Most of us dreamed of having a big home with all the appliances and amenities we could imagine. I mean, who did not dream of having a full-sized kitchen with a huge counter space?
However, once we start working and paying bills, our priorities change. We are looking for a place that’s good enough to feel homey and relaxing, and that comes with a reasonable price. This means that most of us would opt for smaller living spaces.
Renting in NYC
New York City is one of the most expensive cities to live in. According to the 2021 doxo report, NYC ranked fifth in the Top 10 Most Expensive Major Cities in the entire country, with San Jose, California, being number one. Their report considered all major household expenses like auto loans, insurance, utilities, and rent or mortgage.
In Zumper’s 2022 National Rent Report, the median rent price for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $3,950. NYC ranked first in that rent report.
These reports show that living in New York City comes with financial challenges. So if you’re planning to live there, you must consider your budget for rent. If your budget is steep, the one thing you can sacrifice is space – and that’s what Alex Verhaeg did.
Lower Rate, Lesser Space
Alex is living in a 95-square-foot apartment. It is small, indeed. He pays $1,100 for rent, which he admitted had increased a hundred bucks since he started renting the place last 2020.
However, Alex ensured he had everything he needed, even in such a small space. The key was putting together items that made sense in his daily living.
What fits in a 95-square-foot apartment?
Aside from the toilet and bath, everything fits inside Alex’s apartment. The toilet and bath are shared with all the tenants in the building, so he had to get used to bringing his shower caddy with him every time.
Once you get inside his apartment, you’ll see pretty much everything! By the door to the left is his small sink, and beside it is his induction stove. He has some shelves and cabinets to keep his pots, pans, dishes, and other utensils.
To the right is his closet. Some people might find it too small, but it was enough for all Alex’s clothing.
Further inside is his dining-slash-working table. It’s a simple, diner-style table that fits his needs. Even his television is multi-purpose, he also uses it as his monitor.
And lastly, he has a bed that fits precisely in his apartment’s space from wall to wall. Alex said his height was an issue when he lay down on his bed, but he found a solution for that – sleep diagonally.
Why live there?
Many might wonder why he chose to live in East Village, Manhattan, when rent is insanely expensive. But Alex had the most practical answer to that.
Alex said he loved how he could walk almost anywhere (since he never really liked riding trains). He also considered how most shops are open late – something that fits his lifestyle.
And while Alex enjoyed his home so much, he said he planned to move once he reached year three. He valued his apartment and learned how to make a small living space a comfortable home to live in.
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