This has got to be the worst experience of my entire life. In case you have never experienced first hand what it's like apartment hunting in New York City, please, allow me to explain...
1) You can't start looking until a month before you have to move. If you start looking too early, you won't find anything so it's pointless. So, it's now a month before you have to move, and you're stressed because you don't even know where you're going to be living yet! You have to bring your checkbook to any apartment you see because if you don't grab it, someone else will. You can't check out a few places because if you decide that you want the first place you saw, it'll be gone already. SO STRESSFUL
2) I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but living in NYC is really freaking expensive. You can't find a studio for less than $2,000 a month (studios are typically giant rooms, about 500 sq ft). We're looking for alcove studios or one bedrooms (because there's two of us) and finding something for less than $2400 a month is nearly impossible.
3) No Fee Apartments. Everyone wants them, but they're nearly impossible to come by. Some say they're just a myth and don't actually even exist. Renting a no fee apartment means that you're renting directly from the management company or owner of the apartment and thus, you're avoiding paying a broker's fee. What's a typical broker's fee you ask? Usually between 9-15% of the yearly rent. Now you know why everyone is looking for no fee apartments?
4) Up Front Costs. Typically, when you move in you have to pay the 1st month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit, and possibly a broker's fee (obviously these costs vary but this scenario is typical). So, let's assume that the broker fee is at the high end, 15%, and the security deposit is at the high end, 1.5 month's rent. Let's also assume that the apartment is $2500 a month. So, if you want to rent this apartment, you have to pay $13,250 up front. Like paying $2500 a month isn't enough. If you look at the low end, 9% fee and one month security, you're still looking at $10,200. Freaking insane
So, you can see why searching for an apartment could be the worst experience ever. So bad that I'd consider moving to New Jersey? Hm, well, maybe not THAT bad.
That's why we're proud to announce that we're now accepting donations to the "Help Mathew and Jane Move" fund. Your tax deductible donation will go toward our move and help us land a great apartment in New York City. If you donate, we'll even send personalized pictures of the new apartment once we move in! So, click the button below to make a donation now!
