Does anyone have any tips for finding an apartment in NYC?

What’s your budget? Do you have a trust fund or a rich relative?

I don’t know, but I do find it ironic that someone who calls themself “homeless” should ask this question.

You can move in my house

Craigslist (http://newyork.craigslist.org/)

When I moved here, because I had no connections, the search was through the Village Voice, but no longer. Word of mouth got me my current apartment, so you should email every last person you know who might have any connection in NYC and let them know you’re looking. Otherwise, yeah, Craigslist is your best bet.

@daloon: Where does she mention “homeless”?

@daloon For the past 2 months, I actually deserve that moniker. I’ve been couchsurfing in Kansas/New York/Baltimore/Europe. Before that, it was just an homage to my favorite book, The Master and Margarita.

@gailcalled Daloon is referring to my moniker, bezdomnaya, which means ‘homeless’ in Russian. Also, no rich relative to speak of, sadly.

@teh_kvlt_liberal Thanks for the offer. Let me know where you live. I’ll be showing up at your doorstep soon.

@aprilsimnel I will be using all of my NYC connections. I have a few friends that live up here.

When you are moving to an unknown area where you have no family or friends, the YMCA, or YWCA are both good choices to stay. Another good way is to ask on group sites like Fluther. You could also try any social groups you might belong to such as a church group or yes, even facebook (athough I have never seen that one).

One thing that has always worked for me is to check into a residential motel such as Marriott’s Residence Inn, and then simply visit the rentals advertised. Never – never sign up for an apartment unseen. Wait until you or someone you know can help you.

Do you have to actually live in the city? Because if not, you may find it easier (and more affordable) to live on the outskirts of the city – say, New Jersey – until you’re established. It might make the transition of moving into a major city a little easier.

At least, that’s what one of my friends did. She found a very affordable place in Jersey that was not too far from Manhattan (I believe). I think she stayed there for about six months before actually moving into city. It gave her time to research and find the best place to live, which in a city as big as New York, can be a daunting task.

But if you have everything all set up financially, and you know the city well, craigslist is a good place to begin the roommate search.

Oh, also check out
http://www.city-data.com/forum/

Each major city has their own forum and you can ask questions related to the city to people who actual live/of have lived there.

Jersey City is awesome! More space for your money, nice neighborhoods, and 20 min from the Village. If you have your heart set on the city itself, I would suggest looking for a sublet or temporary roommate setup somewhere in Lower Manhattan or Williamsburg in Brooklyn to give yourself time to get a feel for which neighborhoods you like. Check out anywhere around Prospect Park, or in Greenpoint or Williamsburg in Brooklyn; avoid Bed-Stuy and much of Bushwick/East Williamsburg – though you can find good places at great deals in those neighborhoods, you couldn’t pay me to live in Bed-Stuy. In Manhattan rent will always be higher, but some awesome neighborhoods where you can occasionally find doable rent are Gramercy, the Union Square area, the East Village, some of the Upper East Side, and plenty of others that don’t come immediately to mind. If you are interested in Queens, Astoria is the place to be. The Bronx I’m not into personally, but Riverdale is nice though far from everything that’s not on the West side.

If you are amenable to something close to but not in the city, another lovely place in New Jersey is E. Orange. It’s also a college town (Seton Hall) so there’s lots of affordable temporary housing.

I think you might find something helpful here.

DO….. NOT….. EVER….. STAY…. IN….. THE….. YMCA…. IN…... MIDTOWN…... MANHATTAN!!!!!!

I did, to my everlasting regret. You know that song, YMCA? They aren’t kidding!

Great, now you’ve put that song in my head
Now I need some proper angry punk to wash it out