Grad School in NYC

[Javslavin]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering whether there is anyone on this forum that is a current grad student, or was recently a grad student in NYC?

I've been accepted in one of my top choice schools, but the funding isn't great (it's on par with other Philosophy PhDs at ~18k 9 months plus summer funding for about 21-23k a year).

As I'm coming from a smaller city in the south, I just wanted to hear about others' experiences in the 'big city' with similar funding circumstances. Do you have to live in NJ? Can you find rent-controlled apartments? Do you have to live off road-kill (reminds me of the taxi-driver from Tracy Ullmans' HBO series )? Where can you find reasonably priced groceries? Anything of a similar informative nature would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[abc123xtc]

Check the City Guide.

[dalek]

I am currently a grad student living in NYC with very little funding. I chose to live in Brooklyn, which is actually not far from anything. My partner attends Columbia and it only takes 45 min on the subway. We live relatively comfortably considering where we are, but there have been many difficult adjustments. We went from living alone to now having two roommates. We went from a landlord that cared to one that couldn't care less about anything. We paid a massive fee to get the apartment we are in and it is not rent controlled (this is in part because we moved from Canada and had to find a place quickly so you can avoid this with a lot time and effort). The food situation was bad for us for a while, simply because we like to eat fresh and healthy and the grocery stores all seem to have the worst produce ever. We started ordering Fresh Direct which saves us time and money and all of the food is very fresh and guaranteed for a certain number of days. We rarely eat out because we have found it is expensive and mediocre at best. We do save a lot of money this way, and I would say it costs only $500 per month to feed the two of us really awesome food. We came from a large city and the city was and continues to be a shock to us. It's dirty, it's loud, people are pretty rude and uncouth. Some days I have trouble making sense of whether or not school is worth this. But for me it's only one more year, and my partner equates it to living under a bridge for one year for a million dollar payout. We will see. If you would like to know neighbourhood specifics, tips and tricks to avoid realtor fees, grocery stores, fun thing to do, or anything else, feel free to PM me. Best of luck!

[juilletmercredi]

I'm a graduate student in NYC. I moved here from Atlanta (grew up in the 'burbs, went to college in the city). I was born in NYC, but I moved out of the city before I was old enough to remember it. My stipend is $30K (12 months) but I make additional money TAing and working as a graduate hall director on campus. The city is nice but I would not live here long-term.

I don't have to live in NJ. Rent-controlled apartments pass down through family lines, so unless you have an uncle who has lived in NYC for decades you are unlikely to get one. You can, however, find a rent-stabilized apartment. I lived in upper Manhattan (a neighborhood called Washington Heights) for the first 3 years of my program; I shared a 2 bedroom apartment with one other student. We paid $1800 a month for it. It was relatively large by Manhattan standards, but you can get that when you live uptown. Sometimes I miss it (current place is tiny). Location was perfect for me school-wise, as it was a 10 minute walk from my primary department and a 20-minute subway ride from the main campus. Groceries are expensive everywhere in the city, but if you are so inclined you can carpool to Fairway or Trader Joe's and buy a lot, or even out to Costco. The grocery store 4 blocks from me was ridiculously priced.

At the beginning of my fourth year I got a job as a graduate hall director supervising RAs in the res halls (I was an RA in college, and loved it). In exchange for free housing and an extra $5,000 a year I work "20 hours a week" (really comes out to 10-15, I would say) supervising RAs and working on duty. I love the job, and not paying rent means I can afford a lot more. But I also live in a tiny place. I am moving to a slightly less tiny place (sharing a 2-bedroom apartment with another GHD friend instead of living in a single room that undergrads live in) next year, so hopefully I will be happier with my living arrangements.

I have not found New Yorkers to be particularly rude or uncouth. Most I have met are simply indifferent, and many are friendly and helpful. They simply do not dislay it in quite the same way Southerners do. My parents are born-and-raised New Yorkers, my entire family is from the Northeast and I grew up in the Northeast until I was about 12 years old, so I'm sort of use to the indifference of Northeasterners/New Yorkers. It is, however, loud and dirty. I think that's one of the reasons I want to move the most - the dirt.

I would not do it on a stipend of less than $25,000. Things are quite expensive here. You also have to realize that most New Yorkers live without the amenities that people in other cities expect from their apartments. You definitely won't have a W/D in your apartment, and there might not be laundry in your building. Your closet will be 1/2 to 1/3 the size of a normal closet elsewhere. No carpet. No central air conditioning/or heating - you will buy a window unit air conditioner in the summer and in the winter, you will either use the radiator or purchase a space heater. You will walk outside in 20 degree weather to get to the bus/train. (Buy a good bubble coat.) You will rant at a half-gallon of milk for being so damn expensive.

And IMO, the amenities of the city aren't really enough to make up for it. Don't get me wrong - there is LOTS to do here. Much of it is very fun. But there's so much that it's overwhelming, and this is from an adventurer who loves trying new things and gets swept up in novelty. Not to mention that it's all expensive, except for the few museums you can get into with your student discount. I do love summer in New York, though, as there are more free fun things. Summer in New York is wonderful - I always look forward to the summers.

Living in New York has shown me that while I do like city life, I am much better suited to a smaller, more manageable city. I don't think it's all bad, and if I had to choose to come here again to do my PhD here in a program I love, I would. I've had great experiences, and more importantly, I love my program. Yes, the living arrangements are a bit cramped, but it's only for a little while. A better fitting program may give you more options later.

No roadkill involved.

Edited April 9, 2012 by juilletmercredi

[uhohlemonster]

I went to college in NYC and now will be at NYU in the Fall. My stipend is around $24,000. I live in a nice neighborhood in Brooklyn 25 minutes door to door to NYU's campus, and I'm staying put. I'm only keeping one of my jobs that runs during winter/spring break (service learning program leading with college students, good for the resume, wallet, and FUN), so i'll make something like $3000 from that, and i think i will occasionally babysit and tutor. Plus I will get some summer funding. Question though - will you get the opp to teach for more money at CUNY? Should be the case, no?

Overall, I do think the $18000 is doable, but you will have to see the different neighborhoods in BK, Queens, or upper Manhattan to see what you like best. Luckily CUNY is really well located. I pay $1000/mth rent, and I know people who pay as little as $600.

Feel free to PM me with questions if you'd like, and good luck!

[bjlowe]

I will be moving to NYC in the fall to start grad school at NYU. I have no stipend or funding and am relying solely on FAFSA loans. I'm debating between applying for the dorms- which seem to be pricey and limited, but right on campus- and trying to find my own place. The complication is that I am currently living in Korea and will only be moving to NY about 1 week prior to starting classes. Therefore, I have little opportunity to go see any apartments or rooms I might find on Craigslist for ex. I want to save as much money as possible, but I also want to really focus on school and I'm worried living in a shared house in Brooklyn could be a little bit of a distraction. What are your guys' thoughts? I think the NYU grad dorms are around 13,000 per year. I've read some reviews that say it's better to just find your own place for more privacy and less cost.

If you recommend finding my own place, are there any pointers you have? What subway lines/stops to stay away from? What's the easiest stop to be around to commute into Manhattan?

Thanks!

[uhohlemonster]

For NYU, you're pretty set. It's near all the major train lines, but the best ones are the A, C, E, B, D, F, M, 6, and N R. A lot of choices! I would not live in dorms, but i could see how the 1 week thing is a bit of an issue. No way you can come a bit earlier?

[bjlowe]

Did you live in the dorms as a grad student? Or have you seen them? I was there before and the undergrad dorms seemed pretty nice. But I looked at Washington Square Village and Alumni hall, and neither look very luxurious!

I am locked in a contract until August 14th. So I'll have exactly 3 weeks before school starts. However, during that time I'll have to move my things from Korea back to Wisconsin, rearrange things, and move to New York. So while I could go a little earlier, is two weeks even enough? Plus then I don't get to visit home for much time... but I suppose there are worse things.

[MidEastApp]

I was talking to friends and family about moving -albeit ones with a bit (to put it lightly) more funds available when apartment hunting in NYC. They told me to budget up to a month to find a place. In my situation, a studio anywhere in the city is not possible so I've been skimming pad mapper to see where people post places in my price range (less than 800 USD a month would be ideal). Is it that hard to find a place, any tips, etc as a graduate student on what to do?

I live abroad currently and I have never had to deal with craigslist and actual apartment hunting in the USA. Is it that difficult? I keep on hearing stuff about credit scores, pay stubs, etc and that freaks me out. I have had a US credit card for nearly 8 years but I haven't had an actual job for the past three years and I have no access to pay stubs, much less ones in English . I guess this stuff freaks me out as I don't want to be sleeping on a friend's couch for months.

Like how much money should I have with me before moving here? I know more is better but how much should I budget at a minimum? I have a stipend and I did a late apply to Fafsa for CUNY but those won't start up until after classes start and I plan to start looking for a place in late July.

[long_time_lurker]

Bite the bullet and live in the dorms especially if you can do it on a semester basis. You will meet people when you get here who will want to be your roommate. You'll also get a job and you will accumulate your first, last, security, and broker fee (if applicable) and the documentation (i.e. paystubs). Remember your annual pay must be at least 40x the rent. Dorming obviously isn't ideal but it beats signing a lease on a place sight unseen - a recipe for disaster.