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Before the back-to-school season arrives in the United States, one of the most crucial tasks for students is finding accommodation. Every student’s parent hopes their child can secure a convenient, safe, and comfortable residence. Additionally, Chinese international students may encounter distinct challenges based on the leasing agreements in New York City.
Here, uhomes offer you some advice on searching for housing (Presented by uhomes).
An overview of the New York rental market
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Average monthly rent is $3,859; Downtown average is $3,388; Midtown vicinity > $4,000 |
| Space | Limited per capita living space; Common to share rooms; 10 sqm near Columbia University > $1,000; Independent bedroom near NYU > $1,500 |
| Room Sharing | Widespread due to cost; Sharing larger rooms is common for students unconcerned with privacy |
| Cleanliness | Notable issues; Importance of refrigerating food to prevent pests |
| Safety | Impoverished areas may have higher crime rates; Advice to avoid going out alone at night and to group up for outings |
| Demand & Supply | Imbalance causes quick turnover; Quick decisions needed; Properties may be gone within a day |
| Landlord Requirements | Credit checks, proof of income, application fees; Challenges with poor credit or insufficient income |
Firstly, let’s discuss the overall characteristics of the rental housing market in New York City, which can be summarized by four aspects: expensive, crowded, disorderly, and challenging. As everyone knows, NYC is a city where the spending on daily consumption is costly; it also includes the house rent. According to the latest report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the average monthly rent in New York City has reached a staggering $3,859.
Take a one-bedroom apartment as an example. The average rent in the downtown area is $3,388, while it exceeds $4,000 per month in the Midtown subway vicinity. Then, housing in New York is expensive and characterized by meagre per capita living space. Sharing a room with roommates is a widespread occurrence. In the vicinity of Columbia University in Morningside Heights, an approximately 10-square-meter bedroom averages over $1,000. Near NYU, renting an independent bedroom costs at least $1,500 or more. If privacy is not a significant concern for students, it’s common to opt to share a larger room with another person. Living in the city of New York poses two major problems that students should be mindful of. On the one hand, the city’s cleanliness issues are notable. Be cautious about food storage, preferably in the refrigerator, to prevent rodents and cockroaches in your room.
On the other hand, impoverished areas exist within the city. These areas often correlate with higher crime rates. Therefore, if students choose to reside in such neighborhoods, it is advisable to avoid going out alone during early mornings and late nights, and it’s preferable to go out in groups for routine outings. Another challenging aspect of renting in New York is the severe imbalance between housing supply and demand. A property you liked in the morning might be gone by the afternoon unless you make a quick decision. Moreover, many landlords will request various procedures such as credit checks, proof of income, and prompt application fees. These requirements add a sense of urgency to the already competitive process. Unexpected issues like poor credit or an income insufficient to cover the rent can lead to rejection by landlords. In such situations, continuing the search for housing becomes even more difficult.
New York room type introduction and regional distribution
Having discussed the New York rental market, let’s now explore the types of houses in the city. New York housing types include private rooms, studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, which are predominant in New York, with fewer three-bedroom and even fewer four-bedroom options.
Now, let’s delve into the main residential areas of New York:
1. Manhattan:
– Downtown: Below 14th Street, heading south.
– Midtown: Between 14th Street and 59th Street, or from Central Park to Union Square.
– Upper West Side: Between West 59th Street and West 110th Street, or the entire west side of Central Park up to Columbia University.
– Upper East Side: Between East 59th Street and East 96th Street, or from the east side of Central Park to East Harlem.
– Roosevelt Island: A narrow island east of Manhattan, considered part of the Upper East Side.
2. Queens: Moving from west to east
– Long Island City: Closest to Manhattan, accessible by E, M, 7, and G trains.
– Jackson Heights: Near the seventh train, with a 15-minute subway ride to Manhattan.
– Elmhurst: Near the 7, E, F, M, and R trains, also a 15-minute subway ride to Manhattan.
– Rego Park: Along the E, F, M, and R train lines, with a 15-minute subway ride to Manhattan.
– Forest Hills: Along the E, F, M, and R train lines, with a 20-minute subway ride to Manhattan.
– Flushing: The terminus of the seven trains, with express trains taking 25 minutes and local trains taking 40 minutes to reach Manhattan.
3. Brooklyn:
– Students typically reside along the R, N, D, and F train lines. The safety of East Brooklyn is generally considered poor, and students tend to avoid living in that area.
To find a house around the university
Alternatively, we can consider finding housing based on the geographical locations of universities. Here are the recommended residential areas for students from various New York City universities:
The first part includes Columbia University, Fordham University, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Juilliard School of Music, and Barnard College:
– Located in the Upper West Side, students generally reside in Upper West or Midtown West. Subway lines 1, 2, 3, B, and C ensure a 30-minute commute from Midtown to the campuses. It’s advised for students to avoid areas above 125th Street in Harlem due to safety concerns, and generally, areas below 120th Street are considered safe. Fordham and NYIT students can also consider living in Queens, ensuring a 30–to 50-minute commute to campus from locations near the subway.
The second part includes New York University (NYU), Parsons The New School, School of Visual Arts (SVA), Baruch College, Pace University, St. John’s University Manhattan Campus, Yeshiva University Manhattan Campus:
– Students in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan usually live near their respective schools or in Queens, Brooklyn, or Newport (New Jersey). Living close to the subway ensures a 30–50-minute commute to campus.
The characteristics of rent house in NYC
In addition, rental houses in New York have four characteristics. Firstly, nearly all landlords or management companies require background and income verification for prospective tenants. The typical criterion is that a tenant’s annual income must be 40 times the monthly rent. As international students often need to meet this requirement, landlords and management companies commonly employ the following approaches: Tenants may be asked to prepay 6 months or a year of rent, with higher-quality properties often requiring a larger upfront payment. Some buildings that do not accept prepaid rent may charge an additional security deposit based on the applicant’s situation. For certain buildings, international students may need to provide a guarantor. The guarantor must offer financial assurance, with their income typically around 80 times the monthly rent. Some management companies accept rental insurance as a guarantee provided by an insurance company. The insurance premium is usually equivalent to one month’s rent. The second characteristic is the utility. Generally, apartment rents in New York include hot water and heating.
Some apartments may also include water, electricity, heating, and gas. Given that the heating season in New York spans approximately 5-6 months and comes with substantial costs, it’s crucial to carefully consider whether heating is included in the rent when choosing a place to live. Thirdly, The New York housing market stands out due to its rapid turnover of available listings. During peak seasons, most listings are on the market for only a few days. This is attributed to New York’s status as a global business hub with numerous universities. Desirable properties are quickly taken, and there’s a common scenario where sought-after listings may already have pending applications by the time one is ready to apply. Consequently, securing an affordable and appealing property in New York often demands prompt action.
The tips for searching house in NYC
When searching for accommodation in New York City, international students should consider several important things: First, start as early as possible. International students should engage in the housing search process earlier than their American counterparts to gain a competitive edge. We recommend starting at least a month before the academic term begins. During this time, international students can familiarize themselves with the surroundings and transportation, understand the school’s registration procedures, make friends, and even seek part-time employment to supplement future expenses. Secondly, avoid unsafe areas. Always prioritize safety and never consider living in areas known to be unsafe, regardless of the potential cost savings in rent. Thirdly, Seize suitable housing opportunities promptly. If you use a broker to save time, communicate your preferences and budget and carefully examine the property’s details. Understand how utility costs such as electricity, gas, and heating are managed. Clarify the lease term, payment of deposits, and request receipts. Additionally, inquire about the conditions for subletting the property.
