Where can I live in (near) NYC with a car and not too costly?

Question

I will work in midtown Manhattan as a trading assistant (hours 7am-7pm). I have a new car and I absolutely love it. Is it possible to live in Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, Queens, Or Brooklyn (or anywhere feasible) and pay around $1500-1800 or so a month to have a studio or 1 BR with a parking spot (or pay some more and get a house)? I would prefer not to have a roommate and definitely need a parking spot. The area has to be safe and near the transit. Please suggest any neighborhoods, cross roads, or apartment names. I have no problem getting up at 5:30am and spending 1h in travel time. THANKS!!!

Answer 1

<>Jersey City/Hoboken is getting very popular, but I imagine the prices are starting to skyrocket. Maybe if you move fast. Union CIty is still pretty dicey, but I would bet that it is starting to clean up now that JC and Hoboken are hot.

Answer 2

I actually think you're totally on the right track. Brooklyn in probaly the most car friendly place to be of all those places. (Outside of downtown BK) If you like Bay Ridge, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kings Highway and maybe Park Slope, you will definitely find a large 1 BR., with a spot, for well under $1800. The midtown commute is 20-45 minutes through the tunnel or 20-60 min. through the BQE.
Hoboken can get Manhattan expensive/overpriced. Especially with a car/covered parking. Jersey city is nice, and you can prob. get a doorman building with a spot for less than $2000/ mo.

Good luck, and give yourself plenty of time. If you can afford it, get yourself an agent, because a good one will be able to negotiate on the monthly rent for you.

Answer 3

Of the places you list, Jersey City is the most likely. But anything near the Path will be very expensive. What you might want to do is get a map of the light rail system, and follow along it's path. The stops will be future hot neighborhoods.

Another place you may want to consider is Staten Island.