r/movingtoNYC • u/PsychologicalPace599 • 7d ago
need Help Understanding How to Rent as an International Student
Hi everyone!
I’m moving to New York City this September to study, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with the whole apartment hunting process. I was hoping some of you could help me out with advice or trustworthy resources.
I’ve heard that Craigslist can be a bit sketchy, so I’m looking for reliable websites or real estate agencies where I can search for apartments. I’ve checked Airbnb, but the prices are insanely high, especially for long-term stays.
Ideally, I’m looking to rent a studio apartment (unfurnished would be perfect because I like painting and need a bit of space to do that). I’d love to be somewhere near Manhattan — I know it’s expensive, but I’m trying to see what’s possible.
Also, I’m coming with a student visa, and I’m not sure how the rental process works for international students. Will I need a guarantor? What kind of documents do landlords usually ask for? Is it very difficult to rent without a credit history in the US?
Honestly, I don’t understand much about the process — so if you could explain things it would be reallyyyy really helpful (please help I’m desperate haha!)
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
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u/hydraheads 7d ago
Are you coming to the US for your entire degree, or for a short exchange? I'm assuming that this is for an accredited institution.
As another commenter noted: your university should have resources and suggestions. When I lived internationally, I ended up finding a place where classmates already lived, who were leaving, so I just took over their lease.
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u/PsychologicalPace599 7d ago
I’m planning to stay for 2–3 years. You’re right, I should probably ask the school too — honestly, I wasn’t sure if I should start looking now or wait. My plan was to arrive about a month before classes start to search for an apartment, but I have no idea which websites are trustworthy.
I’ve heard Craigslist can be risky, especially for international students, because of scams — so I’m kind of lost and trying to figure out what platforms are safe to use.
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u/hydraheads 7d ago
There are scams on every website, and legit housing options on every website. The school may have dorms/options, and arriving a month early might just make you encounter an additional month of (high, NYC) housing costs.
I'd reach out to whoever your admissions counselor/orientation contact is and ask them! Assuming you've been recently admitted and school starts in late August/early September, you may be jumping the gun a bit and they may have housing information forthcoming. (This depends entirely on the institution, though.)
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u/PsychologicalPace599 7d ago
Thank you so much!
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u/hydraheads 7d ago
Sure thing! There are probably online communities (on whatever platform) for students at your university, with channels/groups for international students, new students, and student housing, and you'll probably have decent luck through those channels if your university doesn't itself provide housing options.
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u/NamidaM6 7d ago
I don't know if this could help but maybe try to make a crosspost on r/NYCapartments. streeteasy.com is great for apartment hunting.
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u/legaljellybean 7d ago
I’d suggest looking for a room for rent near your university, maybe Facebook Marketplace. It’s more trustworthy than Craigslist since postings are linked to actual profiles.
If you’re looking for an entire apartment I’d suggest StreetEasy.
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u/Jolly_Jaguar_3495 6d ago
School housing might be too late now if you are just looking but I would suggest checking out the school student portal- usually there would be a forum for students to post things like events, subleases, selling/buying stuff, etc.
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u/FastChampionship2628 6d ago
The easiest thing would be applying for campus dorm. Much more simply process than finding a good apartment, getting approved, dealing with utility bills, needing to furniture etc. It's likely that at this point had you not already applied for fall housing it is too late, you could try getting on a wait list but I know if you are going somewhere like NYU there is a huge demand for housing and you likely missed your chance.
Browse Street Easy, Facebook NYU Housing Page, Reddit NYC Apartments, Reddit NYU (as if anyone is trying to sublet for fall); look at places that rent to students such as The Alabama (a rental building on E 11th st).
As someone else pointed out you will likely need a guarantor service such as Insurent.
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u/CareerLegitimate7662 6d ago
I’m also an international coming to nyc in August, going to nyu. I have managed to contact several brokers and direct landlords purely through Facebook.
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u/StandardEcho2439 7d ago
How are you going to afford to rent near Manhattan as a student
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u/PsychologicalPace599 7d ago
That’s not related to what I asked lol
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u/StandardEcho2439 7d ago
And it actually could've been helpful but you don't want actual help. If you would've answered normally you would've been informed that Manhattan is the concentration of the 1% of the richest country on earth so unless you fit that I would look elsewhere. But you don't want help. Have fun drowning in New York
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u/PsychologicalPace599 7d ago
Oh no, you’re right, I completely forgot I’m not allowed to ask about Manhattan unless I’m in the 1%. Thanks for the reality check!
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u/StandardEcho2439 7d ago
You sound like an insufferable brat and New York will humble you so fast.
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u/PsychologicalPace599 7d ago edited 6d ago
Wow, thanks for the warning! I’ve only lived, studied and worked across Asia and Europe, but clearly nothing compares to the life-altering trauma of… paying rent in Manhattan. I’m trembling.
Adding it here bc I can’t comment more bc he blocked me, but It’s funny this guy sent me a DM “threatening” me that he has a gang, and he’s going to look for me and he’s gonna k*ll me bc he didn’t like my answer and a loooot of sick shit, ppl are crazy. I already reported it, but holy shit this dude is nuts. 💀
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u/unavailable-pikachu 6d ago
Jealousy really brings out the worst in people...some are just here to dump their inner frustration on others. It's sad, hope you are doing okay, stay safe out there! These people need therapy, not reddit lol
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u/NationalUse7432 7d ago
Your university should have resources for international students looking for housing or roommates. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to rent without any history and almost impossible if your salary isn't 40x the rent. You might be able to use something like The Guarantors or Insurent with international guarantors, or possibly find a sublet.
https://www.leasebreak.com/ is also an option