The First Apartment Experience: Do’s and Don’ts

April 5, 2017 | By Kristen AuthorMy First Apartment

This past March, I finally made the big jump to getting my own place. It was quite the journey and there were a lot of steps involved but I made it! Moving into your first apartment can be quite daunting, just thinking about the budgeting aspect, finding that perfect space, and starting from square one.…

Love Your New City? Here’s How to Show It in Your Apartment with City-Specific Art

July 2, 2015 | By doug AuthorMy First Apartment

Nothing gives an apartment that officially-settled-in feel like a bit of art on the walls. It creates a sense of place and personality; it’s a way for you to express yourself. For that extra sense of place, and as a shout-out to the world outside your windows, stock up on art that reflects the scenes,…

How Safe is Your New Hood? 8 Ways to Check

April 8, 2014 | By Melissa AuthorMy First Apartment

When moving to a new neighborhood, whether a few blocks or thousands of miles from your comfortable bubble, it’s easy (and important!) to question how safe the new area is. Especially if you won’t be living in a building with 24-hour security or a doorman, you’ll want to make sure you feel protected in your new…

Introducing Hudson Heights, an Affordable NYC Neighborhood

February 3, 2011 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Today’s guest blogger Christopher is introducing his favorite neighborhood. Hudson Heights by Christopher Rizzo Hudson Heights is not an official New York City neighborhood, but in a few years it probably will be. This enclave in Northern Manhattan has become extraordinarily popular with students, artists and young families that are priced out of other areas…

NY Mag’s Top NYC Neighborhoods and Time Out’s Rental Deals

April 23, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

TimeOut NY & NY Mag Apartment Issues Have Arrived! Which means…it’s officially Apartment Season in NYC! Think of it like the hunting season, except that instead of coming home with a poor, dead animal, you just get to come home. To your own place. No small feat! It kind of baffles me that both Time Out and…

Our Favorite New York City Neighborhood Blogs

April 19, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Last week we shared some good evergreen NYC neighborhood guides. After a quick read of one, or all, you should have a pretty good idea of the main New York hoods in addition to some outside charmers. Once you’ve decided where you think you want to live, though, it’d be a good idea to get…

Should Your Personality Type Dictate Your Neighborhood?

February 24, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Kinda a weird question, I know. But whatever city you live in — if it’s big enough to have neighborhoods, it’s big enough to have neighborhood stereotypes. If you’re in Boston, Davis Square is funky/crunchy with a side of college students. If you’re in Chicago, Wrigleyville is full of drunk cubs fans, great happy hour…

New York City Neighborhood Guide

January 14, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

One of our readers wrote in last week letting us know that one of our links was broken (thanks!). Alas, the link was to a great source of info about NYC neighborhoods and so now she feels rather left in the lurch. Well, let me first do a bit of self-advertising and let you all…

Google Helps You Plan Your Commute Before Signing the Lease

December 19, 2009 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

My sister read my post last week about her move and wanted to share a particular tip she’s learned in her apartment search – planning for a quick commute! Her story’s below:) ————- Hi everyone, it’s true, I’m Alissa’s sister. And. . . I’m currently working in the suburbs and living at home. Recently, after…

The PadMapper Maps Craigslist Ads aka is Best Apt Search Engine Ever!

March 5, 2009 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

So. . .I have a confession gentle blog readers: I secretly am kinda a techie nerd. Like, whenever I figure out a new computer program, I feel as if I’ve just run a half marathon. Well, what I imagine running a half-marathon might feel like. So, when I discovered the PadMapper, I got super excited.…