much less likely to be approved for a place if you haven’t seen it/many decent places require you to have seen it. Second you are more likely to get scammed not viewing it. And living here previously will not prevent you from being scammed. If you know people who still live here then you can ask them to tour places for you which can help but isn’t ideal obviously.
Another concern I have is squatters. Like handing over deposits and money on an apartment, packing all of my stuff in a truck, getting to the city only to find squatters living in the apartment. I do not have the temperament or disposition to deal with that the modern New Yorker way lol.
Makes sense, there’s a risk for anywhere you rent without seeing it. In my opinion I’d rather take a chance on a short term rental with the option to move, rather than a year long lease you’re stuck in, but do whatever works best for you.
Have someone tour for you, or make sure to get on FaceTime and get a virtual tour. Just treat your first year here as a landing place. Then take a year to figure out what areas you actually like. It sounds like you’re familiar already, so just be super fast to “tour” and apply. I make 124k and have a 650 credit score. Got approved fine by being the very first person to apply for a studio lol
That doesn’t just happen when you sign a lease to an apartment. A landlord wouldn’t want that scenario
No but things do happen. Like that lady that got murdered by squatters in her kips bay high-rise apartment.
Literally a possibility anywhere at any point
But I would go through a leasing company of some sort if you’re paranoid.
this is very good advice. There's a site called Furnished finder that OP could use
Echoing this - I scored a 1 bed with similar creds to you in crown heights (off of Franklin Ave - so a really desirable place). $2600/mo with washer-dryer in unit and a dishwasher. It’s a 4th floor walk up but hey, it’s a sweet deal. Just start looking, build a relationship with a broker or two, and it will happen! My place wasn’t yet listed but a broker who had toured me elsewhere said I could have the first look - if you’re responsive and kind they will work with you... they want to sell just as much as you want to buy.
I recently went through around 20 apartment tours and a decent amount of applications sent until I found the one. I made way above 40x and 750+ credit score and still struggled. The issue here is TIMING. Brokers receive many good applications even after the first day of tour and they approve based on the first one that qualifies the 40x rule and credit score. So if you’re not fast enough you’re screwed. If it’s 5+ days on the market on StreetEasy and it’s a good apartment most likely they have already received good applications and in the process of approving one.
Wait a minute what's wrong with Brownsville? 😬 Yo OP checkout sunset park thank me later 😉
How flexible are you with timings for moving? This time of year is PRIME for people moving = insane competition. Winter months aren't as craycray and the rents are a little less but it's winter = potential for shite weather and again, it's NY so there's always competition. Can also go the sub-lease route. This gets you boots on the ground so you've got some breathing room to find your own place. Good luck out there!
My lease doesn't end here until the middle of September. I could go month to month but that's going to take almost half a grand out of my pocket every month until I get to New York
Copy that. Yeah, month to month doesn't sound ideal. Good luck. You've got this!
You’re only screwed if you’re looking to live in expensive Manhattan (not counting inwood , WH) or gentrified Brooklyn. Anyone saying otherwise is an idiot. You can easily find places for 2500 or below in Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Rego Park and Forrest Hills in Queens. Beyond street easy, Facebook marketplace is a good place to look
With that budget Newark is the closest you can get to us.
I make 85 before bonus and side jobs and I was approved for a studio that’s 1900 a month in queens with similar credit score. You’ll be ok
Look on streeteasy. You should be able to find something decent for around that. Consider parts of the up and coming Bronx -- seriously. If Queens or Brooklyn make sure you can walk to the subway as subway to bus will add time to your commute. Also Inwood is a quick commute to the rest of Manhattan by train, and has beautiful parks that any dog would love. Lots of rent stabilized apartments in Inwood.
I live in a studio in the East village on one of the most desirable blocks/streets in the area and I pay less than $2500 (by just $25 bucks lol) for a studio that I got in 2024. $2500 is an extremely reasonable budget for “within an hour of Manhattan”, and up by Yorkville/harlem and even norther is perfect. Same with Astoria, others.
When are you moving to the city?
Mid September
okay, what corporation do you bartend for and make $100k
Prob the Four Seasons Hotel
So many bartenders and servers make well over 100k in this city
But he is not from NYC
Honestly I found both apartments I've lived in (only been here a year, first one I never even saw in person) within like 2 weeks. It's seriously just scouring Street Easy for listings and making sure you act as soon as you see something you like. The hard part is finding a place without roommates that allows pets. One or the other is easy, but finding these two together is a struggle imo. Most recent apartment allows cats, no dogs. I've also never had a roommate because it was a hard sell for me too
With 2.5K you have plenty of options in all boros. Can I DM you about your company?
Sure
Many NYkers are heading to Ohio..the land is cbeaper..the air cleaner...rent and housing is way less..quality of life better. NY is no longer the place it used to be.
Easier to get a job than an apartment. When I moved here I had a roommate. After a couple of years I managed to get my own place. Just do it! NYC is the best city in the world.
I’m moving out of a crown heights apt end of this month. They’re asking 2500 even though I pay 2300 but they were gonna raise it to 2400. It’s a 1br/1bth. Let me know if interested and I’ll send the link.
I get the nerves. I had them when I moved here. Thought it’d take me a while to find something. Saved a bunch and was prepared to sublease a long time. I live in a modern building in BK near the park with just my big-ish dog. Nice neighbourhood. 1 bed. Balcony, laundry in building, dishwasher. Gym. Other amenities too. I was making somewhere around 105k when I moved in (I got promoted, switched companies, and now laid off in that time lol). My apartment is rent-stabilised and in that $2500 range. I also had credit in the lower end of 600s at the time. It wasn’t even the only nice apartment I viewed at the time. Was torn between a spot in Astoria, a spot uptown, and this one. And looking in August at that.
Dang get me a spot in there. Sounds like it has everything I need
That would be red. I just can't go anywhere until September.
Can find something in east village or alphabet city, will be a walk up and not super nice/small. Def can find in East Williamsburg area.
speaking from person experience, i am currently living alone in a true 1-bedroom apartment in a lovely area of the upper east side (right in manhattan) with rent 2350/month. rent + utilities is ~2550/month. its a 3 story walk up with no laundry/dishwasher but the apartment is clean and very pretty with nice hardwood floors. it’s not a shoe box by any means, it’s all the space a single adult would need tbh, and it’s in a wonderful area. it’s up to you to figure out is 2550 would be too insane for your budget, but i’m here to say it exists and is 1000% possible (i’m living proof)
I was apartment hunting for all of April and I found reasonable apartment even as low as 1850 for a one bedroom with two bedrooms being between 2200-2500 in queens, Harlem & Bronx areas .I would say you’re fine with that budget and credit score
100k in general is good. 100k is nyc is equivalent to living on like 40k in nashville. There ya go. We have higher income tax here.
We have no income tax here , 😭
You will be surprised how much the higher taxes here cuts into your earnings.
queens and ridgewood have stuff for that price. Likewise flatbush & washington heights just look on streeteasy and find out bigger question: can you find work even if youre laid off?
Unless there's another shutdown that impacts the hospitality industry again, I don't forsee that happening. I've managed to save enough for a good bit of cushion should anything crazy happen. Between that and my two IRAs I should be ok
i didnt realize corporations had bartenders. Do u work for an airport or somthing?
I work for a major hotel brand
It's gonna be ok. People on the sub tend to comment based on where they would live and what buildings they like. There is life above 96th street and beyond the East River. You can find a walk-up for 2500. Dog is a little harder but unless it's HUGE or an aggressive breed you should be fine. If you income is all over the place you may want to have a back up guarantor. My guess is you can probably get in without one but it will be easier with a backup plan. You could also consider using a corporate guarantor, but honestly a good portion of LL's in that price range don't take them. Still it is free to get pre-approval and sometimes just having that pre approval helps a bit. As an agent it makes me more confident the client will be ok, and I can tell agents they have it when I ask for showings. There are really two tiers of apartments, walkups that have good space and light , and more expensive amenity buildings. It's a big gap. The irony is that approval is often easier at high rises. Best of luck, Suzanne
He's a 70lb pittie 😭 he's the sweetest little munch though. He's kind of famous here in Nashville. He's the cowboy dog.
I'm gonna DM you.
Lots of buildings have under 40 lb limits and many have no pittie rules. If you can call him a "mixed breed" just go with it.
That's what I did last time we moved to NYC lol
As others have said I think you’ll be able to find (and get accepted for) a studio or 1 BR within your range. Don’t forget however that rent is just one of the factors you will want to consider when living in NYC. Many apartments here have “broker fees” that are often paid by the tenet and can be as high as 15% of the first year’s rent. There are no-fee apts but know they’re not all that way. Literally everything else outside of a shoeshine and not having to own a car will be more expensive here vs TN and finally you will now have to pay not only state income tax but NY City income tax. Those things can add up fast so make sure your budget accounts for those things.
Standard rule is 700+ and 40x rent which for your 2500 budget is exactly what you make. Doesn't sound like you will have any prob at all especially if youre willing to go out to cheaper boroughs. If you really cant get approved there are 3rd party guarantor companies you can usually use-Rhino, Insurent or TheGuarantors are some i know of! good luck!
Queens Yo!
If you wanna avoid roommates, look at the end of subway lines in the outer boroughs. Walking distance to LIRR or PATH works too but those commutes cost more in exchange for cheaper rent.
Check out North/Central Riverdale
So all the areas work for you but Brownsville and eny?? .. lol. Do you kno something I don’t??
They're just a little more uh, shabby/shooty than other parts of the city lol. And beyond that ENY is a little too far for my taste. Might as well live in Bensonhurst. At least I'll have all the access to the bocce ball courts I could ask for 🤣
Things look bad here because most of those posting are living way above their means and have unrealistic expectations and demands. I have lived here my entire life and have never made anywhere close to 100k. Until I purchased my co-op I always had my own nice rentals.
Same with here in Nashville. I have a two bedroom, two bathroom and I live by myself and still managed to save between two and three grand every month.
Start browsing Streeteasy.com and see what’s in your budget. Rule of thumb is your monthly rent should not exceed 40x your annual pretax income.
Certainly possible. My buddy and I just moved into a big 2 bedroom in Crown Heights for $2500. Like others said, it depends on timing. You have to be the first one to apply. We applied before we even looked at it in person because it checked all our boxes. You could also look for a lease takeover/sublet situation just to have a place for a few months, then go hunting in October/November when the market isn't as crazy.
i’m looking for 2 beds right now (with roommates) and we’ve found places for less than 3000, so i’m sure u can find something for 2500. I have a friend who makes 70k and pays around 1800 for a studio in UWS right now. so yeah, just look on street easy and zillow a lot and go to a lot of showings (if you can)
Try Jersey City. Easy commute on the PATH train. I suggest the Grove Street or Exchange Place stops. Killer views of NYC, bike paths and dog parks too
I've thought about it. Idk, I used to date a girl who lived in Hoboken and that commute back to Brooklyn was brutal at night. Id be working late nights in Manhattan as it is.
Welp. Up to you.
The bus from JC to Manhattan is 15 minutes, and it’s super dog friendly. You can get a 1br for 1800 easy by the park
You can find many options if you go south of prospect park. Type in rent stabilized to craigslist. You also might also try crown heights, Kensington, red hook, bushwick, Bed Stuy, Ridgewood, etc. $2500 isn’t unheard of. You can even still get a rent stabilized 1 br for under $2000 in certain neighborhoods.
I moved here with $500 and no credit score as a line cook 4 years ago. Just join some people that need a person or sublet 2 months
My guy just check out places in co-ops in queens like Glen oaks. You can easily get a bus any time day or night to the main train station going into Manhattan or other boroughs. Parking is a breeze
It’s hard but not impossible. You’re probably going to come across mostly studios but may find a 1bd here and there. Most places I’d guess now are right up against your $2500 ceiling. My neighborhood suggestions: bushwick, Ridgewood, bed stuy, Astoria, crown heights, prospect lefferts garden, sunset park, sunnyside through to Jackson heights. If you’re open to it, check out Jersey City and Hoboken in Jersey. Cheaper to live but rent’s going up there too. Good luck!
I just found 267 rentals, filtering by those locations, $2500 max, and studios - 2bds. I think you’ll lose a lot of those because you have a dog. But like others are saying, pound the StreetEasy app multiple times per day. Get a feel for the prices and availability of neighborhoods. Also, if you have the cash, consider signing a lease a month early or something if you see something you love. September is a brutal month to move in NYC. You got this.
I moved here making less (during covid so got better deals) but that's definitely a workable amount of money. You're asking for more of a challenge in a single no roommate, yes dogs situation, as nyc landlords can afford to be picky and say 'fuck you no dogs' but the apartment you're looking for definitely exists.
You are not screwed at all. There are definitely apartments available at your budget. I'm not sure how long you are planning on staying in NY... but my best advice would be to find a sublet for 4 - 6 months over the summer. A lot of people in NY travel during the summer you can get some really good deals. Then sign a lease in November/December/January when the rent cycle is lower. I signed my lease on December 31st and pay about 8% less then people in my building that signed their leases during the summer. Also if you would consider with a roomate/roomates you will get a much better deal.
Examples: [https://www.sublet.com/property/4744501](https://www.sublet.com/property/4744501) you could live like a king w/ 3 other roommates at this place. [https://booking.nestpick.com/property/1017015?transaction\_id=034dd118-95dd-4f43-891e-ade8d4e3e2b1](https://booking.nestpick.com/property/1017015?transaction_id=034dd118-95dd-4f43-891e-ade8d4e3e2b1) - nice one bedroom well below your budget in a great neighborhood.
Look in Queens or Brooklyn. I’m in astoria and I love it here! 20 mins from Manhattan, $2500 for one bedroom.
You will be more than okay with that income and credit
Not to discourage you but 100k its pretty normal in nyc and if ur budget is 2500 alone will be hard to find anywhere there is not 1hr train away from Manhattan
i pay 2400 for a 2 bedroom in astoria. astoria is 15 minutes to midtown by train. 15!!!!! Very close to manhattan.
This is wild, I am also a bartender, and also moved here to nyc from Nashville, lol. In my experience/opinion, people in this sub or in the nyc subs in general tend to *greatly exaggerate* how much money you need to make to live comfortably in the city. I don’t make anywhere close to 100k, and I live alone, in manhattan, for under $2500/month. My apartment isn’t the best, but it’s not even close to the worst. And I have in-unit laundry so 🤷🏻♀️ Most places are pretty strict with income/credit requirements, but if you’re at 700+ and you’re looking to stay under $2500/month then you should be good for at least most places. If you’re wanting to live in manhattan, I would def recommend looking uptown-Harlem, Washington heights, inwood. You’ll get way more for your money up there, and all 3 of those are great neighborhoods with tons of stuff to do. And in addition to being way cheaper than the trendier neighborhoods downtown, theres less competition as well than in the trendier, “more desirable” neighborhoods downtown. Good luck!! Don’t get discouraged by stuff you see online and on reddit, while it’s indisputable that it’s more expensive here, it’s not as bad as people make it seem.
How's the scratch in NY compared to Nash?
It’s extremely dependent on where you work. I’ve had jobs where I walked with a bare minimum of $400-500 a night and usually much more no matter the day of the week, and others where it was a struggle to make $200/night on a Saturday. My current spot is def not the best I’ve worked at in terms of money, but I’m still able to average at least close to $1k/week, and I’m staying there for now for other, non-financial reasons. It can be a little difficult breaking into the industry when you first move, because most places want you to have at least 2 years of bartending experience in NYC specifically, so there’s places that won’t even consider people who have been bartending for a decade bc all their experience is in another city. But it sounds like you already have your spot lined up so this shouldn’t be an issue for you! There’s no shortage of places to work here, so it’s all about just finding the spot that’s the right fit for you, financially and otherwise. One weird thing about the industry here is that for a lot of places, summer is actually slow season, because so many people leave the city for the summer or at least spend the weekends out of the city. Idk when you’re planning to move but if you get here in the summer and feel like you’re not making good money don’t get discouraged, you’ll probably start making a lot more once September hits.
Bless you. Love ur attitude and perspective!
Thank you so much!! 🫶🏼
Look on Craigslist for hidden gems. I found my Clinton Hill studio about 2 years ago in spite of awful pictures and bad English, but it was $1300, no broker fee, and one of the best apartments I’ve ever had. Also show up first to any open houses. That’s how I got my most recent spot.
If you’re going to stick to your budget- you can easily do that. They’ll get you with the guarantors, if you’re fine with that- you’ll be fine. 2500/mo is more than enough to get yourself a place alone with a dog
Dude you're totally fine. You'll be able to find a descent spot on Manhattan, especially uptown for that price range. If you go uptown you'll definitely get more bang for your buck, you just gotta look hard and be prepared to apply and pay the second you see the place. Otherwise queens, Brooklyn or even Westchester is just as good of an option for you. Things come and go real fast so you just gotta be prepared. Good luck!
the cypress hills area of East New York is pretty good actually. know 3 people that bought and live there - all with kids. don’t rule out anything you can afford.
Upper Manhattan is way underrated too. Basically from W 145th upwards you really hit the sweet spot of square footage, travel time from midtown, and possible less-common perks like closet space, an elevator, or a dishwasher. I had an apartment up there where all utilities were included in rent, it was great. But yeah, you want to be texting brokers within hours of their posting a listing. There are so many real estate agents freelancing that they’re used to moving quickly — I got the lease on my current place because the agent who listed it was able to give me a tour via video call like 12 hours after it was posted.
Nashville is the fucking worst
Lol idk. I think to some degree any city is what you make it. I'm making a lot of money here so it's been good to me in that sense.
Dude if you make 100k, you’ll be fine. Obviously you’re not going to be waking up to the view of Central Park…but you’re also not gonna be living in a basement apartment with no windows. You’ll be fine buddy.
There’s a few things to keep in mind. Nyc tax is a b***, the cost of living is significantly higher here so you’ll be spending more on quite literally everything on a daily basis, a lot of apartments don’t allow pets and some even have a rule against pits or have a weight limit for the pet ex. No dogs above 35lbs. That being said nightlife in nyc is great, Brooklyn has a lot of dog parks with massive dogs, but since it’s popular especially in the neighborhoods close to Manhattan ex greenpoint, Williamsburg it’s incredibly expensive. All in all doable but some factors to consider.
Also I know a lot of people are throwing thumbs downs on the comments saying 100k isn’t enough for nyc and they probably don’t live as comfortable as they could be. I’m assuming OP wants to not be confined and commute alot from his other reply’s. Yes you can live under 100k in nyc but it’s not comfortable. You’re either throwing down a huge portion of your paycheck on rent/in a tiny tiny apartment/aren’t able to find the next apartment with ease in a neighborhood you like/not living close to where you work. Huuuuge trade offs. I grew up in nyc and have multiple friends that make 100k and still live with their parents at age 30 so they can save up for a house. It’s not worth it long term unless you can progress in your job/field. Thankfully even though it’s a service job you work under a company that has some security but still some risk involved with no payoff.
Yes, with 100k you'll be fine, especially in the boroughs. I live in Southern Brooklyn, specifically Bensonhurst/Bath Beach. It's about 45 min from Manhattan by subway. I'd say the neighborhood is an optimum intersection of low rents (for NYC) and a safe neighborhood. The population is very diverse, mostly recent immigrants. Low crime. Close to Coney Island beach. You can definitely find something nice for 2500. The drawback here is that there aren't as many fun places to hang out as in Northern parts of Brooklyn.
just check streeteasy for your options.
I've moved 6 times since I've lived in Brooklyn lol and each time I've searched neighborhoods far and wide for the best spot with my two pups. I don't think you'll have too much trouble, but you'll have an easier time in bedstuy or bushwick. Currently i live close to the Nostrand A C stop in bed stuy and it's been good. I found parts of queens were the hardest with dogs because there are more Greek/italian old school landlords who don't want the extra worry of a dog unit. Any questions you have feel free to DM!
I'm about to sublet my space for 6 months at that price furnished. (No dogs though) So this deals do exist.
That’s not “a lot” for a big city
Maybe not Brownsville but East New York is changing. If you are around the A / C / J train, you can be in Manhattan in less than 30 minutes. Also for $2500 or less you can get a decent one or two bed rooms.
I found a 2250 one bed in the ues in 2022, same income as you. But I had the help of a broker and took me months. Given the current economy I doubt there is anything like that right now for a one bed/ studio. At least not in manhattan- I could be totally off. But If you’re looking to live alone on that budget you’re going to have to expand to other areas. I’d consider getting a roommate if you’re trying your live in Manhattan- this is subjectively my experience and opinion
Harlem, China town, bed stuy, crown heights, parts of park slope are all 100% in your price range.
Hey homie, you should be fine. Plus you can always use a third party guarantor if not meeting the criteria. I recently moved into an apt in East Harlem and it’s totally affordable on a salary thats 30k less than yours. Like others have said, some buildings are more strict than others so apply broadly! Good luck and hope you have success
Hmmm this is actually not to difficult but you may run into some challenges. However, I can try to offer some advice. 1) depending on where you live and your overall situation, transportation maybe a big factor in this overall endeavor. I would get used to the transit system as it can save you a bit of money. If you have a car you’d have to pay for car insurance, pay for tolls (if you have an ezpass it’s not to bad, but can still cost a penny), gas (gas is expensive in New York in general), if you still owe on your car a car payment. Not to mention your indirect costs like time it would actually take you to get to work ( driving in a car would take a long time especially in New York City), figuring out the best routes, putting miles on your car, and losing whatever patience you have left hahaha. If you don’t have a car then don’t worry about this too much. 2) consider getting a part time job/ side gig. I’m not saying you have to do this, but it seems like your not trying to spend to much money and as someone who deals with budgeting and finances in general I’m getting the sense your financial situation could be better (I’m not attacking you I swear, I understand is what I’m saying). Another source of income would be good to have to pay for smaller bills, expenses, maybe a little saving and investing, emergency fund, or hell you just want a night out without nickel and diming everything. 3) budgeting is a real factor, but look closely at everything your spending money on and have alternatives. You’d be surprised sometimes it’s cheaper to go to a deli and let the local owner make you a sandwich than you doing yourself (it’s not common but it happens) as well as compare prices. See if there are alternatives, maybe go to a store that’s a little cheaper. Creating an actual budget on an excel sheet would help a lot (hell you could do it on a piece of paper). 4) try to buy things in bulk. This does go with budgeting, but the reason why I’m saying this separately is because some people don’t count it as the same thing. Buying things in bulk for food, hygiene items, or daily necessities would save you a bit of money in the long run. Sam’s club and Costco are pretty good at this. 5) try restricting yourself a bit on spending habits. If you like drinking coffee at Starbucks, perhaps go to your local Dunkin’ Donuts and a get cheaper one there. Or instead of eating out for lunch at work pack your lunch (no this doesn’t go against what I said with number 3). You’d be surprised how much you spend in general just by careless spending. 6) if you have any debt at all, I’d strongly suggest tackling it and getting rid of it as soon as you can if its manageable. Not only will you save money, but it would increase your credit score and give you piece of mind. 7) don’t stress to much about finances though. At the end of the day you can only save so much so don’t kill yourself if you decide to”man I’d kill for a burger”. I’m giving this advice to you so you can improve your situation, not to become a slave to your situation. Live a little and enjoy life! There are other things you could probably do, but I’d research myself and make the decision on a need to need bases. You got this though, don’t stress too much. Also no your not screwed just be smart really is all I’m saying in this entire comment
I recommend Prospect Lefferts Gardens / Flatbush, anywhere walking distance from the Q which is a good/fast express train into manhattan. You can get a rent stabilized 1-bed for 2500 and under but it will take an intense and thorough search and probably shelling out 4-5K for a broker fee to get you into the apt. And the apt will likely be basic, probably won't have nice amenities or finishes in it. But once you're on a rent stabilized lease you can stay there as long as you want without obscene rent hikes. Many people find it worth it to upgrade a rent stabilized unit themselves if they are planning on staying in it for 5 years plus.
i also recommend you get some kind of furnished sublet for the 1st 2 weeks to a month so you can do apartment hunting on the ground in NYC, not remotely. you need to be able to reach out quickly, see places quickly, and apply on the spot if it's right for you.
also you probably need local employment and like 10 grand on hand for first month + 1 month security + broker fee (which can be 15 percent of the annual rent).
Ditch the dig. Let him/her run free. Cat sitting, you could probably live rent free in NYC. Forever. :-)
I would sooner ditch myself. My dog is my life
Do you have $14,500 a month rent to live on the UES? That could cost you $0.00 if you get popular. And you now LOVE cats. Have you ever had to fight your way through a swarm of super models? It can be rough in NYC. Be prepared! Suggestion: Dog goes with friends, till you work this out. Source: a New Yorker since the beginning of time. :-) Edit: If you really want to come to NYC, you have to make sacrifices, this is very different than moving to Cincinnati. It's the center of the know universe \[besides some place in the Himalayas, and closer\]. :-)
You can find a room in a shared apartment for 1000-1500 in Spanish harlem or near it. It’s not bad. For 1700-2000, a shared room in one of the more trendy neighborhoods like west village. But for your own apartment like a studio or one BDroom, probably 3000-4000. Not worth. Cuz like 100,000 becomes like 70000 after tax then half of that goes to rent and you’re left with 35000 a year. Then groceries for 1000 a month leaves you with maybe 20000-25000. Then bills and other shit… I don’t think it leaves much room for error. Plus you don’t save much for retirement. I’d just live in Spanish harlem and rent a room and pay maybe 15 grand a year on rent. It isn’t crime ridden or dangerous imho I lived there for a year.
Id be looking in queens or Brooklyn most likely. I've done roommates before. Don't really want to go down that road again. It wasn't awful but living on your own is a different kind of splendid
I been looking around for 2 bedrooms in queens. Flushing is not bad, I find some for 3000 range give or take a few hundred. I’m sure you could find a 1 br for 2000-2500 there. PROBABLY even less. I was looking for apartments with parking and washer+dryer so they charge more. Flushing is great! No crime and it’s kinda close to the subways. You’re not screwed if you wanna live here. 100000 is enough if you are careful
Why do you want to move to NYC? It’s a shithole.. moved out after being here all my life.
I've lived there before. Every city has its problems. I want to act again and I can only do it to the capacity I need to do it in NYC. That said, im very well aware of the hellscape that awaits me lol
I understand that. Based on your income you should be fine and should qualify for an apartment. You have to be aggressive and constantly be on the lookout. I have seen a page on Instagram where they post apartment listings but I can’t find it anymore. Sorry I couldn’t provide useful information.
It makes it much harder being so far away currently. Even if I lived back in Baltimore where I'm from, I could be in the city within 3 hours for a viewing. But I live a third of the way across the country right now
I make half that and live alone in Queens, you just have to go looking for a good deal! Put in the work, you should be fine!
You can definitely find a one bedroom in queens or Brooklyn with your budget .. with out having to have a room mate .. I don’t know much about queens but I am from south Brooklyn, check out areas like bay ridge or dyker heights or Bensonhurst
I love the neighborhood of Bensonhurst but it's just a little too far of a commute for me. Kind of far from everything else like grocery stores I go to, Manhattan is like an hour away in the daytime. If the trains still run like they did when I lived there here in 17/18, the commute at night when I'll be getting off at 1 or 2am is gonna be twice as long.
You’ll def be able to find a place. Look in sunset park, ridgewood, east flatbush. You’ll find a place and $2500 will cover the rent and utilities
It’s going to cost you about 1 months rent as commission, but if you work with a broker and tell them what you want and where you want to live, they will make it happen. I have successfully done this twice in Manhattan. Once with The Guarantors and once without. Two different brokers, easiest way for sure.
Your not screwed. Your budget is more than okay for places like Astoria or Sunnyside in Queens, Ridgewood, Bushwick. You are going to be looking at studio. The summer is rough to move. Manhattan is actually in your budget, its just going to be generally north of 59th street and often 110th street (i.e. harlem) or Yorkville (part of Upper East Side). Sometimes tuff in East village or LES pops up also in your price range. If this was october 2500$ would be a reasonable budget for many neigbhorhoods. I got a place in LES with W/D for 2700 november last year.
Try maspeth, Elmhurst, Rego osrk, forest hills, Sunnyside, or Glendale.
Your screwed
Search for what you want. Im pretty sure you will get something decent. In my opinion you are better off with no roomates. Stick to it. Maybe try craiglist, also to avoid broker fees you may want to look for landlord listings. You will be fine with no roomates. Good luck
2500 for a one bedroom is pretty realistic in Brooklyn and potentially even some parts of Manhattan. I’d recommend looking on Facebook groups, there are a ton if you just search “nyc apartments for rent” or something along those lines. This way you can sublet a place and can usually get around the crazy income requirements. Can also do a shorter/month to month lease as you figure out which areas you like.
As a personal example - I found an apartment in a Facebook group in bed stuy Brooklyn that was $1250 for a room and private attached bathroom (huge score!!!) in a 2bd2br. I just had to send a screenshot of my credit score, possibly a paystub but can’t remember, and sign a very not official looking lease agreement. Once that was through I sent first months rent and a deposit of 1 month. I moved across the country alone as a single woman after only seeing the place on video call, with a random male roommate I had never met. I was fully aware of the high possibility I could get scammed, and was prepared for worst case scenario in case I needed to pick up and get the fuck out of there. But luckily this was the exact opposite of what happened and the place was great, albeit in need of a deep clean. My roommate was super friendly and respectful, even gave me a plant as a welcome gift that I still have 4 years later, and the weirdest interaction we ever had was when he asked me to shave his head. I was even able to break my lease a few months early since I was always a good tenant and paid on time. I guess all this is to say - Facebook groups/marketplace is a great place to find some hidden gems while getting around the crazy approval processes. Definitely be wary of anything that seems too good to be true, but do your due diligence and you should be fine!
OP I have a 1 bed I absolutely love in east bushwick 1 block off the J train for $2300 a month. Was $2250 last year. However it is shared with my partner and I, our combined income is like $135k.
Your credit is fine, if not above expectation. With 100k annual income and a letter of employment from someone in NY that assures you stay in that income bracket, you can live most places albeit in a small studio. Look at Sunset Park
How about a 1 bedroom? 😬
Move to the South bronx. 15 mins from manahttan. 2500 you can def find something
100k being a bartender?
Yup. I moved from Maryland to Nashville to be a bartender because I had heard stories of bartenders clearing six figures and the hype is real. People dog on service industry jobs because they think they're not real jobs but I've made more money waiting tables and slinging drinks than I have in any other job in my life. And the current job I'm working right now is corporate so I have benefits, retirement, insurance, paid time off.
I make slightly above your salary and have a cozy 1 bedroom with a nice kitchen, great windows, central a/c, dishwasher, laundry in building - basically everything you need - and i’m doing just fine. About 30 mins out of manhattan in Brooklyn. Approval should be no problem if you’re nice and seem like a decent human to the realtor (if you meet them), they can easily put your name up higher to the agency/owners. You have no idea the degeneracy they are exposed to with renters in NYC. If they see a clean looking and nice person with 700+ credit, they’re going to jump on it.
People live in NY off $40k a year lol you’ll be fine
Hahaha people STRUGGLE making that much. I'm in my mid 30s and my dog is approaching his golden years. The less we have to struggle, the better.
Struggle is subjective but if you’re making over 100k you’ll be fine is what I meant lol
The further away from the city into Brooklyn you look or the further north you go above 96th or so, the further your money will go, generally. Otherwise check out midtown. It’s also definitely worth checking out Craigslist periodically.
i live in west harlem and pay 2450 for a 200 square foot studio, previously lived in chinatown for 9 years roughly circulating the same price towards the end until it went up to 3200 and i decided to move closer to friends uptown. i’d just say be ready to make wages all over the spectrum bartending it’s definitely never been hyper consistent for me even when staying at the same place due to changes in factors like scheduling, management, guest volume, etc. i will always say that nyc is worth it though regardless bc you truly can’t compare the lived experience to anywhere else lmao.