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Listen, it’s not as though getting an apartment in New York has ever been easy. But one could probably argue that it has never been harder than it is right now. The most god-awful studios are regularly renting for thousands and thousands of dollars with lines of interested tenants out the door. Here, we’ll find the actually worth-looking-ats, the actually worth-the-costs, and the surprisingly affordable-for-those-parquet-floors from all around the internet.
This week, I decided to do things a little differently. I chose a subway line and searched for areas connected to stops along it. The 2/3 line struck me as a solid first choice for this experiment. The neighborhood with the most potential this week was the Upper West Side — where I found some real diamonds in the (overly priced) rough. Namely, this palace in the sky. And I never thought I liked dark-wooded triplexes until I found this one. Next week, I’ll venture out of Manhattan and into the other boroughs — let me know what subway line you want to see featured next!
Fidi Apartment Listings
$3,300, studio: Unable to view photos of this studio, but almost unable to care, THAT is how spectacular this lobby is. It has the feeling of a grand old hotel. Opulent, frescoed, and fun. Plus a gorgeous roof.
$4,000, 1-bedroom: You can’t really gauge much from the AI-generated photos, but I’m intrigued by the shape of the apartment — seems cozy and spacious, with a staircase that leads up to what I assume is the bedroom.
Hudson Yards Apartment Listings
$4,800, 1-bedroom: I think this is my first Hudson Yards listing? This apartment is actually very nice — with parquet flooring, beamed ceilings,-steel appliances and VGB (very good bookshelves).
$6,650, 2-bedroom: Holy mixed-used moly! This space feels raw and suspiciously commercial, but I’m not going to ask too many questions. The windows are spectacular and give the room a distinctly artist’s-loft feel. And there’s a roof-deck!
Upper West Side Apartment Listings
$4,200, 1-bedroom: A solid prewar building with (albeit overly varnished) parquet floors and curved passageways. Overpriced considering the size and state of the kitchen and bathrooms, though.
$12,500, 3-bedroom: I know it’s expensive, but it’s also spectacular?? Couldn’t resist featuring this for its wraparound windows in the living room, its Hausmann shape, and its high-in-the-sky views.
$10,750, 3-bedroom: A truly unique triplex brownstone in a prime location with bright natural light (despite all the dark mahogany, which I actually don’t mind here for this reason). The library is also a highlight. And it’s a half-block walk from the park.
$8,750, 2-bedroom: Whoa, this one’s giving ’80s space age, with its harsh angles and its solarium in the dining room. Quite possibly the worst staging from a design standpoint I’ve seen in a while, so blur your eyes on this one and just repeat “potential” out loud.
$3,900, 1-bedroom: These are readers after my own heart — tried to zoom into the bookshelf to discern a genre of choice, but the saturation was too low. Also, just a totally nice, well-laid-out apartment.
$3,400, 1-bedroom: There’s a real elegant airiness going on in this townhouse studio apartment, despite the size (which is very small). It’s railroadesque in that the bathroom leads to the kitchen, which leads to the bedroom/living room/dining room. But I think that’s romantic in this case.
$6,995, 2-bedroom: This one is just plain bizarre. The limestone-tile walls are cavernous and strange, but I can get down! I’m into the birch cabinetry in the kitchen and, oh my God, the bathroom. The limestone-tile walls really sing in the bathroom.
$2,425, studio: Sun-drenched studio alert! Hardwood floors, check. High ceilings, check. Exposed-brick wall (ugh, check).
West Village Apartment Listings
$9,500, 1-bedroom: An undeniably fabulous apartment and an undeniably high price point. The DRAMA of the massive windows in the primary bedroom that lead out onto a terrace and then a private ladder down to a magical garden …
$3,500, 1-bedroom: There’s a Weehawken Street in the West Village?? The tall arched casement windows and 11-foot ceilings are obviously the highlight here. The Deco fireplace is nice too. The refurbished wood-loft situation is not great … but you can maybe … fix that …?
$5,400, 2-bedroom: Not much to write home about, but the price is comparatively not terrible for the neighborhood, and it’s right above the iconic Waverly Diner!
$4,695, 1-bedroom: This one is truly nothing special, but THERE IS A TENNIS COURT IN THE BUILDING, AND THAT IS VERY RARE.
Chelsea Apartment Listings
$6,700, 2-bedroom: Not a terrible deal for a coveted brownstone apartment in Chelsea with a working fireplace.
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