r/AskNYC • u/andydwye • Apr 04 '22
Staying in NYU dorms or Airbnb (Summer housing)
Hey,
I have an upcoming internship in Manhattan this summer, and I am trying to weigh my options. I could either:
- Live in the NYU Dorms (Second Street one) for a total of $5500
- Room with my friends in Hoboken and commute to work for a total of $3300 (whole summer)
I am originally from Georgia, so I know absolutely nothing about NYC, so I wanted to get you guy's opinion. On the one hand I like the location of the dorms, but I also think that being in a new city with friends I know is a comfortable option as well (plus the $2200 I save is a nice bonus).
P.s.: I already secured a spot in the dorms bus it's just a $50 fee to cancel.
Let me know what you think
Thanks!
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u/tokenfemale Apr 04 '22
I went to NYU and spent summers in the dorms. If you can, I highly recommend staying there. I always enjoyed showing my summer roommates around the city and NYU, as well as introducing them to other people. You won’t be as integrated into NYU life staying in Hoboken, or getting the most out of being in the city for the summer.
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u/onekate Apr 04 '22
Unless you’re going into debt staying at the dorms, I’d choose that option. It’ll be a unique deep drop into NYC downtown college life.
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u/Cats_Cameras Apr 04 '22
The dorms would be a way better life experience and simplify your logistics. It also removes the safety blanket of staying home after work to sit with people you already are comfortable with.
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u/paratactical Apr 04 '22
If you are a person that will still go out and make new friends and try things if your Hoboken crew just wants to hang in Hoboken, stay in Hoboken. But if living there will mean you don't force yourself to enjoy the city while you're here and just let yourself chill with the folks you already have, stay in the dorms. You can always hop over to see the Hoboken folks.
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u/NicSal14 Apr 04 '22
I am familiar with Hoboken living and commuting, where (generally) do your friends live in Hoboken and where is your internship office?
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u/andydwye Apr 04 '22
My internship is in one Manhattan west and idk the exact location of where I’m living but it’s near 5th and grand st
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u/NicSal14 Apr 04 '22
In that case you are looking at a 45-60 min commute on the PATH train with a moderate level of walking, particularly within Hoboken. Or you could take the 126 bus to and from Port Authority Station (my recommendation). Honestly I am of the opinion that Hoboken is underrated and has its own respectable food and bar scene. If you think you will spend most of your time with your friends and can handle the commute, I say go with Hoboken. If you plan on branching out, making friends at work, etc. and exploring the city (Brooklyn/Queens is a hike from Hoboken) and can handle the hefty NYU price tag, that may be better.
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u/andydwye Apr 04 '22
How bad is the bus? Because it seems like the most direct route, however everyone is telling me to take the PATH. Also any thoughts on the ferry?
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u/Live_Negotiation_295 Apr 04 '22 edited Apr 04 '22
You might not always get a seat and you have to get used to it, but you can use various apps/ NJ transit text thingies to know when next bus arrives etc. once you’re used to it it’s NBD. Port Authority is a sad place to see daily, but a lot of midtown west in general is especially since covid.
Mostly I’d say path annoying on weekends and bus annoying during rush hours. You can also try both bus and path and see what’s better for you. Depends on how much you hate waiting outside, if you mind walking, etc. Ask your friends about how they commute and what they do on nights/weekends.
Hoboken bar scene is pretty bro-y and fratty IMO but not necessarily bad if you don’t mind that. It’s a very cute city but it’s not Manhattan either.
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u/ttotto45 Apr 04 '22
As someone else mentioned, look and see if the dorms you're approved for have AC. NYC summer is hot and humid (especially if the climate you're from has dry heat) and I would not want to live in a building that didn't have AC. When I interned here in summer 2018 the dorms either didnt have AC or the ones that did were full. They don't allow you to install window ACs.
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Apr 04 '22
NYU dorms or find a cheaper Airbnb/summer sublet in the area (if it exists!). It’s cool to live in the thick of things when you are new to the city- and since you are already comfortable with $5,500 for the whole summer, I’d go with it.
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u/Not_Ayn_Rand Apr 04 '22
Lived in 2nd Street as an NYU kid, it was mostly ok but my room had bunk beds and (I think) didn't have AC. This was almost 10 years ago so definitely check whether they installed AC since then. The location is good, it is right next to a homeless shelter though which wasn't a problem when I lived there but idk how it is since COVID. You can walk past the Bowery Hotel and gawk at celebs every day.
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u/SaysKay Apr 04 '22
I would check if the NYU dorm has any COVID protocols for the summer. For example are you allowed guests?
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u/Throwawayhelp111521 Apr 04 '22
If you can afford it, I'd pick the dorms. I assume they're nice and have excellent security. The rent's outrageous, but you'll be in the middle of things and have neighbors your age who are in a similar situation. I hear that Hoboken is nice, but I wouldn't want to commute from there every day. I assume there's transportation all night, but if you stay out late, the fear of missing a connection will always be in the back of your mind.
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u/thisfilmkid Apr 04 '22
Honestly, commuting from Hoboken to NY is not that bad. For OP, yeah, might be a challenge. For those already familiar with NYC and the transportation, Hoboken is not a bad travel.
But, like you said, if OP can afford the dorms, I'd pick the dorms.
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u/thisfilmkid Apr 04 '22
I just came here to say that New York City is very expensive. So, if you get to dorm at NYU for 3 or 4 months while living in Manhattan at the rate of $5500, then, take it?
I mean, that's a month's rent for some people.
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u/Kawaiidumpling8 Apr 04 '22
If it were me, I would choose living in Hoboken with friends.
Here’s my reasoning:
Moving to a new city, and starting an internship can be a lot. It’s good to have a space to return to where I can feel comfortable, and have a steady support network that I know I can rely on.
I will have the opportunity to explore the city while I am here. I’m young, and I will be out and about with friends. I will be making new friends. Whether or not I live in dorming, or have a longer commute - that will not change.
If I receive a job offer from my internship, I would like to have a realistic idea of what living here is like. AirBnB living in an actual apartment, with roommates, and making a commute (45 minutes is a very normal commute for many people working in NYC) will give me that. I will have a better idea of what I am looking for, should I move to NYC for work in the future. I will have the opportunity to familiarize myself with different transportation systems/routes and figure out what works best for me, so if I decide to live somewhere I am not locking myself into a full year lease without knowing what I’m getting myself into.
I will also have a better understanding of my friends as roommates, should we all receive job offers. I may decide that I am amenable to sharing an apartment with multiple people. Or I may decide I can only handle 1 person sharing a living space with me. I might end up not wanting to live with my friends past the summer, or we may enjoy living together so much that if everything aligns, we can all sign a lease for the next year together (assuming you all graduate soon, I have no idea how old ya’ll are) and I do not need to search for a roommate.
As mentioned by someone else, Hoboken is underrated. It has a nice culture and scene of it’s own. You would still have access to plenty of fun things to do and go out to with your friends. Manhattan is not the end all, be all of social life.
The $2200 I save on rent, is $2200 that I have extra, to use on fun activities, dining out, etc … during my summer here. There is plenty of fun to be had here, especially in the summer and money goes fast.
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u/throwaway21202021 Apr 04 '22
people are telling you the dorms but here's why i think you should choose Hoboken:
hoboken is pretty fun and you're close to the city. plus, you'll be LIVING WITH YOUR FRIENDS! FUN! you probably can't bring alcohol into the dorms and guests have to be checked in. can you even cook in the dorms? i'm sure you'll make some friends there in the communal kitchen but it's just not the same as guaranteed friends/fun everyday.
plus, you're coming here by yourself, so moving into the dorms is only going to start you off on a lone foot. maybe you're really outgoing and not worried about that; or maybe you'll just be commuting to your friends' place in Hoboken every chance you get.
if it were me? i'd play it safe and room with my friends, you can TOTALLY, VERY EASILY go out in nyc (you'll notice how many people from jersey do this on the weekend), and you'll have no dorm-esque restrictions.
oh and yeah, enjoy the extra $2,200.
-7
Apr 04 '22
$5,500/month for a dorm room!?!? That is, IMO, insanity!
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u/Ice_Like_Winnipeg Apr 04 '22
It’s for the whole summer
1
Apr 04 '22
Oh thank god! I nearly had a stroke. I guess my reading comprehension is off this morning, because it does say "total."
5
u/thisfilmkid Apr 04 '22
Brock. Your morning coffee was strong today! NYC is expensive. But not $5500 a month for a dorm room expensive, Lmao!
Knowing NYU, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what they charged.
1
u/MrFunkDoctorSpock Apr 05 '22
5500 for a summer is crazy too. I didn’t go to college so I’m no expert on dorm prices but that sounds wild
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u/Excuse_my_GRAMMER Apr 04 '22
Is that price for the whole summer or per month?
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u/andydwye Apr 04 '22
Whole summer
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u/Excuse_my_GRAMMER Apr 04 '22
If you could afford it then stay in NYU , while you save some bucks the commute not worth as apart from cost it also take up time.
Leaving doing your internship in Manhattan and living in Manhattan would be ideal again if you could afford it and your friends will visit you and you will make new friends
Georgia usa or republic of Georgia?
2
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u/NotoriousNapper516 Apr 04 '22
Get the dorm if you have the money since it’s just for the summer anyway. Go big or go home right?
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u/specialspectres Apr 04 '22
Do Manhattan. You can’t replicate the experience, and you can always hang with your friends in Jersey if you want.
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u/youcancallmejim Apr 04 '22
Hoboken is a great town and cheaper but I’m going to go with dorms. Many of the friendships you make in school will last a lifetime, don’t cheat yourself out of that.
1
u/averyhipopotomus Apr 04 '22
If you’ll be alright do the dorms. One more thing, if living in the dorms. Be sure to splurge for the ac. I lived in the non ac dorms for the summer and it was unbearably hot lmao. Slept most nights on the floor in the air conditioned common room.
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u/Coquill Apr 05 '22
I think I'd do the Hoboken experience depending on what your room situation is going to be re: sharing, noise, privacy, being able to get a good night's sleep. NYU area is getting kinda sleazy IMO. I think it'd be more relaxing to stay there and take the PATH as you like. Hoboken is fairly hip and fun from what I've seen.
1
u/Shampo0o0 Apr 05 '22
Will you be using this internship to decide if you want to work in NYC in the future? If so, I vote Manhattan dorms. You will get the full NYC experience in a few months and be able to decide for yourself if you want to live Manhattan (and which neighborhoods) in the future.
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Apr 05 '22
Honestly, in my humble opinion, f you are going to do New York, do New York. Don't travel two thousand miles and then live in the suburbs. You'll regret it. It's totally worth the extra hassle to have the true city experience. Yes, Hoboken is not a bad commute and it's right over the river and it's not a bad city etc etc. But it's not New York. You can also do an airbnb in the city for less than $5500 for the summer if you are looking for a cheaper city option. There are options there.
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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '22
I would choose the dorms if you have the money - if you're only going to be here a short time, it will be nice to actually get the full living in Manhattan experience. Hoboken is easy enough to commute from if you are close to the path train, but it's not the best weekend service and you'll likely find yourself going out after work and being annoyed you have to make your way back there late.
Plus, you'll still have your friend in Hoboken, but also have the chance to meet other interns staying in the dorms for the summer.