Trying to find a new apartment in New York City is like trying to find a type of cheese at Trader Joe’s while everyone in the wrap-around check-out line glares at you. Cutthroat.
We looked at three apartments this weekend due to the fact that our landlord decided to raise our rent hundreds/month even though our apartment is not renovated and other apartments in the area that are a bit nicer can go for less. Rising rent prices gets a huge eye roll from me — especially when I am always getting Zillow ads for out of state houses that I could almost pay a monthly MORTGAGE on compared to current rent rates in the city. But trying to stay delusional and just focus on the potential riveting aspect of decorating a new space.
I recently chatted with a friend who is in a tricky housing situation here and we concluded that we just feel so grateful to have a place to stay warm/dry when there seems to be an extreme weather event on a weekly basis. But it has made me think a lot about the actual dollar amount you have to pay for a walkable city with lots of opportunities. “Only 1.2% of the land mass of the largest 35 metropolitan areas in the US are walkable urban areas.” Read this article by the World Economic Forum if you want the deeper dive into why everything costs so much.
Not sure which wrong side of the bed I woke up on, but I started this year feeling antsy about New York and have been in a bit of a lover’s quarrel with the city since. Spring being around the corner has been reminding me that it is not all speed walk commutes !! The romanticism of cleaning out your closet, starting to eat more fresh fruit, and the blossom trees can really soften any scrooge (me).
Here is my spring cleaning / spring-in-my-step to do list:
Donate/recycle old t-shirts with makeup stains (Has anyone tried Trashie?)
Get back into curating playlists (see last post) — maybe one per month?
Force myself to do this Yoga with Adriene 30 day challenge ! Because I can’t currently justify CorePower. (Started yesterday so no stopping now)
Read outside after work in the park regularly.
Buy better walking shoes — your girl is having foot problems wearing loafers every day.
Volunteer at a community garden. The West Side Community Garden is the sweetest spot and they have the tulip festival starting next week!
Try a new salad recipe. This one looks pretty good.
Sort through my book collection. Going to host a book trade party! Come one, come all!
Actually go through my old messages & start writing letters to long distance friends. We support the Postal Service in this home.
Move into a new apartment and remember that every phase can be as grounding as I want it to be.
Love u and love these ideassss. Sorry about your apartment that’s so annoying