Community Chat

[CelticCrafter]

My only advice is, if you are dealing with a management company and find something that will become available say May 1 or June 1 - dont expect them to hold it for you until July 1 - they won't.  

[reiki604]

If you are looking in NYC, the boroughs other than Manhattan have many 2-4 family homes that the owner lives in. I have found these apts more affordable than in larger buildings where it is a management company. Unfortunately you will probably have to pay a real estate fee as these rentals are listed with a local real estate agency. Choose the neighborhoods you want to live in and evaluate transportation, shopping, parking (if that's an issue for you). Dealing with a private owner has both it's benefits and pitfalls but usually they will negotiate with you if they feel you will be a good tenant.

I also found that some neighborhoods have private Facebook pages that have some available apartments on them. I found this by going to a page of the neighborhood I grew up in and was surprised to see apartments being advertised.

Sometimes parish or synagogue newsletters have listings in them as well.

[CANDLEQUEEN]

Something I would highly recommend is if if is available, find someone who specializes in renting apartments, townhomes, etc.....My sister and brother in law when they moved from New Jersey to Wisconsin, they found someone like this and it helped tremendously, because they weed out the places  that don't fall into your criteria..

Plus they are like the middle man, they set up the appointments and go with you to look at the properties, etc.......For my sister there was no extra charge in using their service, as they were employed by a Realty Company, that had lots of rental properties!

Good luck and follow your instincts. Also word of mouth is always good too......

[IMW]

Great ideas!

[Eileen in Virginia]

@suziebee1

Parking can be a HUGE issue, even in the suburbs. The OP should definitely check out any complex she's considering to ensure they've got plenty of parking. I live in a community of Broyhill houses in the DC suburbs with several very large garden apartment complexes nearby. These apartments were built in the 70's when alot of the tenants used public transportation and didn't have cars. Fast forward to the present time. Many of these apartments have multiple roommates who each have a car. Only official tenants get parking passes and the others have to get their cars out of the lot by 9 PM, so they were parking in our neigborhood. The situation got so bad (bumper to bumper parking on both sides of the street, blocking driveways, dumping trash, etc.) that we petitioned and were granted residential parking restrictions. Now those apartment tenants who can't park in the lots have to find a non-restricted area to park (some as far as a mile away from their apartment) or face getting a $40 ticket for each violation. Those tickets add up fast! If the OP's looking in an urban area, parking may not be as big an issue. If she is, parking's an important consideration.

[occasionalrain]

It's important how you present yourself to whomever is showing the apartments especially if they are representing a company that owns several complexes/apartments. If you make a good impression you will be shown the better units. Don't come across as a complainer and dress well. 

[Trinity11]

Find a good realtor. The best apartments go quickly. Make sure you move into a soundproof building. If you work in Manhattan, apartments are less expensive in the boroughs. Check out neighborhoods where there is a nice downtown. Brooklyn...Park Slope is beautiful and the restaurants are fantastic. It has a large population of millenials who like a nice social life. If you want a safe neighborhood better to get a roommate and pay going rates than live alone in a less safe, less desirable neighborhood.

~I thought I read @JBKOyou worked in Manhattan...