Several months ago, I outlined the reality of NYC living. A few weeks ago I was struck in the face by reality when I received a notice that my landlord was raising my rent by $250. Yikes! After thinking I would stay in my one bedroom on the Upper East Side for years to come, I came to the realization that I was going to have to either move into a studio or find a roommate to live with. I absolutely love living alone and have been hesitant to live with a roommate after some rough experiences in college, but it seems to be the best option in order to stay financially stable and live in a larger place.
The view I dream of
I’ve also been thinking hard about where to live. Though I love the Upper East Side and it’s one of the most affordable areas of the city, I could definitely find a place in Hoboken, New Jersey that has many more amenities (washer/dryer, dishwasher, parking) for the same price. But do I really want to leave the convenience of the city? Stay tuned to find out where I end up…
Should you be in a similar position as me and are thinking about looking for a roommate or new apartment yourself, below are some of the best ways to find a great place to live.
Facebook Marketplace – Who knew you could search for apartments and potential roommates?!
Craigslist – Make sure you search under both apartments and rooms/shares.
Broker – Though you may encounter a broker fee, find one that’s trustworthy and it can be worth the fee for them to find you the perfect apartment (this is how I found my place on the UES!).
Friends, friends & more friends – Don’t be hesitant to reach out to as many friends as you can to see if they know of anyone else looking for a roommate.
Whether you’re thinking about moving to the city or have been in a similar situation, how did you decide what to do?
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Comments
Good luck! Hope you find a nice roommate.
took me months to find my place in Hoboken and believe it or not, it’s not much cheaper than the city. After months of searching on Facebook, Craig’s List, Postlets and any other website I could Google, I gave in and got a realtor. Since places in Hoboken are gone within 24 hours of listing, it was worth the fee. Finally found the perfect place!
Don’t do it! Don’t go finding a random roommate! I made the same mistake thinking I’ll get a nicer, bigger place if I share. WRONG! Yes – I had a gym, a doorman and a room I could do cartwheels in – but the roommate was awful. I’m now moving into a studio (sans doorman/gym, but decently large) – and although I’m paying more, it’s worth it for my sanity!
Also – there ARE good deals out there. Instead of going through craigs list – try streeteasy. Then contact the landlord yourself and you can eliminate the hassle (and fee) of a broker.
Hope you find it!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Upper East Side is one of Manhattan’s most expensive real estate areas as opposed to affordable?
I wish I lived in Manhattan though!
Love your blog!
Hi Lauren! The Upper East Side is surprisingly one of the most affordable areas in the city for young professionals despite having some of the most expensive real estate (mainly around Central Park). Not sure why, but we can’t complain.
Thanks for reading our blog and hope to hear from you again. Xx
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