10 Ways to Lower Your Cost of Living in the Lower East Side
Posted on March 5, 2007
Filed Under Apartment Living | 18 Comments
Lowering Your Cost Of Living In The Lower East Side
As The Lower East Side of New York City has become increasingly popular over the recent years
it has grown exponentially more expensive to live here. Food, shopping, entertainment, and the general cost
of living have all been effected by the influx of a wealthier demographic. The young professionals
who now call the Lower East Side home have high expectations and those who aren’t so financially fortunate
can either adapt or move out. As a resident of the Lower East Side myself I have managed to adapt to the
changing tide and this 10 series piece will present you with the methods I’ve used to stay afloat in the Lower East Side.
1. Apartment Living
Renting an apartment in the Lower East Side is a feat in itself, but maintaining a bank account
afterwards is next to impossible if you’re not careful. Utility, broker and moving fees add up after a move-in to the Lower East Side.
Utility costs can be controlled by using a fan instead of an air-conditioner. Also when looking
for an apartment make sure you ask the broker to show you places with heat and hot water included. Apartments in the Lower East Side have
two types of heating typically – the kind you pay for and the kind you don’t! If you see a radiator in the apartment, typically heat and hot water are included, but always ask the broker to be sure.
Real estate fees can accumulate quickly right before your eyes at a lease signing, but an informed applicant can curb many of these costs. Brokers fees are often unavoidable depending on the market conditions. If you can, always go for the no fee deals. A brokers fee is usually calculated as thirteen to fifteen percent of the annualized rent. This fee is paid to the broker at lease signing. A no fee apartment does not have this associated cost and will save you a ton of money. Be prepared to put down an extra months security or pay the last months rent up front on a no fee deal. Never be afraid to negotiate rent with your broker. The broker is your direct connection to the landlord and is there to act on your behalf. Never be afraid to ask for a reduction in rent before the least goes to draft.
Moving fees can be very expensive anywhere within New York City. Strict parking laws and restrictive move-in guidelines can also inconvenience an already costly venture. Make sure you understand the move-in restrictions of your building. Most buildings in the Lower East Side don’t have any restrictions, but the newer buildings may require you to move during certain hours 1 day in the week for example.
If there are no restrictions, an evening move will be much less of a headache than a daytime move. Ticket officers are on the prowl during the day time and will ticket you when you least expect it. If you must use a moving company go for someone local with the least
frills you can tolerate. Movers in New York City are not all created equal, ask your friends about their experiences or I can always recommend someone good too.
Watch the video related to apartment living expenses
Help answer the question about apartment living expenses
How can I cut down my cost of living so I can afford an apartment?I'm looking to live in an apartment in college (because I know I could never take it living in a dorm). Do you know of any ways to cut down on living expenses/clothings purchases so I can afford an apartment? What are some cheap but realtively healthy foods I can purchase? (I don't want to be eating Ramen noodles for dinner every night, and I do like to eat healthy.) Can you help me?
About Author
Although originally hailing from England, the Lower East Side has been home for the majority of my 12 years in the states. Although I’ve had other occupations from owning a bread shop in Essex Market, a L.E.S staple, to working for a NY jewelery designer, I seem to come back to real estate and specifically in the Lower East Side. I’ve watched the market and landscape change in the Lower East Side dramatically from a predominately residential area into the Mecca for music, art and fashion that it has become today. With nearly a decade of real estate experience and love of the area i know i can help you find the perfect home.
Please visit my website for news, advice and information about moving to or living in the Lower East Side.
- Anna Longo
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18 Responses to “10 Ways to Lower Your Cost of Living in the Lower East Side”
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awesome, keep up the good work!
Loans for students help the student to deal with all the expenses that are to be incurred during his education phase like it includes entire cost of the student’s education from tuition fees, accommodation, books, and computers to transportation and many more.
http://student-loans-info.50webs.org/
Many Banks, financial institutions, online lenders etc are ready to offer the loans for students. But students considering their precious time and finds easy to via online as it provides easy access than other source. There are a large number of requirements other than college or course fees.
http://loan-house.we.bs/studentloan.html
Some of the most crucial are computer expense, hostel charges, and books and so on. The best college student loans are one which comprises all such expenses. But, to qualify for any such one, you have to give it your best shot as far search is concerned. Such purpose can be accomplished by exploring World Wide Web. You will find an innumerable number of lenders offering college student loans.
Since you have no credit it's unlikely you will be able to get a loan on your own. If your parents are willing to co-sign for a private student loan, that money will be sent to you and them directly and you can use that for living expenses.
Private student loans, like federal loans offer an option to defer payments until after you leave school. However they have a higher interest rate than a federal student loan. As such you should borrow smart with them. Only take out the absolute minimum you need. Shop the lenders for the best rate and fees at sites like http://www.studentloanconsultants.com and check each of the lenders website for specific information about re-payment and discounts that may be available.
I'd approach your parents and ask if they'd be willing to pay for the living expenses and let you pay for the tuition. Then you could apply for federal student loans after completing your fafsa. If you get a federal student loan you wouldn't need them to co-sign although you'd need to show their income if you are still a dependent under the federal guidelines.
i use photoshop
If you have any money left over after your tuition and books are paid (or if they are already paid) yes, your school will give the money to you (usually a few weeks after school has started) to do with as you wish.
Room and board is just a generic term and yes, it can be used to supplement your rent and utilities and such.
Try to ignore all the spam. Every time someone asks a question about a loan, they explode with horrible companies wanting you to borrow from them at high interest rates.
HOLY CRAP! Comparing this to the original picture, they’re identical!
awesome stuff man,….ama practice hard to get to yo level!
I'm going to start from your list. Rent-I live in Iowa we have studio apartments for rent that are 450 per month with all utilities included. I suggest renting something like this because it means you don't have to worry about six different bills. But if there isn't any available in your area you will have multiple bills. Rent, hopefully renters insurance (usually very very low, here it is less than 20 per month) gas 20, electric 50-75, WATER40-50, cable 30-40, internet10-50, PHONE 35-40. Food for one person should be low 200 max. Also like the other people said transportation-car, insurance, gas etc.
If you are in college you may want to reconsider. If I moved off campus I would lose some of my financial aide.
It really depends on where you live and the kind of amenities you want.
Hope this helps
Dear dnice:
You will need to do 2 things to make this work.
* Get a Roomie~
* Find a job that pays DOUBLE!
Good Luck!
Inexpensive local rentals can often be found in either the local paper (in this case, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal) or Craigslist.
I did a search in the J-S for rentals under $600 per month within 10 miles of Oak Creek and got 55 possible rentals, down to $425 per month, and rooms for rent as low as $350 per month for a single room with a kitchenette.
Craigslist had apartments in Oak Creek as low as $525 per month. (I'm not sure what you consider "cheap".)
It depends very heavily on your area, especially the rent.
Where I'm at:
Gas: $30
Electricity: $30ish, it varies around there.
Water: it is paid for by the apartment in my case. Check your contract.
Internet: is also paid for by the apartment here. Other local places its $30.
Rent: My share is $225. Total for the whole apartment: $675 Other local apartments go from 400 total to 1000 dollars and up.
Other things to consider:
Land-line phone bills, cable if you want it, any type of insurance you may want to get, transportation bills, etc.
If you're renting from a corporation, watch out for annual rent increases. Renting from a private party (aka, Joe Shmoe's basement) avoids that, but then Joe Shmoe might have kids that have to be asleep at 8:00 pm sharp, so choose your battles.
wich program he is for doing this ? beside a tablet ofc
It depends on the size of the apartment and how you arrange to pay for them. Some will cover all utilities, some will have you pay for water or electricity or both.
Usually, you can call the power company and ask for the most recent year's average bill on electricity.
A-W-E-S-O-M-E your works is very awesome! cool!!!! very good
Awesome work Williamsshamir
Great video.
Much love Kat
Yes, you can use your student loans to cover any direct or indirect costs you incure because of school attendance. That includes the cost of paying your rent and all your food and bills. The problem here is that it could be difficult for you to get a private student loan without a cosigner. Federal backed student loans like the Stafford loan do not require a cosigner.