New BNL PostDoc seeks large room / apartment

Recent selfie.

Hi! I'm Matt (or Matthew, I don't mind), a 28-year-old new PostDoc quantum researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory. After flying over from the UK on Halloween, I started there early November. I'm currently staying on-site, as part of my relocation, but am looking for somewhere to stay long-term over the two years of my contract, possibly longer or shorter if something happens or I'm asked to stay on afterwards. This is only my third time in the US, including a few months spent as a summer camp counsellor in Michigan, but is my first time living and working here long term.

Given this, I should probably note that I don’t have a US credit score yet, as the system is separate from the UK one. However, I am happy to provide my UK credit score (which is considered to be in the “excellent” band by TransUnion), or even a credit report if a landlord would like to see my history of borrowing and payments. I also can provide landlord references if needed. I currently have a reference letter from an individual landlord I rented from during my PhD, and am happy to contact the two letting companies I’ve rented from if needed.

I have a flexible budget of around $2000, but this can go up or down depending on location, size, amenities, furnishings, and so on. Part of the reason for this is that I don't have a car at the moment, having recently returned a rental car I was provided by the lab for my first month, so it's possible I could spend more on rent if I can find a location that will allow me to commute without one, such as being in biking distance. (This is unlikely, but possible if e. g. I found a roommate interested in teaming up for an apartment at the Brio or Reserve at the Boulevard.) Of course, spending less than this would be ideal.

As for the housing itself, I'm looking for either a large bedroom in a share or a 1+ bed apartment of my own. The prior is more financially feasible, but I would also possibly appreciate the privacy of the latter, as well as the space for potentially hosting family members when they visit from the UK. As mentioned above, this should be as close as possible to Brookhaven National Laboratory, as I’d prefer a short commute. The furthest I’m looking is probably around Dix Hills, for about a 30-min commute, but shorter would be better. I'd be looking to move later in December, as my current tenancy on-site expires 30th December, but I should be able to extend it a few days if needed.

I have a wishlist of amenities, which follows:
- Dishwasher
- Decently large fridge/freezer space, for meal prepping
- Washer/dryer (either in-unit or shared, if part of a complex)
- High-speed internet ready
- A/C
- Garden/patio/balcony, for possibly growing some plants!
- Community pool / fitness center (if part of a complex)
- (Ideally hardwood floors - not important, but I do prefer these for cleaning, especially as someone with mild asthma. Carpet is fine if not.)

Not all of these are essential, of course, but certainly are nice bonuses when considering properties. Having utilities included would also be very helpful in terms of simplifying budgeting, but isn’t too important.

I won’t be bringing that much with me in general. Right now I just have my desktop PC, a few kitchen appliances I purchased since moving (a food processor/blender, air fryer, slow cooker and rice cooker), and my clothes. I do have more belongings currently being shipped from the UK, including a lot of books, some kitchenware, and a couple game consoles. My one relatively large item I’ll be bringing is a foldable exercise bike, though I may or may not end up selling this eventually. Given all this, some basic furnishings (bed, wardrobe, desk) would also be a nice bonus, but again is not a requirement as I can purchase these for myself if needed.

I’m happy to share things with housemates, if they’re interested in using any of the kitchen items, or even the exercise bike! I also have access to Amazon Prime, Disney+, and a large collection of films and tv shows I’d be happy to share with the household. If I do have the time and space to garden, I’d even be happy to share any crops I harvest! In the past I’ve had great success with basil and spinach, even just grown on my windowsill, often in excess of what I’ve been able to use myself.

As for myself, I’m generally pretty quiet and introverted, tending to keep to myself, being somewhat socially awkward. Even playing video games, I mostly just play single-player games, so don’t worry about me screaming at someone over COD or something! Even though I have a trumpet, I not only practice this *very* rarely (since it’s just a casual hobby, I mostly just play at the BNL orchestra club), but even when I do, I actually have a special practice mute that blocks most of the sound and just plays the full sound of it to my headphones. I’m often a bit of a night owl, but don’t worry about me keeping housemates up. I also don’t smoke or drink, only really doing the latter socially at parties and such, and even then not much. I’m not really a fan of the taste of alcohol in the first place. You can see a list of some of my hobbies to the right.

Despite this, if I do join a share, I would quite like to find housemates around my age I can be friends with, especially as someone cut off from old friends and family back home. Whether you’d be keen on watching something together, playing video or board games (I’ve always wanted to play something like DnD! I never found the opportunity though), or to go out to an event, I’d love to join in. I’d particularly like to find mixed gender, LGBT friendly households.

Finally, I’m very much open to pets. Technically, I’m probably somewhat allergic, but I’ve lived with cats and dogs most of my life. I don’t have any of my own, though have considered maybe getting a cat at some point? Far from a dealbreaker if somewhere doesn’t allow them, though.

Anyway, thanks for reading my long ramble. If you think you’ve got an apartment or room that’s right for me, or are interested in teaming up, feel free to message me!