Apartment Living

Good Morning ladies!

DH and I are separating, and I'm looking to see what I should expect with an apartment.

I'm going to be looking into a 2 bedroom if possible as I have a young child. Can you tell me what i should expect in regards to electric, renter's insurance...anything else i would be responsible for?

I really appreciate your help!

Re: Apartment Living

We rented at colony park apartments and had a one bedroom it cost us 1400. Heat and hot water included. Electric cost us about 100 a month and renters insurance isn't mandatory for a complex but it's super cheap for what you get and peace of mind.

My mom rents a two bedroom at a complex she pays about 1800

Good luck.

Re: Apartment Living

It really depends...some Apts include utilities which is great and some don't.

I would definitely get renters insurance, I think its like $20 a month.

The good thing is whenever you have an issue with something in the Apt the landlord is responsible for fixing it and you don't have to shovel

I hope everything works out for you

Re: Apartment Living

Sorry to hear about your separation. I would suggest checking on craigslist. What you can expect to pay depends on what you're looking for and where. DH and I were renting a 3 br, 1 1/2 bath for $1,800 + all utilities. Utilities plus cable/phone/internet can run you about $300/mo.

Don't forget that most places will want 1st month's rent, 1 month security deposit and most likely 1 month broker fee.

Definitely check craigslist! And good luck!

Re: Apartment Living

We pay about $1700/month for our one bedroom, which I know is on the high side. My friend rents a two bedroom in another complex for around $1900/month. It seems that the further east you live, you can get more for your money in terms of ameneties.

Heat and hot water is included in our rent. Our LIPA bill is about $100/month. We currently do not have renter's insurance, though I do hear it is reasonable and we should probably look into it.

Sorry to hear about your seperation, but I think living in a complex will bring you some peace of mind as a single mom. If something breaks, maintenance is there to fix it at no cost to you. You know exactly what your bills are each month. No worries about shoveling, raking, mowing the lawn, etc. Some complexes are gated, some have security patroling the property, your neighbors are very close by.

Good luck!

Re: Apartment Living

Thank you all for your inputs! I greatly appreciate it.

Re: Apartment Living

Drive around and start calling smaller complexes too. That's how we found our current place. They're a complex but not a Home Properties or Fairfields type and our rent is much lower than what market rate is. And we aren't out east, we're in Brightwaters (next to Bay Shore). Our property management company also has buildings in West Babylon, Lindenhurst and I think one in Huntington. I have a friend in Dix hills in a complex that also has a great deal. If you're interested in those areas FM me and I will give you #'s.

We also have heat, hot water and cooking gas included in our rent, but this is unusual.

LIPA averages about $100 a month.

Cablevision is Cablevision. YMMV but for the firrst year you should be able to get teh $99 triple play.

Renters insurance, we pay about $200 or so a year.

Watch out for illegal rentals if you go the private landlord route, ask to see the CO.

Re: Apartment Living

I live in an apt. in Queens.

Its a 2 bedroom in a 2family house. We pay $1400/month heat and hot water included.

We pay:
**electric($50/month in winter... $150/summer-cause of the AC)

**cooking gas, I wanna say $25/month.

Re: Apartment Living

so sorry to hear about your separation.

definitely check craigslist. ive found 2 great apts in the past that had utilities included. astoria- 2 br for $1600 all included except cable, and east meadow $1400 2 br all included except cable.
expect to do some leg work when going to check things out, but with the economy now, you may be able to negotiate prices with landlords if they feel you are a desirable tenant.
good luck!