What should I be asking for when searching for apartments in the NYC area?

Question

As a potential NYC resident I understand that I've been accustomed to certain luxuries while living in the south. What are some of the things most NYC area apartments do not offer and I should be paying attention to. In other words, What is the fine print?

Answer 1

I am from the South too and moved to NYC several years ago. First of all apartments here are hard to get if you're picky. They don't do the one month free kind of thing. They generally don't have dishwashers, central A/C, gyms, pools, and extras like that.

A majority of the apartments are available only through real estate brokers and they usually charge one to two months rent for their fee. You can get around this by going to craigslist.com nytimes.com or village voice newspaper and searching for apartments listed as NO FEE or no broker. If you want to live in Manhattan, the space will be very tight. Usually an apartment near public transportation is more expensive, though worth it. The winter is the best time to start a lease as it is the slow season.

You should expect to pay the first month's rent plus one month's deposit, and sometimes last month's also.

And do me a favor, don't pay a "membership fee" to attain access to a list of apartments. I did that when I first moved here, and it was a joke.

Hope this is helpful and happy hunting!

Answer 2

There are still older Manhattan apartments that have the tub in the kitchen and the toilet on the other end of the apartment in a closet. Don't be surprised if you see something like that.

I'm not sure where you're looking but I'm in a large rent stabilized building (30+ apartments) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and my apartment has not undergone any renovation. Unrenovated apartments in buildings like mine tend to be cheaper. I have a very typical apartment, if anything it's a little on the large side for something that hasn't been renovated yet.

KITCHEN: about 12x14 with a tiny alcove by the bathroom. It only came with a crappy old stove, a 30 year old refrigerator and sink which sits on a yucky metal cabinet. I only have 2 wall cabinets for dishes and they are screwed in over the sink area. There was NO kitchen counter, just a space between the sink and the stove where I had to rig something. There were no 'extras' like dishwasher, fan, etc.. The one window looks out into a cement courtyard where I see the backs of other buildings.
BATHROOM: about 4x5 with just enough room for a decent sized claw foot tub/shower, toilet and medicine cabinet. There is NO sink in the bathroom and that is common in older apartments around here. You can look out the window while in the shower but it's frosted glass.
LIVING ROOM: a little more than 12x12. It has two windows that also look out in the cement courtyard. The ONE closet in the entire apartment is in the living room. I had to buy my own air conditioner. Off of the living room are the two bedrooms.
BEDROOM 1: about the same size as the living room with two windows with accordion window gates that face the alley and building next door. Has the fire escape window. No closet.
BEDROOM 2: is a little more than 12x7 and has one window that faces the cement courtyard. No closet.

When I got the place 9 years ago, every floor was covered with that one piece roll up linoleum or ugly glued on linoleum tiles. The walls were all white but covered in 70 years worth of paint so every corner has a somewhat rounded look to it. There are three cast iron radiators for heat but one never worked. The bathroom and smaller bedroom both have a metal pipe that runs floor to ceiling for heat. The landlord controls when the heat is on so I have no control over it. If I try to turn off the radiator because it's too hot, it leaks water all over the floor. The apartment originally came with ONE outlet in each room, no outlet in the bathroom. They have since added more to the kitchen and a special one in the living room for the air conditioner. There is no doorman, no security system, no sprinklers, no buzzer/intercom system, no fire extinguishers.

When I got the apartment in 1997 it was $750/month. Since it is rent stabilized, I have the right to renew my lease (1 or 2 years) for as long as I want. The rent is only raised when each lease expires and it can only be raised a certain percent which is regulated buy a government agency. After 9 years, my rent has only been raised to $900. The market rate for an apartment the size of mine in my neighborhood seems to be about $1600 now but most seem to be renovated and in much better shape than mine. You should read up on rent stabilization laws because you are in a MUCH better situation if you rent an apartment in one of those buildings and you have more rights as a tenant.

Answer 3

This is a nice place to live:
http://www.pcvst.com/home.asp

It's on East 14th Street in Manhattan and close to buses and subways.