5 Tips for Using Your First Apartment Oven

June 25, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When you move into your first apartment, you might not be familiar with every single thing in the kitchen. For example, you most likely know how you should take care of your stove from years of cooking basic meals for yourself, but the oven might seem more imposing. If you want to know how to…

From the Mailbag: “When to Begin Your Out-of-State Apartment Search”

November 10, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the very first MailBag blog. We’re excited to kick this advice-oriented column into high gear, so mosey on over here to learn more about the idea of the MailBag and how to send in your very own questions! First up, My First Apartment reader, Alexus, sent us this really good —…

Introducing the MailBag!

November 10, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Hello, apartment dwellers! Whether you’re a veteran renter who has has lived in lots of apartments over the years or a newbie to the apartment living scene, there’s one thing we know for sure — you never know it all. We know better than anyone else because over the years the My First Apartment team…

Interior Design 101: Answers to our Readers’ Questions Part II

February 19, 2013 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

We hope you’re enjoying Design Month here at My First Apartment. We’ve been working with Kate (left) from Arranging Order, and have learned a ton about everything from smart looking storage to how to use area rugs. Check out Part One of our reader Q&A here, and read on for more great reader Q’s and…

20 Tips for Surviving New York City on a Budget

September 5, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Maybe you saw last week’s semi-sappy post about leaving NYC. Well, this week I thought it might be more helpful to share some of my NYC honest-to-goodness learnings. 1) Use a broker when searching for apartments. It’s more $, but you’ll get a better deal on the month-to-month rent plus a better place in the…

Should You Buy Or Rent?

June 29, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

We focus much of our site about renting apartments. How to do it – from dealing with landlords, finding new (and sane) roommates, or hunting down movers – we got your back. But, housing prices are down, interest rates are low and there has been a flurry of rent vs buy articles in various places (including last week’s NYTimes…

How to Spot Illegal Apartments -10 Tips for Apartment Seekers

April 24, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Do you know what the NYC DOB is? You should – The DOB is a great resource for apartment dwellers: The NYC Department of Buildings ensures the safe and lawful use of over 975,000 buildings and properties by enforcing the City’s Building Code, Electrical Code, Zoning Resolution, New York State Labor Law and New York…

Nosey or Noisy- Tips for Getting Along with Your Neighbors

March 16, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Neighbors. Everyone’s got ’em. Sometimes for the better…sometimes not. Recently, our friends at Jezebel asked us if we could share any tips about how to get along with one’s neighbors and we were happy to oblige. Check out Jezebel’s full social minefield article and see the tips we shared below! Should you introduce yourself to your neighbors…

How to make friends in your new hometown

October 22, 2007 | By Shelby AuthorMy First Apartment

How does a recent transplant make friends in a small town? If anybody knows, they should tell me. Seriously, though. When people talk about moving, they talk about finding the best deals and being near public transportation and making sure you don’t forget to bring or buy a bath mat. (Ahem.) Nobody talks about what…