Plan Your Weekend: Bowling & Bars

Sometimes there’s nothing more fun than combining sports and drinking. And the best part of drinking while bowling is that you have an excuse for all your gutter balls. So grab your socks,  rent some bowling shoes, and ask for a bumper lane because all these bowling alleys also have bars.

Here are my 5 picks:

1. Bowlmor. 110 University Place

2. Lucky Strike. 42nd and 12th

3. Harlem Lanes. 125th and 7th

4. Leisure Time Bowl. 625 8th ave

5. 300 New York. 23rd and Hudson River

Everything You Need to Sign a Lease

Once you put down a deposit on your apartment, you typically have two days to gather all the required paperwork. Getting as much of this paperwork as possible out of the way before that stressful two day time crunch will help everything to go smoothly. If nothing else make sure you have access to a fax machine or scanner so you can send signed documents back and forth.

Also keep in mind not all of these documents are needed for every apartment and you should talk to your broker about what you personally need. If you have a guarantor, a lot of these documents are unnecessary. The most important thing you have to have is money.

1. Letter of Employment written on company letterhead saying your current position and salary. If you’re unemployed, part-time, or freelance you will need a letter from your CPA stating what you’ve made so far this year (if anything) and a projected estimate of your income for the next year. It has to show that you have 40x the rent if you don’t have a guarantor.

2. Money for First and Last Month Rent – Basically you need to be able to afford two months of your apartment up front. Usually they want this either in cash or a certified check. You can get a certified check at your bank or the post office but make sure to check hours of either locations because this is one of those items you might need to get during a lunch break. Keep in mind certified checks usually cost a few dollars.

3. Money for a Security Deposit

4. Money for a Credit Check/Good Credit

5. Lease Application

If you’re using a guarantor they’ll need:

6. Lease Application – same exact thing but filled out with their information  instead.

7. Notarized Guarantor Form – While you can’t get this form signed before hand, it’s good to look-up notaries in your area now so you know where they are located. Keep in mind a lot of notaries charge.

8. Letter of Employment – Same as yours. If they’re retired or self-employed they can also provide tax returns or a letter from their CPA stating their yearly income. It has to be 80x the rent.

Bed Bug Prevention

Forget everything you’ve seen on Law & Order: SVU, bed bugs are by far the scariest part of living in New York City. Once you’ve got them you have to throw away your mattress, wash everything you own, and pay for an exterminator. While prevention might be expensive, it’s definitely worth it because it could end up saving you thousands.

1. Buy a bed bug protective cover as soon as your mattress arrives. However shop around a little because prices range a lot.

2. Don’t buy used couches and mattresses. Sure they’re really cheap and after seeing how much new furniture costs it could be tempting. But there are horror stories out there about people who bought things on Craigslist that arrived in the apartment full of bed bugs.

3. Never go to a friend’s apartment if they’ve mentioned bed bugs recently. I made the mistake of doing that after they were “bed-bug free.” I woke up in the morning with little bites all over my leg and had to wash everything.

New York Trivia: The Hottest and Coldest Month

Winter’s here get pretty cold so make sure that you take advantage of the $5 pashmina scarf sales on the streets. January and February are the coldest months with average lows of 26 degrees. July is the hottest months with average highs of 86.

See more average temperatures here

Check back every Wednesday for more New York Trivia

Helpful Hint #4

There’s nothing worse than getting out of the subway and having no idea which way to turn. All your confidence from learning the subway system goes away as you stand there at the corner hesitating awkwardly.

I’ve learned the best way to deal with this is to memorize the street directions so you always know which way is North and South and can then more easily figure out East and West.

8th – Uptown
7th – Downtown
6th – Uptown
5th – Downtown
Madison – Uptown
Park – Both Ways
Lexington – Downtown
3rd – Uptown
2nd – Downtown
1st- Uptown

Check back every Monday for a new Helpful Hint!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: DON’T JUDGE US YET!

We’re happy you’re here!

Feel free to take a look around!

Keep in mind we’re still working on creating the best blog out there for postgrads. Check back SOON for the official launch.

In the meantime fan us on Facebook at Postgrad Apartments, follow us on Twitter, and find out everything as it happens.

Get Beautiful on a Budget

Having your hair, nails or other beauty done in a fancy New York salon may sound like one of the perks of your new residency in the Big Apple … until you start the price research. That fabulous spa day can come with a price tag high enough to cover a couple months of months groceries. While a salon visit and a diet may sound like a great way to get a makeover, there are ways to pamper yourself without starving yourself or your wallet.

GET SCHOOLED: You just graduated, so why not help someone else with their education. Beauty schools often offer high discounts to clients willing enough to play guinea pig to their students. Trusting your locks to someone who hasn’t quite learned the business may seen a bit daunting, but most of these students are very skilled and there is always an instructor on hand to double check before any permanent cuts are made. At the Aveda Institute haircuts will run you a mere $20, while highlights, even for a full head, are no more than $90. You can even check out their spa students’ workshop for $45 facials.

Carsten Union Square Salon and Institute of Hair and Beauty – 212-675-7735

New York International Beauty School

MODEL YOUR BEHAVIOR: Already have great hair but just need a tune-up? Many salons offer free cuts to clients who fit their qualifications as hair models. Start with Toni & Guy or Bumble and Bumble. Both salons are famous for hair and look for willing models.

SETTLE FOR SECOND: You don’t need the owner or head stylist of a salon to get a great cut. Most salons have junior stylists who offer their services at a lower price than the top cutters. Check out individual salon Web sites for these deals. You can also check out Salon Apprentice to find stylists who’ve been hired as trainees at top salons. They need heads to experiment on and for little to no fee, you may be one of the first clients of a future famous pair of scissors.

TAKE A WEEK OFF: Every year, salons and spas across the country gear up for at least seven days of  Spa Week where pricey services like facials, massages and waxes are just $50.

NAIL IT: If it’s a manicure and pedicure you’re after, you’ve come to the right place in New York. Nail salons are so abundant that prices are competitively low for these services. Most stores offer discounts for customers who stop in Monday to Wednesday and be sure to check out your local spots for the best combination’s for hands, feet and even massage. The further away you get from the touristy areas, the lower the prices go, so keep far from midtown and you’re guaranteed a mani/pedi combo for under $20.

SIDLE UP TO THE COUNTER: Beauty counters at major department store are the perfect spot for a quick pick-me-up. Cosmetics experts like those at the M.A.C counter will give you a quickie makeover before that important interview or your big first day. Clarins counters give 20 minute mini-facials and skin care lessons to counter passersby and the quick refresher is 100 percent free.

FREE YOURSELF: If you’re looking for some insight into your makeup routine, stop by Shu Uemura Beauty Boutique for 30 to 90 minute free make-up lessons with mini-facials. 212-979-5500

Make yourself even more beautiful at Trimmed&Taylored

Plan Your Weekend: Best Happy Hours

The work week is long enough without having to go out out on Friday night and pretend like you still have the energy of a college student. So grab your briefcase and go straight from work to happy hour this Friday. All the bars listed below offer great (sometimes free) drunk food to go with your drinks!

Here are my top 5:

1. The Village Pourhouse. 64 3rd Ave/982 Amsterdam Ave

2. Blockheads. 951 Amsterdam Ave/1563 2nd Ave/954 2nd Ave/499 3rd Ave/50th &  8th/254 Vesey St

3. International Food House. 230 W. 35th.

4. Rodeo Bar. 375 3rd Ave.

5. Common Ground Bar & Restaurant. 206 Ave. A

Check back every Friday for a new Plan Your Weekend!

Best Find: Zog Sports

Zog Sports organizes various sports teams, tournaments, and trips for young professionals who want to meet new people. They offer legitimate sport teams such as baseball and soccer as well as sport teams such as wiffle ball and kickball for those of us who are less athletically inclined. You can join with an entire team or sign up as an individual and they’ll find a place for you. Rumor has it that a lot of people begin the season single and end the season with a significant other. However the wesbsite doesn’t confirm this anywhere.

Check back every Thursday for a new Best Find!

How to get to the Airport

Flying is expensive enough before you have to add on all the transportation costs.  Here are the different ways to get to and from the airport:

1. Subway to JFK or LGA – This is definitely the cheapest option ($7) but also the longest. You can spend almost two hours transferring between the different subways. Definitely not recommended if you have more than one piece of luggage.

2. New York Airport Service – These buses run about every half hour and can be picked up at Port Authority, Penn Station, or Grand Central. They typically cost $12 to LGA and $15 to JFK and they do offer group specials if you’re traveling with anyone else.

3. Shuttle Services – The two most popular shuttle services, SuperShuttle and Go Airlink NYC, offer rides that typically range from $15-$25 depending on which airport you’re going to and where you’re being picked up from. While these shuttles offer the convenience of door-to-door pick-up and drop-off, they also have the added inconveniece of having to pick-up and drop-off everyone else in the shuttle which can add hours to your travel time.

4. Taxi – Defintiely the most convenient and most expensive option. Rides to JFK are a flat fee of $45 plus tip and tolls while LGA tend to be a little less depending on traffic.