Hey everyone!
I’m back with another installment of my NYC apartment hunting adventures! If you’ve been following along, you know this journey has had its ups and downs (and trust me, there are plenty more to come). Today, I’m excited to share Episode 3 with you, where I take you through some stunning Jersey City options that ultimately… well, you’ll have to read on to find out what happened!
Before diving in, if you’re new here, welcome! I’m Flor, a content creator passionate about NYC living, productivity tips, books, and everything in between. If you haven’t checked out Episodes 1 and 2 of this series, I highly recommend starting there to get the full picture of our apartment hunting journey.
Our Non-Negotiables (AKA What We Absolutely Cannot Live Without)
When my partner and I started this apartment search, we established clear priorities to help narrow down our options in this overwhelming NYC real estate market. Our must-haves included:
- A spacious one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment
- Pet-friendly accommodation (our dog Oreo is non-negotiable!)
- A dishwasher (call me high-maintenance, but after living without one, it’s now on my must-have list)
- Bright space with big windows and plenty of natural light
- At minimum, laundry facilities in the building
Our «would be nice» list included in-unit laundry (the dream!), an elevator, doorman service, and a convenient location. Unlike many NYC apartment hunters, we were actually pretty flexible on neighborhood, considering options across Manhattan, parts of New Jersey close to the water, Queens near the waterfront, and most of Brooklyn.
Our budget was ideally between $3,500 and $4,500 per month, targeting around $4,000.
The Vantage Building: Jersey City Dreams
The first apartments I’m sharing in Episode 3 are units in the Vantage building in Jersey City. This was actually the only property we virtually toured before moving back to New York, and we were dying to see it in person because the online photos and videos were absolutely stunning.
Unit 1: Corner One-Bedroom
The first apartment we toured was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom corner unit with amazing light and partial Manhattan views. The kitchen was ultra-modern and even had its own window (a rarity!). While the bathroom was lovely, we felt the bedroom was on the smaller side—probably too tight for our king-sized bed. The closet space was decent, but overall, the one-bedrooms in this building felt a bit cramped for our needs.
Units 2 & 3: Two-Bedroom Options
After seeing the one-bedroom, we asked to view two-bedroom units. The first two-bed we saw featured a guest bathroom near the entrance, convenient closet space (including one for the washer/dryer), and a second bedroom that would make a perfect office. The main living area had a beautiful kitchen and corner windows providing abundant natural light. The primary bedroom also had corner windows and a private bathroom with double vanity and huge closet.
But the real showstopper was the staged unit they showed us next. This was my first time seeing a fully furnished model apartment, and let me tell you—I fell in LOVE. Being able to visualize furniture placement made such a difference! The dining table next to the kitchen overlooking Manhattan and One World Trade Center was exactly what I had envisioned for our NYC life. This unit could fit a king-sized bed in the primary bedroom, had fantastic closet space throughout, and just felt like home.
Amenities That Made My Jaw Drop
The Vantage building wasn’t just about beautiful apartments—the amenities were seriously next-level. They had:
- A gorgeous shared dining and living room space
- An indoor golf simulator (fancy, right?)
- A game room with a pool table
- A media room for movie nights
- Multiple beautifully decorated lounges and work spaces
- Outdoor areas with grills and patios
- A swimming pool
I didn’t capture footage of the outdoor spaces because it was extremely windy that day, but trust me—they were impressive.
The Tough Decision
At this point, we had looked at 14 apartments total:
- 5 units in Newport (Episode 1)
- 6 units in the VYV building (Episode 2)
- 3 units in the Vantage building (this episode)
After leaving Vantage, we sat on a bench outside and had to make some difficult decisions. The Newport apartments from Episode 1 were off the table due to maintenance concerns and outdated features that didn’t justify their price points.
So it came down to the VYV building versus Vantage, and after much deliberation… we decided to pass on both.
Plot Twist: Why We Said No
I know, I know—after gushing about these gorgeous apartments, you’re probably wondering why we walked away. Here’s the truth: they were significantly over our budget. While the amenities, in-unit laundry, and modern finishes were tempting, we had to consider the full financial picture.
Living in Jersey City would mean relying on the PATH train ($2.75 each way) to get into Manhattan, plus additional subway fares once in the city. During our month-long hotel stay in Jersey City, we realized how quickly these transportation costs added up. Instead of the standard $2.75 subway fare for getting around NYC, I was spending $11 roundtrip just for basic commuting.
On top of the high monthly rent, we discovered additional fees:
- One-time and monthly pet fees for Oreo
- Mandatory amenities fees (whether we used them or not)
- Expensive application fees
After considering the transportation costs, neighborhood feel, and total monthly expenses, we made the difficult decision to redirect our search.
What’s Next on Our Apartment Hunt?
With Jersey City officially off our list, we’re shifting focus to:
- Brooklyn (a neighborhood I’ve always dreamed of living in)
- Long Island City in Queens (where we previously lived)
- Manhattan options that meet our non-negotiables
Stay tuned for Episode 4, where we’ll explore these new neighborhoods and (hopefully) find our perfect NYC home!
Have you ever had to make tough decisions during an apartment hunt? Or have questions about apartment hunting in NYC? Drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
Until next time, Flor
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