The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: ethereality on April 29, 2018, 08:56:34 PM
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Hi everyone!
I just got a dream job in NYC with flex hours/work location, but with a central office in SOHO that I will likely go to a few times a week. The start date is flexible between mid-May to June 1st, so I need a place to live! Problem is, my partner and I are living in India right now on an international grant. We will not be able to leave India until mid-May. We also have a 10 lb dog who will be joining us in NY.
Job pays ~70k, partner will be unemployed for about 4 more months finishing up his education before jumping in the job market (starting salary ~70k). So for this year, we need a place I can afford on 70k alone, currently setting price at a max of $1750 for studio/1 bedroom. Our requirements: walking/biking distance to transit, fully functional kitchen as we cook every meal, and lots of natural light. Size doesn't matter, as we've lived in closets before.
Current strategy is move to New York, rent an AirBnB for 1 week. Partner will visit as many places possible in a day, while I focus on my new job. Hopefully have a place ready to move in by the end of the week.
Is this a do-able timeline/reasonable budget? Is this something we should DIY? Neighborhoods you'd recommend? Any other advice for finding an apartment in a big city when you are relocating?
Thanks in advance!
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I have luckily never had to find an apartment here from scratch so I can't speak to those questions, but I do have some neighborhood ideas for you.
Depending on where exactly your office is, I'd recommend Washington Heights or Inwood. You could take the A or the 1 to your office. Astoria or Woodside/Sunnyside could also be good options. You'd take the N/W or R, then.
You can find a decent deal anywhere if you get lucky, but I think those neighborhoods are the most likely to get you a good deal in proximity to a train that will make your commute easy. The MTA is a mess right now so I would not recommend setting up a commute that would require transferring trains.
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@zygote Thanks for your advice for neighborhood ideas. I didn't have those on my list, so I add those now! Yeah, if I can indeed work 50% from home, it sounds like that will save me tons of stress.
For those apartment searching with dogs, is it strange to bring a dog to the apartment viewing? Do potential landlords want to see the dog that might be living there (for listed pet-friendly places)?
Thanks!