Stefanie here! I am writing all of this on my way back to NJ on the train...
Tonight I went into the city for the second time this week to see sublets. I ended up only going to the first one today because I fell in love. With Astoria, Queens. It is the best little ethnically diverse neighborhood I've been in. Lys found a sublet on 29th street and the sublet I looked at first was on 38th so we'll literally be only 9 blocks away from each other but the subway stop will be right in the middle of us. (it's on 31st) I ended up stopping at this little italian restaurant called Alba's after and got stuffed rigatoni which was to die for. But anyways, Astoria.... There are cute little farmers markets everywhere. There were families, kids, and people around our age all walking around. It seemed very safe and I definitely got that community feeling right away!
The people I met with were amazing! The two people who will be my apt mates are both actors, one guy one girl. They found out I am a stage manager and immediately they were talking about all the people they want me to get in contact with! They both seemed really nice, responsible, respectful and very down to earth.
The room itself was ...small. I mean really small. There's a double bed and that's about all that will fit... For the Miami people reading this, imagine the smallest dorm room you've been in... Now cut that in half! Typical New York though...
I should mention this is the second sublet I've seen. The first one was in Woodside, Queens which is right next to Astoria... I have to say the apartment itself was nicer and a little bit bigger but the neighborhood was a little sketch and the apt mate I met seemed a little too snobby for my liking.
Also the apartment in Astoria is cheaper and a shorter commute to Manhattan. And there are a lot more shops and such that could lead to potential part time jobs! Overall, I have a really good feeling about it and I can't wait to explore Astoria even more with Lys. I will find out tomorrow if I for sure get the sublet. They said they loved me and I have first dibs but they have more people looking tomorrow and they want to have a backup plan just in case I don't end up working out.
For future sublet hunters, it's very cut throat. You have to respond quickly and be accessible to them immediately. Everyone wants to meet you it's always good for you to meet them and see the place.
So my advice is stay glued to craigslist, don't start responding though until you are close to the city of your choosing, make sure the room is furnished, meet the potential future roomies if possible, see the place in person, and if you are considering NYC (and maybe other cities...) make sure it has AC! Oh and most importantly ACT FAST! If you are into a place, tell them immediately or it will be gone before you know it.
I'm sure there's more for me to learn on this subject as I move forward but this is what I know so far so I thought I'd share!
Well this is sufficiently a long entry (you can tell I'm bored on the train...) so for now I'm outta here! Heading down to Brigantine tomorrow morning where KB will finally join me in my Jersey detox. Yay!
Signing off,
Stefanie
No comments:
Post a Comment