D and SIL lived in Bay Ridge Brooklyn for about 4 years and both commuted into Manhattan. It’s a quiet area with subway. D took a bus (worked in SoHo), the bus stop was 1/2 block from the apartment. They were able to get out and walk/run/bike on the path next to the river (it goes for miles).
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Have they considered Battery Park City? Beautiful, quiet, plenty of parking lots (but most people park on the streets and do the street cleaner shuffle). 9 minute walk to Wall Street. Lots of people left during the COVID crisis and many buildings are giving great deals and many have no broker fee.
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Agreed. That’s why I listed it after Staten Island, NJ, and Brooklyn. I think that it may still be a better option than north of Manhattan.
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If they are willing to live outside the city, the NJ locations on the PATH are great options for lower Manhattan. In Brooklyn there are buildings with parking (usually an additional fee) but it is generally more congested, though many things to do - restaurants, BAM, etc. within walking distance in the neighborhoods I mentioned. Bay Ridge is further out and a different atmosphere. I’d agree that any of these locations (including Battery Park City - its lovely there and right on the water) would be better from a commuting perspective than the Bronx.
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I feel funny giving advice about NYC apartments as I have only lived here for 3 years, though my kids have lived here longer (they live in Manhattan). I agree with suggestions about parts of Brooklyn being a good commute by subway to lower Manhattan.
I live on the Jersey City waterfront. I literally live ON the Hudson River (that is my backyard, not a street or land) and view Manhattan. It is a 4 minute PATH ride (just one stop) from my place to the World Trade Center, so it is closer than Brooklyn or many parts of Manhattan would be. Parking (garage in my building, car very close to my apartment itself) costs an extra $225/month, which is less than half of that type of parking in Manhattan. As well, I feel I have more square feet for the money, a full sized kitchen (lots of Manhattan apartments have tiny kitchens), an in-unit washer and dryer (not super common in Manhattan rentals) and I have a patio that is about 10 x 20 feet, not common in Manhattan. Gym in building. Also, no broker fees. Also, rents here have gone down recently.
I suggest starting the search in July.
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Your comments are all very helpful. I will pass them on. I would not have thought of many areas you mentioned. How about Dumbo? On the map it looks close to lower manhattan.
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The whole Brooklyn waterfront is a bit of a transit wasteland. When the subways were built, it was all industrial or shipping piers. There’s a single subway stop at High Street where you can ride the train one stop to Fulton Street in the financial district.
Had a great aunt who owned a house in Greenpoint and she always asked me to rent out her basement apartment. Subway options there even worse. Not sure if there are local ferry services that might give access to the financial district.
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On the map, it shows public transportation. Are they not useful?
There’s a ferry from the edge of Dumbo in Brooklyn Bridge Park or a subway from Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights. Dumbo is not the easiest neighborhood for public transportation.
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My son has lived in Williamsburg, Bushwick and is currently in Greenpoint. He works at 30 Rock. He does have a very convenient ferry from where he is now in Greenpoint to Manhattan. Of the three places I liked the vibe of Williamsburg the most. There were lots of nice shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. He really was able to get the rental just a few weeks ahead of time. He did it all remotely since he was here with us in Boston for the beginning of the pandemic. He did get on a NYC real estate site.
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If they want parking, they should consider UES down to Murray Hill. They can get better value at UES than other trendier places, like Park Slope, DUMBO, Cobble Hill, many places in Brooklyn. I always had a car, but gave it up 2 years ago. I found it to be less hassle to rent - no parking, no maintenance and no insurance.
Most landlord in NYC would only rent 1 month out, so there is no need to look too far ahead.
D2 just recently signed a lease in Brooklyn for a completely renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a huge terrace (rooftop) for $4000 (1 month free rent).
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Where in Brooklyn if you don’t mind sharing? It sounds like the kind of place my kid is looking for. I think manhattan is too busy and crowded for them at the moment probably except the battery park city.
They just bought the car right before moving to NY came up. Giving up the car is not in their card from what I can tell.
What is your kid’s budget (sorry if it’s already mentioned)? That’ll potentially be a big factor of where he/she can afford. Don’t forget depending on where, parking can be as much as $500 (or more) a month.
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One of my kids rented in Brooklyn for many years (different parts), but now owns a place on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.
I think Williamsburg, which is great, might work, depending which part of that area, and likely NOT on the L so much if the kids are working in the financial district. Dumbo isn’t so close to the subway lines. I think downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Prospect Heights might work?
(not really a New Yawker, but starting to sound like one!!)
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Here’s an example of a decent priced (relatively speaking!) apartment in Battery Park City and there is a garage (not sure the fee for parking):
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/395-S-End-Ave-APT-29D-New-York-NY-10280/2071991580_zpid/
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The apartment is in Carroll Garden, but right next to Cobble Hill. A lot of beautiful brownstones. D1 is in Park Slope a block away from Prospect Park. Your kid may like that area. The park is great for outdoor activities.
They could find parking a bit further away if it is only for occasional use. They could even uber it to the garage if it would save them few hundred $. I used to pay $350/mon for a garage few blocks away from me (in Manhattan).
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I was one of the first tenants at that building. When we first moved in, AmEx building and the Palm Court were still holes in the ground. The rent back then for one bedroom was $850.
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If they are on the lower side of Manhattan, I suggest the northern part of Brooklyn! It is a little more affordable that lower side of Manhattan. Park slope and Dumbo are really cool areas in Brooklyn.
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Gateway Plaza? I’ve refinanced that building twice!
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Not sure about their budget, guesssing around 4-5000. Is that enough? They will be working a bit north of financial district closer to Washington sq.
@soozievt especially if you talk like a new yawker:)