I was hoping you would chime in @oldmom4896 as a resident 
@Iglooo my D used Bohemia https://bohemiarealtygroup.com/ a couple of times when she was living in NYC. She has not lived there for a few years, but she just reached out to a friend of hers who said that she knows many people that use them.
A sublet to begin with is also a good idea.
1 Like
I would still check out streeteasy. Having a realtor will not necessary help because he/she would split the fee. My kids usually did their own research on streeteasy and then show up with all necessary documentations for quick approval.
1 Like
True. I actually found my apartment on Streeteasy and then contacted the broker, Lana, as recommended above. But for newcomers to the city or to a neighborhood, a broker can be very, very helpful giving the lay of the land.
1 Like
Just one last note on parking: looking only at buildings that offer in-house parking will definitely limit their options â which could be a good thing if theyâre feeling overwhelmed and can find something they like! From your description, it does sound like they might really like Jersey CityâŠmore space, easier parking, easy to get into the city and out to nature.
If they do want to experience living in the city, they may want to just tell the realtor they want parking within a 5 min walk (or however long). NYC is full of private garages and smaller lots so if they like a building without its own parking, there may be a spot close by anyway.
With only two days, Iâd probably focus on only 3 neighborhoods or so and compare a couple options in each area â my recommendations for them would be Jersey City, Battery Park/Financial district, and Williamsburg (because of their friends). Of those Williamsburg is probably the most fun/vibrant, but if they plan on leaving the city often, it would add some travel time because theyâd have to cross the city to go north, instead of being able to quickly jump into Jersey. If Williamsburg, they can see whether the L train or M train drops off closest to their office, and then focus on apartments nearer the right train line.
Iâve never heard of anyone signing a lease more than a month out in NYC, but their trip will be a great way to figure out what they want and build a relationship with a realtor, who can then line up some places that meet their criteria closer to their move date. The city is already swinging back into action and this fall will be a great time to enjoy it!
6 Likes
There are plenty of one- and two-family houses with parking in Bay Ridge, which is why I recommended my neighborhood. Many apartment buildings (some rentals, some coops) with parking, but usually a years-long waiting list.
3 Likes
Iâm guessing you have access by a city bus to the newer ferry to Wall Street? I know someone who commutes using it and loves it. no more subway!
1 Like
@curiocity915 Excellent post! Concrete suggestions, helpful tips. I am sure they will greatly appreciate it.
1 Like
I live at the other end of Bay Ridge from the ferry. Itâs a beautiful walk, about 1.5 miles along the water, but no direct city bus and the ferry takes almost an hour to Wall St. due to stops in between.
For those who want a direct commute, there are city express buses that go to lower Manhattan and midtown with few stops. Actually not that much faster than the R train to lower Manhattan (about 40 minutes with daytime service every 10 minutes) but a pretty luxurious ride!
3 Likes
D used to take the city express bus to lower Manhattan when she lived in Bay Ridge. It also ran on weekends.
hi all. well my kid and his GF are looking in NYC right now.
i have a question - what are brokers fees all about? and coops? thanks
so eye opening looking at places they are sending me. yikes!
1 Like
If they use a broker to find a rental they can be responsible for a brokerâs fee of varying amounts ranging from a percentage of a yearâs rent to a monthâs rent to a fixed sum. The fee can, depending on the broker, be negotiated. When looking at listings look for no fee listings and/or listings in large buildings with in-house rental offices. In my experience, there are no fees associated with those rentals other than for background checks.
If you rent a co-op, you are usually doing a private transaction with the owner of the apartment. Be sure to check whether the owner needs co-op approval to rent the apartment and whether your S and GF will have to submit documents to the co-op board to be approved as renters.
3 Likes
@bgbg4us, much earlier in this thread I posted a couple of email addresses of brokers.
This broker knows it all:
https://www.corcoran.com/real-estate-agents/lissa-m-wolfe/12908/regionId=1
and can explain it all. Although she and her team are based in Brooklyn, they do business in Manhattan and Queens as well. PM me for my real nameâshe is a friend (although I did not use her to get the apartment I moved to in March 2020; I found the apartment on streateasy.com and used the broker who listed it; also excellent but a Bay Ridge (Brooklyn) specialist which is where I work and wanted to move).
3 Likes
A co-op apartment building is owned by a corporation and the âownersâ of apartments actually own shares in the corporation and sign a âproprietary lease,â a contract with the corporation allowing them to live in a designated apartment and setting forth the rules for that apartmentâfor example, 60 per cent of floor must be carpeted; no music before 8 am or after 11 pm.
Most co-ops have very strict rules on subletting. Itâs usually limited to a set amount of timeâ2 years is common. Purchasers have to meet with the board or a designated committee. In some buildings, subletters must too. You can be turned down and you will not be told the reason.
Condos are much less common in NYC, but they are easier to sublet. Most condos are newish construction.
5 Likes
My kid is leaning toward the upper east near Central Park. They are willing to lease two months out. I am guessing they missed out renting to medical professionals. It is in an area with many hospitals. Is there anything they should be aware of?
One more thing. Where should they go to make a day trip to beach?
1 Like
It depends in part on whether they are staying and whether they want to drive or take mass transit. LOTS of options.
Brooklyn includes:
Brighton Beachâfree and accessible by subway. In an area with a high percentage of Russian immigrants. I have gone here with friends because we often just want to go for a couple of hours and so donât want to have to pay. You will have a short walk through a very crowded busy neighborhood and will then be surprised when you suddenly see the beach.
Coney Islandâin addition to the beach itself, there is the amusement park,aquarium, etc.
Bronx:
Orchard Beachâaccessible by subway, but thereâs also parking available for a fee.
Queens:
The Rockaways. May be able to combine the beach with a ferry ride to it.
Close to the City, but not in it:
Long Beachâbeach is beautiful. You can easily walk to it from the Long Island Rail station.From some neighborhoods in NYC, itâs quicker to take the subway to Jamaica (Queens) and switch to the LIRR there.If you do go by train, ask for the combined ticket for the train AND beach. Beach costs and youâll pay more if you ride the train and pay for the beach separately. (Though I havenât ridden this year, so donât know if the combo is available.) This is my own personal favorite. There is a boardwalk and lots of good restaurant. Thereâs an upscale hotel right on the beach, the Allegria, that has good lunches for a slight splurge.
Jones Beachâfurther out. It is often more crowded. The beach is beautiful.
There are LOTS more.
2 Likes
How long does it take to get to Long Beach?
Just saw that Long Beach is weekends only until 6/28. Here is info re costs, etc.
I canât tell you how long it will take to get there without knowing the starting point. However, the train from Penn Station to Long Beach takes a little less or a little more --depending on number of stopsâthan an hour. It will probably take longer if they drive.
1 Like
They can take a ferry to NJ. https://seastreak.com/daytrips-and-getaways/sandy-hook-beach/
2 Likes