The Reality

THE APARTMENT

The truth is that everything you've ever believed about New York is not true.

It is expensive to live here.

My first apartment was about 400 square feet and cost $2000 a month. It was in Hell's Kitchen. It was a 5th floor walkup. It was four blocks from the subway. You really have to live in New York to understand that one. It was around the corner from where all those clip-clopping horses that pull the carriages in Central Park at all hours are stabled. It was a block from the cruise ship harbor with their bone rattling horns. But..

It was in Manhattan. It bordered the theater district. Five flights of stairs is great for the waistline. Okay there's no getting around the four block walk to the train. But the horse stables were located close to Central Park which means I was too. There was a dog park across the street for Karma and deli on the corner that had the best breakfast for next to nothing.

With all its faults and advantages, the fact is I was just grateful to have it. I have Elyse to thank for helping me return to my dream of living in New York, but I have Erin to thank for finding an apartment. While we were searching I kept remembering an episode of "Friends" when Ross was checking the obituaries for an apartment. I wish it was that easy. I began my search by contacting an agent. He showed me a tiny studio/efficiency for $1700 and wanted $4000 to lease it to me. I decided I could do better with Craigs List, a newspaper and a membership to an online apartment locator. What I found was that in New York, "open house" means getting in line an hour before it starts and knowing that if you are not first in line you will not get the apartment. I couldn't believe what people would fight for; an apartment so small that a twin bed would not fit in the only room, an apartment where you could cook while sitting on the toilet, an apartment where the 15 year old kid on the stoop has a key to every apartment in the building and would be happy to let you in. My daughter managed to talk a maintenance man into showing her an apartment the day before the open house, she convinced me that I should call the leasing agent and tell them that I would take it, sight unseen. I did and truth be told, I wish I was still there. I know I will eventually return to the city and go through it all again. For now I am content with my basement in the Bronx.