New York City Apartments for Rent

Cheap Furnished Apartments for Rent in New York City, NY

Start spreading the news: On-Demand Housing is the best way to rent in New York City and Nestpick is the place to search for it! Fully furnished apartments and rooms with month to month rentals gives everyone the flexibility that 2020’s require. Although there are a vast number of options for accommodation in the Big Apple, knowing where to look can make the process of finding your new home a much less stressful experience. When you use Nestpick, we’ll direct you to some great furnished apartments in New York City with the touch of a button. Simply browse through more than 3,000 available listings from more than 25 trusted housing providers and begin laying down your roots in one of the most cosmopolitan cultural melting pots in the world, aka the center of the universe! Housing in New York City comes in all shapes and sizes, spanning the city’s five sprawling boroughs. As a general rule of thumb, rents tend to be higher the closer you are to downtown Manhattan, where the median rental price is around $3,500 per month. Don’t fret, however, as there are plenty of neighbourhoods in the other four boroughs where the monthly rental price can be as low as $1,650 - which is less than half the rent of parts of Manhattan.

If you are looking for other accommodation types in New York City:

• Rooms for Rent in New York City
• Student Accommodation in New York City
• Studio Apartments in New York City
• Corporate Housing in New York City

Short Term Rentals vs. Long Term Rentals in New York City

What’s the Difference?

Short term apartments in New York City offer many different benefits to long term apartments in New York city. If your type of employment means lot of short stays in different places and plenty of travel, then it may not be advisable to find a Long term apartment rental in New York as you would end up paying rent for a property that you are not in and this is an unnecessary cost to your budget.

In popular areas like Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn rent will be much higher as the properties here are in high demand with plenty of competition. Many of the short term apartments for rent are furnished, which is also a great benefit for those looking for temporary accommodation as the hassle of finding furniture is removed.

If you are moving to indefinitely, then a long term apartment rental in New York City is a better option. Many apartments and landlords will offer year long leases which have fixed rents for the duration of the contract. The various long term apartments on offer will come both furnished and unfurnished, depending on your preference and budget, as furnished apartments will be more expensive per month as there are extra facilities.

Short Term Lease & Sublet in New York City

Short term leases in New York City are in high demand. There is less hassle signing long term contracts and renters are willing to move in to the short term sublets on short notice. The cost of the short term apartments vary depending on size, quality of location of apartment. Another factor in deciding whether to rent short term housing in New York City is roommates/flatmates/housemates.

It is common for someone with a two or three bedroom apartment to sublet the rooms out to people for temporary periods in order to help pay for the overall rent and running of the property. This would mean moving in with people you don’t know, if you are moving to new york city looking for contacts and to network this is a great way to start. These type of sublets also occur when the main tenant of a one bedroom or studio apartment will be going away for an extended period of time and will rent out their entire apartment for the duration of their trip, hence the market for a short term sublet in New York City. Short term leases are typically a little more expensive than long term per month as they are temporary and the landlord or tenant has to go through the process of finding people to live in the apartment more regularly.

Short Term Rentals in New York City (NYC)

Short Term Furnished Apartment Rentals in New York

Short term rentals in New York City are popular with people that have the type of job or career that requires lots of travel for extended periods of time. It is unwise to rent a long term apartment in new york city if you will be traveling for 8 months of the year. Thus, a short term furnished rentals in New York City is ideal as it firstly removes the hassle of finding furniture and homeware for people who do not have the time, and it is temporary, meaning no long term rent whilst traveling to other places.

Long term contracts are usually a year, some will offer six months but his is less common, thus if you want to rent an apartment in New York short term then you can and you won’t be stuck with it after you leave. Short term means less than 6 months, typically between one and three months. Many of the short term apartments on offer are advertised by the long term tenant who will be way for an extended period of time and needs to pay the rent whilst traveling.

Moving to New York City

Planning your big move to America’s largest city can be a daunting prospect - especially if you’re unfamiliar with its prices. As such, it’s important to ensure you’re fully aware of the cost of living in New York City and familiarise yourself with your desired apartment’s local amenities and nearby transport connections.

When moving to New York, it’s certainly advisable to overestimate your budget. Along with rental costs, groceries and shopping can also take their toll on your bank balance, as can all those nights out! Students moving to New York City should certainly bear this in mind when looking for furnished apartments in New York on a long-term basis.

If you’re looking to live on a budget, there are still plenty of great options for affordable apartments in New York. What’s more, transportation and household utilities cost a lot less than in major other cities. As long as you can stay on top of your finances, living in the city that never sleeps is an incredibly rewarding experience. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

Manhattan is the core of The Big Apple, and is often described as the cultural, financial and entertainment capital of the world. As the home of Wall Street, the United Nations Headquarters, Times Square and Broadway, it’s certainly hard to dispute this claim. Living and working within the soaring skyscrapers and tightly-packed apartments and townhouses are an estimated 1.6 million people, making Manhattan the most densely-populated area in the United States. Simply put, living in Manhattan makes you feel like you’re at the centre of everything.

Manhattan is home to a wide variety of neighborhoods depending on what you’re looking for. Downtown Manhattan neighborhoods are great places for young people with SoHo, Nolita, Chinatown and Chelsea. Home to NYU, Downtown Manhattan has all the cool bars and restaurants and the meatpacking district is now one of the boosting centers for nightlife. Going north to Midtown Manhattan, you’ll not only see Times Square and all the highrises that surround that but also a very vibrant up and coming area of Hell’s Kitchen, one of the favorite areas for NYC’s LGBTQ community as well as Central Park South with its historic but elegant buildings all around. Going up a bit further than that you’ll see great areas for young families in the Upper West Side, with it’s proximity to Central Park as well as having many nice eateries all around. On the other side of the Central Park lies the Upper East Side all with its charm and high standards, although a bit lacking in Bars & Restaurants, UES is home to the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art. Another not so well known family friendly area is The Battery Park City and Tribeca in Downtown Manhattan. If you want to be in Manhattan but still looking for budget friendly areas, try searching for apartments above 100th St. around Harlem and Columbia University Campus or around Washington Heights.

Realistically, if you’re looking for affordable furnished apartments in Manhattan, you should certainly expect to compromise on space due to the high value of real estate in the borough. However, what’s lacking in size is certainly made up for by incredible access to all the amenities you could possibly need. For a relatively affordable area that’s bristling with trendy bars, music halls and exquisite eateries but hasn’t been completely gentrified, look no further than the East Village. Here, the median rental price is $2,500, which is reasonable considering that rent in parts of Lower Manhattan can exceed $4,000.

As mentioned for the cheapest furnished apartments for rent in Manhattan it’s best to look towards the northern sections of the island. A good place to start would be the Latin-influenced neighbourhoods of East Harlem or Washington Heights. Here, rents can be found for as low as $1,800. Compared to the borough average of $3,500. These up-and-coming areas show it’s possible to rent a furnished flat in Manhattan for a decent price!

The borough of Brooklyn has seen something of a resurgence in recent decades. The illustrious home of Woody Allen, Barbra Streisand and Mike Tyson is rapidly shedding its reputation for being ‘tough’ and is currently one of the trendiest and most desirable parts of the city. From the hipster haven of Williamsburg to the bustling bistros of Bensonhurst, and everywhere in between, furnished apartments in Brooklyn are readily available and diverse in cost and character.

This youthful and lively borough is often the first choice for young professionals moving to New York City due to its combination of reasonable rents, artistic buzz and community vibe. However, Brooklyn also defies stereotypes, and its sheer diversity means that it’s also got neighbourhoods like Park Slope and Prospect Park that are ideal for building a peaceful family life.

The hip, up-and-coming area of Bushwick is a particularly popular destination for students and young professionals at the moment thanks to its affordability, cheap vintage stores, cool bars and artist-run galleries. Other great options for Brooklyn apartment rentals include the nearby area of Bedford-Stuyvesant (‘Bed-Stuy’) - Jay-Z’s old stomping ground - and the multicultural neighbourhood of Flatbush, both of which offer a variety of properties and contain vibrant communities.

Cheap furnished apartments in Brooklyn can vary substantially in cost, with a decent 1-bed ranging between $1,500 and $3,200, depending largely on neighbourhood but also on the apartment’s size, style and access to local amenities.

New York City’s most easterly borough carries a royal name, and its large swathes of verdant green spaces certainly give it some regal charm. Queens is by no means the lesser relation of its better-known cousins, either - it connects the city to the affluent suburbs of Long Island, contains two of New York’s major airports, and is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world. Over half of the borough’s residents are immigrants, and its patchwork of neighbourhoods resemble a miniature United Nations.

For decent furnished apartments for rent in Queens, you’re met with a wealth of great neighbourhoods to choose from. Located a 20-minute subway ride away from the city, Astoria is an increasingly popular choice for young Manhattan professionals who need an affordable place to live. Other reasonably-priced options in the borough include family-friendly Forest Hills and the vibrant, soulful neighbourhood of Jackson Heights.

Every year, more and more people are being drawn to the borough. Due to such high demand, apartments in Queens are now on average more expensive than Brooklyn. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the borough is by far the largest in New York, and its diversity is also translated into rental costs - which can range between an average of $3,000 in Manhattan-facing Long Island City to an average of $1,600 in comfortable, tree-filled Woodhaven. And, with Nestpick, you’ll find a great choice of furnished apartments in Queens.

The dense apartment blocks and elevated trains of the Bronx’s cityscape provide an iconic cinematic backdrop to the urban hustle and bustle of the streets below. Internationally renowned as the birthplace of hip hop and home of the Yankee Stadium, this northern borough has largely resisted the kind of gentrification that has taken over other parts of New York City. However, a combination of affordable accommodation, falling crime rates and a steadily improving reputation have made the Bronx something of a magnet for new arrivals to the city. The Bronx has the highest number of Puerto Ricans than any other county in the United States.

And it's a little wonder. The borough provides its fair share of lush greenery, making it the greenest of New York’s five boroughs. The famous Bronx Zoo and the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden make for fantastic sunny days out, while all your culinary needs can be met in the many restaurants that line Arthur Avenue (in the borough’s Little Italy).

On the whole, monthly rental prices for apartments in the Bronx are cheaper than Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. However, some areas are outpacing the rest of the borough, and median rents for 1-bedroom apartments in Mott Haven, Hunt’s Point and the Grand Concourse have risen by a third since 2013. As such, it’s important that you carefully consider other variables such as apartment size and quality of neighbourhood when looking for furnished apartments in the Bronx.

In the Bronx, apartments come in a range of options. Due to large swathes of the borough being rebuilt since the late 1970s, many apartments here are relatively modern and tend to be generous in terms of space. In the more desirable parts of the borough, decent 2-bedroom properties can be found for anywhere between $1,500 and $2,000.

More Attractive Areas in New York City

Furnished Apartments in SoHo

The cobblestone streets of SoHo are lined with some of the best shopping and dining haunts in all of New York City. This fashionable area of Lower Manhattan is also home to a number of trendy galleries and bustling bars, and is perpetually popular with New Yorkers. Accommodation in the neighbourhood is highly coveted, so unless you’re willing to splash out on rent you may have to compromise a little on space. For great furnished apartments in SoHo, you’ve come to the right place.

Furnished Apartments on Upper East Side

Extravagant and extrovert, the Upper East Side is quintessential New York. You can expect to be greeted by jovial doormen outside exquisite hotels and come across socialites doing a spot of window-shopping. Throw in a wealth of restaurants, museums and local parks and you’ve got a picture-perfect image of New York that’s ideal for both work and recreation. Due to the desirability of the neighbourhood, furnished apartments on the Upper East Side can go pretty quickly, so hurry!

Furnished Apartments on Upper West Side

Straddling the western side of Central Park, this impeccably turned out neighbourhood is used to turning heads. As the home of New York’s performing arts institutions, the Upper West Side certainly knows how to keep up appearances, and its greenery and fantastic brunch spots make it a great location to enjoy the quiet life. Due to the central perks of living in the area, furnished apartments on the Upper West Side are on average a bit pricier than nearby neighbourhoods.

Furnished Midtown Apartments

Midtown is New York’s central business district and home to some of Manhattan’s most iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Times Square. Unsurprisingly it’s one of the busiest parts of Manhattan, so if you’re looking to get into the thick of urban New York life then this is the place for you. Apartments in Midtown range from $2,500 (€2,130) to $5,000 (€4,260)- depending on variables such as size, age and location.

Furnished Apartments in Battery Park City

This clean, green and serene neighbourhood is replete with promenades and offers the best views of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. Sold already? Well thankfully here at Nestpick we’ve got a number of options in this beautiful little retreat from the nearby concrete jungle. The neighbourhood is a planned community and most of the buildings are therefore quite uniform, but this means you’ll have the most sought-after commodity in New York accommodation: space. The average price for apartments in Battery Park City stands around $3,200 (€2,750).

Subletting in New York City

Looking for a great short-term, money-saving option? In that case, subletting in New York might be a good idea. Because rental costs across New York are relatively high, for many people subletting in properties is their first step to life in New York. With Nestpick, rooms and apartments for short-term rent are available in a range of shapes, sizes and prices - across all five boroughs of the city.

Studio, 1,2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments in New York City

1 Bedroom NYC Apartments

For decent 1-bedroom apartments in New York City, you’ll be paying anywhere between €1,200 (€1,020) and €2,500 (€2,130) a month, although this is largely dependent on location. For a premium apartment in downtown Manhattan, you should expect to pay around €3,000 and over. If you’re moving to New York City on a budget and are looking for a great areas to live in, Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx all have fantastic options for students and young professionals.

2 Bedrooms NYC Apartments

A decent 2-bedroom furnished apartment in New York City can cost you anywhere between €1,600 (€1,360) and €3,400 (€2,900) a month. Prices, apartment size and available amenities obviously vary from area to area, so be sure to consider the relevant criteria for each individual apartment. For a fantastic mixture of affordability and access to local amenities, we highly recommend the areas of Bushwick in Brooklyn and East Harlem in Manhattan.

3 Bedrooms NYC Apartments

Monthly rent for 3-bedroom apartments in New York City can vary substantially depending on area. For a property in downtown Manhattan, you’ll be expected to pay $4,000 (€3,400) and upwards. In cheaper parts of the other four boroughs, prices for a furnished 3-bedroom apartment can drop as low as $2, 500 (€2,130). There are a large number of fantastic 3-bedroom properties on the market all across New York City, so be sure to carefully weigh up all your options.

New York City Public Transportation

New York has one of the most extensive and complex public transportation systems in the world, seamlessly linking opposite sides of the city together. As you’ll soon come to realise, transportation in New York is fantastic.

Opened in 1904, the efficient subway network is one of the architectural and cultural hallmarks of the city, keeping the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx interconnected 24 hours a day. This is easily the cheapest and most convenient way to get around New York City, and around 5.6 million people use it on an average weekday.

Public transportation in New York is not just limited to the subway: its buses and overground trains provide residents with a number of ways to get from A to B. If you’re living in Staten Island, you’ll have to get a bus or ferry connection if you want to hop between the Staten Island Railway and the rest of the subway system, as the borough has no subway stations.

All major modes of public transport can be accessed via the handy New York transportation pass - the MetroCard. The standard fare for a subway or local bus ride is $2.75 (€2.35), while the fare for an express bus ride is $6.50 (€5.55). MetroCards can be purchased at subway booths and self-service kiosks, and maps of the city’s public transport system are available at token booths.

About New York City