Renting an Apartment in Brooklyn

prolly a studio for that price, not a 1br.

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 5:44 PM

I think it will be hard to find a 1BR for that price. Maybe even hard to find a studio. I have 2 friends who have been searching *everywhere* for a studio or 1BR, including in those areas, for months and they haven't come up with much. That said, I think Greenpoint is def your best bed. The somewhat crummy transportation situation there (at odds w/ your priorities, unfortunately) keeps rental prices lower. I have friends in the northern end of GP who just walk over the bridge to Queens and get the 7, which could be convenient for you. Good luck!

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 5:47 PM

Walking over the Pulaski bridge late at night is done by many young white women, but that doesn't really make it safe. It's a great place for someone to getcha. The traffic on it gets thin when it gets cold outside. There's nowhere to go, except to turn around or run into a busy street. There's lots of good places for perps to hide, and there are lots of girls teetering around in high heels and ipods... easy pickin'.

If I was concerned about actual safety and actual train convenience, I would look around the Utica stop on the A train in Stuy Heights. People in Bed Stuy talk to eachother, so you're more likely to get to know your neighbors. It's a fast ride in and out of Manhattan. Those blocks around Fulton Park are really beautiful, the feel of the street is really classy around there. And there are always cops hanging out by the train. I have never gotten out of the train there and not seen a cop. You can probably get a really nice little garden apartment for that amount of money in Stuy Heights.

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 6:05 PM

Caitlin -- I know this isn't your ideal situation, but at that rent you can get a much better place with a roommate. Since it sounds like you are new or unfamiliar with the city, this might allow you to get to know the areas better, and really let you focus in on what you want. Not to mention splitting utilities, and all that good stuff. Plus, having a roommate puts you in a 2BR in not such an outlier community, where your safety won't be as much of a concern. (But always look out for yourself, no matter where you go in NYC.)

Good luck!

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 6:24 PM

Move to Bay Ridge. You can find a very nice 1 bedroom at that price range. It is a very safe area. It is also convenient to shopping, restaurants and transportation. The N express or D express stops at 42nd and 6th Ave.

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 7:40 PM

Try Astoria Queens. Safe, greek/italian immigrant neighborhoods, quick to manhattan (N/W train), and affordable. I'm in cobble hill now but started in Astoria when cost was more of an issue.

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 11:22 PM

These posts are so annoying.

Posted by: guest at December 11, 2007 11:29 PM

She'll never find something for that price in Astoria...

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 7:15 AM

more troll activity

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 8:20 AM

Actually, you could definitely find something for that price in Astoria. I'm exactly in that range (1 BR) and live between the N,W,R,V and G trains. Transportation is *excellent* in certain areas of Astoria, and it's pretty safe-- a lot of Astorians grew up/still live here, so there's a definite sense of community and safety. What you won't get, though, is even 1% of the charm you'll get in Brooklyn-- but Astoria is a great option if your budget is limited.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 9:08 AM

KENSINGTON, Brooklyn still a safe affordable brooklyn nabe...I live on Ocean Parkway in a cute 1 BR, 10' ceilings only pay $1000..Between Q/F trains..near B23/B68 bus lines..

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 9:18 AM

Kensington may be safe and affordable, but you are stuck with the F and Q, which late night are unpredictable, especially the F. Not to mention F is local the whole way. And it seems that the Q is interrupted every month or so late night, forcing a switch at Atlantic or taking a shuttle bus.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 11:19 AM

Just want to rec the G /L train option. Both the L to the 4,5,6 and the G to Court Street (E,V.7) are great option for those working in Midtown.

Also, a friend just got a 1 bed place on S1st in Williamsburg for $1,500.

Good luck with the search!

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 11:28 AM

I'd rather be stuck with the F/Q and live in a decent area with an affordable apartment..Why must everything be criticized if someone is happy bring them down I don't travel by trains late at night so what.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 11:43 AM

I managed to find a huge L-shaped studio floorthrough (really could be a one bedroom) with private garden in prime Fort Greene using Craigslist this past fall. $1425 with heat and water included. Laundry in the basement.

It's possible to find great stuff out there, however I had the luxury of searching for two months before I happened upon it.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 3:38 PM

I'd definitely encourage bed-stuy. As an earlier poster mentioned, you can get downtown on the A train very quickly. It's also the neighborhood where you can get the biggest bang for your buck. There's a cool, young professional vibe starting to surge through the nabe as well. check it out

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 4:11 PM

Try Montana!

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 5:09 PM

what an annoying post!

When I moved here, I didn't ask where was safe and where I could move. I did my research (and waited for the Village Voice to print the latest rental listing) and was ready to pounce when I found that studio for $675/month in Manhattan.

I did, however see some scary people.....ooooohh.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 5:09 PM

Bay Ridge's attitude is changing all the time - in my opinion for the better. I think you will be fine in BR, and you can definitely find something in your price range, if you're OK with extending your commute a bit.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 6:07 PM

I have an apt i'll be renting round mid jan-feb in bedstuy/clinton hill off franklin ave, near the c train and not far to the g, this does not include utilities, it is a 2 bedroom/ 1bath

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 7:47 PM

forgot to tell you also i'll be charging 1500
a month

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 7:49 PM

for 1500/month

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 7:49 PM

I used to live in Greenpoint, at a cheaper time (not so long ago, but it sure changed fast). I left because it's one of the most polluted neighborhoods of New York. The oil plume, the waste processing - I started to worry about having two-headed kids living there.

I second (third?) the recommendation of Ditmas/Kensington, specifically Ditmas Park. Rents here are still comparably low, from what I've seen, and that person who complained about the Q train is incorrect. It's actually the only train I've ever seen in New York that runs on a schedule - I didn't believe it at first, but I tested it out, and it actually does run every 8-11 minutes, reliably. I've lived all over NYC and it's the best train by far. It's 20 minutes from Cortelyou to Canal, and 30 minutes to Herald Square. The area is very safe, very diverse (seriously - nobody dominates, and you'll hear five languages before you even get the the train station). There's a nice mix of new and old here, and it's near a lot of other interesting neighborhoods, and the park. Plus, in our train station, instead of big ugly rats, we have tiny, cute little mice.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 8:11 PM

"which areas...i have friends who lived there and that area scared the crap out of me..i guess iam asking which streets and sections are safe?"

See--it's not a race thing, the not wanting to live in Bed Stuy. There's a reason, no matter how much you all try to boost it.

Posted by: guest at December 12, 2007 11:04 PM

The four neighborhoods you named are near trains that you have to transfer to from the 7. Good luck with that at night. I would rethink the neighborhoods based on both safety and proximity to a closer train.

I would suggest Crown Heights - not only because I live there but because if you work near Grand Central, Crown Heights is right on the 4/5 line. And, you can definitely get a 1 bdrm there in your price range.

Stuyvesant Heights might be nice and safe, but not convenient. How would you get the A train from Grand Central at night. The A train is the worst off hours and transferring to it isn't something I would do or want my friends to do esp at night.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 12:40 AM

Caitlin, where are you moving from?

As a broker, I think, with luck, it is possible to find an apartment that suit your criteria.
The key is being ready, as the rental market in the aforementioned areas (not to mention your price range) is certainly in high demand.
You ought to have a letter of employment, bank statements, most recent tax return and, last but certainly not least, a checkbook.
You have to be ready. I cannot over-emphasize this.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 12:45 AM

wow. I have been asking 1350 for my one bedroom apartments in 5th ave park slope. maybe I should ask for more?! ...on the other hand, its great renting an apartment within hours of having it on the market. Keep your eyes out on craigslist (and if a good deal shows up, act on it right away...it won't last through the day). Thats where I and other landlords advertise. Best of luck.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 8:48 AM

I live in Bed Stuy, and I feel pretty darn safe.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 2:05 PM

It cracks me up. When I moved to Greenpoint only 4 years ago my relatives were gasping and clutching their chests because it was "in the middle of nowhere!" and the G train was "full of thugs!"

Now I live in Bed Stuy and got all the same histrionics, but it's actually a cheaper cab ride from Manhattan, the J is much better for actually getting into the city than the G...

...all I miss is the plethora of mediocre thai food and the Garden.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 2:10 PM

I recently moved to bedstuy and am shocked that people are so negative about it. i am a single woman, and have had NO problem living here, off the utica A/C line as well as the gates avenue J train. I love it here, and the neighborhood is getting better by the day. I always see new people walking the streets of Stuyvesant Avenue, and its a great atmosphere! I am a black woman, and have lots of single black female friends in this neighborhood who love it. And you can find an apartment of decent size within the price range you are asking for.

But believe me, if you are apprehensive about being here, because you don't think it is safe, then you shouldn't come here. We definitely don't need people here who think our neighborhood is dangerous, because then you won't be neighborly. Bedstuy is truly a neighborhood and my neighbors watch out for me all the time.

I think you get it mixed up with the idea of safe. While there are areas that may be safer than others, I think people in general forget that they still have to practice safe measures as well. If you are coming home late, then coming home on the train on a Tuesday nite in this cold weather by yourself and walking possibly deserted blocks to your apt may not be so safe, and is just not smart.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 2:42 PM

Amen, 2:42!

I also live off Stuyvesant and have to say that the whole street's got some nice character and nice folks. I live much closer to the Koskiuzko stop on the J than the Utica A, so where I live it's less pretty. But either way I've got good trains, good people, and I feel as safe as I have living anywhere else in Brooklyn.

I agree about the deserted blocks thing, but have found that it's really important to just stay aware and look around. Bad People are looking for Easy Victims, not Potential Strugglers.

Posted by: guest at December 13, 2007 3:55 PM

What do most of you do to afford living there? Can anyone actually afford those new condos? I find the pricing very high for Brooklyn.

Posted by: guest at December 16, 2007 6:06 PM

I have no idea! If i cant afford a 1 br at 1300/month I would love to know how people can afford to buy there!

Posted by: guest at December 16, 2007 7:15 PM