Safe and Affordable in Manhattan?

[NooYowkur81]

Honestly it depeds on your tolerance level for certain things. A lot of Harlem and Wash Heights are ghetto environments but they are not what I personally consider unsafe neighborhoods.

Fort Washington and Riverside tend to be quieter streets. So if you find something there, jump on it.

But I just re-read your previous post, with a roomate, you should be able to find something in downtown manhattan.

[jeffcon0]

With a roommate you will be able to split a 1 bedroom in a nice neighborhood of Manhattan for about $1500 each. It is common for roommates to rent a 1 bedroom and then have a temporary wall put up (costs about 800-1000) to essentially turn it into a two bedroom. I have seen this done to various degrees of success -- some you could never tell and others look like the living room was cut off. In any case it is *usually* allowed as long as you clear it with the landlord first. Keep in mind that the rent guidelines I mentioned in post 10 of this thread still apply so be ready for income verification and a guarantor. You will need it (or a substantial amount of money up front for many months security deposit).

[aggieny]

I am on a tighter budget than you ($1100) and there are hundreds of places at this price being posted on craigslist every day, a lot of them in harlem or wash. heights.
For your price range you could definitely find a nice place in uptown manhattan. the area around columbia university is much nicer than many people think and within your budget. also try looking at places just north of 96th street. gentrification has moved past there in recent years

[hazeleyes86]

Try Inwood, most northern neighborhood on the island, there are plenty of apts in that price range, you most likely won't need a roomate. Its safe, plenty of yuppies, artists musicians, mainly white but there are others, students, musicians, plenty of Dominicans of all Ages, Mexicans, handful of Asians and blacks. Theres always people out. Theres a little bit of everyone in the neighborhood. West of Broadway would be ideal, but you can also find nice buildings east of broadway as well. The drawbacks are quality of life issues and longer commute, check it out and see for yourself whether you like it or not.

[OyCrumbler]

Inwood, upper Washington heights, and both more to the west of broadway are great affordable places in Manhattan. However, they are about as affordable and close to midtown as equally affordable parts of Queens (though you can probably get closer in Queens) and Brooklyn.

[delg23]

right now there are some studios around 1700. I saw some in murray hill.

[heavyweight]

Originally Posted by Lance24568

I was wandering if it was possible to find a cheap Apartment(1200-1500) a month in manhattan in a safe neighborhood?

My landlord is renting out true one bedrooms in Yorkville ('round upper 80's & 1st) for 1495/mo. In this economy, rents have softened and you should certainly be able to find something on the far UES. I'll DM you my LL's info if you like.

[UWS Cowboy]

Boy, some of you sure do like to exaggerate the rent prices, acting like the guy will have to live by East Harlem to get a good deal. There are studios around Morningside Heights that go for pretty low, I have a friend who lives in a 900 dollar studio around 113th and amsterdam. My 1 bedroom on the upper west side just went up to 1700, was 1600.

[runtothesun]

Find roommates! I know people who lived on the Upper East Side (around the 90s) for 800/month. 1500 a month will get you your own room or at least a share in a bigger apartment. People on this board seem to think that it's impossible. You won't save up any money and you will be living paycheck to paycheck but it is doable.

[UWS Cowboy]

Yep, look for roommates. No, you won't have to spend over 1000 to live in a nice area with a roommate , I just checked craigslist and I see a (small) room in Hell's Kitchen available for 650. 650!!! There are tons of cheap deals.