Renting an APT. In NY and Poker

[Max Raker]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but the search yielded nothing. My girlfriend is finishing her last year at college next fall in NY city and I want to live their with her.

I am trying to find a decent one bedroom place in a not too bad area. How hard is it to rent a place given that she is a student and my only source of income is poker?

My parents are willing to cosign for me. They are not rich or anything but they own a house (I'm not sure what they even look at when you have a cosigner). Also, I could pay for 6 months rent upfront if they wanted (not sure if this is smart or will make me look like a drug dealer or something). I haven't turned in any applications yet but all the landlords so far have been old ladies so they may not want to rent to a gambler. I am also willing to lie and say I'm a student also and that my parents are paying for it if it greatly helps my chances.

Thanks