$5500 Budget for Safe, Young, Trendy Apartment

You are earning $220k at age 25? That's not bad. Hopefully, you save some of it.

What do you have against Chelsea?

because you're coming from out of town your best bet would be to speak with an agent who can guide you and answer your questions regarding safety, location, etc.

If young and trendy is on the menu, Midtown and UES are not good ideas...

You probably want newish construction or recent gut rehabs, if you have Palm Beach standards of habitability. Search for lofts, downtown, $4,500-6,000 to see what your budget gets you. It's better to be a little bit educated before meeting real estate agents; most are short-term types, and won't care so much about the fit if they get a commission today.
One thing to remember is that the standard commission for rental broker is 15% of the yearly rent (abouth 2 months), so your first checks (first month, security, fee) are going to add up to $22,000, before moving expenses.

Hi Anto, give me a call if you need help. I cannot tell you which neighborhood is best for you, but I can show you properties in the different areas you've requested above based on your criteria as well as show you different points of interest in each area so that you can make that decision for yourself. Safe travels. Carolina (PDE) 917.536.5470

Hi, these neighborhoods are very different. I would be happy to work with you within your budget and get a better idea of your lifestyle and provide information on these neighborhoods, buildings and the rental process in NY. I am an agent and I do care very much about the fit! If you'd like any assistance (even if you do not rent with me), I can be reached at tsarcone@townrealestate.com. I wish you all the best with your move!

Have you considered a $6000 or $6500 budget?

I'd think Meatpacking/highline area would be the hottest neighborhood right now.

http://www.urbanedgeny.com/directory/nyc-new-developments

If I were in your position (and I basically am, minus the budget) most of those neighborhoods wouldn't be on my shortlist. I would focus on the Central/East Village area or Soho if I was committed to Manhattan. But honestly, most of your peers will be living in Williamsburg and I predict you'll spend most of your leisure time there. That would be top of my list.

She's from Palm Beach. Methinks Mummy and Daddy -- if they're not paying for the whole thing -- are heavily subsidizing this $5500 monthly apartment budget.

This is a tough game to play online because no broker can recommend an area that is "young" (that's against Fair Housing Laws).

However "new" and "trendy" are a different story. There are basically three Manhattan buildings that are contenders for someone with your profile, and none of them on the Upper East Side. Scratch that off your list.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

Hell's Kitchen

Young and safe are mutually exclusive concepts.

Pick one.

Needs advice: I agree. It's hard to find young, trendy and safe--a very small nexus.

Anto: Your post isn't that helpful since it's not that specific. We have no idea if you need amenities (though presumably you want a doorman given your safety concern), commute preferences, size requirements, condition of apt, access to parks, access to bars/restaurants, etc.

CAll me 646-408-8048

"Hell's Kitchen"

He said SAFE. This is one of the higher crime parts of Manhattan.

"He said SAFE. This is one of the higher crime parts of Manhattan."

yes outdoor brunch on 9th is so dangerous.. and you base your assumption on????

see map:
http://spotcrime.com/ny/new york

so i guess he should scratch off anything south of 34th street.. as they're all worse off than HK

I heard Alphabet city was trendy now.

For some one from palm beach, soho, central village, west village would be great. I would also consider close to Union Square / Flatiron area.

Tribeca is too family oriented. Meat packing and west chelsea is too disconnected from the city.

OP might want to stop by NYC to see the neighborhoods her/himself?

This is a luxury apartment in Greenwhich Village which seems to be what your looking for. It even has a doorman for added security.
http://www.urbansherpany.com/ApartmentDetail/37074/300_Mercer_Street/Algin_Management