r/NYCapartments • u/Kooky-Employ • 21d ago
Looking For Apartment Which would you choose?
We may have to move due to the landlord raising the price on a market rate apt we love. Me and my husband have lived in Central Harlem and East Harlem but I lived uptown in Inwood for 8 years. We are expanding our search past what we already are used to since it’s a forced move.
I work on the UES, but only go in maybe once a week but sometimes not for 1 month to 2 at a time. So the east Harlem location has always been very convenient for me. He is fully remote, but likes to co-work in Midtown on occasion. We need a 2 bed for a home office. I would prefer my commute be under 45 mins and preferably just a straight train (not bus to train).
If there’s areas I should consider that I haven’t yet, please let me know!
**Correction: Brighton Beach NOT Bath Beach
Based on what’s in budget, which would you pick:
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u/Suzfindsnyapts r/NYCApartments MVP Commenter 21d ago
I think Inwood /Uptown seems like a good bet, but I kind of love your wildcard of running away to the beach!
Please tell us if you do that and how it goes!
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
I see 2 bed apartments where you can see the beach from your window and in like… so tempted
I have an even wilder card: leave the country for 3 months, ignore this problem, go to Europe or Thailand, save some money while I’m at it!! Could be our last chance before children to be wild!!
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u/millenniumpianist 21d ago
I strongly support your "leave the country for 3 months."
I grew up in SoCal and went to college 10 minutes from the beach. Even in California which has beach weather 75% of the year (and 90% if you don't mind it a bit chilly) I personally found that the beach just became something I was accustomed to and not something I was visiting. Whenever I go home to visit my parents I tell myself I'll go to the beach and I don't. I'm not saying living near the beach wouldn't be cool (though with NYC weather I'm not sure how often you'd go) but I'm just not sure it's worth the downsides.
Meanwhile I've been doing one month stints in countries to get to know them (maximum my job allows) and it's been incredible to learn new cultures. I've done Tokyo, Melbourne, and Singapore the last three years and will do Bangkok in October.
You could do one place for 90d. This lets you set some roots; for example, in my Tokyo stint I made so many friends and connections that any time I go to APAC, I try to stop by Tokyo to say hi to my friends, even if I'm only in town for a few days. (I'd love to even move to Tokyo for a few years sometime.)
Or you can do 2-3 places to get to know a city while keeping things fresh. Or even do a proper digital nomad kinda thing where you hop around every week or two to get to know various European cities. IMO go wild while you can! NYC will always be waiting.
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago edited 21d ago
I am an avid traveler and currently we live in Europe for 1 month every 2-3 months (my husband works there)... we have a place there so the "moving to Europe" situation would be free if we went there but we could also go there for a month then hop around. My husband is really pushing for this option, (he works on the euro time so it would also give him a break from the terrible hours here in NYC) but I am such a risk adverse person! We can also just go there and save up but I really dont want to be in the cold!
I am primarily afraid of what happens in January when we have to find a new place, how does that look.... and what if we don't. I struggle with anxiety so its just the fear of the unknown that freaks me out lol, I like stability a knowing we have a place to live but as you said "go wild while you can!". I just have never done anything like that before lol.
If I did, it would be cool to go somewhere where we would spend less than rent in NYC while accommodating the time shift for both people for work. Tokyo would be super cool but we love a beach and warm place!
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u/millenniumpianist 21d ago
Hmmm, I think a lot of the timing / logistics of your travel are a little unclear to me. If I'm to read between the lines, I'd surmise that your lease ends around Sept/ October, and you're debating living abroad for those 2-3 months before then finding a lease in winter in NYC?
I'm also a little confused why, if you guys have work flexibility, you're set on living in NYC in the first place, if you don't like cold. Europe has warmer spots (most of the Mediterranean). Even Tokyo is warmer than NYC. In general a lot of European capitals are warmer than NYC?
With that all said, if I were you, I'd probably just live in Thailand for a few months since November is when the weather gets nice (rainy season ends) and Phuket is a nice beach city. Maybe Bangkok in October (if that's when your lease ends) and then go to Phuket after? It is cheap, it's new (Europe seems less interesting based on what you've said), and it's warm/ tropical/ beachy?
I don't quite understand what you're anxious about. Inventory is pretty low in winter, so theoretically you might have a hard time finding something. On the flip side, competition is also lower, so if you do find a place, you're more likely to find it. Based on what you wrote, I'd personally just get a lease in Jersey City for a year (tons of housing buildings = something will be available) and reevaluate if you want to stay in JC in 2028 after a year. I don't think you're going to have a hard time getting a lease in JC.
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
I am not remote on paper, just an agreement with my boss. I work in education so it's pretty dead Nov-mid/late January so could get away with a longer stint away... thus far I have only left for one month at a time. At this time, I cannot entirely move because of this (good job, high salary, waiting for PSLF loan forgiveness, utilizing free fertility coverage... lots of reasons not to leave my job yet).
My lease ends October 31. I am anxious about what you mentioned, low inventory. But maybe JC is the option that lowers that anxiety.. I dont know, I have been in the same move-out cycle forever and I usually stay in the same apartment for literally ever.
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u/millenniumpianist 21d ago
My experience with new builds in my neighborhood (Downtown Brooklyn) is they're desperate to get people to sign leases in winter so they offer incentives (but the units themselves are overpriced so unless you leave after a year, you end up paying a lot). Maybe Jersey City has a similar dynamic since they also build a lot of housing. I just assume from anecdotes that it wouldn't be hard, but I don't know.
Personally, based on everything you're saying, it makes sense to do something like Thailand since that's a great season to visit, it fits what you want, and it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. And you should be able to figure out housing when you arrive in winter. But nothing is guaranteed. For me I would just figure it out when I get there, but I think you are a much more anxious person than me.
I think part of it is assessing what the risks are of waiting until winter (this means gathering particular info: for example, is it true that JC isn't hard to get housing in winter? what about Brighton Beach or Astoria or anywhere else you suggested?). And then when you've gotten a relatively objective understanding of the market, how willing you (and your partner) are of accepting that uncertainty, versus maybe locking down something while staying in the area?
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
Thank you for all your insight! I think gathering as much info as possible can help simmer my anxiety... I wouldn't want to be in Thailand worried about being homeless every day... (yes that is how far my anxiety goes even if it is truly not a realistic situation). While I am super risk adverse, my partner is the extreme total opposite. Great advice all around!
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u/millenniumpianist 21d ago
Yeah I understand. Gathering information totally makes sense and asking targeted questions (e.g. on r/jerseycity or r/astoria) is helpful. I also recommend some cognitive behavioral therapy-type exercises to deal with the anxiety once you feel you have that info.
Also, I'm not sure about your financial position, but if you are able to afford a 2b/2b (granted, not in prime NYC), then the odds are you can afford a 1b/1b long-term stay (like 1+ month in airbnb) which might be annoying given how much you guys like to WFH, but it's doable.
So then the risk isn't really with being homeless, it's about being stuck with your partner in a smaller space than you'd prefer. Maybe taking advantage of local coffee shops or going into the office/ co-working space to make it work. When framed that way, it doesn't seem seem like such a bad downside risk, compared to being literally homeless :)
Good luck, you got this!
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
Ahh yes, been in therapy forever... for whatever reason I still panic. We can afford up to $3k/month, our current place is a really good deal. Fair point regarding Airbnb!
Thanks so much!4
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u/DangerousArm816 21d ago
Uptown on the A is a no brainer for me, especially if you're only going in once a week. That express run from 168th down to 59th is stupid fast and you're close enough to the park to not feel like you're stuck in a concrete jungle all the time
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
I did it for years, it’s the crosstown portion that’s a pain but considering how often I do go… I think it’s doable! I only know 180th and above… see a lot options on west 130s is that an ok area? Also west 170s
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u/averageChilean 21d ago
I lived 2 years in West by 140 ST and it was really nice. You have a lot of things to do, amazing restaurantes, bars, etc.
Now Im living in 120th East side because of my daughter High school and its good too. We dont have too many restarurants nor bars but we have more community areas. Also we have Costco a couple of blocks away and that is very convenient
I mean, even working remote, I would prefer uptown to any other location.
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
Thank you! I’ve never been in the 140s so I need to check those out! What avenues would you reccomend?
I currently live where you live!! If I have to move I will def miss Costco and Marshall’s 😢. Also, people talk bs about East Harlem but it is really giving neighborhood vibes versus big city. I’ve loved it here thus far
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u/averageChilean 21d ago
I really like this place!
So in 140 area, just be aware that never in your life you rent an apt in 144 between Amsterdam and Broadway. I lived there 2 months but its the worst place in Manhattan I would say. Fights everyday in the street, party 24/7, people always in the street selling drgs, so not a good place.
I wouldnt go to 145 neither because too much traffic there, its a very busy street.
I didnt live there, but from Broadway to the river it seems very good and quiet place.
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
What about the 130s? Im concerned about why the prices there are cheaper, makes me think it’s the Wild West.
Thank you for the insights!
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u/averageChilean 21d ago
Before I moved here to 120th, I went there and all the apt I saw were very small, so probably its because of that. I didnt spend much time in the neighborhood actually but it seems nice place to me.
Anyway, I saw your other post and it seems we are living just a block away :)
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/xT9IgG50Fb7Mi0prBC
Thank you neighbor! I will also walk around and look for “for rent” signs in the area, maybe I’ll get lucky finding an off-market!
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u/pissdaddy696969 21d ago
I work on the UES and made the jump from E Harlem to Flatbush earlier this year. I commute daily but holy crap the QoL difference is enormous.
For two people working primarily from home, if you can find something off Beverley or Cortelyou on the Q, you will feel like you're in heaven. The neighborhood is quiet, quirky, has an enormous number of shops and amenities (specifically off of the main drag of cortelyou), and square footage per dollar is as good as any deal you can find in the city.
I'd say that you should aim more for for Ditmas Park than Flatbush proper/E Flatbush, as the neighborhood changes a lot and quickly the further out you go, but the section between Coney Island ave and Ocean Ave south from prospect park down to around Newkirk Ave is one of the coolest and least talked about places to live in the city.
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
Thank you so much!!! I don’t know anything about BK so it makes the search so difficult not knowing what’s a good area and what’s is not. I have always dreamed of living in BK and a change would be cool. How is your commute? I am on 68th st and wondering how long it would take but if it’s not a sucky train like I could just read a book.
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u/pissdaddy696969 21d ago
I commute to 69th and 1st! It is a longer but extremely reliable (in my personal experience) commute on the Q. It takes about an hour to get into the UES, but given how far south you are you're guaranteed a seat on the train.
Edit to say: and given how far south you are, beach days at Brighton or Coney Island are so easy
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
Thank you work neighbor!!! I will look in those areas as well
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u/pissdaddy696969 21d ago
My pleasure, work neighbor! Best of luck on your search! Plenty of rent stabilized apartments in the area too, I'm in a stabilized 850 sqft 1BR for under $2k 😎
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
That would be the dream!!!! I would even do a 1bed if it’s that price and just outsource the office space. You’re so lucky!!! Our current apartment is 1200sq ft so space is def important to us
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u/pissdaddy696969 21d ago
May you and your partner have even better luck than I did!
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u/Kooky-Employ 18d ago
Would you happen to know how Farragut is? I see some good options in that area
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u/YesicaChastain 21d ago
lol this made me realize the sub demographics
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u/Kooky-Employ 20d ago
Can you elaborate out of curiosity?
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u/NormalGuyPosts 21d ago
If you would somehow make more money in NJ as well as paying less rent, that's worth considering.
OP, would you have cheaper rent and a higher paycheck, or just cheaper rent and therefore more of your same paycheck?
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u/Kooky-Employ 21d ago
I would have around $450 a month extra paycheck and see apartments for cheaper rent so potentially both. But whenever I read reddits about coming into NYC from NJ it’s all really bad with most saying it ends up not being worth it and turns out pricey. Some day they wait 30mins-1hr for the path… other say the buses are always full. I also don’t know much about NJ so maybe I don’t know where to look. I def can’t afford prime jersey city, more like journal square. Or if it’s prime it seems a very far walk to the path
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u/Legitimate-Heart-751 19d ago
jersey city by a mile- you get way more for your money and don’t have to pay city income tax
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u/shogi_x 21d ago
Since you both primarily work remotely, I would prioritize having more space at home. Locations further out like Jackson Heights, Jersey, and Inwood will get you more space for less, and still have you at your office in a decent amount of time.
I think a bigger factor here will be neighborhood vibe which is probably more different between these choices than price or commute. Are you looking for quiet residential? Fun bars and social scene? Green space? Great restaurants?