Hombres,

I get the impression that many of you are doing the same thing I am, employment-wise - and that means that you move about a bit chasing the almighy dollar.

I'm faced with maybe having to live in NYC for 6 months or so, and I wonder if any of you have advice on a reasonably priced area to live that will be convenient to midtown Manhattan? It's me, and maybe a buddy of mine, so one or two bedrooms, etc.

I've looked at places actually in Manhattan, and lost two or three years off my lifetime just reading the rent numbers.

Help a monger out, eh?

Is your job close to one of the train stations? If so, find a town on one of the lines. Commuting is the only way to go if you want to save your dough.

I agree re: commuting. If it has to be Manhattan, you need to scour the Earth for a sublet.

No, I'm willing to commute. But I'm looking for some advice here re: names of towns to look for, or neighborhoods within a town, or whatever. I know nothing of the area, myself.

DG

I did sublets in Manhattan for 18 months. Expensive but I hate commuting.

Sublets are nice because you get a fully equipped apt. Studios run from 1,200 to 3,000/mth. One br run 1,800 - 5,000 /mth

2bd run 2,200 - 10,000

Good resources are:
http://www.sublet.com
http://newyork.craigslist.org

New York rent is insane. Most of the sublets I found run to the upper end of the price range and some were quite dodgy. I worked those two web sites and found good sublets at the low end of the range. Don't be afraid to haggle but be prepared to move quickly.

Best deal I found was this old German dude that went to Germany every summer for 5 months. Million Dollar view, 25th floor with balcony, fully equipped, large 1 bd for $1250. He lived in a rent controlled unit for 28 years and his rent was $700.

It takes effort but good sublets are there.

Commuting is cheaper.

Try just north of the city. White Plains, Rye, Yonkers, etc. Easy train ride to Grand Central. Nice areas, except in the winter....

Check out Queens and Brooklyn as well. Buddy of mine lives at the end of the line in Queens, but it's only a 20 minute ride to mid-town. He pays $1300 for a two bedroom. Not bad.

Also check out across the river in New Jersey. Despite its reputation, it isn't as heavily industrial as you might think, at least in some areas. There's regular, fairly inexpensive train service into NY from many areas. If you don't mind a slightly longer commute, there's even some semi-rural areas within a train ride from Manhattan. The Morristown area is nice.

If you're bent on living in Manhattan, consider doing without a car. In fact, if you live in Manhattan, you may HAVE to do without a car. Parking space is scarce and insanely expensive. For many, ditching the wheels is not a big deal. The money you'll save on parking, insurance, gas, car payments, etc. will go a long way toward easing the shock of exorbitant accomodation costs. Plus, you won't have to deal with NYC traffic, the subway is cheap and convenient, taxis are everywhere, and you have good access to train and bus transportation.

There are a few New Yorkers on this site. They're not responding though lol.

-DJ