Tips for Columbia University Students Seeking NYC Apartments
One of the most complicated things about relocating to New York City is acquiring housing. Like many newcomers to the city, you may be coming to New York to attend one of its many prestigious universities. If you'll be attending Columbia University, you'll want to find apartments for rent in Upper Manhattan within easy commuting distance of the school. Read on for tips about finding NYC apartments for rent near Columbia.
Heading to Columbia University?
Getting accepted into Columbia is a huge accomplishment. After overcoming that hurdle, you have another one: finding a place to live.
Needless to say, you won't be alone when seeking NYC apartments near the university. The rental market has always been competitive, but it's been even more so over the last few years. Since the pandemic waned and people returned to the city, in fact, securing an apartment near Columbia University has been trickier than ever.
Columbia University Basics
If you have been accepted to Columbia, you probably already know a good amount about the school. Established in 1754, this Ivy League institution is the oldest university in New York and the fifth-oldest institute of higher learning in the US.
Originally called King's College, Columbia University is located in Morningside Heights in Upper Manhattan. The main campus stretches across 32 acres and six city blocks. The school has a student population of around 33,400 and employs approximately 4,300 people. It owns nearly 8,000 apartments in Morningside Heights, which it reserves for students and faculty, and it also operates more than 20 undergraduate dorms.
Where to Look for Apartments Near Columbia
The first step in finding an apartment for rent in NYC is choosing a specific geographic area. As a student at Columbia, you'll want to be within easy commuting distance of the school. With that in mind, you should base your search on how you plan to get to the university. Do you prefer to walk, or are you okay with taking public transportation? If the former, you'll have fewer options; if the latter, you'll have more. Either way, here are some tips for finding the right place to rent.
- Apartments Within Walking Distance – It takes two minutes to walk one NYC street block and five minutes to walk one avenue block. Apartments within walking distance of Columbia University will be found from 90th Street on the Upper West Side up to 140th Street and east to Malcolm X Boulevard. Therefore, focus your search on those blocks to locate an apartment that works for you.
- Apartments Close to the Subway – When seeking apartments for rent with easy access to Columbia University, look for places close to subway stops for the Red 1, Blue A and C and Orange B lines. In this case, you can search for units for rent north to 181st Street and south to 66th Street as long as you stick to the west side of Manhattan. That way, you can count on a commute time of 30 minutes or less.
- Apartments Near the Bus – If you'd rather live in the area east of campus, you'll want to find an apartment close to stops for the 116th Street and 125th Street crosstown buses.
When to Start Looking for Apartments Near Columbia University
It's crucial to give yourself plenty of time to find the right apartment when coming to New York to attend Columbia University. Ideally, you should start searching 4 to 6 weeks before your desired move-in date. It takes around five days of work to find a place to rent, so plan on having a place to stay during that time.
If you start classes in the fall, you'll probably want to be moved into your new apartment by August 1st. Therefore, you should plan to start searching between the second week in June and the first week in July.
Remember that you will need to check out apartments in person before signing a lease to avoid issues. Set aside ample time to explore various options while in town looking for a place.
Decide Your Living Situation
To optimize your search for an apartment near Columbia, you should know whether you'll be renting on your own or with roommates.
Living Alone
As expensive as rent is across NYC – especially since the worst of the pandemic – it can be challenging to qualify for apartments as a student on your own. However, you may be able to do so if you have a qualified guarantor, or co-signer. Otherwise, you'll need to have a proven income of at least 40 times the monthly rent or similar assets. If you want to rent alone, you'll probably want a studio apartment; those are difficult to come by in the area – another reason to consider living with roommates instead.
Living with Roommates
Many apartment buildings near Columbia University are designed with college students in mind. Many properties have apartments with common areas and individual suites, making it easier to have privacy when living with roommates.
By opting to rent a place with a roommate or two, you'll have more options at your disposal. You and the others will need a combined income of at least 40 times the monthly rent. You will also need to find resources for securing apartments with roommates in the area.
Apartment Sharing
If you don't qualify to rent on your own and don't want to deal with finding roommates, another option is to rent a room in someone else's apartment. Near colleges like Columbia, many people rent rooms in their apartments to make a little extra money. The downside is that you are at the mercy of the person who owns the unit; if they decide to sell or want to stop renting, you may have to find a new place. You'll also have less privacy when renting a room in an NYC apartment.
Types of Apartments for Rent Near Columbia University
After deciding whether you'll be renting alone or with roommates – or whether you'll try to secure an apartment share– you'll want to consider which type of property you'd prefer.
Of course, beggars can't be choosers; it's essential to be flexible when seeking NYC apartments near Columbia. However, it doesn't hurt to research the various options to see if there's a particular type of apartment that suits your needs the best.
For example, you can find units for rent in walk-ups, townhouses, co-ops, high-rise apartment buildings and even some condo buildings. Luxury apartment complexes with amenities like rooftop decks, state-of-the-art fitness centers and on-site parking garages also abound, but they charge a significant premium.
Qualifying for NYC Apartments
Before looking for an apartment near Columbia University, make sure you will qualify to rent a place – or that you have a guarantor lined up.
As noted before, the landlord will want to see that you earn at least 40 times the monthly rent per year or that you and your roommates do together. You will also need a good credit score; you will probably have trouble if it's below 700.
Otherwise, you'll need to line up a guarantor to secure an apartment near school. Ideally, they should live in the tri-state area – in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. They'll need to show that they earn at least 80 times the monthly rent and need excellent credit.
Applying to Rent an NYC Apartment: What You'll Need
Before starting your search for apartments near Columbia, make sure you have all the paperwork you'll need to qualify for a place – or make sure your guarantor has all of the required documents.
You'll need to provide documentation to demonstrate that you or your guarantor qualifies to rent the apartment. Examples include the following:
- letter of employment from your employer
- tax returns from the past two years
- bank statements
- W-2 forms or paystubs
- acceptance letter from Columbia University
- professional and personal letters of recommendation
How Much Will You Pay at Lease Signing for an NYC Apartment?
Renting an apartment in New York isn't cheap, and we're not only talking about the cost of the monthly rent.
To get your foot in the door of a place near Columbia University, you'll need a decent chunk of change ready to go at lease signing.
For example, you'll probably have to pay a security deposit equal to one month's rent. You may also have to pay the first month's rent and last month's rent. If you have pets, pet rent may also apply.
There are also many miscellaneous expenses when renting an apartment in NYC, including deposits for utilities, moving costs, application fees and broker fees. Although you can find an apartment without a broker, having one makes things much more manageable. Expect to pay anywhere from one month's rent to around 17% of the annual rent in commission fees for your broker.
Get Help Finding Columbia University Apartments for Rent
Looking for an apartment near Morningside Heights is less stressful with the right resources. Thousands of students descend upon New York looking for rentals every year, so you're in good company.
Some places to get help finding NYC apartments near Columbia include the following:
- OCHA – Columbia University's Off-Campus Housing Authority offers an array of resources for students and other school affiliates seeking rentals. The organization maintains an online registry where students and others can find roommates, apartments and more. It's a good place to zero in on options that suit your needs.
- Social Media – OCHA and similar organizations, including the university itself, maintain social media pages offering tons of advice and information for apartment seekers. You can visit such pages to look for posts about apartments for rent in Upper Manhattan. People also post requests on such pages, so you can advertise that you need a place to rent or a roommate to see if anyone can help.
- Word of Mouth – One of the best ways to find an NYC apartment is by asking around. If you're from the area, especially, someone in your network may have leads. At any rate, it doesn't hurt to put your feelers out there to see if anyone you know can help. Many times, the best places are never listed but are found when friends make recommendations to each other.
- Broker – Except for no-fee apartments, you'll probably need a broker to secure a decent apartment near Columbia. No-fee apartments are exceedingly rare, so you should plan on working with a licensed broker for best results. Although you will pay a fairly substantial fee to work with one – again, either one month's rent or up to 17% of the annual rent – you'll have a more streamlined experience. BCP Real Estate Group can connect you with talented and experienced brokers specializing in rentals near Columbia University, including in Morningside Heights, Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, Riverdale and Inwood.
- BCP Real Estate Group – You should also connect with BCP Real Estate Group from the get-go to find the perfect NYC apartment for rent near Columbia University. From our offices at Rockefeller Center, we maintain a vast online database of searchable NYC rental listings, allowing you to kick-start your search. We have connections with skilled and licensed real estate brokers across the city, including Upper Manhattan. When you're ready, contact us for a referral to one who can assist you further.
Secure an NYC Apartment Near Columbia University with BCP Real Estate Group
It's normal to feel overwhelmed when coming to New York to attend Columbia University. Without a doubt, finding an NYC apartment is one of the most stressful parts. With help from BCP Real Estate Group, you can zero in on options that suit your needs fast.
Sign up via our website for instant, free, unlimited access to our searchable online rental listings. You can quickly check the current availability of properties that meet your requirements. Before starting your search in earnest, contact us for a referral to a skilled broker specializing in rentals for Columbia University students. With their help, you'll be signing a lease for your new place in no time. For more information, call BCP Real Estate Group.