1. 34th Leonard Street

Finding an apartment to rent has often been portrayed as one of the most difficult things to do in New York City. Many a television sitcom has capitalized on the theme of New Yorkers navigating their way through the supposedly murky rental market here; a motif which has now become accepted as fact by many newcomers to the city. However, what is important to realize is that such horror stories of apartment searches are usually caused by a lack of preparation and readiness in securing the ideal apartment. If you're willing to put in a little time, planning, and preparation, then finding an apartment in one of Manhattan’s neighborhoods won’t be strenuous.

Tough economic times have caused New Yorkers to tighten their purse strings, and some of the ones bearing the brunt of these hard times are New York’s real estate brokers. In a recent survey conducted by Rent.com, four out of ten New Yorkers said that they would not like to pay a broker’s fee when they look for an apartment. In a city where finding a rental is often fraught with difficulties, city residents don’t seem to want to have the broker’s fee added on to their list of expenses. The broker’s fee is typically about 15 percent of an apartment’s yearly rent, but with the double whammy of a surge in rents and a dip in vacancies in the city, New Yorkers are holding on to all their dollars to make sure they can afford their homes.

Manhattan is about to be taken by storm by a wealthy French contingent looking to rent apartments overseas. Luxury Rentals Manhattan has done comprehensive research on new incoming foreign renters seeking apartments and believes a great number of French clientele will choose New York City as their new home due to political changes back in their native Europe. 

For those looking to find a starter apartment in Manhattan, look no further than the Upper East Side. That’s right, the Upper East Side. The neighborhood with a long held reputation for having the single greatest concentration of wealth in the world is now home to some of the best rental deals in Manhattan. There is a catch though. Rental apartments on the Upper East Side are affordable for a reason: They all reside above the subway construction sites along Second Avenue. If you don’t mind living above a construction site, these low rents represent a great opportunity to live in one of Manhattan’s best residential neighborhoods. And since the Second Avenue Subway Line isn’t due to complete its first phase until December 2016, chances are that the rents will stay low for at least the next 4 years.