<p>OK, CC experts:
Daughter will start her first "real" job in September -- at a research lab located on the upper east side of Manhattan. It's a real job with a somewhat fantastical paycheck (as in, kinda low...) Which begs the question: where, oh where would it be realistic for her to search for an apartment/share, etc? Any advice & words of wisdom appreciated.</p>
<p>Maybe Astoria in Queens?</p>
<p>Hoboken area</p>
<p>How much does she think she can spend for rent? I am horrified to say that I think she has to spend at least $1000 a month, and quite likely $1200 or more. </p>
<p>My son has been spending $1200 (1/3 share) for something I hoped he'd move out of before it fell down -- and is moving to a place that will be $1500 each for 3 in a 3BR that's much nicer. He <em>wanted</em> to spend $1900/ea for 3 in a 3BR but we wouldn't guarantee the rent. While the boys thought they could swing it, I felt they should live within their means.</p>
<p>Manhattan rents are obscene. Just MHO of course!</p>
<p>ditto Astoria......great for East side commute........prob 30 minutes.....you may want to check out the subway maps to figure out best area; then, go to Craigslist to get an idea of availability.......</p>
<p>Astoria sounds great, or Long Island City. </p>
<p>FWIW, when I got my first job out of college working at Sotheby's (York and 72nd), I shared a tiny apt with an alum (had my own bedroom) in Yuppie Harlem (Yorkville/Upper Upper East Side) and could afford it on my starting salary of $17K/year.</p>
<p>There are actually some very good deals on the Upper East Side, depending on where she wants to be. Apartments on First and Second Avenue can be less than ideal for some because of the walk to the Lexington Avenue Subway, but if she's working up there it may not matter to her. Also, the Second Avenue subway construction has made apartments in that area more accessible, financially. It will also depend how far north she's willing to go.</p>
<p>Brooklyn has some decent rents.</p>
<p>To me, Jackson Heights would be heaven!</p>
<p>This kind of advice is EXACTLY what I was looking for, thanks! FWIW kiddo is moving from Boston so she knows all abot high rents. Planning to spend ~1200/mo.</p>
<p>^^that's gonna be tough if she wants to live alone within Manhattan; reasonable for a bedroom in a multi-room share though.......or in Queens......(as I mentioned earlier)</p>
<p>My son lives in a 2 BR turned into a 3 BR by converting the LR. It has a big kitchen and dining area entry hall that made this possible. He lives in Washington Hts and is subway stop is literally a minute door to door for him. Whether going the the East Side is an issue, I don't know, but Midtown and downtown is easy. It's a very nice apartment and fairly big, neighorhood is fine and the price is $1800 a month. He shares with 2 others.</p>
<p>^^great buy; Washington Heights is Westside so won't work well for the OP......(good to know though)</p>
<p>My D is in New York too but not sure her location would work for the OP either. My D lives in the Wiiliamsburg section of Brooklyn (she is two subway stops out of Manhattan). She lives in a three bedroom apartment. Four people share the rent (two are a couple who share a bedroom) and so they also have a living/dining room, etc. She pays $725/month plus utilities.</p>
<p>Also check out sublets at Tudor City (multibuilding Tudor style buildings at 42nd and 2nd). Check out photos on the web -- lovely garden, central location, and I know many of the buildings allow owners to sublet so maybe she can find something there.</p>
<p>Astoria, Long Island City and Jackson Heights good suggestions for Queens neighborhoods. Williamsburg and Bushwick, where my d lives -for those who cannot afford Williamsburg and is newly gentrifying are good as well, because you can change for the Lexington Ave subway at Union Square. It is harder to get crosstown from the West Side to the East Side than it is to come in from Queens and Brooklyn. Sounds crazy to say this as a New Yorker, but she may be priced out of places like the East Village and Lower East Side.. granted they are not the same neighborhoods they used to be...</p>
<p>I have been living in Manhattan for the past several years, and I have been able to find studios on the Upper West Side (in the 90's - good area) and Upper east side (in the 70's and 80's) for under $1300. I know it's a little more than $1200, but she would have her own studio in a good area. Of course, it will probably be an older building with its own problems, and the space may be on the smaller side, but it's very doable. I have done all my apartments hunting through Craigslist.</p>
<p>DS is planning to spend the summer in an apartment share in Bushwick with two other kids, one of whom is a friend of DS. He has not even seen the apartment or the neighborhood yet, so I have no direct evidence yet that it is a good choice. I am glad to hear that your D lives there, bookmama22, as it sounds from your post as if she is happy there.</p>
<p>Also, New York Magazine recently named it one of twenty Next</a> Big Neighborhoods. I look forward to visiting DS and taking him and his roommates to dinner at some of the</a> restaurants in the area.</p>
<p>As you research various neighborhoods and apartments, I would suggest using HopStop.com</a> - Transit Directions and Maps for New York City (NYC) to get an idea of the transportation options and commuting time between the apartment and the job.</p>