Brooklyn, New York City’s most populous borough, has always maintained its own distinct character. Vibrant and culturally diverse, it is a viable alternative to those who toil in Manhattan. By no means inexpensive, Brooklyn does offer a wide selection of neighborhoods and a broader range of rental rates than most areas of New York County. Here is pertinent information on how to find cheap apartments in Brooklyn.
Know your neighborhoods. This will help you immensely in your search for cheap apartments in Brooklyn. Don’t wait until you move in to look around. You may be disappointed that you didn’t consider all areas of this large borough. The subway system in New York City is one of the best in the world, so your commute can remain relatively reasonable even if you live farther from work than you are used to.
Also, each of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods has a unique character; know that character before you sign your lease. For instance, Borough Park is largely comprised of Orthodox Jewish people, Bedford Stuyvesant of African Americans. Bensonhurst is predominantly Italian, and Brighton Beach is home to many Russian and Pakastani immigrants. Sunset Park is largely made up of Hispanics and Chinese Americans. Knowing you neighborhoods will help you save a lot of time and money in the long run.
Avoid a fee. Brokers in New York City charge the equivalent of one month’s rent to “find” you an apartment. Do yourself a favor and find the apartment yourself. If the rent is $2,400 per month (and thus the fee is $2,400), that’s $200 more a month (in the first year) you can put towards rent and bills. There are many apartments available in Brooklyn that are being leased out directly by the owner. If you are using Craigslist, click on “No Fee Apartments.” Look at local newspapers, community bulletin boards, and ask around.
Consider a share. A two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn is not double the price of a one-bedroom, so obviously you can save a lot of money on a share. Of course, you don’t want the roommate from hell, so don’t be afraid to interview a number of prospective roommates before choosing the successful candidate. A roommate also takes a large bite out of the monthly expenses such as cable, gas and electric.
Other tips on how to find cheap apartments in Brooklyn include: Sacrifice space for a great Brooklyn location. Look for sublets. Beware scammers, especially on Craigslist. Above all, network. You are bound to find somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody who is subletting or leasing out an apartment in Brooklyn.
I hope these tips on how to find cheap apartments in Brooklyn were helpful. Welcome to the neighborhood!
