She learns on June 15 whether she gets Columbia housing (she’s starting a graduate program). School starts the end of August. She is planning a 3-week trip in July, has a wedding to go to, has to move all her stuff from a distance, etc.
If she doesn’t get Columbia housing — how would you schedule looking for a place to live? She would want a room in an apartment. She has temporary places to stay in NYC while looking.
If she gets to the city after her travels — say around July 22 — is that enough time to find a place to live by the end of August? She’ll be looking in Washington Heights (she’ll be at the Columbia Medical Center campus). Should she try to get to the city between June 15 and June 27 instead?
I welcome any and all advice from everyone about the best way to find a place to live in NYC.
PS I know the title of this request could be the start of a joke. It could take a lifetime to find a good apartment in NYC.
Things move really fast in NY - my D has never waited more than a week from the start of a search to signing a lease (and move in is almost immediate).
That’s definitely enough time. Apartments tend to go very quickly once they’re on the market, and even arriving on July 22nd could get her an apartment for August 1st, if she wanted to get there early
If you are required to be a co-signer on her lease (due to her age, amount of savings or work status), you may be responsible for providing considerable documentation. When our kid moved there for grad school, we needed tax forms, bank statements with most recent pay checks noted, savings account info, letters confirming our employment, proof of income xx times the rent, etc. We wanted it all in formats that didn’t reveal account numbers and it took some scrambling. She and another student found a place together, so it was different than taking a room in an existing apt. group.
I’d suggest a google search of renting in NYC to help everyone prepare. Requirements may vary by apt., neighborhood and circumstance (sublet, etc). Perhaps her program has a web site for housing that allows for posting available rooms. It may be easier for her to move into a place that someone else has found… It is all doable, but can take some legwork. Best of luck.
Travelnut: Luckily (for us), she is old enough to not need anything from us – she’s been working/renting apartments for four years now. But I’ll let her know that she’ll need all that documentation with her when she searches.
Pretty sure Columbia has a housing board. We’re all really hoping she gets Columbia housing, which would make this much easier to figure out.
Thanks stradmom and jazz – trying to figure out how she could be in NYC in June was causing quite a headache.
D just went through this in January. You actually can’t look very early; most places were available immediately or at the 1st of February. 1-2 weeks seems to be just fine.
Her biggest help was a friend who was already living in NYC who pal’d up with her the first day until she got more comfortable with the subway system and planning trips.
@fireandrain Quite often in NYC the tenant is required to show annual income 40X the monthly rent or a cosigner 80X the monthly rent. If she’s a grad student without a job – it could be tricky despite a good renting and credit history. Sublets are often easier.