Searching for an apartment in New York City is a daunting task. With almost a million rental units in the city, sorting through all the advertisements and rental listings can be frustrating and time-consuming. Fortunately, plenty of apps and websites exist to help renters find the perfect property. Try out these favorites in your quest to find the ideal NYC apartment.
1. Zumper
Zumper has a handy map interface that allows users to click around and see which listings most interest them in each neighborhood. The search page also has dozens of filters to choose from, including the property type, whether the listing has a broker fee, unit amenities, and more. The site is free to search and doesn’t require that users give up any personal information. Listings often include several photos, so you can get a better idea of what each unit and building offers.
The Zumper iOS and Android apps combine the features of the desktop site with an easy rental application and credit check. These features enable renters to apply for apartments through the app itself.
2. Naked Apartments
Naked Apartments has a simple search interface, that starts by allows users to input either a neighborhood or a price range. The listings are easy to navigate and include photos of each apartment. Naked shows an overview of each area, with info on subway stops, a ranking of the best no-fee buildings, the median rental rates, and popularity rank. For example, the desirable Upper East Side ranks as the 6th most popular neighborhood in the city, while the vibrant Astoria neighborhood in Queens ranks 47th on the list. The website also includes a comprehensive guide to renting in New York City.
Naked Apartments’ iOS and Android apps enrich the experience. Users can search by subway line, schedule viewings from the app, and connect with real estate agents.
3. StreetEasy
StreetEasy has a highly detailed suite of search terms, including the age of the building, public school zone, and public transit locations. The listings often include floorplans, and some high-end apartments have 3D models. On StreetEasy you can browse both apartment rentals and units for sale, in case you decide you’d rather just throw down the money to buy. The app also makes it easy to find pet-friendly and no-fee rentals, and features several helpful resources, like neighborhood guides, a mortgage calculator, and market reports.
The iOS and Android apps do not have a map feature, but users praise them for their filtering for criteria such as no-fee listings.
4. InsideDigs
InsideDigs is available only as an app for Android and iOS. This app provides direct communication with landlords, agents, and current renters. It also offers ways to organize search listings and provides unique filters.
The app requires that users post the details of their current apartment or refer three friends to the service to sign up. Alternatively, users can pay for a subscription to access the listings.
5. UrbanEdge
UrbanEdge was explicitly created to help renters find no-fee apartments. The site enables users to quickly search by neighborhood, price, beds, and baths. UrbanEdge does not have a clickable map feature, but the listing filters are easy to use. The site keeps listings fresh by automatically deleting any listings not updated in the last 30 days.
UrbanEdge does not require users to give up any personal information or to register to view listings. Currently, UrbanEdge does not have an app.
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