As college graduates from across the U.S. make the move to Manhattan, many still can’t claim their independence. The New York Times explored an added challenge that many 20-somethings face when moving to NYC. In addition to finding a compatible roommate, a bed-bug free apartment and an affordable broker, recent graduates who aren’t making enough money must also find a guarantor.

The Times article looks into some new qualifications landlords require of guarantors, such as requiring a guarantor who lives in the region, posing a particularly difficult challenge for renters who are coming from out of state and don’t have any relatives in New York.

Finding an eligible guarantor is “almost as hard as finding an apartment,” the article says. Three recent college graduates from Portland, Ore., found an apartment on the Upper East Side for $3,400/month, but the three friends fell short of the requirement that their combined salaries equal 40 times the monthly rent. As a result, they needed to find a guarantor making 70 times the rent.

Find the original story here.