Help! Housing dilemma

[liontamer]

I have a rent stabilized apt in NYC. I love my apt, but hate my building and want to move. Unfortunately I don't have much in the way of time/financial resources. My lease will end on June 1st. I have about 2 weeks left to decide to renew it.

The pros of my apt: I love the space, it's pretty cheap, the management office is actually pretty good, and I already live there and I hate moving.

The cons: I hate the people who live on the third floor of my building (they're dirty and I unfortunately have to pass by their place to get to mine), I can't afford to live there without a roommate (I have this fantasy of finding a one bedroom I can afford)

Incidentally, I'm a student, so finding a new apt is a hassle of paperwork because people are afraid I won't pay rent.

I'm having a real hard time making a decision, so please help me make one.

What should I do?

[_testify_]

1. Manhattan or outer boroughs?

[liontamer]

3. it's in manhattan

But since it's uptown and I go to school downtown, living in a nice part of brooklyn would be just as convenient.

[izzybeans]

4. Well that makes sense. Disregard post below.

Except rent issues will follow you to Brooklyn.

[izzybeans]

2. Your likely to find a less desirable apartment. You might just

ride out the third floor issue and you are a student; roomates come from bulletin boards when they are in short supply. Single apartment in the city, in college, I could only wish for that. Either way, if you can cut up the $1000 plus for a one bedroom single then...

Good luck.

[liontamer]

5. I couldn't really pay more than $1000 a month

my current 2 bedroom will go up to 1400 when I renew my lease. I'm also worried about having to go the whole guarantor route for finding a new apt. It's really fear that's holding me back.

[izzybeans]

6. It will be tough. That will be a lot of cash up front. If you can handle

the guarantee then you should be okay. Have you thought about Hoboken or Jersey City (If Brooklyn doesn't work out)? I had classmates that had to make that tough choice, but the path trains made it a non-issue.

[liontamer]

7. I've ruled out hobeken /jersey city

partly because they've gotten expensive, and partly because if I move, I want to be closer to more of my friends and that means downtown manhattan or brooklyn

[izzybeans]

8. Then I'd say you may think about a roommate in Brooklyn

Perhaps the risk of moving is less if you find space with a friend.

[WindRavenX]

9. have you considered Astoria?

My SO lives in Astoria right by the end of the N/W line, and 1 bedroom apartments are usually around 500/mth--and it's a very nice area. Very Greek and Italian. It takes him about 40 minutes to get into Midtown.

[liontamer]

10. I have considered Astoria

but a 1 bedroom for 500? That's incredible. Where did he find his apt?

[WindRavenX]

11. Craigslist and his brother's friend needed a roommate

But rent in Astoria is REALLY cheap. There's a reason that tons of students and immigrants live there. And it really is a nice place--there are some great cheap places to eat (including this AMAZING Mexican place run by, and I'm not kidding, this Chinese couple. Best nachos in NYC.)

I would move there in a second. And I might be moving in with him in the summer.

Good luck Liontamer! :hi:

[liontamer]

13. thanks

I'll look into Astoria,

[liontamer]

12. kick

for some late night input