Newbie in the City

The Pros and Cons of the NYC Apartment Search

My apartment search in NYC started about 3 and a half weeks ago when I went up for an interview with a PR firm in New York City. To date, I still do not have an apartment, so if anyone reading this has any ideas, suggestions, advice or an apartment for me then get at me! But really I'm not joking.

So here is how my search has gone thus far:

The Craigslist Way
The beginning of my apartment search started with a friend of a friend that was looking for 2 roommates on the Upper East side. She had put out a craigslist ad, but was reaching out to friends to avoid the weirdos that sometimes pop up on Craigslist.  Perfect, I thought. My friend can vouch for me that I'm not crazy. I was sure we would hit it off and the apartment was extremely affordable located only a couple of blocks from the subway. Prior to my meeting this girl I had had a really great day shopping, meeting with people, getting drinks and attending a PSU networking event at the Princeton club. So that being said, I was extremely excited about the possibility of everything working out and getting an apartment without even searching. No broker fee, $1200 a month, my own room, cool girl etc. (HA! Why I ever think things will be that easy I do not know) Little did I know that thousands of other people replied to her craigslist ad wanting the same exact apartment I wanted. However, she said she was being picky and only responded to about 35 people. (OH, I thought,  ONLY 35 eh?) Well, not only did I not end up getting the apartment, but I think I originally expressed a bit too much excitement that may have come off as obnoxious. (Did I mention that I had a few drinks at the networking event before meeting her?) Oh well, now I know to be cool, calm and collected for the next person I meet with.

The Online Search
Well since then it has proven to be even more difficult finding an apartment since I'm currently still living in NC. So, the only next steps I could take were reaching out to friends and resorting to online apartment searching. Whoops, I mean finding dreamy NYC apartments in my price range that don't actually exist. A girl can dream can't she! (Obviously I didn't know at the time that they didn't exist either) So, for the next 3,4,5...50 apartments I saw online I called the brokers asking about the dreamy apartment I saw online listed at $2,600.

The Call
Me: Hi I was calling to inquire about the 2 bedroom apartment you have listed online in Murray Hill with a rooftop patio, gym, laundry, doorman, elevator dishwasher etc.
Broker: That's actually not available any longer, but what are the things that you're looking for and I will help you find something.
Me: (Thinking to myself, oh wow how nice he will find me a great deal since his apartments listed online are so awesome and so affordable.) I'm looking for a 2 bedroom on the East side with a doorman, elevator, dishwasher, laundry and a rooftop patio would be nice :-D.
Broker: (Snickers) Well, I don't know what is advertised online, but in your price range that's impossible.
Me: (Thinking to myself again, you don't know what's advertised online? YOU ADVERTISED IT!!!!!)

Well, that went on for about 5-6 different brokers until I realized that these awesome apartments listed in my price range didn't actually exist. Listing these dream apartments are what get newbies like me to call the broker to get their business. (Well actually they probably do exist but DEFINITELY not in my price range.)

The Visit
Since I am still in NC my roommate went to check out a bunch of different apartments today in the city. We told the broker that our price range was $2,200-3,000 and really $3,000 was pushing it, like REALLY PUSHING IT. Well, do you know what a nice broker we ended up with? My roommate was shown 5 apartments today listed at $3,050, $3,150, $3,200, $3,250 and $3,300. Thank you, Sir, for finding me the "best" deal in the city, Did my minimum and maximum price mean absolutely NOTHING to you?

Oh and last but not least my favorite...
A few weeks ago my roommate went to look at a few apartments with another broker. Now it probably seems like we have been extremely picky in our apartment search, but I promise you we really haven't. Here is a look at the place she went to see a few weeks ago

Here's a picture of the closet size kitchen. Where is the fridge you may ask?

Oh... There it is. IN THE LIVING ROOM? That makes complete sense. How much is this beauty you may wonder? Just a whopping $3,000 in Murray Hill. 

Now do you believe me that we're not being picky? 

7 things to do in Raleigh before leaving for NYC

So for anyone that knows me knows that ever since I left New York the summer before my freshman year of high school, I have always made it my plan to go back and live in the greatest city in the world after college. FINALLY that dream has come true! I'm heading to New York in 6 days to start a job with a start up PR firm in midtown on Third Avenue and I could not be more excited. Also, for those who know me know that I have spent countless hours job searching this summer and it has finally paid off!

So, since I'm leaving in 6 days for the concrete jungle I made sure to make the most out of my last few weeks in the beautiful North Carolina visiting friends, spending time with family and getting everything ready for the big move.

1. Unfortunately, one of the first things I had to do to get ready for my move to NYC was sell this beauty. My 2010 iSport Mazda 3 birthday present 2 years ago. Although I was upset we had to sell it at first it really does make complete sense. I will definitely not be needing a car in NYC. Goodbye Mazda 3.

2. My NC friends and I planned a trip up to DC to celebrate one of my best friends birthday as well as to visit another friend that recently relocated there for a great job. Although I was hesitant at first much about spending so much money right before leaving for New York, it turned out to be a great last vacation before we all separated. One in Minneapolis, NYC, Washington D.C, 2 in Raleigh and 1 in Wilmington. I have lots of travel plans brewing in my mind for the next 2 years!

3. I most definitely had to attend one last country concert in Raleigh before leaving and it turned out to be the best concert I've EVER experienced. On the way to our lawn seats a random (Yes, I'm dead serious when I say RANDOM) person came up to my friend Leigha and I asking if we wanted front row seats for the Brad Paisley show. We remained dumbfounded during the entire concert watching Brad Paisley and The Band Perry from, literally, the best seats in the entire arena. (I was feeling so lucky the next day I went and played the lottery...twice)

4. I recommend the next activity to any mom, best friend, daughter and/or sister you know. (Dads, brothers and boyfriends probably wouldn't love it as much as my mom and I did.) For my mom's birthday we went to Artistic Abandon in Raleigh and OMG who knew how much fun painting could be! We sat in a class of about 30 women (Yup not 1 man in there) drank mimosas and followed a teacher's instructions on how to paint the beautiful masterpieces you see above! It was a perfect Saturday morning activity and I can't wait to hang the painting in my NYC apartment to remind me of this day,

5. Attend the Lazy Daze festival in Cary! This festival only happens once a year and while it is extremely crowded there are truly some hidden treasures to be found at this fair. From vintage jewelry, amazing photographs, paintings, glass blowing, DIY activities, face painting (for the kiddies) kettle corn, awesome food, boutiques etc. It's another great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Attending this fair mixed with countless hours spent on Pinterest have inspired me to become a lot more crafty with my time!

6. One of my final weekend activities before leaving for NYC was a going away brunch for my best friend who is currently on her way to Minneapolis for a new job! Looking for a delicious brunch spot in Raleigh? Definitely go and check out Coquette at Six Forks Road. Not only do they have amazing quiches, croque madames and breakfast sandwiches, but they have bottomless mimosas for only $10!  It's deals like THAT I will miss the most in 6 days. And of course my friends and family :-D 

7. Oh and of course there is packing to do! Well, this is how that's going. And yes, that would be my dog laying on top of all the things I'm trying to pack for New York. Thanks for the help Scout. Of course I only listed the fun stuff I've been doing in my spare time because who wants to read about getting shoes repaired, getting pants hemmed, shopping for more work clothes, apartment searching, (and getting nowhere) and deciding what to bring and not to bring to my pigeon hole apartment in the city. Guess that post will have to wait for next time!

If anyone else has suggestions on things to do in Raleigh before I leave I would love to hear them!