<p>DD and her two female classmates have found a 3 BR apartment near 200-250 East 90th in Manhattan at $3-3.5K/month. Looks like we have to act as guarantors because we couldn’t find an acceptable way out. All three will be commuting, primarily to Metropolitan Hospital, and also to other hospitals depending on their rotation schedules. It would be possibly very early in the day or late in the evening. She said the subway they would be using is on 86th St. Can anyone with knowledge of this area comment if there are any obvious red flags regarding safety in this neighborhood?
Another question - It’s an unfurnished apartment and they will be getting their own cabinet, sofas, beds, etc. Should they do anything about cleaning/disinfecting the place first for things like bed bugs? Are there any other things that we as parents and they as the student tenants should do which may not be obvious for us who are not that street-smart?</p>
<p>No red flags on the neighborhood. 86th & Lex subway stop is a very well-travelled station. But Metropolitan Hospital is walking distance from their apt. If they want to use public transportation, the M15 would be a better alternative as they would not have to walk over to Lex to get the subway.</p>
<p>The apartment should be delivered clean; it is one of the tenant’s rights. How much effort your DD and friends want to do to sanitize it is up to them, but I don’t think it’s necessary.</p>
<p>The neighborhood is a safe neighborhood in a safe city. The subway stop is extremely crowded but otherwise nothing wrong with it. The chances are that the apartment is fine the way it is, but of course it’s always easier to clean when it’s empty.</p>
<p>For quick, cheap furniture, I suggest IKEA in Brooklyn.</p>
<p>Only complaints I’ve heard from friends who live in that area is how some friends* who live in midtown or moreso…the more trendy neighborhoods in lower-Manhattan don’t come over to visit because “it’s too far”. </p>
<p>Something which struck me as really weird as a born and bred NYer. To me, lower-Manhattan/Midtown and the UES/Spanish Harlem are close to each other. </p>
<p>Now if we’re talking the outer parts of the other 4 boroughs…such as Far Rockaway, Bayside, Canarsie, Pelham Bay Park, or Central/Southern Staten Island…then they may have a point. </p>
<ul>
<li>All transplants from outside NYC/state.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>I love that neighborhood. I imagine the reason the rent is lower (than expected) is probably due to the subway construction on 2nd Ave. 86th is a great midway point, with tons of people out at all times of day and night. The Fairway supermarket is awesome, and convenient to the subway station and “home” for the kids. </p>
<p>My D won’t even entertain the idea of moving to the 80s or higher due to those who feel it’s “too far” to visit. </p>
<p>I agree that its a safe neighborhood. However, its still a big city and like most big cities there is crime. There have been violent crimes in that neighborhood over the years but not a lot. Statistically the issues are small and one probably faces similar issues anywhere. I’d suggest that they take normal precautions and if they do so they should be fine.</p>
<p>My son (27) is at 201 86th, which is at 3rd and 86th. He takes that subway every day, to and from work. It does seem very safe. Yes, you’ll have to sign as a guarantor, but just you for all three girls? Or are they three separate leases, which sounds less risky for you. Sometimes you have to jump through lots of hoops in order to sign as a guarantor. By the way, that seems like a terrific price. </p>
<p>Whenever my son rents, he talks to other tenants first. Just to see if there are any problems with landlords, supervisors, and to see if the tenants are happy, how long they’ve lived there, etc.</p>
<p>My son loves the area, great restaurants, shopping, easy to get to LGA. It’s very convenient. He lived in Brooklyn, and in Jersey City before this apartment. He gave up space for convenience. The move-in is not fun. Only certain days (not weekends) and my son had only two hours to move in, and it was difficult to park the moving van. My son had a cheap moving company which tried to take advantage of his girlfriend on the move in day. The mover actually made references to her Jewish last name, insinuating that she can afford a bigger tip. My son went down to their office and demanded the $100 overcharge back, which they gave him (I’m not sure if he mentioned that he is a lawyer). Be careful if you are using a moving company, check them out well, make sure of their reputation first.</p>
<p>The neighborhood is perfectly safe. It would be hard to find a safer one. However, looks like they are close to the Upper East Side Waste Transfer facility. May be some noise and congestion. I’m told it’s already starting. It still looks like a good deal. </p>
<p>It is possible to get a convertible 3 with 1 bath in a walk up for 3.5K around that area. Most young people want to be from Murray Hill to downtown. They don’t want to be at UES. It is a safe area. I hope the apartment is not on the ground floor. I would scrub down any apartment before I move in. </p>
<p>I agree its safe. However, the OP, who has no experience with the city is asking for help to give advice to her daughter. She should know that its smart for women should be careful when speaking to certain strangers, when they’re out alone late at night and when they’re opening a locked door to their building late at night. Just common sense precautions.</p>
<p>There is no place within two blocks of any major subway stop that is absolutely safe. CHD’s advice is correct. It’s New York, and you have to watch yourself. The good news is that there are usually lots of people around, which has a governing effect on some would-be harassers or assailants, but not all. And New York also has more than its fair share of mentally ill wandering around.</p>
<p>It’s New York. Young people figure it out pretty quickly. </p>
<p>I would also recommend asking the tenants in the building about any difficult/unstable neighbors before moving in, One place I lived had an unstable tenant. She wasn’t dangerous, but she would create issues for other tenants. The landlord tried to get her out, but because she was there for decades and had a rent-controlled apartment, he lost.</p>
<p>I would be infinitely more concerned about leaving Metropolitan Hospital after a late shift than living on 90th between 2nd and 3rd.
I worked and lived on the UES a generation ago and it was fabulous. D and S say it is now the least desirable place among their friends because of it not being where the action is. Who knew?</p>
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