I started this blog to share what I know being a renter in NYC because all the websites and blogs I see are about buying apartments but there\’s not much to help renters. I\’ve been in the NYC since after college and I\’ve always been a renter. I can\’t afford a million dollars for a Manhattan condo or a Brooklyn loft, nor do I have $750,000 for a Queens house, nor do I have $500,000 for a loft in any of the happening Bronx neighborhoods. My sister Vivian opted for Westchester when she couldn\’t afford Manhattan rentals any longer, and I\’m eyeing Jersey these days as an alternative to Manhattan\’s convenience.
One year in NYC I moved 5 times with my whole life in 2 suitcases and stayed wherever I was offered a couch or a bed from friends or friends-of-friends. I\’ve paid illegal key money for a sublet, I\’ve been an illegal roommate, I\’ve been a legal roommate, and I\’ve actually had my name on a rental lease — that was the proudest day of my renter\’s life. And I\’ve never paid a broker\’s fee for any of my living arrangements, including the time before there was an internet and you could use sites like RDNY.com to bypass using a broker.
When I came to NYC, I thought I knew stuff but I didn\’t. I had friends who were also new renters in NYC, so we helped each other and learned a lot the hard way. Being a renter in NYC is hard work. I\’d like to help make it less hard.
Disclosure: I am a part-time employee at RDNY.com. They sponsor this blog but they don\’t tell me what to write. I think RDNY.com is a good company that gives great value to its customers, and it\’s a good company to work for. I\’m looking forward to this new venture (the blog) with them. And I love cats and Lady Diana Spencer.![\"diana.jpeg\"](\"http://www.rent-direct.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/diana.jpeg\")
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