Moving to PS from Calif--how to get an apt from X-Country?

klevine617

Hi all-

I am moving with my husband and 2 small kids from California this summer. We awould like to find a 2/3 BR in the PS 321 or PS 107 district. I am a little worried about the rental bidding wars I have been hearing about, since we will essentially need to secure a place from 3,000 miles away (we have 2 short visits planned before we move--but chances of scoring a good affordable place on any given day is slim....). We are set to spend one year in NY, so it makes it doubly painful to pay a broker's fee for just a one-year lease.

Any advice on how to find a decent place in these areas? Do you think we should use an agent, even though it means plunking down 12% of the lease right off the bat? Has anyone had luck with Craig's list or other online resources? Better yet, does anyone know of a rental for us ???

Thanks!

Karen

lee_maison06

Subject: rental agent

Hi.

When I first moved to Williamsburg Brooklyn I used Craigslist and found that I had access to only subpar apartments. If you are looking to move your family and get into PS321 you should definitely use a broker, you will see much better apartments than if you waste your time w/ Craigslist.

I worked with a guy name Brad in Corcoran's Park Slope office last year. He was great!

Here's his email:
[email protected]

Good Luck!
Lee

anonymous

Subject: I am moving too.

Hi there,

I feel your pain. I too am in a similiar situation. I am moving my wife and small child to PPH-PS from California in June for a one year stay. I have been looking on craigslist everyday for prices in the area. If you truly want a no fee apartment, there seems to be more available in the Bay Ridge area. My take on Bay Ridge (from the Craigslist housing forum) is that it is a relatively cheap, very safe area with decent schools and night life. There are also several medium sized parks and playgrouds scattered throughout there. The commute to Manahattan can be a problem though as the R train runs local out of Bay Ridge and the N express has shoddy service. Hope this helps. Perhaps I will run into as we are both moving to NY at the same time (probably see you at Target shopping for dishes or something)!

Good luck

msboyd

Hi --

I moved from CA to PS a few years ago and found that I really needed the broker -- everything on Craigslist was not really worth looking at, but you can get lucky. I've used brokers twice for one-year rentals; it's really the only way I found to get a good place.

I flew out one weekend before moving, found a place and it was fine. You may have better luck in the PS282 area -- it's still a great school (and closer to better restaurants, IMO).

anonymous

Subject: broker, mos def...

Unless you're lucky and have a good store of karma, I think a broker is your way to go. We just made the move 3 weeks ago and I came out i mid-February for about 4 days, stayed with some friends and made appointments all day, every day.

My advice, don't stick with one broker/agent. I got the impression from one broker, at least, that monogamy is expected, but when I think about the fact I'm gonna be paying someone 10% or more of my annual rent, I'm gonna shop around.

Good luck with the move. So far we love it. Don't miss California at all...

anonymous

stay away! :x