5 NYC renovated one-bedroom rentals for less than $3,000 a month

Head to Brooklyn and Queens for lower rents on upgraded apartments
You can find places with stainless steel appliances and in-unit laundry

By Austin Havens-Bowen | November 9, 2022 - 12:30PM

If you can’t afford the bells and whistles of a newly built New York City rental building, focus your search on apartments that have been renovated. You can find upgraded apartments in older rental buildings, especially in Brooklyn and Queens, which are below the city’s median rent.

What kind of upgrades can you find in these apartments? Kitchen and bath upgrades are popular so think stainless steel appliances, dishwashers, plus new tiles and fixtures. New (or refinished) hardwood floors and recessed lighting are also popular fixes in an apartment. And you might come across a place where the landlord installed central air or split-unit air conditioning or in-unit laundry (but it might cost you more).

When it comes to knowing where to look: Check out neighborhoods in the outer boroughs, where you’ll find mom-and-pop owners who charge lower rents than what you’ll find in newer buildings. Rents in Manhattan are always more expensive, especially for renovated places, but you can find some deals in parts of Harlem and the Upper East Side.

To help with your search, check out these renovated one-bedroom apartments for less than $3,000 a month in Bay Ridge, Rego Park, Astoria, Crown Heights, and Midtown West.

333 86th St., #3H, Bay Ridge

This one bedroom, one bath is listed for $2,000. The newly-renovated apartment features new hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher, recessed lighting, ceiling fans, exposed brick, built-ins, and moldings. The 86th Street R subway station is nearby.

62-54 97th Pl., #8E, Rego Park

This one bedroom, one bath is listed for $2,200. Apartment #8E has stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, hardwood floors, in-unit laundry, and oversized windows. The building features a live-in super and gym. Rego Center is nearby.

31-92 30th St., #3R, Astoria

This one bedroom, one bath is listed for $2,400. The gut-renovated apartment features hardwood floors, recessed lighting, stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher, granite countertops, ceiling fans, and high ceilings. The Broadway N/W subway station is nearby.

991 President St., #3H, Crown Heights

This one bedroom, one bath is listed for $2,650. Apartment #3H features stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island, hardwood floors, track lighting, moldings, and in-unit laundry. The building has a bike room and live-in super. Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park are nearby.

325 West 45th St., #620, Midtown West

This one bedroom, one bath is listed for $2,995. The recently-renovated co-op, shown virtually staged, features stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, oversized windows, beamed ceilings, and a walk-in closet. The building has a doorman, live-in super, laundry room, and a roof deck. Al Hirschfeld Theatre is nearby.

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Austin Havens-Bowen

Writer

Austin Havens-Bowen is a writer and reporter. He previously covered local news for the Queens Ledger and The Hunts Point Express in the Bronx. He graduated from Hunter College with a BA in media studies. He rents a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria with his boyfriend and their two cats.

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