Home » Properties » Ready to Live Alone? Your Guide to Studio Apartments in NYC

Ready to Live Alone? Your Guide to Studio Apartments in NYC

by | Mar 31, 2017

Searching for studio apartments in NYC can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider when deciding what type of living space is right for you, and the decision between studio apartments in NYC versus splitting a place with roommates seems to be riddled with trade-offs.

But what many New Yorkers might not understand is that searching for studio apartments in NYC doesn’t have to be a chore. By following our tips and tricks, you can have your cake and eat it too (in the quiet, tranquil sanctuary of your own place).


ellie-pritts-207027PC: Unsplash

One of the most important considerations to make when searching for studio apartments in NYC is to manage your expectations. When fleeing slovenly roommates who have turned your communal living space into a post-apocalyptic horror film, these may initially be low. But for every renter with these expectations, there is another on the opposite end of the spectrum.

“Some people moving to NYC  for the first time think that they can get a beautifully renovated studio apartment, with laundry, in the West Village, for $1,800. Unfortunately, that’s not the case,” – Alexandria Maranto.

Like your current roommate’s approach to stacking unwashed dishes in the sink, the important thing in regards to your expectations is finding balance. Be realistic and keep an open mind, but still know what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it.


202ElizabethStreet25_Pat_Lehman_TripleMintRealEstate_Photography_46145259_high_res

Our second recommendation is to prioritize your wants and needs. Whether it’s location, space, or amenities, it’s important to understand which of these are critical or open to compromise. To download Triplemint’s must-have versus nice-to-have apartment finding checklist, click here

There will probably be several locations that provide the majority of the wants you consider essential, but finding perfect, affordable studio apartments in NYC that satisfy your every desire may be a pipe dream.

Make a list of the top three attributes you are looking for in a studio with 2-3 additional ‘bonus items’. Don’t budge on your top three, and if you find a property that provides all of the necessities with a few bonus items, snatch it up before someone else does.


Studio Apt Greenwich Village

nina-strehl-140734PC: Unsplash

Thirdly, take stock of your budget and responsibilities as a studio renter. Are you financially able to pay all bills that come your way? Do you know who to go to for repairs? Do you have someone nearby to contact in an emergency?

“Living alone is a big responsibility, and if you’ve never done it, you need to know your building well and get to know your neighbors. When I moved to NYC, I introduced myself to all my neighbors on my floor. It helps to have people you know around you in case of an emergency, and the same goes for your super or your porter.” – Greg Moers


Our last recommendation is to make sure you plan and maintain your new space. Living in a studio gives you the freedom, privacy, and autonomy you may have been lacking in your previous shared living space, but that comes with other challenges.

Take an inventory of all of your most treasured and personal items. Now chunk out or put into storage all of the extra baggage that you won’t need in your new, smaller space. Things like your fourth favorite denim jacket should probably go.

“Invest in a storage unit and under-the-bed storage containers for your winter coats so they don’t take up all your closet space.”  – Phillip Salem

Make your bed every morning. Have a designated time each week where you pick up clutter and re-establish the dividing lines in your apartment. Rearrange your furniture if it’s making you feel too cramped or claustrophobic.

Keeping these things in mind will go a long way towards keeping your new place tidy and uncluttered, ensuring it remains the studio sanctuary that you envisioned.

Ready to start your search? Browse studio apartments on Triplemint today.

Ready to make a move?
Let’s get started.

Explore Listings