New York apartment hunting
Some things to keep in mind when looking for an apartment in New York City:
1. No bugs/rodents
2. A full bathroom (no mini-sinks or sinks in the kitchen)
3. My own bedroom
4. Friends in the neighborhood
5. Each room has at least two electrical outlets
6. Windows are not painted shut
7. Unsmelly street front; stoop is at least not discomforting (doesn't have to be gorgeous)
8. Opportunities to interact socially (casual, dates, study)
9. Immediate access to open, free space where I can run around without concern, do flips and play soccer
10. A place to study close by, preferably not in complete solitude and sometimes in complete solitude
11. A kitchen where I can feel free to prepare delicious meals
12. A garden space
13. Frequent trips to the outdoors, out of the city
14. Long walks in unknown (and known) neighborhoods
15. Wood floors
16. Gas stove
17. Well functioning heat system that is paid for by the landlord and works all winter long
18. NOTHING FALLING APART (we can't trust them to fix it later)
19. NOTHING IN NEED OF REPAIR (ditto)
20. No superloud neighbors
21. Lots of sun
22. Living room and bedroom/study windows not blocked by buildings
23. Rent split fairly
24. Building hallways do not smell and are well lit
25. Building is managed in a professional manner
Things we should check into:
1. Run and taste the tap water. Acceptable taste? Drains work well? Showerhead? Hot water?
2. Ask about the boiler, how is it controlled?
3. Look up building manager on NYC DOB and HPD websites
4. Peeling paint? Ask about lead.
5. Meet the neighbors; ask about how well the heat functions in the winter; ask about the sound levels in the building and on the street.
1. No bugs/rodents
2. A full bathroom (no mini-sinks or sinks in the kitchen)
3. My own bedroom
4. Friends in the neighborhood
5. Each room has at least two electrical outlets
6. Windows are not painted shut
7. Unsmelly street front; stoop is at least not discomforting (doesn't have to be gorgeous)
8. Opportunities to interact socially (casual, dates, study)
9. Immediate access to open, free space where I can run around without concern, do flips and play soccer
10. A place to study close by, preferably not in complete solitude and sometimes in complete solitude
11. A kitchen where I can feel free to prepare delicious meals
12. A garden space
13. Frequent trips to the outdoors, out of the city
14. Long walks in unknown (and known) neighborhoods
15. Wood floors
16. Gas stove
17. Well functioning heat system that is paid for by the landlord and works all winter long
18. NOTHING FALLING APART (we can't trust them to fix it later)
19. NOTHING IN NEED OF REPAIR (ditto)
20. No superloud neighbors
21. Lots of sun
22. Living room and bedroom/study windows not blocked by buildings
23. Rent split fairly
24. Building hallways do not smell and are well lit
25. Building is managed in a professional manner
Things we should check into:
1. Run and taste the tap water. Acceptable taste? Drains work well? Showerhead? Hot water?
2. Ask about the boiler, how is it controlled?
3. Look up building manager on NYC DOB and HPD websites
4. Peeling paint? Ask about lead.
5. Meet the neighbors; ask about how well the heat functions in the winter; ask about the sound levels in the building and on the street.
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