The Hunt Begins (with scams!)

So I'm looking for an apartment. I've been staying at my parents' place for *mumblemumble* years and with the start of my Ph.D. program, it's time to move on. I should be getting a corrected award letter soon (back story: LIU had me in the system as an undergrad, so the first financial aid letter I got was wrong), so I started sending emails and making calls about ads I saw. One of them I knew was too good to be true (a 2 BR in Queens for $850 a month, ha) but I sent an email anyway because I was morbidly curious about it. This was the response (names and contact info redacted):

Hi

I and my darling wife are very happy to inform you that the apartment  is still very much available for rent, my intentions and plans is to give out  the apartment to a Reliable and Responsible person  that would be able to take  proper care of the lovely home. It's indeed  a lovely and comfortable home and available to move in as soon as possible, i pray that May the Peace of the almighty Lord be with you for  considering my home.

Fees needed to move in:
Monthly Rent: $850 (Including Utilities)
Security / Deposit:  $500.
2 Bedrooms
2 Baths

APARTMENT FEATURES:
2  Bedrooms
Hardwood Floors
Big Living Room, Kitchen
Brand New Cabinets, Electric Cooker & Refrigerator

I  would like you to know that i am giving this lovely apartment out to you because i have just been appointed by the United States of America Government as the head of ANTI-TERRORIST monitoring squad (Zone D), and i  have been posted to West Africa for special duty in the international airport so as to search and to monitor every one traveling to the United  States of  America to avoid another terrorist attack. My appointment will last for 5 years before rounding up the program.

I would like you  to fill the below  details:

==================================================================================================================
RENT  APPLICATION FORM
FIRST NAME:_________
MIDDLE  NAME:_________________
LAST  NAME:__________________
AGE:_____
PROFESSION:________________
TIME ON  YOUR  JOB:______
PHONE_________
(CELL)PHONE_____
(WORK)PHONE____
(HOME)_________________
KIDS___  (YES/NO), HOW MANY________
PRESENT ADDRESS:_______
HOW LONG?_______
WHY  ARE YOU LEAVING? IF THIS APARTMENT IS BEING GIVEN TO YOU,
HOW LONG DO YOU  INTEND STAYING?_______
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN?________
IF YOU HAVE A  PET?_____-
DO YOU SMOKE?______________
DO YOU DRINK?_________
DO YOU  WORK LATE NIGHT?____
HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE DEPOSIT  PAYMENT SENT TO  ME:___
HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMENTS OF THE  HOUSE:______________
==================================================================================================================

I  will need this information because my family and i won't be moving back  to the apartment whenever we're back, there is no Registration fee. The  Security Deposit would be needed as a Security Bond in order for the keys and the Lease Contract agreement to be sent to you. Electric Bills and water bills have been paid for, so i would also need to send the receipts to you.

I would like you to know that you are free to contact me at any time. After i receive these details, i would get back to you soonest and then let you know my terms.

Feel free to contact me on my direct Phone Number:  [two overseas phone numbers, which is a GIANT red flag]

Greetings from my lovely wife.

I hope to hear from you  soonest.

Thanks
[redacted]

I also got another reply that wanted my credit score info before they'd move forward and linked me to an obvious scam site to get it (one that redirected me to a Google search instead of actually going to a site). I guess I'm 0/2 on the apartment hunt so far.

Urban Hiking

I sort of went hiking yesterday. By that I mean I went to the Ravine in the middle of Prospect Park, which is almost like real nature. Well, it's the closest you get in the middle of Brooklyn.

Officially, I was taking pictures for Brooklyn Based, but it was also just nice to wander through the woods. It was a good 10-15 degrees cooler once I got into the wooded part, so it was a pleasant walk.

It's Official

I know I announced my intent to get my Ph.D. in the last post, but several days ago I got the official letter in the mail. No going back now!

A Change Will Do You Good

I've done a lot of griping on this blog about unemployment and the ennui it causes. So I'm making some changes. No, I haven't found my dream job. But I've decided to go back to school.

So I'm starting in September, and I'll be pursuing a Ph.D. in Information Studies at Long Island University.

There's still a lot to fall into place in the next two months, so I'm a little terrified. But also excited. I still have to figure out an assistantship, and maybe a temporary summer job so I can have some cash saved -- since there's maybe $180 in my bank account right now.

And I'll need to find an apartment. Since I'll be at the CW Post campus, not Brooklyn, I need to live somewhere accessible to the LIRR. Right now my parents' place isn't great. I could do it, but it would not be very convenient. I'd rather find a place in Queens that's closer to the train. Also, it's beyond time for me to move out.

So that's that. Things are happening, and I hope everything works out.