Brooklyn and Manhattan

DH and I are looking to move closer to work. We currently live in Ronkonkoma. Neither of us have ever lived in the city. We are looking at Brooklyn and Manhattan. I work in midtown east and DH works by Penn. We would ideally like to stay under 2000 a month for a 2 bedroom. What areas in Brooklyn and Manhattan should we look at? We have 2 dogs too.

Thanks

ETA: thanks for everyone's responses. I have found a few affordable apartments in Harlem. What areas of Harlem are better? Also would I need a car in Queens I am trying to get rid of my car.

Message edited 4/29/2013 10:17:39 PM.

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

You could look at Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Very dog friendly area.

Brooklyn and Manhattan

$2000 will definitely not get you a 2 bedroom in Manhattan. You might be able to find a very small 1 bedroom or studio in a not so great neighborhood. For midtown I wouldn't look in Brooklyn. Your commute will be at least 45 minutes. I would look in forest hills. About 15 minutes to midtown by subway or Lirr.

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

How about Long Island City or Astoria? 15 minute commute. Almost like a mini Manhatten.

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Pick up an Irish newspaper. (Maybe they even have websites now?).

Haven't lived there for awhile so I'm not sure what the going rents are, but I always did well in Queens and this was on a pre-Master's level social work salary.

My favorite neighborhood was Sunnyside, Queens.

Within walking distance of the #7 train, lots of great bars and restaurants and very dog friendly neighborhood. Great mix of private home rentals and apartment buildings.

Woodside is another area to check out.

I also lived in Flushing, but that was more of a schlep since I needed to take a bus to the 7.

I think the problem with Brooklyn is that a lot of the neighborhoods are becoming super-trendy and the rents are becoming super-high as a result.

Manhattan forget about.

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Two years ago when DH and I thought about Manhattan, we were finding 1 bedrooms in the UWS for about $2100. In midtown east we found about the same for walk-ups. Def no two beds at that price point though.

Two bedrooms, unless you want to be in a two family house, are expensive even in Nassau. We were picky on location, but in our very recent search (looked in Long Beach and RVC) the cheapest two bed in a building that was pet-friendly we found was $2200-$2300. That was a bare bones, elevator building that could do with some updating. Just a point of reference to hopefully help you.

Love the idea of Astoria as another poster suggested. Great neighborhood and very close to the city. My cousin lives there and as another point of reference, he pays $1600 for a tiny one bedroom walk-up.

Good luck with your search!

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

2 bedroom for 2k? Maybe in Harlem. Lic is very expensive as well. Try Astoria. I commute from Astoria to both of my offices. One next to penn and the other by 86th and lex. From ditmars station it takes 40 min tops door to door to penn and 86th and lex 20 min by taking two trains. I'm very familiar with real estate in lic if you have any questions

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Also look into auburn dale and bayside. Walking distance to lirr and there are express buses to midtown/east. Also very familiar with every co-op in bayside,little neck,douglaston and auburndale. Feel free to fm

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Thanks everyone. Posted a few more questions.

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Our building is in midtown east, we have a few studios that have recently rented for $2200+

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

if you live in lic,astoria, forest hills where you can walk to a subway, you will not need a car. other areas, yes.

Re: Brooklyn and Manhattan

Downtown Brooklyn and the surrounding areas are great commuter wise but they've become so popular over the years so it can be pricey. If you're willing to go further into Brooklyn you would definitely have more options. For instance, Bay Ridge. You could definitely find something in your price range and it's still a pretty good commute. Lots of express buses and you also have the R train (not the fastest but..). There's also tons to do around there - shops, dining, nightlife.

I also think LIC is a good option as well, as someone mentioned above.

As far as the car, that would really depend on what area of Brooklyn or Queens you are looking at.

Good luck.