Hey there, beautiful people! ✨
If you’ve been following along on my journey, you know that the past few months have been a whirlwind of change, excitement, and yes—apartment hunting in the concrete jungle we call New York City. For those of you who are new here (welcome, BTW! 💕), my partner Tom and I recently made the decision to move back to NYC, a city that holds a special place in our hearts and careers.
Apartment hunting in New York is notoriously challenging, time-consuming, and let’s be honest—a little crazy-making. But it’s also an adventure, and today I’m taking you along for the ride!
Quick note: If you’re actually in the process of searching for an apartment in NYC right now, I recommend checking out my detailed guide on the search process, required documents, and how to prepare. This post focuses more on my personal apartment hunting journey!
My NYC Apartment Hunting Journey
Defining Our Non-Negotiables 📋
Before diving into the apartment search, Tom and I sat down and outlined what we absolutely needed in our new home. I cannot stress enough how important this step is! New York real estate moves FAST, and having clear criteria helps you make decisions quickly when necessary.
Our Must-Haves:
- Spacious One-Bedroom or Two-Bedroom Apartment – If we went with a one-bedroom, we’d set up our office space in the living area (like we did in our previous apartment). With a two-bedroom, we’d use the second bedroom as a dedicated office.
- Bright Space with Big Windows – This was non-negotiable for us! ☀️ Not only is natural light essential for my YouTube filming, but it also makes such a difference in day-to-day living. Those gloomy NYC winter days are much more bearable when your apartment lets in lots of light!
- Dishwasher – I know this might seem like a luxury to some, but after having one in our previous NYC apartment, I’ve realized it’s a game-changer. I absolutely hate doing dishes by hand, and in a city where time is precious, this appliance saves me hours each week.
- Pet-Friendly – Our sweet fur baby Oreo needed to be welcome, no questions asked! 🐶
Nice-to-Haves:
- In-Unit Laundry – While we’d settle for laundry in the building, having a washer and dryer in our actual apartment would be amazing. Anyone who’s lugged laundry bags up and down stairs in NYC knows why this is a big deal!
- Elevator/Doorman Building – Not essential, but definitely convenient. We were open to walk-ups as long as they weren’t too high (nothing like a sixth-floor walk-up after grocery shopping, am I right?).
- Well-Connected Location – Unlike many NYC apartment hunters, we were actually pretty flexible on the specific neighborhood. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and even Jersey City were all on the table! The key was good subway access and having essentials nearby (supermarket, coffee shops, pharmacy, and ideally a Trader Joe’s because… well, it’s Trader Joe’s 🛒).
Our Budget Reality Check 💰
Let’s talk money, friends. We set our budget around $4,000 per month, with some flexibility between $3,500 and $4,500 depending on what we found. If we went toward the higher end of our range, the place would need to offer something special—be it amazing amenities, a perfect location, or exceptional space.
And can I just address something real quick? Yes, NYC is EXPENSIVE. I know that for the same amount, you could probably rent a mansion in many other parts of the country. But here’s the thing—our careers, connections, and hearts are in New York. Sometimes you pay a premium to live in a place that inspires you and supports your goals. No regrets! 💁♀️
The Jersey City Surprise 🌆
Since we were staying in Jersey City’s Exchange Place area while apartment hunting, we decided to start our search there—and I was honestly surprised by how much I liked it!
Apartments 1-4: Newport Area
The first four apartments we viewed were in the Newport area of Jersey City. All four offered:
- Two bedrooms/two bathrooms
- Incredible views of the Manhattan skyline
- Generous square footage
- Good closet space
The drawbacks? Most had those dated «popcorn» ceilings (not my fave aesthetic), and the buildings themselves felt a bit older. But the VIEWS! Oh my goodness, seeing the entire Manhattan skyline, including One World Trade Center, right from your living room is something special.
Apartment 5: Modern Luxury
The fifth place we saw was in a more modern building. To stay within budget, we looked at a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit. It featured:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows (dream come true!)
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Modern bathroom and kitchen
- Amazing building amenities including a rooftop lounge
The rooftop deserves its own paragraph, honestly. We spent so much time up there during our tour because the views were absolutely breathtaking—you could see both One World Trade Center AND the Empire State Building. Perfect for summer hangouts or celebrations with friends! 🥂
First Round Thoughts 💭
After seeing these first five apartments, I didn’t immediately have a clear favorite. The two-bedroom units offered fantastic space, which would be ideal for our work-from-home setup and for hosting visitors. But the modern building with the one-bedroom had those gorgeous windows and amenities that would definitely enhance daily living.
What really surprised me was how much I enjoyed the Newport area of Jersey City. The neighborhood is beautiful, well-connected to Manhattan, and offers more space for your money than most NYC options. It’s definitely an area I’d recommend considering if you’re in the market!
What’s Next? 👀
This is just the beginning of our apartment hunting adventure! In my next post, I’ll share more apartments we toured in different neighborhoods and eventually reveal where we decided to call home.
What about you? Which of these five apartments would be your pick? The spacious two-bedrooms with iconic views, or the modern one-bedroom with luxury amenities? Leave a comment below—I’d love to know your thoughts!
And of course, if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a new video. I post new content every single week about content creation, productivity, living in NYC, and everything in between!
Until next time, Flor 💖
P.S. Stay tuned for the continuation of this apartment hunting series—it gets even more interesting, I promise!
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