Finding an Apartment (Part II)

More Bang For Your Buck!

So far, our search for the perfect New York apartment was not what you call a huge success: we ended up with an application for a very small and too expensive apartment in Chelsea. But were we searching in the right neighbourhood?

In Manhattan, the desirability of a neighbourhood changes so fast that within 5 to 10 years a previously – "only enter if you're suicidal" neighbourhood turns into "the next hottest thing", and thus the prices go up. Chelsea, Meatpacking District, West Village, Greenwich, SoHo, they are all hotter than hot, so extremely expensive. Maybe we needed to search in a more residential – and less "happening" neighbourhood?

Although we heard many nice things about it, we – as very white, blue-eyed and blond Belgians – weren't brave enough for Harlem. Since the neighbourhood goes dead after 5 pm, the Financial District was also not an option. The Upper East Side was too posh for our taste and on the wrong side of Manhattan (as Ward's school is located on the West side and the transport system is organized vertically).

So Upper West Side, it is! Located at the West-side of Central Park, known for its brownstones (those brown houses 4 to 5 stories high with the cute steps) and its greystones (the grey high elevator buildings with a classic touch), more residential and most importantly, (somewhat) cheaper than Chelsea and the other hot downtown neighbourhoods! Or as our broker said "More bang for your buck!". We asked to schedule some viewings – first one, again a disappointment, ok – it's a bit bigger, steps from Central Park but a room in the cellar is not what I call a "bedroom". Second viewing… we could live in it… but the third viewing: THIS IS IT!

OK, again in the high end of our budget but what do we get in return? A one bedroom in a greystone (elevator) building with laundry on-site, three blocks from Central Park and the metro station, three metro stops from Columbia, a beautiful classic apartment with huge windows and hardwood floors, a spacious (not in broker terms but in "I have to live in it" terms) bedroom, a kitchen with dining area, including dishwasher (!) and a huge American fridge. Where do we sign?

Being accepted by the landlord was not a problem – our broker had already "warned" him of our profile (see the previous post). But now we needed to get the money to close the deal (1 month rent in advance, 2 months' broker fees and 6 months' security!). The Americans seem to have the annoying habit to pay large amounts with checks… yes, checks, those little papers we used to pay with in Belgium back when exchange trading in cows and horses was eliminated (sorry, but in Belgium, and a big part of Europe, checks really are ancient history!). You can't explain Americans that Belgians only use money transfers now. A check means "security" – when handing over a check, you have the money in your hands (although in these times this may be far from true). Enfin, we needed to find some of those checks or no apartment!

***to be continued***

Links:
Useful Upper West Side site with overview of restaurants and shops per block
New York City Apartment Living 101