How to find a cheap rental in NYC?

Are you planning on moving to New York City anytime soon? Well, you are certainly not the only one! New York City's economy is booming, there are plenty of job openings, both education and health systems are top-notch, etc. But, many people come here for the experience. After all, New York City is a place of dreams, a place where you can make it or break it, and definitely a place where you can be in the center of attention. Sounds great, right? However, because of all these great things, people are massively moving here. And, sometimes it is hard to find an affordable one. But, if interested in how to find a best-rating cheap rental in NYC, keep on reading.

Find a Real Estate Agent One of the most important things to remember is that New York City is huge! And, if this is your first time moving here, trust us, you should be using all the help you can get when moving. That does not imply only hiring movers but also hiring a real estate agent. Real estate agents are trained and experienced people who will be able to find you your dream home in no time. Your only job would be to tell your realtor your requirements and your budget. However, if you want to save some money, look for local realtors! They usually know the market well. And, if you think that you will only lose money with realtors, you are wrong! Real estate agents are actually there to negotiate the price and get you the most affordable deal. Thus, as soon as you decide to move to NYC, find a local realtor.

Do a Market Research

Whether you decided to look for cheap rentals in NYC by yourself or with the help of a real estate agent, one thing is for sure - you must conduct thorough market research. To begin doing that, you should first research all the boroughs. As you probably know, New York has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Yes, you may have a specific neighborhood and borough in mind, but you should take everything into consideration, as commuting from one borough to another is fairly easy. Thus, here are some basic information about these five boroughs:

• Manhattan - Needles to say, it is the most expensive borough to live in since it is one of the most popular places in the world. However, if you still want to live there and be in the center of all the happenings, consider its cheaper neighborhoods such as East Harlem, Alphabet City, or Washington Heights.
• Brooklyn - A bit cheaper than previously mentioned Manhattan, but be careful as prices are on the rise. Brooklyn is a perfect place for recent graduates and young professionals. If you are one of them, look for cheaper rentals in Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Flatbush.
• Queens - Definitely a borough where you can find cheaper apartments and houses. Because of that, it is becoming more and more popular. But, besides that, it is also hip, cool and diverse too! Moreover, it is perfect for families! Look for cheaper housing options in neighborhoods like Jamaica, Kew Gardens or Corona.
• The Bronx - This neighborhood is quite far away from all the happenings, and thus it offers cheaper rentals. Here, you can get more for your money! And, it is perfect if you enjoy more relaxing and peaceful places, far away from crowds and tourists. Best-deal areas include Fordham and Mott Haven.
• Staten Island - Great for those who enjoy that suburban feel and close-knit communities! You can find cheaper rents and more space for yourself. Check these neighborhoods - New Dorp, Bay Terrace, and St. George.

Check the Apartment-Search Sites

Once you have decided where you want to live, that is, which NYC borough is best for you, you can try checking different apartment-search sites. Luckily, there are tons of them. For instance, some of the most popular ones are Zumper, Street Easy, Rent Hop, Pad Mapper, and of course the Craigslist. All these search sites are designed to help you find the apartment that suits both your needs and your budget and to help you find the best rental with the best ratings. Thus, be sure that you know what your requirements are in the first place. Decide on your budget, location, preferred amenities, etc. But, do not be picky, especially if you are on a budget! After all, this is a seller's market! Moreover, when you find an apartment you like, act quickly. It will be a matter of a couple of hours until somebody else takes it.

Be Willing to Compromise

Yes, all the things mentioned above will help you find a cheaper apartment in NYC. But, let us warn you that renting in a place as metropolitan as New York does come with a hefty price tag! Prices range from $1000 to $3000 for a one-bedroom apartment per month. So, if this is too much for your budget to take, consider compromising on some things. For instance, instead of living alone, try to find a roommate and split the rent and all the costs that come with renting. Or, if you have to work in Manhattan, consider living and renting in Brooklyn, as commuting form there is super easy. And, if you have a lot of things and need a huge apartment for storing everything, consider renting storage and live in someplace smaller and more affordable. After you have found your dream home on a budget, look for the best moving company to help you relocate to New York City too!