For would-be New Yorkers, one of the most pressing issues is finding the perfect apartment. It’s always a good thing if the company you would be working for in NY has a relocation assistance, where they would search the apartment for you, so you already have a house when you get here, or sometimes, they would take care of your hotel expenses while you search for the “perfect” apartment. But this isn’t always the case.
For those who would have to look for a NY apartment on their own, the best thing to do before flying in to LGA or JFK, would be to troll the Internet for apartment classifieds. Craigslist, when used with caution is always a good start. The Village Voice backpage is also an option. Be wary of paid search sites. It doesn’t mean that you must stay away from them, but before putting in your money, do your own search first so you have an idea of what’s out there (what you can get on free listings and what you possibly cannot.)
Brokers, if you can afford one, would of course do the job for you. But that’s an additional expense not everybody can handle.
Subleasing is always a good alternative to a signing a long-term lease, especially if you are new to the area. There are also some short-term sublease (perhaps a week or so while you’re searching for a long-term apartment), which you may consider as an alternative to a hotel. It’s usually easiest to find a sublease when school’s out and most students leave their apartments to go on a vacation. You can get good deals (depending on your preferred location and budget) on these summer subleases. Moving sales and freebies are also most common during the summer months.
Just when you think you’ve found the perfect apartment, think again (but don’t take too long, as that apartment may be out of the market in a heart beat), of the commute you would have to take everyday. Is it close to a bus stop? A subway station? A 15-minute walk to the subway may not be too bad now, but just imagine when it’s too cold outside to walk. Ask for alternative ways or bus routes that are around your new found apartment. You should also consider having a nearby grocery, Chinese take-out and laundromat. If you can afford a second visit to the apartment, go at another time of day (i.e., if you visited in the morning before, make sure to schedule your next visit at dusk or early evening). This gives you an idea how it would be like when you have to walk home at night.
Once you’ve signed the lease, it’s time to arrange for your cable/internet/phone services and consider renter’s insurance.
Posted by immigrationboss 