the nyc apartment

In the word of Carrie Bradshaw, "In New York, they say you're always looking for a job, a boyfriend or an apartment." 

The apartment hunt in NYC is not a normal apartment search. One must consider the roommates, the commute, the neighborhood, nearest laundromat (laundry in the building?!) and of course, the rent. 

My first NYC apartment was on 103 Street and Central Park West. It was complete with a neighbor who sang every morning like the man from Friends, two bedrooms, 4 roommates, one bathroom, no A/C and bedbugs. Yep, my first living experience in New York granted me the gift of bed bugs. Despite the bugs, I loved it. This was my first time living and working in New York! I would jump out of bed and walk out the door right into Central Park. I'll take some little bed bugs for the whole world right outside my door.  

My second apartment took me to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. A Craigslist find that gave me a beautiful apartment, wonderful roommates, nosy neighbors and a Chow Chow. Although, I lived off the last stop of the R train, the family neighborhood was almost out of a movie. It's hard to find places where neighbors look after one another, strangers who say "Hello!" as you pass by, and the grocery store cashier knows your name and calls you his favorite customer (one of my greatest accomplishments!). 

My third apartment is nestled between Bay Ridge and Sunset Park. I searched and searched for about 2 months before moving into my current home. The Internet is your broker, taking you to Craigslist, Gypsy Housing, Naked Apartments and more. I met lots of interesting characters and NYC spots through the process and learned that in New York, I have at least a few more moves in my future. 

Perhaps, that's one of my favorite things about this city. You're always moving. The U-Haul is always a call away to take you somewhere unexpected or back home.