Manhattan Apartments Under $1200 per Month!

Are you searching for a cheap apartment in Manhattan?  Than look no further.  There are apartments to be had for under $1200 a month!  If you are a student or a person on a limited income, consider these apartments.  Keep in mind that these units go fast and the best way to get them is to act fast.

Although this apartment seems to be owned by the strictest person in all of Harlem, it looks to be pretty nice.  A one bedroom at $1100 is hard to beat, even in Northern Manhattan.  That's why I figured I would feature it here.  The find was from Craigslist.  Here's what the advertisement had to say:

"Do not respond to this ad until you have read it entirely

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER IN YOUR RESPONSE and at least your first name so I know whom to ask for.

THIS IS A NON-SMOKING BUILDING. THAT MEANS NO PERSON CAN SMOKE ANYWHERE ANYTIME FOR ANY REASON. THIS RULE WILL BE ENFORCED BY LAW. If you smoke or your friends smoke or you think you have the right to smoke then please find a place to live that better accommodates you.

THIS IS A QUIET BUILDING. THAT MEANS YOU DO NOT PLAY LOUD MUSIC THAT ANYONE ELSE CAN HEAR OR COME HOME LATE CARRYING ON WITH ALL SORTS OF NOISE AT NIGHT. If you like to do that sort of thing then please take your habits to another building and deal with your angry neighbors accordingly.

THE OWNER LIVES IN THE BUILDING. That's me. You will appreciate that I am here. Trust me.

Live in an apartment building that feels more like a home with friendly neighbors, free laundry, and a backyard garden. This shiny new apartment features exposed brick, stainless steel appliances, oak cabinets, new bathroom, high ceilings, large closets and an air conditioner. Although the apartment is advertised as a one bedroom, it has an extra room that can be used as an office. Heat and hot water are included in the rent. You pay electric and stove gas. Laundry is located in the building and its free to use. * The apartment is NOT good for a share because one room leads to the other so there would be no privacy.

The neighborhood has everything that a neighborhood should have. That includes friendly neighbors who are actually happy that you are here. The block is very quiet.

The 2 and 5 express subway lines are five blocks. Grand Central is 35 minutes door to door. I have timed it. Also very close is Staples, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, GNC, Blink Gym, Planet Fitness and large grocery stores. You can walk to the mall that has a Home Depot, Target, Bed Bath and other large stores. All the big banks are very close too. There is street parking on the block and an indoor garage one block away. It is very quiet here yet close to everything.

You need to earn a minimum of $40,000 per year.

Hurry, I know it will rent quick."

He is probably right.  By the pictures, it will be rented quick.  It is a great looking apartment at a great looking price.   This kind of unit would be good for a person who is quiet or looking for something quiet. 

Link to advertisement:  New York Craigslist

How do I pick a good moving company in New York?

So, you're moving now and you want to hire someone to help you move.  Perhaps driving a U-Haul in Manhattan or Brooklyn does not seem like your idea of a good time.  Maybe you don't want to haul all your furniture to a 6th floor walk up.  That being said, there are thousands upon thousands of movers in New York City, and there is quite a bit to learn.

Flat rate movers vs. hourly movers
Flat rate movers charge a flat fee for moving all of your things.  They will usually charge the flat rate for a truck and one or two movers (usually up to 3).  If you require a second trip, they generally will charge more.

With flat rate movers you have to be sure that everything is as specified on the contract.  For example, if you contracted for a 20 foot truck and they send a 16 foot truck, you will want to specify that you are paying for a larger truck.  Don't let the movers sucker you into a second trip because they brought a truck that's too small.  I have seen this happen before.  If you don't assert your rights, they will try to sell you a second trip when all your things don't fit.

Further, keep in mind that some flat rate movers don't pay for tolls.  If you are moving into Manhattan or crossing any major bridges onto Long Island, you will probably encounter tolls.  Make sure that tolls are covered.  If you need a second trip, you will want to make sure that tolls are covered for that second trip as well.

Hourly movers charge for the hour instead of a flat rate.  You will want to make sure that they cover tolls and gas.  Some do and others don't.  With all movers you should ask if there is an extra charge for climbing stairs.  Some movers will ask you how many boxes and pieces of furniture you are moving.  Be honest, as they generally will write down everything that they load on a checklist.  If you go over, they may try to charge you extra.  Generally this won't be an issue if it's just a few boxes.  But if you forgot to mention a couple of bikes and a dresser, you may want to bring out a couple more Benjamins.

Consider using a moving auction service such as http://www.CityMove.com.  That way you can name your own price and see who will charge you the best rate.  That being said, pay close attention to the reviews.  Some moving companies are downright shady.  Also, consider taking pictures of your items and uploading it to the site.  Have everything ready to go when the movers arrive.  Many movers will insist that you do not help move, and in that case, just stand back and let them take care of the move for you. 

Washington Heights Manhattan Neighborhood Guide

There is a lot to see and do in Washington Heights and Inwood but not a lot of resources.  As rents climb in Manhattan and around New York, people are often looking for a neighborhood that is close to Midtown and the southern areas of Manhattan and has a lot of amenities.  Many people do not consider going above 110th street in the Upper West side, however, many may not be aware that there are some gems if you move north in the city.  Washington Heights and Inwood are both great neighborhoods.  This area is home to Yeshiva University and Columbia Hospital.  If you are new to the city and want to find a place for a good price, consider looking in Upper Manhattan. 

This area of the city is more hilly than other areas, which makes for some interesting views and varied topography.  Further, the hills make for great outdoor spaces.  Many of Inwood and Washington Height's parks are built on and around hills. 

In the coming weeks I will be posting information about moving to Upper Manhattan.  I will also provide information on where to look for a place and how safe the neighborhoods are.  Having spent some time living in this area, I must say that I am happy with it. 

Amenities

Beautiful Parks and Outdoor Spaces:  Inwood is home to Fort Tyron Park, which is a gorgeous park.  Fort Tyron Park is home to the Cloisters, a branch of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The Cloisters itself is a beautiful building in the center of the park, overlooking the Hudson River.  During the early fall, this park is home to a rather large renaissance fair.  Other invents happen yearly in the park, including seasonal festivals and outings and hikes through the New York City parks department. 

Inwood Hill Park is just north of Fort Tyron Park and should not be missed.  There is a great amount of hiking trails in the park, as well as a nature center with a recreation of a wigwam.  Inside one can learn about the various animals that inhabit the marsh area and the cove.  There are an array of recreational areas in the park, including tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. 

Another fine park in the area is the Highbridge Park.  This park is home to one of the city's largest outdoor pools.  The park flanks the west side of Manhattan, and is loaded with mountain bike trails, paths, and amazing views of The Bronx and Queens. 

The Inwood Canoe Club is another perk to living in the neighborhood.  The canoe club has an open house on the weekends in which one can take a canoe out onto the river for a couple of hours.  It is located on the Hudson River Greenway, which is a beautiful area that is great for a picnic or an evening stroll along the river.  If you are into recreational activities such as biking or jogging, few places in the city can match the Hudson River Greenway.

If you are into parks and nature, this area of the city is one of the best.





Food

While Washington Heights and Inwood are not known as the best places in the city to find find, there are some great places around.  If you are into Central American cuisine, including Dominican cuisine, you will probably find no better place in the city. 

There are a few farmer's markets in Upper Manhattan that are of note.  The 175th Street Greenmarket is a wonderful place to buy produce and baked goods.  On the weekends, there is another farmer's market in Inwood.  The area is home to many small grocery stores as well as a very popular Jewish felafel restaurant, Golan Heights.   If you are a vegetarian you will be able to find many options, from inexpensive pizza restaurants to empanada stands.

Further, if you are interested in Russian cuisine or Russian baked goods, Moscow on the Hudson on 181st street is a great place to get quality groceries.  More grocery stores and food stores are coming all the time.  Currently there is talk of a new Whole Foods opening up just south in Harlem.  As people continue making their way north to escape the high prices of lower Manhattan, new amenities will continue to enter the neighborhood. 

The Cloisters, Fort Tyron Park.

Transportation

The A express train will get you to Midtown in about 20 minutes.  The C and the 1 are also available if you are going to the Upper West Side.  Each one of these trains serves the neighborhood well. 

The George Washington Bus Terminal will get you into New Jersey and points North.  If you are looking to take the Metro North Railway, a short train south to 125th street will get you to the nearest station.

Safety and CrimeThis area of the city has been often reputed to be a dangerous area.  However, I have never felt unsafe in the neighborhoods that comprise Upper Manhattan.  Crimes do happen, but you are unlikely to see more crime here than in other parts of New York or in other major cities.



Hipsters?Hipsters need a place to live too.  At least that's why they say.  Although you won't find the same sheer numbers in Washington Heights as in Williamsburg or the East Village, chances are you will run into them now and again in this area of Upper Manhattan.   

On that topic, one individual had the following to say about Washington Heights:

"Hipsters. Everywhere. They’re slowly but surely creeping in. Less so than in Inwood, which is also changing quickly, but it seems like once word gets out that rent is cheap, that’s where they’ll flock to. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the young folks I’ve met around here are generally nice and well intentioned, but it’s a strange feeling when you’ve been living here your whole life."

If you have lived or currently live in this part of Upper Manhattan, please post your comments in the field below.  

Manhattan Apartment Finds Under $1200 a month

This amazing find is located near Fort Tyron park, and is a great apartment for a student or a newcomer to New York City.  According to the ad that I found:

"This is an Enormous oversized 1Br apartment in a well maintained prewar elevator building located in an AMAZING neighborhood. Steps to 1 and A EXPRESS trains, great shopping, Bistros, restaurants, Frank's Gourmet Supermarket, bars, and 1 block to the beautiful Inwood Park. Minutes to the Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park. Must see!"

Link to post:  http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fee/3335993368.html (once the link is invalid, the apartment has probably been rented).

The cost of this 1 bedroom apartment is $1195.  Apartments in Manhattan are often hard to come by.  If you are a student at Columbia or City College, this is a good area to rent an inexpensive place.  The A train will also get you to the south side of the city in around half an hour, or Brooklyn in about 40 minutes. 

As with all apartments in New York, it is often best to look at them first.  That being said, apartments in Manhattan go fast. 

A good rule of thumb when renting in Manhattan is that the further south you go, the more expensive things get.  The deals to be had are in the north area of the city.  Further, as time passes, more people are looking to the north areas of New York and it is becoming a hot new area for people wanting to love in Manhattan.

Having lived in this area myself, I can say it's safe and home to some beautiful open areas.  Fort Tyron Park is gorgeous. 

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This post is a continuation in a series of posts on Manhattan rentals under $1200.  I find the best apartments at a budget price and list them here.  Why go search on random websites hoping to find a good apartment when there are so many scams? 

While I do not represent any brokers (I am a student myself), and do not make any guarantees about these units, I know what a good unit in New York looks like (brokers tend to think anything is 'good', no matter how small, dark, ect.), and I know what a good price in the city is.  And contrary to popular belief, there are good places in Manhattan for under $1200 a month.

If you are looking to find a good and cheap apartment in the city, subscribe to this blog by e-mail at the right to be notified of new apartments that come available. 

Manhattan apartments under $1200 a month.

Apartments in Manhattan, NY for under $1200 a month.

Cheap apartments in Manhattan are hard to find.  Therefore, I will be showing off good finds in the city for a low price.  If you are interested in finding a cheap apartment in Manhattan, and don't want to scour through the internet hoping to find something, subscribe to this blog at the right.

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This unit is located in Inwood, Washington Heights.  It is a good area for a person or family on a budget, or for a person just moving to New York. 

This STUDIO apartment is $1100 per month.



Large Studio Apartment
Most desirable street in Hudson Heights (building faces the water)
Refinished Hardwood Floors
Plenty of Closet space
All New Separate Kitchen
Close to shopping and A Train
Walk to Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park
Owner Direct No Fee
Available Immediately

Link to ad:  http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/3336661972.html

Finding an apartment in Manhattan as a Student

I often get questions about finding an apartment in Manhattan as a student.  There are many schools in Manhattan, such as CUNY, Columbia, NYU, Cardozo, Fordham, Yeshiva, and others.  However, finding an apartment in Manhattan can be challenging for a student (especially an international student) because many apartment managers want proof of income and income statements.  So, how does one go about getting an apartment in Manhattan?

First, if you are looking for an apartment in Manhattan, you must be willing to spend a lot of time searching for the right place.  Chances are you are not going to find the kind of place you are expecting to find quickly.  For example, you may have to realize that you probably are going to have to live in a small apartment instead of something big that you may have been used to back in Kansas.  I don't say that to be mean or sly, but to be 100% honest with you.  The reality is that Manhattan is 1. expensive, and 2. filled to the brim with people.  If you honestly think you are going to waltz into the city and land the perfect apartment, well, you have another thing coming.

Second, finding an apartment in Manhattan takes a lot more work than finding an apartment in Spokane.  Why do I say that?  Well, you may think that it's because I'm a jerk, but that's not why I say that.  It's because it's honest-to-goodness true.  You are going to probably have to start looking at least a month before you expect to move in, and that's being generous.  Some people will need to look longer. That is especially going to be the case if you have bad credit or no credit.  And if you have no job and bad credit, well, you can find something, but you're not going to be living in a 2 bedroom in the West Village (at least not with some S E R I O U S effort).

I have bad credit and need an apartment in New York.  Where should I look?

Well, don't discount the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and you may consider Staten Island.  Ok, nobody actually wants to live in Staten Island, so cross that out.  You could also consider New Jersey, but honestly, does anyone even like New Jersey?  Of course, that being said, New Jersey is cheaper than Manhattan and most of New York City, so it may be worth considering.

Now that you have considered Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, let me help you out further.  Here's the breakdown of what you can expect to find according to price.  Looking at sites like Craigslist.org, the Bronx has the most apartments, followed by Queens, and then Brooklyn and then lastly Manhattan.  I am talking about low cost apartments that a student should budget.  I'm not talking huge two bedroom lofts.  If you can afford such a thing as a student you should probably not be looking at this article.  If you are looking for a cheap apartment as a student in New York, however, you will want to take this into consideration.

Also, consider where your school is.  If you are going to Columbia, Queens or Brooklyn may not be desirable for your commute.  And if you are going to St. John's in Queens, you may want to forget about Brooklyn unless you enjoy sitting on the Subway for over an hour each way.  Flushing is probably not the best place to live if you are going to NYU or Fordham.  And if you are going to Cardozo, you are probably going to enjoy sitting your ass down in Manhattan more than coming from Staten Island.

Now, most of the stuff on this blog is about just being smart.  Sadly, I have noticed that there is a lot of stupidity on the internet.  For example, there's a bunch of scams out there.  One is called the Affordable Equity Project (http://www.equityproject.net).  This is a SCAM.  First of all, when I moved here myself, well over a year ago, I thought that the site was real.  Fast forward to today, they are still rockin' the same apartments.  And even if it was real, what would your chances of getting one of their stale apartments be?  Don't go with anything that seems too good to be true.  It's often a hoax/scam.

Speaking of stupidity, if you are going to Craigslist all the time searching for apartments, you may want to go get your brain scanned.  I don't say this to be rude or crude, but to be 100% honest.  I am not going to hide the ball from my reader, nor am I going to try to sell you some overpriced $20 piece of crap E-book.  I am going to lay it all out right here.  Craigslist is great for buying cheap stolen things or for selling your old stuff.  Some people even get people to dig up their yards via Craigslist by saying "free dirt."  However, Craigslist is NOT the optimum place to search for an apartment.  Streeteasy is better.  So is going to a broker.  CitiHabitats is one that I recommend.  Why?  Because they don't hide the ball and they work with people with some serious set backs.

What do I mean by set backs?  I mean, for example, people who have bad credit, international students who are freshly in New York, and new graduates with brand spakin' new jobs.  If you are one of these people, you may want to consider a broker.

Also, Craigslist is full of fake and old ads.  Ads for apartments that were sold years ago just to get you to reply.  There's so many stupid asinine mail fraud scams on Craigslist.  Roommates often would rather you share a room with them with the expectation of sexual favors than actually create a real partnership of two dudes just sharin' a room.  You get what I'm saying?  Pretty much any nasty scenario you can imagine is on Craigslist.  It's not the optimum place to find an apartment or roommate.

Now, you just got off the bus from Kansas and you want an apartment.  You realize that you are not going to get a 3 bedroom in Manhattan with a wrap around porch.  Sadly, there are people who think that there is stuff like this available.  However, reality slaps these people in the face when they go and ask a landlord for a 3 bedroom for around $600 a month.  Being fresh off the Greyhound, you may want to find a short term place to stay.  There are places on Roomorama.com in which you can rest your head.  Some are better than others.  There's a really nice cheap place I once rented in College Point which was hella cool.  And it was cheap -- $20ish a night.  Sure, the commute was awful, but it was worth it to save the money.

Now that you have found a temporary place, it's time to pound the pavement.  Get all your crap together.  Pay stubs, college financial aid forms, information from past land lords, letters of recommendation, tax forms, visa and immigration/passport information, photo id, social security card, bank statements, investment account information and credit report.  It is all required.  Landlords and brokers want you to be ready.  Do not go into a brokerage firm without this stuff.  If you do, you are probably wasting their valuable time.

Also, don't ever expect a reply to an e-mail from a broker.  Brokers DO NOT ANSWER e-mails.  That is another reason why Craigslist is often a waste for looking at apartments.  If you think an e-mail will get you a reply, you'd better think again.  You can e-mail all day, they have thousands of e-mails and most people won't even show.  They think you are wasting their time and you are wasting yours.  Again: brokers do not answer e-mails!

You may end your search finding a very nice 10 by 13 foot studio in Harlem for $1250 a month.  If so, congratulations.  It is your first place in New York.  I mean, honestly, did you expect the Trump Tower or the Dakota?  I hope not.  Of course, some people do.  We call those people dreamers, then we laugh at them behind their backs.  They are the kind of people who have their heads in the clouds and not on planet Earth.  They are silly simple minded folk who need a big dose of reality.

They will soon face reality.

Renting an apartment in Manhattan is about being smart and about being realistic.  It's about knowing your budget and not being upsold.  The brokers can be fiends and they will try to sell you a $2000 apartment when you explicitly said your budget was $1300.  It's as if they are deaf.  Just stand firm.  Say that you know that there are places in Manhattan in your price range.  There are.  You just have to be willing to show that you are the boss.  After all, it's going to be you who has to sign that 1-2 year lease, put down a security deposit equal to one month's rent, and deal with all the crap that goes on in Apartments.

Also, be wary of Bedbugs.  Those little suckers can pack a wollup.  They will bite you.  They will gnaw on you, and they will make your life hell.  When looking at an apartment make sure to inquire about bed bugs.  You really don't want to deal with them.  Believe me, I have been there and done that.  Roaches too!  Oh yes.  Nasty little roaches that crawled out of the walls and into my food.  It was nasty, vile, and disgusting.  Something that you don't want to have to deal with, so be vigilant and make sure none of that is present.

I have yet to deal with rats, but I am somewhat fond of vermin.

Questions to ask yourself when relocating to New York

So you are considering moving to New York City huh? You have heard a lot about New York from your friends, television, the media, and everyone else. You may have felt envy towards those who made their way to New York. But now you are considering the move. However, before moving to NYC, there are a few questions you must ask yourself. You see, I moved to New York from California a couple years ago. I just knew that I wanted to live in New York since I was in high school. The idea of living in the biggest city in the United States captivated my imagination. However, now that I am living in New York, I find myself missing the city I came from, San Francisco. To be honest, I often contemplate going back to San Francisco. It's not that I don't like it here in New York, it's that I think I belonged in San Francisco more (maybe one day I'll start a blog called Relocating to San Francisco). So, here are some of the questions you should ask yourself before moving to New York. 1. Will I like the big city? This is easy if you know for sure you like the big city. Coming from San Francisco, I knew the answer was yes. However, you must realize that New York is a LOT bigger than most other cities. If you are moving from Denver or Salt Lake City to New York, chances are you will be in for a shock. 2. Will I like the climate? Will you like cold somewhat snowy winters and very hot humid summers? Being from Northern California, I was not ready for the humidity of New York, nor was I prepared for the heat and cold. Some of the winter days here last year were below 0F and the summer days sometimes reach over 100F. I loved the climate of San Francisco, and it's one of the biggest things I miss. If you are coming from Boston or Miami, the heat may not be a big deal, and if you are coming from Canada or certain Europe, you may be used to the very cold. That being said, if you are moving from Seattle or Vancouver to New York, you may want to get ready for a big change. 3. Do you really think you can afford it here? Chances are you can figure out how to get by, but if you want to thrive, you may have to be realistic and see that New York is expensive. Apartments in the Upper East Side and Harlem, two of the cheaper parts of Manhattan can start at $1200 for a very small studio. There are deals to be found the further north in Manhattan you go, or the further out you go. New Jersey offers some amazing deals compared to Manhattan, as does parts of the Bronx and Queens. However, if you want that big Manhattan lifestyle in a neighborhood like the Upper West Side, Chelsea, or the East Village, you may have to be ready to pony up some serious mo-heny. 4. Will your pets like not having a big yard? Chances are you are going to have to give up the grass if you are moving to NYC. Do your dogs agree that this move is for the best? Apartment dwelling dogs do exist, and are plentiful in New York, but if you plan on bringing that Siberian Husky, you may want to ask if that pooch will mind the close quarters with you - and if you will mind the close quarters with it. 5. What about your ferrets? Ferrets are illegal in New York City. That includes Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. You can live in New Jersey with them, or you can live outside of the city proper with them. But if you want to live in the city itself, be prepared to sneak them around. 6. What kind of jobs are there? Well, there's a bit of everything. If you are into law, New York has a thriving law scene. In fact, the world of law is centered in New York. If you are into the theatre, you will find no better place than New York. If you want to find a job at Starbucks, you have come to the right place. Almost every company (other than Cost Plus World Market) is here in New York waiting to get your resume. Sometimes the competition can be tight, but if you keep on your toes, you will find something. 7. Do I have any friends and family in New York? New York can be a lot lonelier for a NYnoob than one expects. They imagine a city full of potential friends, but unless you are accustomed to being social and making friends, they will come no easier than anywhere else. In fact, some people say friends are harder to make in NY. In my experience, most of the people I have met in NY have went back to either where they came from or have transferred to new places. That being said, many people find that they liked their past home more than NYC. 8. Am I realistic? You have to be realistic about moving to New York. It's not going to be like on television and on the movies. Those big apartments don't exist unless you are packing some serious dough. Further, if you want to eat out every night at the best restaurants and party at the biggest clubs all the time, then you had better be bringing in a deep purse. New Yorkers tend to work hard for their money, and oftentimes they work long. Of course, this is not true for everyone, and some people will exaggerate what is needed to live in New York. It all comes down to how frugal you are and what your priorities are. That being said, the more expensive your place the less you will have for other things. Living out in Queens or Brooklyn is not a bad idea if you want some extra money to throw around. 9. Do I mind living with a room mate, or sharing a room? Many people in New York have room mates to bring down the cost. Many opt for this at first. Others make it a long term plan. Some people even share their bedroom with others. For example, in a two bedroom apartment, many people equip the rooms with bunks. Think of it as a long term hostel. It's cheaper and allows one to live closer to the center of the city. That being said, if you want your own place and some extra space, you'd better be ready to pay something more than what you paid back in Tulsa. 10. Do you mind bedbugs? New York is known for its bedbugs. Many cities are gaining that reputation, and it's something to think about when you look for an apartment. Some tips include looking for small brown dots in the corners of units and talking to your future neighbors. If something looks suspicious, ask about it. Also confirm with the landlord that there are no bedbugs. If there are, you can legally get them removed at no cost to you, but if you are harboring pets that are not on the lease, this can be a major challenge and a major pain in the patooka.

Choosing a College in New York City

You are considering going to college in New York City.  Which New York City Colleges and Universities should you choose from?  There are a huge amount of colleges in the city, some pretty prestigious, and others more focused on a particular niche.  How does one choose whether or not they should go to school in New York? 

What do I want to go to school for?

First, you should ask yourself what it is that you want to do.  Too many people enter college with no clue of what they want to do.  Some say that this is fine, however, with the cost of college in the United States skyrocketing, they should think twice before spending money on a major that they may change their mind on.  While financial aid in the United States for school is generally very good, chances are you will also rely on additional loans to cover living expenses.  Many people in the United States take massive loan debt on to complete school.  Many of these individuals did not need to borrow so much, but made the mistake of taking on too much debt for various reasons.  Many experts say that a college education does not hold the value that it held in the past.  In fact, many say the opportunity cost of going to college can be greater than entering into the workforce if you have certain skills.  Also, don't overlook trade schools which may offer a chance to learn a trade for a fraction of the cost that a four year degree would cost. 

Futhermore, graduate school is often seen as being required for some majors.  In fact, some students find themselves entering graduate school due to the lack of jobs in the current U.S. economy.  Graduate school adds considerable debt, with prices ranging sometimes upwards of $40,000 a year to attend.  Law School and Medical School are both options as well, but both are expensive and jobs are not guaranteed upon graduation.  In fact, many students find themselves working in fields that have little to nothing to do with what they went to school for, even if they went to graduate school. 

That being said, be sure you want to do what you are entering school to do.  Also, research majors and take into account what is in demand, while remembering to go into something you are truly passionate about.

How Much Do I Want To Spend For College?

Going to college in New York is expensive.  Private Universities like Fordham, St. John's, and Columbia are exceedingly expensive.  Granted, some of these schools, especially Columbia, has prestige that goes with a degree.  However, many students will find themselves with considerable debt in order to finish the program. 

Do not discount going to public universities such as CUNY, NYU, and Rutgers (which is in New Jersey), although none of these are particularly cheap.  One good option is to enter a community college for the first two years and transfer to a "four year" college for the remainder of your studies.  Your degree with be from the four year college but at a fraction of the price. 

Remember, student loan debt is generally non-dischargable in bankruptcy (there are a couple of very strict cases in which it can be discharged, but these generally are the result of drastic medical damages or life changes), and that should not be considered an option anyway. 

If you were in the US Military, be sure to take into consideration the programs offered through the military for college.  Likewise, many companies offer tuition reimbursement for those who continue education on a track similar to the requirements of their job.

What Colleges Are in New York City?

MANHATTAN is home to Fordham University, Columbia University, Yeshiva University, NYU, Rockefeller University, CUNY, MCNY and many, many others. 

QUEENS has branches of CUNY, and St. John's University.

BROOKLYN has Long Island University, St. Francis College, Pratt Institute, and branches of CUNY.

THE BRONX is home to Fordham University.

STATEN ISLAND has a branch of St. John's University.

Also, Keep In Mind...

...that there are many smaller colleges and trade schools everywhere in New York.  Some are more reputable than others.  Be sure to research your choice thoroughly before making a decision. 

Also, for financial aid, be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid located at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.  You will need your tax information and parents tax information if you are not an 'independent student' (generally over 25 or married). 

Finding a Staffing Agency in New York

Finding an employment agency in New York City

If you have a set of skills and are looking for a position, there are many employment agencies to choose from in New York.  I have compiled this list to help you out.  If you are looking for more information about the recruitment process in New York City, check out the article I wrote. 

An employment agency is an organization which matches employers to employees. In New York, there is a publicly funded employment agency and multiple private businesses which also act as employment agencies.

A temporary work agency, or "temp agency" or temporary staffing firm finds and retains workers. Other companies, in need of short-term workers, usually contract with the temp agency to send temporary workers, or temps, on assignment to work at the other companies. Temporary employees are also used in work that has a cyclical nature that requires frequent adjustment of staffing levels.  Full positions are not guaranteed, but many people have reported getting full employment as a result of using a temp agency.  There are also many of these in New York.

Advantages to those seeking employment from a temp agency are:

• Easy hire: Those meeting technical requirements for the particular type of work are often virtually guaranteed a job without a selection process.
• Flexible hours; a choice of which shifts to work; the ability to take off for weekends, holidays, vacations, personal appointments, or for any other reason of choice, or to work on such days for additional pay
• Pay rates are sometimes higher than the customary wages in a comparable permanent position.
• The likelihood of getting fired is often lower than in a permanent position, though a client of the agency can make a request for the temporary worker not to return, even if only for a minor infraction. Many agencies, such as OfficeTeam have three-strike polices in this regard.

Drawbacks to temp agencies are as follows:

• In the United States benefits packages are limited to medical insurance as mandated by law, a few reputable agencies offer additional benefits (vision, dental, life, 401k, etc) to the temporary associates that they place.
• Temp to hire positions have been known to have high turn over rates.

Here are some of the bigger employment agencies in New York.  If I missed any, please let me know on the comments.


MANHATTAN EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

Core Staffing Agencies - www.employcore.com
Core is located on Wall Street, and according to an acquaintance who has used their services, the majority of the positions they offer are administrative, and almost all are in Manhattan.  

Locke Careers - www.lockecareers.com
Location:  Midtown Manhattan.

The Supporting Cast - www.supportingcast.com
Located in Manhattan.  According to one user, go in to take a basic skills test such as typing, word processor, excel, which is followed by an in person interview.

Staffmark - www.staffmark.com
Location: Midtown Manhattan.

Bayview Consulting - www.bayviewconsulting.net
Location: Midtown Manhattan.  Clients include many Fortune 500 companies.

Career Group - www.careergroupinc.com
Location: Midtown West.

QUEENS EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

Queens Workforce1 - http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/wf1/html/home/home.shtml
Location:  Jamaica.  This is a government office, and reports here vary. 

BROOKLYN EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES


Penda Aiken - www.pendaaiken.com
Location:  Boerum Hill. 

Accountemps
Location:  MetroTech Center, Downtown Brooklyn.

Looking for more employment agencies in New York City?

There are many more places in the city.  Results vary with each agency, and some are better at matching people up with certain types of jobs than others.  Also note that some agencies focus more on tech companies, while others focus on administrative and accounting, so be sure to research the agency you are going to work with before you go in.  Also, if the agency lines you up for an interview, be sure to research the company and the position you are interviewing for.  In fact, many companies weed out would be employees who do not take the time to research the jobs.  Being interested in the position and the company goes a long way. 

Resume Writing Tips for Finding a Job In New York City.

If you are live in the Unites States, the job search process is similar in New York as it is for many other large cities.  If you live in another country, however, the job search in New York can be quite a different 'animal'.  Here, I’ll tell you about New York specific issues that you need to be aware of when writing your Dubai resume. If you need general instructions on how to write resumes, there are hundreds of free websites that can give you that. Use Google to find them, but for a look at a NYC or United States specific resume, stick here. Let’s get started.

Unlike certain other countries, there are anti-discrimination laws in NYC.
However, that being said, there is generally said to be some discrimination that takes place.   Employers can only ask you certain kinds of questions although they may judge you based on any criterion they deem necessary. What does this mean for your resume?  Well, first, you don't need to include your photo.  In fact, having a photo in a job application process in the United States is not the norm.  Discrimination based on race, sex, creed, etc. is illegal and can get an employer into serious trouble if they are caught discriminating in such a fashion.

You will have to have clearance to work in the United States or it will be very hard to find a job.  That's not to say that some positions do not hire people under the table, but this is a dangerous practice and is not something you should expect to find if you come to New York from overseas.

How Long Should My Resume Be?

Often you are told that a resume should be no longer than one page, size 12 font in Times New Roman.  However, it depends on your qualifications.  Sometimes a longer resume is necessary, especially if you have ten or more years of experience.  However, that being said, your job description should be short, unless you had a myriad of responsibilities and worked somewhere for many years.  However, that being the case, you can break it up into different positions.

Glorify Yourself and Dramatize.

I don’t care whether you are applying for an office administrator or a telemarketer, write your resume as if you’re applying for the Chief Executive Officer position. If you’ve done any work, be it freelance, community work, school project, voluntary or anything, glorify it and make it sound like the biggest project in the industry!

Here’s a little example:

You may have wrote:

Efficiently entered data into a spreadsheet

Instead, try writing:

Devised an efficient data-entry system that was approved by management and increased productivity by 70%

You’re not lying here, and you should not lie on a resume. The way you quickly input data into a spreadsheet is a system that’s devised by you, and you kinda mentioned that Excel trick to the boss and he liked it…

Generally, Keeping a Resume Neat is Good, But...

Career advisers tell people to have no styling in their resumes probably because they know that most people are horrible at styling documents. And it is probably true. So, if you know for sure that you can style your resume and still keep it clean and easily readable, do it. Otherwise, your photo nicely aligned to the side in the header, with a couple of thin black borders here and there would do the job. To stay safe, you can have a professional review and critique your resume for you.  If you are so inclined, post your e-mail address below in the comments and I will contact you and give you some advice for free.  I do not charge for any of my services here.

Don't Stop at the Resume, You MUST Have a Great Cover Letter!

The most important aspect of a cover letter is relevancy. When you write your cover letter, you are much more likely to get results if the cover letter is addressed directly to the person who will be reading it.

There are many sites on the internet for writing a good cover letter.  Often it depends on the job, but make it expand on your resume, show interest in the position and focus on what the employer wants, not what you want out of the employer.  Like your resume, spell check and edit thoroughly.  You want to look professional.

You can find professionals that will write and edit your resume.  In the future I will add more on this, but you should always be wary when searching for a professional to do a task like this.  If you are a student, chances are your college career services will help you with creating a resume and an effective cover letter for free.

Resume Emailing Tips:

If your Resume is ready for prime time, before you email your CV to anybody, make sure that you view and adhere to these important guidelines. They will increase the response you get.

Resume Tips

Tip 1: Make Your Email as Personal as Possible

Do not make the mistake of making a list of emails and send to them all at once. You need to send individual targeted emails to employers. You have to research the recipient of your email first and target your message to that particular individual.

Tip 2: Make an Attractive Subject Line

The subject of your email is very important. You should make a very attractive subject that forces the recipient to open your email and read it. For example, if you send an email to Donovan Properties, here’s a subject line that you could use: “Finance Manager with 12-yrs Experience for Donovan Properties” However, make sure that your subject line isn’t too long. Long subject lines are indicative of spam content and do not reach the inbox in some cases.

Tip 3: Greet The Recipient by Their Actual Name

Dear Sir/Madam is sometimes seen to be unattractive. Your message will often be tossed in the trash if you use this greeting. Greet the recipient by their actual name. Use "Dear Mark" or "Dear Mrs. Smith". Your message is much more likely to be read if you did that.  

Tip 4: Do Not Ask for a Job Directly

If you’re sending your resume to a hiring manager or a contact who works in a company that you want to work for, do not ask them to look at your resume from the first email. Try to first send an email to establish rapport.  This is important. For example, ask them questions about their industry or about their company. Try to exchange an email or two with them, then pitch yourself.

 

Tip 5: Rename Your Resume File

Before you attach your resume to the email, rename the file to something that's more meaningful. The more meaningful your resume file name is, the more frequently it will show up when the employer runs a search. For example, change “John Smith Resume.doc” to “John Smith Finance Manager Resume.doc” (avoid being too long here also). Now when they search for "finance manager", your resume will show up first.

The Recruitment Process in New York City.

How Do Companies in New York Go About Recruiting Employees From Within and Outside of New York City?

The answer to this question depends on the rank of the position you’re seeking. If you’re gunning for the middle to top management positions e.g., Purchasing Manager or Human Resources to Director for Sales & Marketing, the companies interested in your qualifications are going to go beyond the regular process to have you in for an interview. And these are normally the multi-national corporations. When they don’t have anyone in-house to fill the vacancy, these companies normally go to recruitment firms for an executive search.

Such companies would normally use several recruitment firms at once. When the firms have narrowed down the selection, the company HR director will review the recommendations of the firm and make a shortlist. When you wind up in that shortlist, that's when things get interesting. Companies will either fly you in for an interview, all expense paid, of course, or if they have regional headquarters where you’re at, they will ask you to report to someone there, or they can arrange for a video-conference to interview you. Make no mistake about it, if they want you, they have both the money and the technology to see if you are really what they truly need or want.

If you’re looking for a staff position or non-core position such as  administrative assistants, office assistants and other similar positions, company managers won’t be too concerned about your qualifications but of your ability to perform well enough to suit their needs.  However, you will be up against many individuals who are already in the New York area, and searching for jobs in a tough economy.

A very important factor that determines how you might be recruited is your current location. Obviously, recruiting someone from abroad is much more expensive than sourcing your workforce locally. New York city is home to many fine institutions, such as NYU, Columbia, Fordham, and St. John's, all producing high amounts of qualified workers. Rutger's University and Princeton in New Jersey also have many graduates hoping to work in New York.  If you are coming from one of these schools, you have a better chance of finding a job in the city.  But just because you are not feeding from one of these schools doesn't mean you have no change.  Holding all things equal, if the choice boils down to two candidates and one of them is already physically in New York, employers would go for someone already in the city. Employers often cover much, if not all expenses related or incidental to recruitment and hiring of their employees, and that being the case, companies save a whole lot of money if the candidate is already in New York.

Many job seekers go on foot from building to building, floor to floor, office to office and hand their resumes to the receptionist at each place of business they can get into. Others scour the internet and the papers for email addresses or fax numbers and send out their resumes and CVs electronically. We wouldn’t recommend that you do this, however. As it very time and resource consuming and it isn’t nearly as effective as utilizing the tools that we provide on this website.  In fact, many office buildings have front desks which can be a challenge to get past, and seeing an individual with the power to hire is slim to none.

If You’re Outside of New York City, Should You Come to New York to Look for a Job?

Whether or not it’s wise to come to New York City as a tourist or visitor to actively look for a job here is a question many people ask. Visiting New York, especially from overseas or the west coast, is not an inexpensive trip.  This is especially true for people who desperately need jobs. With the economy being weak, there is no assurance that you’ll get hired when you’re here, even if you are actively looking. While many have found success with their efforts and their investments (and gambles) have paid off, there are equally many who have failed and have gone back to their home states and countries jobless and buried in debt because of the job-hunting trip they took.

The best way, therefore, is to go halfway. What does that mean? Well, be willing to spend for a trip prior to getting hired but do so after you have previously lined up several job interviews from your current location. Again, there is no guarantee that you will be hired if you visit. However if you do, your chances of getting hired are definitely better than those who are not physically present. First, you will be in a better position to report to interviews. But to minimize your wait time and your related costs and expenses, float your CV/Resume before you fly in. Many companies actually do an initial phone interview. When you get replies, you can arrange for an interview at a future date and you can then fly in to report to your interviews and intensify your search efforts. That way, you won’t be starting from square one when you set foot in New York.

You Don't Need a Job in NYC, A Job In NYC Needs You!

There is an important fact that is frequently overlooked by those searching for a job. Not knowing about this fact is the reason most job seekers tend to face difficulties in their job search. Here is the simple fact:

Job seekers are sellers. Employers are buyers.

So, what does this mean? And how should it effect your job search and your outlook towards finding employment?
You may, as a job seeker, send out tens, if not hundreds, of cover letters and resumes to employers only to be disappointed with the lack of response. Then you will rationalize this disappointment in your head. You may think to yourself:

• Maybe the company is not currently hiring?
• Maybe the person who normally reviews applications has gone on a vacation?
• Perhaps there was a systems failure that resulted in my application not being sent?
• Maybe it is something that is really out of my control, such as luck or karma?
• Perhaps, etc…

The truth is however, these causes are seldom the reason for lack of response. Employers always have money to spend and hire new people; ALWAYS. The reason they didn’t respond to your efforts is because your offer to them is not compelling enough. You made the mistake of not convincing them that you are worth buying.

What are companies, businesses, and employers all interested in? Simple, it's one thing: money.
To convince employers of buying your service, the first thing you need to do is to refine yourself and specialize in one particular field and then show them that your specialty can bring them the money they crave.

You need to:

• first, examine your particular specialty and your capabilities
• second, market your specialty by targeting your job application to that specialty
• third, sell your specialty by showing employers the benefits of having you rather than anyone else.

Examine Your Specialty

In order to examine if you have a specialized skill, try asking yourself the following question: can you utilize your skills to earn a living independently and without the help of an employer, for example as a freelance consultant, small business owner, designer or writer?
If not, then is it because you lack the particular platform that the employer provides or is it because you are not sure of the value of your skills in the open market?

If you’re not sure of the value of what you do, then New York may not be for you, yet. As I have said in our other employment guides, many New York companies rather partake in minimal training and would rather that employees to hit the ground running. These employers are not out there to discover your hidden qualities and talents. They want you to help them make money and produce.
Furthermore, if you answered "no," perhaps you should take some time off, think about your future, and discover exactly what you enjoy and what you would like to do before coming to New York.
If you answered "yes" then you are probably ready. Now it’s time to put on the hat of the salesman/marketer.

Targeting Your Job Application

In marketing it is taught that targeted messages are the ones that receive the highest response.
However, due to the difficulty that is associated with creating a quality targeted job application, you may instead opt for quantity. In other words, instead of tailoring your applications to a few companies and hiring managers, you may create a type of "template" message that you broadcast to 100s of employers. In reality, however, when it comes to sales and marketing, quality is always more important than quantity. Think about yourself: are you more likely to respond to a spam e-mail that goes out to tens of thousands of people, or are you more likely to respond to an e-mail that addresses you by your name and discusses issues that are relevant to your particular life at the moment? It is always the latter, and that’s what you should do.

For example, you may see a job posted on a job site.  Immediately write down the company name and the department of the company that posted the job. Then use Google or similar search engine and find the contact information for that individual . Then call them up and ask to speak to the manager of the department that posted the job. When you are asked by the phone operator for the reason of your call, say that you have important questions about the posted job description, and you need clarifications. Speak with confidence and authority. When you are connected to the manager (be polite, but don’t let him/her intimidate you; he/she is not your manager, yet. It’s just someone on the phone who may actually be an idiot), ask the questions that you have. Ask him what he really wants in the person who he’ll hire. Ask what traits he likes, etc. Also, take this opportunity to introduce yourself and learn the name and, if possible, the email and direct phone number of the manager. This information will help you target your message to this manager directly.  This will impress.  Of course, if the job states "no phone calls", doing this may be unwise.

How many job seekers do you suppose will go to this length in order to secure a job? The reality is very few. If you follow this procedure, you will have instantly put yourself ahead of all job seekers. Additionally, with the information that you will have acquired through this procedure, you will be able to tailor your application to the specific requirements of this manager and his department. It will be very hard for them to not consider you for the job.

Selling Your Job Application

Now that we have talked about the importance of of targeted messages, we should now address the importance of the particular content of your targeted message. What exactly should you say in your job application in order to sell it?  This can be hard for some people, but anyone can send out a compelling package.
There are two important principles of selling that you should keep in mind when you send out your application

• First, make it very clear exactly what it is that you do. Don’t let them get confused in trying to understand where to place you in their organization.  Be straightforward and honest.
• Second, in your profile whenever you mention one of your strengths, follow it with with a sentence that describes how this strength can be a benefit to their business.

For example, if you have eight years of experience in marketing, in your profile, don’t just say "A dynamic professional with eight years experience in marketing." Instead, emphasize how they can benefit from your eight years of experience by saying something like, "With my eight years of marketing experience, I’m capable of creating and executing marketing campaigns that are guaranteed to enhance the brand and perception of [company name] to increase its long term profitability."
Whenever you mention one of your strengths, make it clear to the reader how this strength will contribute to their profitability and make them a better company as a result. Do not make the reader have to think in order to figure out how you could help them.

If you follow the outlined procedure in this article, you will find that you are ahead of your peers when it comes to finding that dream job that you seek.

Neighborhood Profile: Kew Gardens (Queens)

Kew Gardens is one of my favorite neighborhoods in New York.  It's located in Queens, between Jamaica and Forest Hills.  Kew Gardens is a neighborhood with what one could call a "European Charm" to it.  Here you will find single family homes as well as large apartment buildings, and many shops and restaurants.  The rents here are moderate for the New York City area, and the neighborhood is home to a Long Island Railroad stop as well as access via the F and E trains from Manhattan.

The main shopping areas in Kew Gardens are Lefferts Boulevard, Metropolitan Avenue, and Queens Boulevard.  Austin Street, which runs east-west into Forest Hills, is another nearby shopping area, which is home to many well known stores (Barnes & Noble, Gap, Loft, etc.) as well as some lesser known stores and health food shops.  The LIRR stop in Kew Gardens is close to Lefferts Boulevard. 

Kew Gardens, like Forest Hills, is a very green neighborhood.   During the summer months, the streets are shadowed with magnificent trees above.  One of New York City's largest parks, Forest Park, is located partially in Kew Gardens.  This park boasts many hiking trails as well as a picnic area, small pond, a golf course, sports areas, a track, handball courts, an amphitheater and carousel (currently closed).  Forest Park is a gorgeous park with pretty much something for everyone.  There are a couple of stables that rent out horses here.  For more information on Forest Park, see this link:  Forest Park. 

If you are looking for a high quality of life, you can not go wrong by choosing Kew Gardens.

 
A one bedroom apartment can be found in Kew Gardens for around $1,300.  A studio for around $900-1,100.  Two bedrooms can be found closer to $1,500, and three bedrooms are listed around $1,750.  Of course, these prices may vary and often fluctuate.  The best times to move are during the winter months, when college students from nearby St. John's University are not looking for apartments.  However, even if you are thinking of moving during the summer months, finding an apartment in this neighborhood is not too hard.  There are many options, with some apartment buildings located adjacent to Forest Park.  Kew Gardens is close to the only Trader Joe's in Queens, and is a short subway ride from Target, Costco, and Rego Center.  Grocery stores and restaurants here are plentiful.

If you are interested in learning more about Kew Gardens, visit the website: www.kewgardens.com.