Apartment Searching in NY

[ebmk3891]

I'm going to be moving out of my current apartment after about 4 years with a roommate and wanted to know if anyone had any good tips/tools for finding no-fee apartments in NY.

I had friends of friends find some good deals for studios in UES for about $1200/month. I'm looking to stay under $1300-1400 with no roommates. I'm currently in Astoria and wouldn't mind staying in the area as well. I've been searching through craigslist, padmappers, ebay classifieds, and of course google.

I'm looking at an end of Oct/Nov 1st move. Am I looking too soon?

Thanks,

 

[gomestar]

try looking for stuff with the streeteasy website

Keep in mind that even "no fee" apartmetns really have a fee, they're just built into the rent and the landlord pays. If you plan on staying for more than a year or two, offer to pay it as it'll lower your rent and it'll pay for itself after the first year.

 

[ebmk3891]

Cool - that's good to know

 

[ebmk3891]

Also - around where should I be paying as a percentage of my salary? I'm hearing ~%25-30 of the gross income. Right now, it seems I am paying about 18%