New York Apartment Search

If you live in Manhattan, chances are that you have been on a dreadful apartment search whereby everything you hope to find leaves you disappointed...wishing you could just move somewhere easy. On my recent search for a one-bedroom in Manhattan, I viewed about 12 apartment in both villages, east & west, Soho and Chelsea. I figured I'd blog about it. Why?....because there are some people in this country that have no idea the compromises we, NYers make, to live in this city! They scratch their heads and think "my God...is this city worth living in a walk-in closet?" But it's a great city...so we make the compromises happily.


The following 5 apartments represent my top five choices. I drew these up quickly after viewing to see how much space I would have for my things. I also wanted to see what the dollar per square foot was for each space. (Equation: Monthly rent X 12mo./ sq.ft=dollar per sq.ft. used to find market rate)


4th Runner-up: East 12th street

This east village gem boasting 338 square foot layout featured two rooms approximately 7' x8'. Just big enough for me to fit one or two pieces of furniture per room. The viewing also came with an interior design consultation with the broker, who continued to give me her opinions of how to lay the space out, even after telling her that I am an architect. This apartment was way over market rate for the east village at $86/sq.ft. 

I know you are dying to see more....

3rd runner-up: Mott Street

This apartment was in a great location, Nolita. Nolita stands for "North of Little Italy".  It's $83/sq.ft.  As you can see, another compromising layout, but I love Nolita, so it was in the running. 

2nd Runner-up: Chelsea

This Chelsea space was not so bad. It could totally work. It was listed for $69/sq.ft. Much better than the two former spaces. It was an elevator building with laundry on site. These luxuries are hard to pass up sometimes. It also had an incredible view. The kitchen could use some updating. One of my biggest complaints working in this industry and seeing these places...is when you see an apartment around 400 sq ft or less and you see large 30" wide appliances and no counter space. Typically only one or two people live in these 400 sq ft apartments....WE DON'T NEED EXTRA LARGE APPLIANCES! Stop wasting space! OK there I got it out. I feel much better. 

First Runner-Up: Sullivan Street

I loved this apartment and may have applied for it IF I DIDN'T have to show one year's rent in liquid assets! yes! kinda ridiculous, if you ask me! Hey, have you heard of a thing called the "Recession"apparently the management company has NOT. The rent is $68/sq ft- for a SOHO apartment- its actually on target. 

Winner....I can't show you until I have the Keys in hand! I can't jinx it!