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OFF-CAMPUSHOUSING
Class of 2019
Class of 2019...
Welcome to New York and to the Columbia CDM family!
We know that finding housing can be a stressful process but we are here
to provide you with a brief overview of the tools and resources
necessary for finding an apartment in New York City! This booklet
includes monthly rent, ammentities, and pictures of real off-campus
apartments (not all apartment options and layouts). You should consider
your priorities for location, budget, and roommates. You should start
looking in late June/early July. This booklet focuses on the West side
which will give you an easier commute.
Love, your move-in committee:
Laurie Susarchick - les2175@cumc.columbia.edu
Priscilla Chan - poc2103@cumc.columbia.edu
CUMC Off-Campus Housing Services (212)-304-7267
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/facilities-management/housing/off-campus-housing
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Where do I begin?................................................4
Common Questions..............................................5
Washington Heights 1 Bedroom...........................6
Washington Heights 2 Bedroom...........................7
Washington Heights 3 Bedroom...........................9
Upper West Side................................................10
Property Contact Info .........................................11
WheredoI begin?
YOU HAVE OPTIONS
1. Find a vacancy in one of the on-campus Tower's apartments:
Contact Maryam Isa in Off-Campus Housing at 212-304-7267 or
mi2200@columbia.edu and ask for Apartment Share Vacancies.
2. Set up an account on the Off-Campus Housing Assistance
(OCHA):
OCHA is a database of apartment vacancies through Columbia-affiliated
individuals. These include sublets, by month, or by year rentals of entire
apartments or just a room within an apartment.
http://facilities.columbia.edu/housing/overview-2/
3. Attend the Broker's Fair in Mid-July:
Off-campus housing holds a fair with various brokers who have
experience working with Columbia students. Most of these brokers offer
their services with a discounted brokers fee. Contact Maryam Isa
(mi2200@columbia.edu) for more details.
4. Walk around Washington Heights and call management
companies to schedule viewings:
Many buildings will post contact information by the entrance that you can
call directly. You can bypass using a broker this way. At the end of this
book is a list of some buildings and contact numbers around the area.
5. Go through a broker:
Some notable brokerage firms include Citi Habitats, Corcoran, Douglas
Elliman, etc.
CommonQuestions
When should I start looking?
Housing in Manhattan is notorious for going quickly, so start looking
no more than 2 months in advance. Most brokers will not even want
to meet with you if you are not able to move in by the following
month. Once you sign your lease, you will probably be expected to
move in a few weeks after that. Leases are usually signed for 1 year
but can be signed for more.
What areas are recommended in Washington Heights?
Anything west of Broadway, especially for females! Preferably
between 165th and 173rd, even though availability may not be as
great/ rent may be higher.
How much is the broker's fee?
If you find a place through a broker, s/ he will collect a fee for finding
and showing you the apartment and mediating the paperwork. The
standard broker's fee is 15% in Manhattan, but don't hesitate to
negotiate (ask for a "student rate"). 13% is reasonable; many new
grads and incoming students search for housing in the summer, so
brokers may not be willing to budge on the fee if they can find
someone else who is willing to pay it. In some cases, landlords pay for
the broker fee. Several buildings may also offer one free month of
rent.
What price range should I keep in mind?
Students have paid anywhere from $600 (not common)-$2,500 (per
person) per month. It depends on finding the balance between
location, safety, and personal preferences (living alone will be much
more expensive).
What are some good websites to search for apartments?
streeteasy.com, nakedapartments.com, renthop.com, zillow.com,
trulia.com, apartable.com, and the Columbia OCHA website.
WashingtonHeights- 1Bd
RENT RANGE ~$1250 - 2500
80 Haven - $1650
Pros: Spacious, close to campus, extremely nice super, washer and dryer in
building usually available, lots of CDM students live here, could probably
convert to 2 bedroom walk-through
Cons: Close to construction (and Columbia's sidewalk night-time around the
clock snow plower) if on street side of building (only expected through
02/2016), older building with all the fun that comes with it.
Jenny Ruth, Class of 2018
WashingtonHeights- 2Bd
RENT RANGE~ $1500 - 3000
635 West 170th (170th & Ft Washington) - $1595
Pros: close walk to classes, well-kept building, rent-stabilized,
abnormally wide street, management responds quickly for
repairs/maintenance, security cameras in lobby and on every floor.
Cons: no laundry, no elevator, no doorman, no real living room. (Living
room and bedroom are equal sizes and separate rooms so this is really
a 1 bedroom flex; flex bedroom shown.)
Priscilla Chan, Class of 2018
WashingtonHeights- 2Bd
RENT RANGE~ $1500 - 3000
708 West 171st - $2500
Pros: Spacious with large bedrooms, kitchen, and den. A lot of dental students
live in the building, in 1 bedrooms. Newly renovated kitchen with a good amount
of counter space. 5-7 minute walk to library (yay for studying 1st year!) The
super is really accessible when help is needed and he is great about plowing
the entrance and sidewalk in the winter!
Cons: Washer and Dryer on ground floor are sometimes unavailable. The
elevators are pretty slow too.
Katie Cass & Zoe Mattana, Class of 2018
WashingtonHeights- 3Bd
RENT RANGE ~ $1700 - 3900
251 Ft Washington Ave (170th & Ft Washington) - $2650
Pros: spacious apartment (3 bedrooms plus a separate living room),
very clean and well maintained building, elevator, new washers/dryers in
basement. Also really quick walk to school (2 blocks away).
NO CONS!
Avy Ariyev, Class of 2018
Upper West Side
RENT RANGE ~ $1150 AND UP
112th & 8th - $1600-2500 (1 Bedroom)
Close walk to Morningside Campus to study there. Next door to Central
Park if you enjoy running/biking, etc. More choices to eat than Familglia
and Chipotle. 15 minute commute to school.
Jin Chang, Class of 2018
PropertyContact Info
Washington Heights around medical center
(161st - 174th west of Broadway)
200 Haven: Danny Heller (contact) 917-692-5666, 212-319-5000 ext 307
120 Haven (no fee): 212-568-3478
134 Haven: 212-684-5777
112-118 Haven: 212-234-8808
79 & 86 Haven: 212-928-3805
80 Haven: 718-664-6615
118-128 Fort Washington Ave: 212-928-0888
106 Fort Washington Ave: 201-537-5177 / / 646-361-1871
97 Fort Washington Ave: 212-927-5252
629 W 173rd Street: www.Vantageresidential.com
910 Riverside Drive: 718-339-8301
725 W 172nd, 275 Fort Washington Ave, 656 W 171st Street: 212-317-1423, www.Heightsre.com
715 W 172nd: 212-928-3805
700 W 172nd Office: 718-365-4310
286 Fort Washington Ave: 718-328-2868, 917-418-9993
650 W 171st (no fee): 917-299-0818
701 W 175th, 600 W 164th, 648 W 160th, 600 W 161st: 917-213-6777
Wahi apts: 212-928-1682 www.Wahirealty.com
601 W 163rd: 212-660-1231
611 W 163rd: 718-258-8800 ext.222
920 Riverside Drive (no fee): 212-262-1675
910 Riverside Drive: 718-339-8301
645 W 160th: 718-518-8000, Langsam property
900 Riverside Drive: 718-434-5360 ext.206 (Saul)
639 W 173rd St: Diana at Candlebrook Properties 718-685-3374
This is not an all-inclusive list of the buildings in the area.
Some may not pick up/ return your call.
Good Luck!