Columbia University
- Off-Campus Housing

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There are two words that strike fear into the hearts of those seeking an apartment to rent in New York, “broker’s fee.” A broker’s fee is 10 to 20 percent of the first year’s rent that you pay to someone who has spent all of 15 minutes helping you find an apartment. It is difficult to find an apartment without a broker, but it is not impossible. Affordable off-campus housing is usually quite a commute from campus, but some find the extra privacy to be a benefit and use the commutes to study, but the majority end up wishing for a place closer to campus. Most who live off campus, but do not have a lengthy commute, seem happy with their decision to be apart from Columbia, but they often complain about the exorbitant rent and utility bills, not to mention the cost of furniture. Even Ikea can burn a hole in your wallet, but New Yorkers throw away some perfectly good items, so you can always furnish your place with egg crates and cinder blocks until you find some wooden shelves on the sidewalk.

Most leases are for a year, but some find subletting a useful alternative. “Roommate Wanted” signs are posted all over the city, but this can be a bit dangerous. At least with Columbia housing, there is always someone to complain to. When you live with strangers off campus, you are on your own. Finding off-campus housing without a broker’s fee requires money, patience, and a little bit of luck. On-campus housing is easily the best rental deal in New York City, but you have to give up some autonomy.

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Off-Campus Housing at Columbia University

isabelwhatx

Physics '15

2.3

C

Come on-- It's NYC

Remember you are not living in the Midwest. Everything here is more expensive-- especially housing. There are quite a lot of rentals available, but they are not cheap. Easily 1800 a month. Easily. Try to stay on campus.

Mar 19, 2012

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Off-Campus Housing at Columbia University

jahmad129

Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering '15

2.3

C

Off-Campus Housing

It's definitely there, and Columbia has several online resources to help you find it, but affording it is another story. Unless you're willing to make the trek from Washington Heights, the cheapest apartment you'll find is over $1500 a month, including sublets in Harlem. This isn't really Columbia's fault, just the fact that New York real estate is exorbitantly priced. The Upper West Side isn't even an option for most college students, and Harlem is quickly undergoing gentrification, making affordable housing a problem. However, since housing is guaranteed all 4 years, it's not really that bad for most students. On the subject of parking - what a joke. Nobody in college in New York City has a car.

Mar 06, 2012

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Off-Campus Housing at Columbia University

app

Foreign Languages and Literatures '14

2.3

C

Expensive

Living off campus in New York City is obviously very expensive, so most student prefer to stay on campus for the duration of their time at Columbia.

Mar 05, 2012

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