When finding an apartment, consider what matters to you (or not):

• Commute (proximity to job or to public transportation)
• Proximity to green space
• What subway lines work well for you
• Neighborhood vibe/affordability(or not) of restaurants, groceries, laundry, etc.
• You will have to compromise on something, so figure out what that is (space, neighborhood/location, layout, appliances, etc.)
• Remember: apartments go quickly! Have your information ready to go!
• Cost: rent stabilized vs. rent controlled, amenity fees, gross vs. net pay, whether or not you can have someone act as your guarantor
• For International Students/Recent Graduates: Most landlords do not accept credit reports or tax documents from outside the US, so we highly recommend you start building credit as soon as possible if you are considering moving to NYC. Without US credit history, you will likely need a US-based guarantor, whether a personal guarantor or an institutional guarantor.

Pick your location in the city carefully, because you will live most of your daily life in that area. Look for an area where there are things around that you like to do, because if you select a place to live solely because it is close to work, or less expensive, you may find that you end up moving to a place where there is more to do.

Also, do not choose where to live based solely on proximity to work, because you may get a new job in a completely different location. We think it is better to select a place to live based on what you want to do when you are not working - if you like to eat out, are there lots of restaurants? If you want to be near green space, is it near a park? You can always figure out how to make a commute work, but a neighborhood's character and amenities are not going to change very much (at least in the short term).

When to start looking You should start your search around 30–45 days before your ideal move-in date; however, most landlords will want prospective tenants to start their leases for vacant units within two weeks of the application date. That being said, the more you look, the more knowledgeable you will become, enabling you to make quick decisions in the moment.

What to Prepare Apartments rent quickly in New York City, and having your documents in order will help you act quickly when you’ve found the right place. Make sure you have the following at the ready before you start looking:

• Letter of employment verification: proof of employment letter printed on company letterhead and signed by a company representative stating position, start date, length of employment, salary, and opportunities for bonuses. If self-employed, a CPA letter stating annual income and source of income for current tax year and previous tax year.
• Last two consecutive pay stubs
• Last two years’ tax returns
• Last two years’ W-2s