Mini adventure 2 - Finding an Apartment

So after having a few days to settle into the mad rush off New York, we decided to make our arrival slightly more permanent and find a place of our own. Armed with Craig's list (the US version of Gumtree) and your average "rent-a ratpit -apartment-for-over-the-odds-as-its close to -Bloomingdales" broker, we decided to gain the upper hand against the Americans and use Thanksgiving weekend as our weekend of action. Apartments go really quickly this side so while half of New York was eating Pumpkin pie and Turkey, Togo and I braved the streets.

Key points to note :

Everything is small
Everything costs a whack
Broker fees are a nightmare (15% of annual rent)
A kitchen is a bonus
Everything is small

Sick here is positive, our broker had me a little flustered when he promised the next place "was sick, really sick..."

Despite all his efforts, and finding us a penthouse apartment on Park avenue, our first dealings with a broker left a bad taste and we pulled out of the deal at the last minute. Neither of us were 100% sure of the apartment; their processes were a little dubious and the $5400 we were about to hand over for agency fees was enough to feed a small country.

Moving swiftly on and with brokers now firmly out the picture, my prime activity during the day was scouring Craig's list to find an apartment which was not renting through a broker. Easier said than done. Those advertised as no broker flats suddenly morphed into one on arrival and all others - a complete ecological study complete with hazardous " nearly new" furniture.

By some stroke of luck, Togo spotted a sign outside the apartment block next door to where we were temporarily staying in the corporate flat. A few quick viewings later, me a superficial approval -good sized rooms, a great view ( see picture above) and nice coloured walls. Togo a more thorough once over- toilet flushes with good pressure, cupboard hinges nicely greased and the criminal background check of each neighbour. All in order we moved in on Monday.

So here we are now, our new home in Mid Town West. IKEA is calling and I see some flatpacks on the way. Still getting used to the doorman and concierge guy as it feels more like a hotel but that they tell me is New York, just more people to tip...