Hi all,
Moving to NYC in about three weeks to attend Columbia. The apartment search seems pretty daunting, so I'd appreciate any advice on what I'm facing. In brief:
- I'm moving with my girlfriend. We're looking for a 1br or a Studio, preferably in Manhattan (Upper West Side or Morningside, ideally, but maybe further up in West Harlem, depending on safety) but we'd consider Brooklyn as well if it's more convenient.
- We'd like something around $1500 or less... could maybe be convinced to drop a little bit more for the right place. Between my stipend and her part time job, we're looking at $3,000 / month. So <$1500, we can cover the first month's rent and sec deposit.
- Now here's where it gets a little more difficult. Her credit history is solid, but mine has a dent in it over a payment I accidentally missed a year or two ago and a credit card I was consequently denied. On top of that, we can't depend on our parents as guarantor's, so we don't really have anyone lined up... possibly a former Professor, but he's in another state and not necessarily rolling in cash or anything.
I guess what I'm saying is, how difficult will my credit and lack of guarantor make finding the kind of apartment I described above? Are they all so strict, or could I get a decent place with just the things I have at my disposal?