Brooklyn renters choose location, distance to subway in apt. search

September 27, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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When Brooklynites search for an apartment what matters most to them? If their answer correlates with the majority of people living in New York City they’re thinking location, location, location.

Rent.com surveyed renters in the five boroughs about their renting and moving habits in order to better understand the attitudes they have toward hunting for the perfect apartment. For renters across the boroughs, the most important factor in looking for an apartment, after determining budget, is definitely location, according to the survey.

Below are some key findings in understanding how Brooklynites select their perfect neighborhood:

• All Around the Neighborhood: When asked about the most important factor in looking for an apartment, after determining budget, 74-75 percent of renters in Brooklyn answered neighborhood/location — 18.6 percent answered distance to the subway or other transportation, 2.66 percent selected building amenities, 2.66 percent answered selected best take-out for delivery, and 1.33 percent selected a doorman or building staff as the most important factor.

• L Train Blues? Nineteen percent of renters in Brooklyn selected distance to the subway and other transportation as the most important factor in looking for an apartment, while only 12 percent of renters in Manhattan and 12 percent in Queens selected this response.

• Just Not 2nd Ave: When asked if they would rather live on a street or an avenue, 74.4 percent of renters in Brooklyn answered they would rather live on a street because they like the quiet neighborhood, 9.63 percent answered they prefer the hustle and bustle of an avenue, and 15.95 percent preferred the corner — “the best of both worlds.”

• I Heart New York: If renters could select one thing to change about the area where they currently live, 38.87 percent of renters in Brooklyn would change nothing, 20.6 percent said they would change if the area where they live is noisy all hours of the day and night, 19.27 percent would change the selection of restaurants and stores, 13.29 percent would change if the subway or bus stop is too far to walk, and 7.97 percent would change if trash was left to pile up on the sidewalk.

Overall, 78 percent of New York City renters believe that neighborhood and location are the most significant factors in choosing an apartment.