Moving to New York City is not an easy transition. Newcomers bond and commiserate over housing. The one thing that cannot be over stated is how expensive it is to live in this city. Even in the crappy neighborhoods it is expensive. Dude did not lie: “Rent too damn high in this city.” Your dollars won’t go far.
I am coming on two years living in this city. I have lived in four different places since moving here and I am moving again shortly. I recall an ad “room for rent half a bed.” You read correctly. Half a bed! This guy was advertising on AirBnB. He had queen beds, replaced the mattresses for twins, and used a convertible crib/bed rail to separate the mattresses. Dude had six queen beds (that houses 12 renters) in a one bedroom one bath loft. Half a bed was $65/night during off peak season. You paid more to sleep next to someone you knew. At least the location was good in the Financial District.
There was the room for rent that was actually a converted back porch that had a back door that would not close. A cinder block was propped up against the door. They wanted $850/month in a bad neighborhood. Not to mention the other problems you may encounter: roaches, rats, bed bugs. Some room rentals do not include use of the kitchen or living room. You pay $800-1000 for a closet converted into a “bedroom” and cannot use the kitchen or the living room.
A friend moved into a nice building in a decent neighborhood. Besides the contact high from neighbors who obviously have glaucoma problems, the only other issue is the neighbor who has conversations with Duck Bleach in the elevators. Mild nuisances. Another moved into a place, bought new furniture, only to come home three weeks after moving in to be locked out. Apparently, the person she gave first month and security deposit to did not own the apartment. Unfortunately, this happens a lot. She was only allowed to walk away with her clothes. The real owner kept her newly purchased furniture.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/05/27/130527fa_fact_friend?mobify=0
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/05/27/130527fa_fact_friend?mobify=0
Now I have not lived in these conditions, but I have met people who’ve told me to stop complaining about my “spacious 400 sq ft apartment” when they have rented rooms in a basement apartment with exposed pipes and electrical with the 50 year male neighbor that walks around in nothing but a bathrobe. I did have a roommate that was a crazy SBF. Remember the movie SWF, well this was the Harlem version of that and it wasn’t pretty. I had a door jammer on my bedroom door. That’s how I ended up in my current apartment. Running away from crazy SBF. However, all of my stories pale in comparison to an article I just stumbled upon: Worst Room.
People this is not made up. When I read the article and saw the pictures, I laughed heartily and thought to myself, my situation isn’t this bad. I called my mom and said I should rent the guy my bathroom. My mom said this was all sick and I should return to Chicago immediately. I laughed again. I guess that means I’m becoming a New Yorker. Either that or the fumes from all the animal and human feces on the street has made me mad! Enjoy the link below.
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Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.