Vertical Living: The Highs and Lows of Apartment Life in New York City

Choosing where to move to in New York City can be a hard task. With so many options between neighborhoods, housing prices, and options, you might be feeling lost. If you are considering moving to an apartment, you will be glad to read on. We have collected some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of apartment life in New York City. Hopefully, it can show you what to expect and how to prepare for this. Once you know all of this information, you can go on to plan your move. With a detailed plan about your moving day, the New York movers you will hire, and a packing list, you won’t have to worry about anything. Relax and enjoy getting to know more about life in New York City, one of the greatest cities in the entire world. Join its millions of residents, and find the best housing options for you and all of your needs. 

Life in the Big Apple

New York City, popularly known as the “Big Apple” is a bustling metropolis with over 8 million people. Each year there are more people moving, and thinking about living in this city. Reasons vary, from job opportunities, cultural representations, and events to unique energy. The city has many different and diverse neighborhoods which you can choose from. Each borough has its own perks, and beauty, from historic brownstones to modern high-rise apartments.

However, the cost of housing in NYC is not low. The rents can be especially high and the process of purchasing an apartment can be long and stressful. Still, the city draws people in with its excitement and vibrancy and can accommodate anyone.

Apartment life in New York City and its advantages

For a lot of people, an apartment living in New York City is a popular choice. There are many benefits to it, and the city offers different experiences depending on your lifestyle and your neighborhood. There are areas offering classic pre-war buildings or modern new ones. You can choose a place that is close to your work, school, or close to the lifestyle you want. For example, you can contact Brooklyn movers for help if you want to live in a safe area filled with bars, working opportunities, and many renters. Life in an apartment can be very convenient, and it is one of the reasons people rent an apartment.  

Accessibility and convenience

One of the most important things that people look for in NYC when finding a home is the location. In such a big city it is important to be close to your everyday needs. This can include kids’ school, your work, a special gym, and maybe a hospital. Since the city has over a hundred neighborhoods, finding the perfect place can be long and sometimes quite expensive. Living in an apartment can bring you this convenience and make your life easier. You will also be able to spend your time on other activities instead of rushing home.

Meeting new people

New York City apartment life can also provide you with the opportunity of meeting new people. Buildings can really be a great way to form connections within the same community. These can be especially easy in buildings that offer shared spaces. Boroughs such as the Bronx are famous for their tight communities, and you might think about moving here if you want to make it easy to meet people. With amazing Bronx movers, you can be sure everything will be moved safely and quickly.

So, if you are new to the city, and you want to meet new people, check out the gym and rooftop terrace of your building. There might be some neighbors who will welcome you and even become your friends. Young people are often sharing apartments with roommates, which is another great chance to meet friends. You might get to know a person and meet many cultures that are mixed in this city. Be open to sharing your interests and learning about someone else’s. Apartment life in New York City can provide a sense of belonging in a city that can sometimes feel unknown and overwhelming.

Sense of security

Living in a city like New York City means you have to be careful and watch yourself and your items. The sense of security can sometimes be disturbed in a large city with so many different people. This leads us to another benefit of living in an apartment building. Many buildings will often have security measures to ensure everyone is safe and that any sign of crime can be prevented. These will either be a doorman, cameras, or intercom systems. If you are living alone in the city, this can be a thing that makes it easier to sleep at night.

Furthermore, you can be even more secure knowing that there are many people around you and that you are not alone. Feeling safe in your home is a valuable benefit that everyone wants to have. Before you move, take a look at the safest places in NYC, such as Staten Island. This often looked down on borough can provide you with fun events and safety in your area. All you have to do is contact Staten Island movers and start packing your things.

Having access to amenities

Your daily life can be even easier and better with many amenities you can get by living in an apartment. As we mentioned easier, some buildings have their own gyms, which can save you time and money. This can also give you another layer of security if you like to exercise late at night, as you won’t have to walk down the street. Moreover, people in NYC are often hauling their clothes to the local laundrymats.

Many NYC apartments don’t have enough space for a washing machine, so you are left with having to pack your dirty things and take them to wash. Living in an apartment building can sometimes make it better, as many of them offer laundry rooms. You can leave your things and go on to finish your other tasks until it is finished. Depending on your building, there are many amenities you can have during your life there. All of them are here to enhance your life and make it that much easier and enjoyable. So, whether you are just moving to a building or living there for a while, be sure to use all that you can get from it.

The disadvantages of apartment life in New York City

While we covered some of the most important advantages of apartment living in New York City, we should also go over the disadvantages. Some of these struggles can make apartment life lose its appeal to some people and put your local movers in NYC on hold. You should especially know what they are in if you are now moving to an apartment for the first time. This is how you can be prepared and maybe lower your stress about things you can’t control.

One of the biggest struggles can be a lack of personal space and privacy, especially if you are moving in with roommates. There is also the issue of loud neighbors or even high rent. Many families might also find it harder to find the best schools in the neighborhood they live in, making it easier to move to another place. Sometimes large family apartments can be quite pricey as well, especially in the most popular neighborhoods.

High rent in certain areas

Probably the biggest disengage of living in an apartment in NYC is the high cost of the rent. New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the country, and the rents can be very high. While this will depend on the borough and the area you choose, it is good to be familiar with it. If you decide you want to stay in the heart of the city, and maybe make it easier to get to your job, you might be thinking about Manhattan. While there are very professional Manhattan movers waiting for your call, you might consider some of the cons of living here.

This borough is the most expensive borough in the city, because of its location, many companies, and other important buildings. Popular neighborhoods here are Greenwich Village, SoHo, and Williamsburg. There are amazing apartments, safety, and many amenities, but for the average price of $4,614 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Still, there are more affordable and approachable rent prices in the city, depending on the location and the size of your new home. You might be feeling better in a less crowdy place anyway. However, another con of renting an apartment is the fact that the rent prices fluctuate. This makes it hard to predict the future rent cost, and it might allow them to go much higher than you are paying right now.

Limited space and storage

Another con of apartment living can be the lack of space and storage for a comfortable life. Most apartments in the city are small, with studio and one-bedroom apartments being the most common. Having a limited space like that can make it challenging to store all of your belongings and can result in an additional charge. This means that you either have to downsize and get rid of a lot of your things or rent a storage unit. Storage units can be a great thing to have, and the price will depend on their size, location, and how long you are renting them out.

Besides having to store large items or things you are not using, you can encounter a problem with closet sizes as well. The lack of closet space can lead to an overcrowded and messy home, which might stress you. This can especially be hard if you have kids. As we all know, kids don’t come with just clothes, there are many toys they like to play with and leave around. Having a small apartment can make this into a much larger problem than it should be, so you should definitely consider this before moving to an apartment.

Noise and privacy concerns

The problem of noise, especially in New York City is what drives a lot of people into houses in the suburbs. Living in an apartment means you can be subject to more noise than you would like. There are neighbors, building sounds during the night, traffic, and street noise. It can become very frustrating for people who value peace and quiet. While there are some ways to combat this in small ways, such as noise machines or earplugs, some people might not want to do that. People who enjoy quiet life often choose Queens as their destination. You can enjoy your evenings and mornings only with the sounds you have in your home. Plus, moving to Queens is easy with the help of Queens movers and their services.

If you don’t want your peace interrupted, maybe think about house living instead of an apartment. How loud your neighbors will get or how many times you will hear an elevator ding is something no one can tell you beforehand. Additionally, living in an apartment can lead to privacy concerns as well. This can come from the lack of private outdoor space and areas. You might not be able to enjoy your quiet morning coffee on a balcony or a yoga session before bed.

Less opportunity for remodeling

Finally, living in New York City can be less personalized than you would like. Renting an apartment might mean you are very limited in changes you can make. You won’t be able to change the layout of the place, get rid of or add walls, or even change the kitchen counters. Trying to make a home in a place you can’t make your own can be difficult, and many people struggle with that.

While owning the apartment means you are free to change the look of your walls, the kitchen, and even the bathroom, you might still have some limitations. Some buildings won’t allow you to change the look of your windows, make a balcony, and similar large remodeling changes that can impact the look of the building.

Tiny homes in the city of big opportunities

Small apartment life in New York City might not be for everyone, but it is surely an exciting experience that many people can end up enjoying. All you have to do is get familiar with the pros and cons, and see if it can be for you. In the end, the best thing you can do is to try it out. If you don’t like it, no harm, you can move on to find a house and continue your life knowing you tried something new.

Reference: https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/manhattan-ny