I’ll be honest: finding an apartment in NYC can be a nightmare. Demand is high, vacancy rates are low, and prices can be daunting if you’re not accustomed to living in the city. On top of that, you have to think about broker fees, New York’s high cost of living, safety concerns, and stark competition from tenants going after the same apartment unit. For newbies and seasoned city slickers alike, the New York housing market can be a bit more than confusing. But hopefully, we can help put your mind at ease. Let this be your compass on your apartment hunting in New York City journey.

Understand differences in cost-of-living.

If you’re apartment hunting in The Big Apple, understand that living in the city can be a costly affair. Use a cost-of-living calculator to help you determine what your current salary would buy you in New York. For example, if you live in Atlanta, Georgia and have an annual income of $50,000, to maintain your standard of living in Manhattan, New York, you’d need to earn approximately $117,000 per year.

Know your budget.

If you’ve determined that your financial situation is able to stomach the increased cost-of-living in New York, next, it’s time to establish a budget. Ensure that your NYC salary will be enough to cover rent, groceries, and transportation. Set an affordable monthly rent range, and stick to it. After all, you wouldn’t want to contribute to New York’s ever-growing homeless population.

Thoroughly research neighborhoods of interest.

It’s easy to read reviews about an area online or see pictures of it in your Instagram feed, but it’s a totally different thing to experience it in person. It’s important and highly recommended that you go and physically visit neighborhoods of interest. What someone online might consider “a safe vibe” might be your idea of Nightmare on Elm Street. Just because the street looks nice and tranquil at noon doesn’t mean that it will remain that way once the sun goes down. When looking for these nyc apartments for rent, you should also make sure that neighborhoods of interest fit within your budget and that commute times between work and other points of interest are not overwhelming.

Keep an open mind.

Movies and TV shows have given the impression that all New York City apartments are sprawling open areas with lavish views of Central Park. Not to rain on your parade, but those apartments that you see on Real Housewives of New York or MTV Cribs (when it was a thing) can cost tenants upwards of $15,000 a month. A more realistic picture if you’re apartment hunting in New York is something like a small space (usually less than 1,000 square feet) without a dishwasher and a communal laundry area in the basement. However, each borough is different, and some are notoriously more expensive than others (like Manhattan). Again, do your research, and figure out what’s truly important to you.

Do your apartment hunting in the winter.

No one wants to move in the middle of a blustering snowstorm, and landlords know it. That’s why the winter months are considered “off season.” During the off season (typically December through March), you can usually get a better deal on rent because landlords are anxious to get any vacancies filled. However, move in the summertime and expect to pay top dollar.

Web search your broken and/or future landlord.

You should do this whether you’re apartment hunting in New York City or any other city, but do a web search on your broker and/or potential landlord before sharing any personal information. Scam artists are all over the place, but in a place like New York City where people are desperate to walk through an open door, shady people use this to their advantage. Public Advocate for the City of New York Letitia James put together a list of the 100 worst landlords in New York City. Browse through the list before sharing personal information and/or signing any paperwork.

Do your apartment hunting with a trusted friend or family member.

It’s always nice to have a second opinion, especially when it belongs to someone you know and trust. Bringing a friend or family member along during the apartment hunting process can keep you from making a decision that you’ll regret later on down the line. They can make sure you stick to your budget, help you catch any red flags, make sure you ask the right questions, and just help keep you calm.

Check for signs of rodent infestation.

Mice and rats are a reality in New York City — well, any city, really. By law, landlords are required to tell you if your prospective apartment has been infected with bedbugs in the past year, but they are not required to let you know if the apartment has been infested with mice or rats. Besides the obvious rodent droppings, other signs that rodents are active is the smell of urine, scampering noises, gnaw marks, and nests (shredded paper, fabric, etc.).

Apartment hunting in any city is difficult. Apartment hunting in New York City is a whole ‘nother beast. But equipped with the proper tools and knowledge, you can get an apartment that fits your needs and budget. Hopefully these apartment hunting in NYC tips help you on your way to finding the perfect place.

Author’s Bio:

Darlene Mase lives in Newnan, Georgia with her husband and daughter. She is a stay-at-home mom and works as a freelance writer for Zumper.com and other popular sites. During her free time, Darlene enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, cycling, gardening, caving, kayaking, or anything else outdoors

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