Micro-Apartments Are The Latest Trend In NYC & This Broker Is Teaching Us How To Find Them
Could you see yourself living in 55 sq ft apartment? Yes, you read that correctly, five-five. Well, NYC has become so disgustingly expensive, that literally ten rulers of living space has become a trend, and many New Yorkers are opting in. Micro-apartments, also known as tiny homes, are becoming the new wave—but what are they exactly?
Not to be confused with your typical studio, micro-apartments are smaller-than-average studios intended for a single resident. They're ultra-efficient, relatively inexpensive, and often provide common areas where residents can relax and socialize. Some are designed for co-living, with a private bedroom, but all other amenities are shared with other residents, such as bathrooms, showers, entryways, etc. Thriving communities and high-trafficked downtown locations balance out its mini sizes. They're usually in areas where the walk-up is their living room and the city as their backyard. Think of them as a space to return to when it's time to only go to bed.
120sqft Tiny / Micro NYC Apartment Tour! Manhattan Studio in New York! Knowing Home w/Nyasia Ep 2www.youtube.com
Nyasia C., a designer, NYC real estate broker, and fashion lover, often shares apartment tours, home decor, travel and more. She took on the task of exclusively showing New York's most affordable units under 200 square feet. Her tips are simple: "If you're looking for an apartment under 200 sq ft., the listing will never say 'tiny apartment'. Instead, it will be listed as a studio. It's up to the renter to go look at each place to see if it is actually a tiny apartment or not. Or be sure to work with a broker who sees a lot of apartments and who knows where the best are."
Nyasia's experience ranges from luxury Manhattan apartments, all the way to micro inexpensive rooms. And oftentimes, she works with students in the Columbia area on the Upper West Side, whose age range have expressed a huge interest in keeping the trend going. She brings her regal energy and multi-year real estate knowledge to the forefront to make 100 sq ft, feel like 1000. "I believe you learn the most about people over food and in their home. I'm passionate about telling stories of how people live and work."
One of her smallest being a shocking 55 sq ft, she has also hosted tours of units with 72 sq ft, up to 200. And oddly enough, these apartments are everywhere in New York.
A few are shown below:
Nyasia C./YouTube
Rent: $1050
This unit did not include a bathroom, so technically, it is considered a room for rent. The bathrooms are shared and are outside in the hall. Two are on each floor. You sign a lease, just as you would with any other apartment, no roommates included. The width is around 5 1/2 feet, and length is 11 1/2. There is no closet, for those of us who have an extensive wardrobe, and there is no kitchen.
The rent includes all utilities and internet.
Nyasia C./YouTube
Nyasia joined Tony, a NY creative in Manhattan to give her a tour of his 120 sq ft living space. She took the time to see how he actually lived day-to-day in a furnished, micro unit. Like the previous unit, Tony's apartment does not have a closet or kitchen and he has a key-access bathroom that he shares with three other people.
Nyasia C./YouTube
Rent: $1725 (with one month free, $1581.25)
In another tour, the micro unit uncharacteristically included both a kitchen and a bathroom, and four closets--which is almost unheard of. The unit also included a space dividers and built in shelves. The kitchen is tucked away behind pull-closed doors, and utilities are included, minus internet. This unit is roughly 200 sq ft.
Nyasia tours additional micro units on her YouTube channel, where she also showcases all aspects of New York City real estate. She is currently no longer accepting real estate clients searching for apartments, but you can instead find her continuing to dive deep into the market one property at a time.
Would you live in a micro apartment?
Feature image courtesy of Nyasia C./YouTube
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage