The apartment

I would like to begin this post by letting you know I am still a functioning sane (somewhat) person. Even though, throughout the apartment search I thought I would die, faint, and lose my mind. All at the same time.

But I did it. Found a shoe box. Six or seven years were skimmed off my life. Tears were shed. Lessons were learned.

So listen up reader...pay attention, maybe even take notes. If you are moving to NYC in the foreseeable future and will need a place to live, these tips are for YOU!

1. Pick your location. (My choices were Park Slope/South Slope (Brooklyn) and the Lower East Side)
2. Know your budget, and try your very best to stick to it.
3. Begin to go through the Craigslist postings. Become friends with Mister Craig, make him like you, visit him 3-4 times a day.
4. Get aggressive. Call every single posting you're interested in and learn about it. Ask all of the annoying questions...I ALWAYS asked about bed bugs. (If this happens to me I may migrate back down to VA and never move again fyi) (http://bedbugregistry.com/ is a life saver)
5. If you're moving from out of town your best bet will be to use a broker. I went with Young Lonchiek from BOND New York. He was great and very patient with me and my annoying first time New Yorker questions. I would recommend him for sure, let me know if you'd like his info. Say hi, Young!

My name is Young and my picture is little.

6. Look at as many places as possible to get a sense of the market and what will work for you. Always check proximity to subway and safeness of the area.

7. Be prepared to go on multiple weekends so you can be picky. Thankfully I could stay with my beautiful/fabulous/amazing friend Molly! We studied abroad together and are besties for life. Say hi, Molly!

My name is Molly and my picture is large, but I am little.

8. Once you find a place you like, immediately apply for it. Literally, don't wait two seconds, don't take two breaths, sprint to the leasing office.

9. What you will need for an application....this is the serious stuff... copy of your ID, last two bank statements, last two pay stubs, last two tax returns and a letter of employment. These peeps don't fool around. Have it in PDF form and let people know it.

10. Your broker will let you know if there are multiple applications the landlord is considering and whether or not you've been approved and chosen for the lease.

11. Once this is finished, you will need to overnight/turn in bank certified checks for the first month's rent, last month's rent, broker fee, and deposit. (bye bye life savings, it was nice knowing you)

So....I'm sure you're wondering what kind of an apartment I ended up with! (or you stopped reading at #4, kidding)

Please say hello to my little, microscopic, baby of an apartment. It's located on the Lower East Side near Chinatown. 

Windows! sunlight! Oh my!

Little baby kitchen, and the bathroom is the other door

I'm moving next weekend and can't wait to tell you the trials and tribulations of that day. I'm sure there will be a few!

xxoo...381 more days to go for this hohoho (sorry mom)!