Moving is a big step in anyone’s life. And moving to a big city like NYC is an even bigger one. Whether you are moving to New York for education or in search of work, you will need to find a place to live. In today’s economy, when rents are skyrocketing and yet so many people are moving to the city, this might be hard. Not to forget, there are rules and regulations you need to follow, too. However, there are some things you can do to make the whole process at least a little bit easier on yourself. In this article, we give you some tips on how to find an apartment in NYC. Follow these steps, and you will end up with your apartment in no time!
Get your documents in order
The first thing you need to do is figure out your paperwork. Landlords might need you to show them all sorts of things, and if you want to find an apartment in NYC, you need to be prepared. Otherwise, in the time you run back home to get your papers and get back, someone else might have already sniped your dream place. There are a couple of papers that you should get and always have with you when going apartment hunting. It might take a couple of days or weeks to get everything, so prepare for it before going hunting for an apartment.
One of the first things you will need is a credit score. Even though landlords will probably run this themselves, there are ways you can get yours for free. Just attach the PDF version of it to other paperwork to boost your standings with the apartment owners. Then, it’s smart to have a detailed letter of your income sources that goes back three months. This might seem a challenge to self-employed people or if you are moving on a budget, but try to work it out somehow. The similar bank statement will also help you a lot, as well!
Finally, a good thing to have is the previous landlord’s recommendation letter. If you don’t have it, don’t worry – a lot of people won’t care to read it anyway. Still, anything that can prove you’re a good tenant is just an added bonus. Finally, having a copy of some sort of ID will also help, too. It contains your basic information, which the landlords will appreciate.
Search locally to find an apartment in NYC
An important thing to realize when you want to find an apartment in NYC is to limit your search. As you already probably know, New York City is huge. Whether you are looking at it from a geographical point of view, or vertically – it seems to sprawl and sprawl into the distance. So, you can imagine just how many listing there are on a weekly bases! (hint: there are thousands new apartment opened in the whole city).
This is why it’s really important to limit your search. There are five boroughs in New York, so decide where you want to live and go with it. Of course, this will require some thought. Before you start looking for your apartment, think about your priorities. Do you want to be close to your college or workplace? Are there nearby commute options you can use? Do you have professional movers that only work in a certain area? Decide what you value the most – find it in New York – and search for your apartment there. Luckily, there are a lot of websites, which offer various filters for your search. Be sure to use them to save your time!
Think about roommates
Another good thing that you can do when trying to find an apartment in NYC is to do it with a roommate. Just like you, there are hundreds of people looking for a place to call their own. Why not turn this competition into friends – and join forces, looking for an apartment together? Two people can work faster than one, and you might find a friend for life. So, use every opportunity to meet people who are looking for roommates. This can be via ads or when you visit an open house – but always keep this option in mind.
The second thing you can do is just try to find people with apartments who are looking for roommates. Just like when you try to find movers in New York, there are many websites which offer similar services. Either use them or look for roommate ads. You can even ask your friends and colleges if they know someone who needs a roommate. The advantage of this approach is that you are limiting your search to people – not apartments. They will already have figured out the lease and utilities. All you need to do is swoop in and share the rent and the costs with them.
Talk to a moving company or a realtor
Finally, you can always try talking to someone who works in real estate. These people have a lot of contacts, and might be able to help you find an apartment in NYC. Finding a realtor might be an expensive option, but he will be doing the work for you. In the meantime, you can read up on the best packing tips for your stuff, deal with the paperwork and just get ready for the move to begin. You can also use a realtor when you don’t have access to New York before you move. There are many ways in which you can find a place to live in New York. The important thing is not to give up, and to plan everything ahead!