My Renting Experience in New York City

My apartment does NOT look like the one in Living Single. Let’s start there. No living room with beautiful bay windows like Khadijah, Sinclair, and Regine’s place. No loft for an office like Kyle and Overton’s. Not even a partition to separate the kitchen from the living room like Max’s. Now y’all, I know that’s a TV set, but come on. Where is the space and the amenities?

I chose my NYC apartment based on close proximity to my teaching hospital, price, in-unit washer/dryer, and closet. Yes, I’m very serious about the (makeshift) closet (I created). I’m a content creator and I needed some form of glimmer in my home. Even with that shine, I must say I have overall been incredibly disappointed in my NYC renting experience. I feel so many move to New York in pursuit of a dream and don’t talk about this part, especially on social media and especially on TV. Sex And The City did not prepare me, but maybe I can prepare you.

Let’s set the stage: most apartment buildings in NYC were built in the 1800s or early 1900s. If they are under 6 floors, they do not have elevators. They are called walk ups because you literally have to walk up to your apartment. There is no central air. You put portable AC units in your windows and pray. You cannot control the heat. There is a boiler in the basement and when it’s freezing outside…you pray. When I moved in, the apartment had MULTIPLE broken appliances. The place had a significant roach infestation. Somehow, the broker hid all that when I initially viewed the space. The roaches were huge. They were everywhere all the time. I absolutely feared there were entry points large enough for mice and even rats. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I actually got comfortable using my stove. Y’all know I love a good salad (!!!), but back home I actually did cook sometimes. When I moved here, I ate Thai takeout for the longest because I did not feel comfortable having food out to prepare. I was disgusted. For the first time ever, I was disgusted to live in a home I paid my hard earned money for.

I called my landlord and broker non-stop to get the issues fixed. Why non-stop, Anya? Because as soon as they had my deposit and first month’s rent, they felt they were in the clear and no longer had to communicate with me. Probably my biggest pet peeve is being ignored. Important texts or emails left on read? Whew!! It’s rude especially when I pay you every month. I remained vigilant. I was relentless. I paid for my own exterminator. I got the landlord to send his exterminator. I got the landlord to send his (NON live-in) super. Finally, the super looked in every crevice of my space and found several holes that needed filling. They had been left unfilled when the apartment was more recently “renovated.” Several. Holes. He used caulking material to fix the holes and after that, I only saw 1 additional roach. I ABSOLUTELY requested he come back in case he missed any points of entry. The landlord gave me a hard time about it, but I insisted. Guess what. The super had indeed missed a point of entry. I also insisted on monthly maintenance extermination going forward. The landlord and his exterminator thought it was such an odd request. “No other tenants ask for that.” Who does she think she is requesting a clean and functional apartment in New York City? But do you think I was going to WAIT until there was another problem before bringing in the exterminator…in New York City?? Nah. Maintenance me, please. Immediately. My place has been pest-free ever since. Why did it take that much doing? Why did it take that much effort? A billion emails, texts, and phone calls for what? Regular apartment maintenance requests.

Imagine stepping out of the resident room while at work on your Cardiology rotation just to have a heated conversation with the landlord about tenant rights, communication, and how long it should actually take to fix things. My neighbors told me this landlord would take weeks if not months to respond to their requests. Sometimes he just didn’t respond to them at all. He has an emergency number he rarely even answers. He’s been way more responsive to us all since I moved in. Still subpar communication, but better. Back home, I was used to a conglomerate, a well-oiled machine responding to requests and actually caring about the renter’s experience.  I would complete an online form one day and receive service the next. Not here. Not in this building. The landlord once told me there are worse renting experiences out here. My guy, the bar must be set in hell!! Because this is not it.

The hallway lighting is so dim, it looks like a prison block. The stains on the hallway walls look crazy. There is a brown one I have to pass every day on the way to my apartment and I try my hardest to look the other way. I can’t open my living room window (which faces a brick wall) because pigeons sit on the ledge and take a dump…all day. Who’s inhaling that? Not me. If a bird flew in here, I would definitely be over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The bathroom is 🫰🏾 big. If I were 40 pounds heavier, I may not fit. And the trash. The trash outside is abysmal. It used to pile up right in front of the first floor apartment window to the point where it would actually cover the window. Can you imagine? Ridiculously hot summers, no central air, and you cannot even open your window because literal trash is covering the window screen? The landlord fixed it so the trash piles up, but at least does not cover the window. I mean, how could he charge the next tenant $2500 (actual price) without addressing that issue first?

There are rats that hover around the trash bins. I hate coming home after dark because I am so disgusted when I see them. People let their animals go to the bathroom all over the place. The middle of the sidewalk is their favorite spot. I have to look down when I walk just so I don’t step in something and track it into my apartment. Can you imagine walking outside and being depressed by the sight of your surroundings? I’ve never dealt with this before. No matter how hard I try to live my best life in New York, I don’t think I’ll ever surpass the discomfort I feel.

Speaking of discomfort, the price of oil has gone up. As a result, Con Ed said landlords can turn the heat down. Guess whose landlord took advantage of that offer ASAP? Mine! Yep, he started freezing us out at the end of last winter with this new regulation. As long as the thermostat is 62 – 66 degrees depending on time of day, there is nothing we can do. Do y’all know how cold that feels in old NYC buildings? The winter is supposed to be a time when NYC renters get a break from paying up the ying-yang on that electricity bill (thanks to AC window units) and landlords pick up the bill by providing heat. Not here. Not in this building. Very recently, I discussed the issue with one of my neighbors. I explained that back home, I was able to control the heat in my own apartment. Her response? “Really? Apartments like that exist?” She’s not an old lady either. Truly, that question broke my heart. It is a privilege to come here and train. It is also a privilege to be able to leave and be comfortable. I do not take that for granted. At All.

I feel as though I am being ripped off every single day. Just because the apartment is in New York, I am being charged crazy. I thank God I secured a rent stabilized building. Some buildings in NYC actually are not rent stabilized meaning they can increase rent without more strict regulations each year. The post-covid rent prices are astronomical. Landlords definitely want to make up for what they lost. I cannot imagine paying more than I already am. The space is so incredibly small and not worth it at all. I pay under $2000 here, but for comparative analysis: I paid $1532 my last year in Atlanta. The rent was $1107 when I first moved in and I lived there for six years. I had a spacious 1 bedroom apartment in the literal heart of Midtown. The place had a huge walk-in closet, incredibly spacious bathroom with a wraparound mirror, washer/dryer included, a terrace, AC and HEAT I COULD CONTROL (Lawd have mercy!!), a leasing office with responsive staff, servicemen who work 9am – 6pm Mon – Sat, a 24-hour emergency hotline, a locker for package delivery, an ATTACHED parking garage, a business center, free coffee/tea, catered holiday parties, and a rooftop with a fitness center, jacuzzi, tennis court, and lounge area with a stunning view of the city. THAT is an apartment complex! THOSE are amenities! I’m fuming just typing what I left LOL!! Every month I paid my rent electronically and happily. I work HARD for my funds in residency and in my business. I take pride in how I spend my money and to have to spend it on tiny living quarters in a poorly kept building with and unresponsive landlord does not feel good. The root of my experience is this: I don’t like the way it makes me feel.

One of my best friends recently said to me, “You never talk about your home.” I hollered! What is there to talk about? She’s been to my place in Atlanta, but pretty much no one but family has been here. It’s too small to host, really. I realized I don’t host anymore and that’s something I love to do. I don’t buy myself flowers to put on display anymore. I just don’t feel like the backdrop is fitting. There is so much clutter I try to control here because of the lack of cabinet and storage space. My kitchen literally has no drawers!!

Y’all, I am grateful for a roof over my head. I know so many are without. I am grateful. Still, I wanted to provide insight into what many NYC renters find to be a reality. I especially wanted to share because I am an NYC content creator who posts some of my life online. I think it’s important to show the good with the bad and not perpetuate this idea that my NYC living situation is more than it really is. It’s important to be authentic and genuine online so others know what the journey is and know what it takes to get from here to there. No smoke and mirrors over here. All real. All me. Maybe this post can help soon to be NYC transplants plan a bit more and set expectations. It’s hard if you’re not from here. It’s hard if you’re over 30. NYC is a WONDERFUL place to visit. Highly recommend it and I always will. Living here takes so much more time, effort, and consideration. And most of these considerations do not have to be made elsewhere.

Understand this: not everyone has an NYC renting experience similar to mine. My experience is limited mainly by funds I have, but simply am not willing to spend in this city. I am here for a good time, not a long time. My choices are also limited (and my rent is a bit higher) because I refuse to live without an in-unit washer dryer. I already feel like I live in a dorm room. I’m not doing communal laundry at the laundromat too. That’s just me. Many New Yorkers–especially NYC natives–have rent prices that were locked in decades ago thanks to rent stabilization and rent control. I’m talking less than $1000. That’s why so many refuse to move and/or leave New York. These prices are not an option for newcomers. I also know a lot of New Yorkers spend their lifetime renting, so some are willing to use more money here to ensure comfort. Some will splurge on a more modern, updated apartment complex. That is absolutely an option. I, on the other hand, am out of here as soon as the ink on my credentialing is dry. I also have to remember I do not have a partner here and, therefore, no one with whom to split astronomical costs. I have a mortgage to consider. I have earnest money, a down payment, inspection fees, furniture, rooftop décor to consider. As a result, I have to be judicious with my funds. I choose to be judicious with my funds. Y’all, I am just so excited to see my 3 year sacrifice pay off!! I can’t even tell y’all how elated I am to one day soon have my own home, to stop paying the mortgage on a poorly kept building for a landlord who cares nothing about me, to walk outside and not be depressed by what I see, to build equity, to build a legacy, to stop moving around like a nomadic camel and finally set down roots…to have a HOME. At one point, I did think about moving to Harlem, my absolute favorite part of the city. However, the cost is more than I am willing to pay when I can have a 4 story home in 1 year. I know Atlanta is not perfect. I know there is ratchetry and some are even trying to incite violence. Every city has its issue. Still, to me Atlanta is more livable and at this age and stage of my life, I want to LIVE and live well.

I hope this post equips y’all with more knowledge and insight into a realistic NYC renting experience from the perspective of an NYC transplant here on a temporary basis. I’m not telling y’all what to do, but I will say this: be mindful. Here is a list of apartment resources to consider:

Street Easy App – to find apartments for rent

Open Igloo – to research complaints about prospective landlords and buildings

Positive Pest Control – in case your landlord won’t secure extermination for you

311 – to file a report when the landlord ain’t acting right

NYC Tenant Rights – to know your rights, y’all!

Thank y’all always for reading along and for following along my journey! Onward!

xx,

Photos by Sweetie Mensah

Preset by Tina Smith