NYC Big Law- where to live Forum

[alclaw10]

I know I've seen threads about this before, but having trouble locating it. Where are good spots for young big law associates to live (firm is in midtown east). Trying to start looking at places soon so I can enjoy the city for a bit before working.

[Anonymous User]

LIC is too expensive! $3000 for a one bedroom! I was thinking of living in jersey (JC or Hoboken) 400-500 a month in net tax savings + COL savings.

[Anonymous User]

For savings, NJ is a great option. For convenience/price for you, Queens/LIC/Astoria - very easy commute to midtown east. If you want more action, check out the LES and if you want something more peaceful but pricy, check out the UES or the UWS (but the commute from the UWS will suck a bit).

[r6_philly]

LIC is too expensive! $3000 for a one bedroom! I was thinking of living in jersey (JC or Hoboken) 400-500 a month in net tax savings + COL savings.

Nitpicking but city tax alone is 500 a month.

[sayan]

LIC is too expensive! $3000 for a one bedroom! I was thinking of living in jersey (JC or Hoboken) 400-500 a month in net tax savings + COL savings.

Nitpicking but city tax alone is 500 a month.

Not after deducting from income for fed taxes.

[r6_philly]

what is it for single at 180k?

[Anonymous User]

LIC is too expensive! $3000 for a one bedroom! I was thinking of living in jersey (JC or Hoboken) 400-500 a month in net tax savings + COL savings.

Nitpicking but city tax alone is 500 a month.

Not after deducting from income for fed taxes.

I think it is now based on 180k salary. $412 to be exact. plus other savings in sales tax

[Anonymous User]

Depends on whether you're okay with roommates. And if you want to be close to the office and are okay sharing a place, you can get some pretty good Manhattan finds.

[Anonymous User]

Depends on whether you're okay with roommates. And if you want to be close to the office and are okay sharing a place, you can get some pretty good Manhattan finds.

Is it really that unfeasible to get a solo apartment in manhattan? I've seen some small studios/1 BR 2000-2500 range.

[1styearlateral]

Hell's Kitchen is pretty affordable.

[King Cayuga]

Hell's Kitchen is pretty affordable.

Hell's Kitchen is also dirty AF and kind of run down, although it has some nice food options.

[1styearlateral]

Hell's Kitchen is pretty affordable.

Hell's Kitchen is also dirty AF and kind of run down, although it has some nice food options.

Gotta pick your poison.

Lots of gay bars too.

[MCFC]

Here's an old thread with some decent (if dated) info. http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&t=165447 I'm struggling a bit.

[Biglaw Investor]

Find roommates!! Biglaw is isolating enough. You're used to living like a law student. Do not shoot yourself in the financial foot by getting your own place. Midtown east has great accessibility, so you'll have a lot of options, whether you want to work close to the office (Murray Hill) or if you prefer some space (Cobble Hill in Brooklyn). Other options are Lower East Side, East Village, Upper East Side. A lot of this has to do with your personality and what you like. All the more reason to find some roommates, settle in and give yourself the easy option of moving to a different location if you're not sure yet.

Keep those expenses low! Take advantage of the firehose of money that's about to come your way.

[Anonymous User]

Which neighborhood would you guys recommend for a married couple with zero interest in having additional roommates? Will be working in midtown, would prefer to have a <45 minute commute (am I asking for a unicorn?)

[Biglaw Investor]

Which neighborhood would you guys recommend for a married couple with zero interest in having additional roommates? Will be working in midtown, would prefer to have a <45 minute commute (am I asking for a unicorn?)

Midtown west or east? I like Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, East Village (Alphabet City area). You can find great properties all over the city. Depends on what you like. I prefer separation. Never go into Manhattan on the weekend unless I have to.

[wons]

Which neighborhood would you guys recommend for a married couple with zero interest in having additional roommates? Will be working in midtown, would prefer to have a <45 minute commute (am I asking for a unicorn?)

Midtown west or east? I like Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, East Village (Alphabet City area). You can find great properties all over the city. Depends on what you like. I prefer separation. Never go into Manhattan on the weekend unless I have to.

What awful advice. Brooklyn is inconvenient to midtown and terrible value. If you're Midtown east, the obvious answer here is the UES. Totally residential, lowest rents in Manhattan south of 96th, safe and clean. Tons of housing stock. It is deeply uncool - any deuchebag who suggests living in the grotestquely poorly-located Alphabet City will look down on you for living up there - but it is by far the most livable neighborhood in the City.

-signed, someone who has lived in NYC for over 30 years and lives on the UES because he has a wife and a kid and it would be crazy to live anywhere else except maybe the UWS but that has gotten too expensive and benefits from the fruits of the fresh-out-of-the-suburbs-idiots-who-brag-about-never-coming-into-Manhattan-or-never-going-north-of-14th.

[Biglaw Investor]

What awful advice. Brooklyn is inconvenient to midtown and terrible value. If you're Midtown east, the obvious answer here is the UES. Totally residential, lowest rents in Manhattan south of 96th, safe and clean. Tons of housing stock. It is deeply uncool - any deuchebag who suggests living in the grotestquely poorly-located Alphabet City will look down on you for living up there - but it is by far the most livable neighborhood in the City.

UES is a great location. Totally depends on what someone is looking for in a neighborhood. As I said, you can find great properties all over the city. Between the two of us, it sounds like you're the one with the strong opinions about the type of people who live in certain areas of the city. But in my experience that's pretty typical of people who have lived here for a long time. In fact, I'd guess you probably wouldn't even consider me a New Yorker. Fair enough! I have plenty of friends in the UES and considered living there, but it wasn't for me. But then again, I don't have a wife and kid.

-signed, somebody who lives in the most populous borough.

[Nebby]

Nice studios in the UES are $2500 and you're a 15 minute commute to work

[Anonymous User]

What about UES COL compared to Queens near the river not LIC?

If I could only find someone cool to share a new 2 bedroom waterfront 1300 sq ft condo in Jersey that will only cost $1700 per room.

[Danger Zone]

Queens near the river is expensive as shit. Going into Astoria only drops the price slightly from riverfront LIC. You don't want to be any further out in Queens than LIC/Astoria if you want a reasonable commute (and to still live in the city). I guess you could consider Ditmars, the N could take you straight to work from there.

[WolverineMachine]

Bump.

Is paying about $3K in rent for a studio completely unrealistic? Figure paying about another $1K or so in loans per month too.

[ChervonaKatya]

Which neighborhood would you guys recommend for a married couple with zero interest in having additional roommates? Will be working in midtown, would prefer to have a <45 minute commute (am I asking for a unicorn?)

I'm leaving for law school now, but after spending ~9 years in NYC and plotting where I want to live when I return, I absolutely recommend Harlem and Hamilton Heights, specifically. Lots of trains (A/B/C/D at 145th get you to midtown in ~20min, 1/3 also easy options), safe, affordable, more space, tons of parks, great restaurants, quiet, etc. It's a great neighborhood and I hope I can still afford it when I move back in 2019. Check out Harlem Bespoke -- they usually post some apartments each week in the area and you can get an idea of some of the restaurants and events in the area.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Which neighborhood would you guys recommend for a married couple with zero interest in having additional roommates? Will be working in midtown, would prefer to have a <45 minute commute (am I asking for a unicorn?)

Midtown west or east? I like Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, East Village (Alphabet City area). You can find great properties all over the city. Depends on what you like. I prefer separation. Never go into Manhattan on the weekend unless I have to.

What awful advice. Brooklyn is inconvenient to midtown and terrible value. If you're Midtown east, the obvious answer here is the UES. Totally residential, lowest rents in Manhattan south of 96th, safe and clean. Tons of housing stock. It is deeply uncool - any deuchebag who suggests living in the grotestquely poorly-located Alphabet City will look down on you for living up there - but it is by far the most livable neighborhood in the City.

-signed, someone who has lived in NYC for over 30 years and lives on the UES because he has a wife and a kid and it would be crazy to live anywhere else except maybe the UWS but that has gotten too expensive and benefits from the fruits of the fresh-out-of-the-suburbs-idiots-who-brag-about-never-coming-into-Manhattan-or-never-going-north-of-14th.

It's really not terrible advice at all, although the UES is also fine. All of the Brooklyn neighborhoods he mentioned have excellent train access to both the east and west side and should be able to get you to almost any firm in NYC within a half hour, roughly. I wouldn't go past, say, Avenue B in alphabet city just for train access, but the UES has literally the exact same problem if you live over by York, and then you're stuck with the Lex line whereas from the east village you can get to Times Square or the east side easily.

[Danger Zone]

Bump.

Is paying about $3K in rent for a studio completely unrealistic? Figure paying about another $1K or so in loans per month too.

Unrealistic as in you don't think you'll find a stood for that cheap? Lmao, only in NYC.

The answer is that you'll def find something for that price.