Toby said:
So the thing about Brooklyn is that apparently they are shutting down one of the train that leads into Manhattan and I will be working in Manhattan itself, just cannot find an affordable place and finding roommates has also been quite tricky for me since well, you guys know my social story in college that is not worth repeating.
What I have been told is that Astoria is seemingly the best bang for your buck but I also wonder if it really fits the mold of what I want.
On top of my 9 to 5 I will be looking for bar work on weekends as well, not exactly bartender but something at a nightclub like maybe busser, barback or something along those lines. I do want to be near more of a nightlife and "happening" type of area.
I will have to see how to go about this more, updating you guys as we go.
This is correct, they are shutting down the L line which comes into Manhattan from Bed-Stuy, Bushwick and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The alternative is the JMZ, which is just towards the South and won't be impacted.
Not sure where your office is but another option would be to take one of the ferries along the east river, if you wanted to live in BK. They connect all along Manhattan.
NYC is a weird city as far as logistics go. It's so congested, yet everything is so far apart. That has an impact for things like dates, pulling, logistics, etc.
My strong suggestion to you is that, since you're in between gigs right now, you come up to NYC for a week and scope out these neighborhoods, and see then for yourself.
Alternatively, get temporary Airbnb housing before and once you "move" up here, and take a couple of weeks to find a good apartment. Getting a place in NYC is not easy, and it's much easier once you're here and can meet roommates and see places actively. Airbnb approach would also give you the ability to experience different neighborhoods without committing for a year, and then you can pick the one that fits your needs. Usually you only have 24 hours or so to commit to a place after it comes on the market.
I did that this year, spent three weeks in temporary airbnbs until i settled in a place that I love.
The good news is that your timing should coincide with the cheapest rents - they're the best in February through April.