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Post by supersoda on Jul 12, 2023 18:27:30 GMT
Update: Thank you to MichyM and peabay for pushing us to get a broker. I can't even imagine doing it without one. I flew in for a very quick trip to NYC to tour apartments with the kid at their request (it was also their birthday). Roommate and my kid split on the top choice (although both were perfectly fine), but roomate's choice was taken by the time we applied that afternoon. We just got approved for my kid's top choice and I am so pleased with what we found. They're right on the border of Hamilton Heights and Harlem in the 140s, just a few minutes from the 1. The neighborhood seemed great, although I wish we had more time to explore. Thanks again to all the peas who offered great advice! Original post: Can any of the NYC peas give some insight here? It is a whole different ball game from apartment hunting in Texas! My kid got an apprenticeship at Julliard (!!!) and has a roomie (HS friend, so also from Texas) who will be getting her Master's at Columbia. We're thinking somewhere off the 1 line--maybe West Harlem? Or into the Bronx if necessary in order to hit their budget, but they have to be close to the subway. Kid is working in CT for the summer and only gets 1 day off a week, so time is very limited. Roomie is in Oregon and not planning a trip to NY before moving. Is our best bet just to start with a broker? It looks like we'll be paying a broker's fee no matter what, so maybe we need to get someone on board from the outset? Any recommendations for brokers or how to find one? Anything to watch out for? Any thoughts on neighborhoods or ones to avoid? My oldest lived in Midtown for 9 months, but housing wasn't an issue. Kid went to school just outside of the City and both of us have spent a decent amount of time in Manhattan, but are less familiar with the Upper West Side than other areas. Thanks! |
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,748 
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Post by pilcas on Jul 12, 2023 19:23:47 GMT
The Bronx has lovely areas but they are not by a subway station, it also has some very unsavory areas so I would avoid. The Upper West side is nice, the area by City College is not bad. I would advise looking for a real estate that is near the location you sort of want so that they can help you with finding a safe area. You will pay a month to the broker, a months deposit and a months rent upfront. Rents are pretty high.
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Post by MichyM on Jul 12, 2023 19:56:24 GMT
The Bronx is gonna be a haul. And I do mean an haul. It’ll get tired fast. DS lived in Harlem for years after moving to the city 10+ years ago. Even that is a haul from most things, though it’ll be convenient for the roommate attending Columbia.
Yes, they need to use a broker. I’ll ask DS if he has any recommendations. He was a broker for a hot minute back when he was pursuing his acting career.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,975
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 12, 2023 22:01:52 GMT
Do not do this without help. It's almost impossible. My dd lives in Hamilton Heights and used Tosh Marks Realty Group. They own and show their own buildings. She was very happy with them - professional, honest and when her roommate's father, who was her co-signer, died in the middle of the signing process, they were extremely kind and understanding while she found another co-signer.
My daughter loves her neighborhood - she's in the W 140s and Riverside Drive. Working class family neighborhood; close to the subway; safe.
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Post by supersoda on Jul 12, 2023 22:52:02 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions and recommendations, y'all. I've convinced the kid that a broker is the way to go, but they're still trying to convince the roommate that it's just how things are done in NYC.
I'm working against my instincts and letting my kiddo deal with this while acting as a resource and answering questions as needed.
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Post by MichyM on Jul 12, 2023 23:28:55 GMT
Do not do this without help. It's almost impossible. My dd lives in Hamilton Heights and used Tosh Marks Realty Group. They own and show their own buildings. She was very happy with them - professional, honest and when her roommate's father, who was her co-signer, died in the middle of the signing process, they were extremely kind and understanding while she found another co-signer. My daughter loves her neighborhood - she's in the W 140s and Riverside Drive. Working class family neighborhood; close to the subway; safe. DS also lived in HH for about 4 years and liked it. He was also very close to the train, his stop was 145. He moved down to the low 130s for a couple years after that. I’d go with Peabay’s daughter’s broker. DS has been out of the broker business for about 5 years, so her info is much more current than his will be. |
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Post by supersoda on Jul 26, 2023 20:52:23 GMT
Update: Thank you to MichyM and peabay for pushing us to get a broker. I can't even imagine doing it without one. I flew in for a very quick trip to NYC to tour apartments with the kid at their request (it was also their birthday). Roommate and my kid split on the top choice (although both were perfectly fine), but roomate's choice was taken by the time we applied that afternoon. We just got approved for my kid's top choice and I am so pleased with what we found. They're right on the border of Hamilton Heights and Harlem in the 140s, just a few minutes from the 1. The neighborhood seemed great, although I wish we had more time to explore. Thanks again to all the peas who offered great advice! |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,975
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 27, 2023 19:44:48 GMT
Update: Thank you to MichyM and peabay for pushing us to get a broker. I can't even imagine doing it without one. I flew in for a very quick trip to NYC to tour apartments with the kid at their request (it was also their birthday). Roommate and my kid split on the top choice (although both were perfectly fine), but roomate's choice was taken by the time we applied that afternoon. We just got approved for my kid's top choice and I am so pleased with what we found. They're right on the border of Hamilton Heights and Harlem in the 140s, just a few minutes from the 1. The neighborhood seemed great, although I wish we had more time to explore. Thanks again to all the peas who offered great advice! Wow - they are so close to my daughter! She's on 148th and Riverside. The 1 is really close; Riverbank State Park is right there and really beautiful. There's a terrific ramen restaurant on the corner of 148th and Broadway called Jin Ramen and Sugar Hill Creamery is right there. And, most important for my New England girl - there's a Dunkin on the east side of Broadway and 148th. Good luck to them - exciting times ahead! |
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Post by supersoda on Jul 28, 2023 0:44:46 GMT
Update: Thank you to MichyM and peabay for pushing us to get a broker. I can't even imagine doing it without one. I flew in for a very quick trip to NYC to tour apartments with the kid at their request (it was also their birthday). Roommate and my kid split on the top choice (although both were perfectly fine), but roomate's choice was taken by the time we applied that afternoon. We just got approved for my kid's top choice and I am so pleased with what we found. They're right on the border of Hamilton Heights and Harlem in the 140s, just a few minutes from the 1. The neighborhood seemed great, although I wish we had more time to explore. Thanks again to all the peas who offered great advice! Wow - they are so close to my daughter! She's on 148th and Riverside. The 1 is really close; Riverbank State Park is right there and really beautiful. There's a terrific ramen restaurant on the corner of 148th and Broadway called Jin Ramen and Sugar Hill Creamery is right there. And, most important for my New England girl - there's a Dunkin on the east side of Broadway and 148th. Good luck to them - exciting times ahead! That's funny--such a small world! Thanks for the recs. My kiddo loves ramen, so they'll be extra happy to hear about that! |
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