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Listen — it’s not like getting an apartment in New York has ever been easy. But one could probably argue that it has never been harder than it is right now. The most god-awful studios are regularly renting for thousands and thousands of dollars with lines of interested tenants out the door. (Meanwhile, the average price of a one-bedroom has shot up to $5,100.) Here, we’ll find the actually-worth-looking-ats, actually-worth-the-costs, and surprisingly-affordable-for-those-parquet-floors from all around the internet. 

I did an arbitrary thing this week where I split up my search into two categories, using a couple different platforms: I used StreetEasy to search through downtown Manhattan, looking for apartments in the yawning price range of $2,500 to $15,000. I used Craigslist (plus a handful of personal referrals) to search through all of Brooklyn with no price barometer, just to see what the highest and lowest ends would look like. And with that I found some promising inventory in Williamsburg (mostly loft), Flatbush (a lot of pre-war), and Crown Heights (brownstone city). Let’s start with the bad news first, though: Soho.

$12,500, 1-bedroom: Yes, the price tag seems insane for a one-bedroom. But it’s 2,100 square feet and it’s the loveliest apartment I’ve seen on the market in a while (perfectly varnished and original hardwood, low bookshelf built-ins, nicely updated kitchen). Not to mention the 14-foot-high ceilings, and a lofted bedroom with a curved balcony! So just enjoy the view and move on (or in)!

$13,700, 2-bedroom: Less square footage than the above but more bedrooms. The price is insane, I know. Smart on the part of whoever did the design. Regardless, this apartment (in a shiny new construction) has nice hardwood floors and retains some charm against all odds.

$8,900, 1-bedroom: Loftttttttt life, say it with me now. This one’s kinda funky and run down in a way I like — still expensive but more realistic than, say, options one or two.

Another view of the Greene Street 1-bedroom in Soho.
Photo: Compass

$3,150, 1-bedroom: A perfectly nice one-bedroom in a co-op building in a great location.

$8,200, 4-bedroom: Four bedrooms seems … wrong. But right? If it’s really four bedrooms and not just a ploy to invite prospective renters. Go check it out and report back.

$3,250, 1-bedroom: Back to the Hillman Co-op we go! Wonder why this one’s 100 bucks more than option No. 1.

$3,200, 1-bedroom: Great potential in this one-bedroom brownstone floor-through. Nice details include: accidental backsplash in the kitchen and two, count ‘em, two decorative fireplaces. Huzzah!

$1,950, 1-bedroom: $1,950?? $1,950??? Yeah. $1,950 for a charming, pre-war with parquet floors, black and white ceramic tiling in the bathroom and crown moldings.

$3,200, 2-bedroom: A little rough around the edges with a GGK (grim, grim kitchen), but there’s potential — the bones are there!

$4,500, 3-bedroom: I love photos one through nine — great personality and spirit. The renovation kicks in from ten to 24 and leaves something to be desired.

The three-bedroom in a Crown Heights pre-war building.
Photo: Craigslist

$2,475, 1-bedroom: Now that’s an apartment: classique pre-war one-bedroom with actual room to breathe. A little far out, so let us take a cold hard look at ourselves and that price tag and ask ourselves what our real priorities are. Because mine might be arched passageways, original moldings, and a pink tiled bathroom.

$2,250, 1-bedroom: Another very charming pre-war with all the fixings! And fixtures. This one is park proximate! Enough pros to overlook the GGK.

$2,150, 2-bedroom: Even better price point; tons of natural light, great bones, park proximate. Roll up your sleeves and get to work because this one deserves your love and attention.

Twist! We’re going to Bushwick. You know how I feel about Bushwick: not great. But this week, I’m feeling better about it because of some of these apartments and their price-points. You just can’t beat Bushwick sometimes.

$3,850, 1-bedroom: No location listed, but it’s giving McKibben. Plus it’s enormous and sunny. And there’s nothing (or not much) wrong with that!

$7,000, 4-bedroom: Maybe I’m being fooled by the rendering, but this palatial four-bedroom in Williamsburg off the Bedford L seems actually quite nice and bright and I’d consider it.

$2,875, 1-bedroom: The images are so tiny! But the potential is huge! I’m liking some details here: the built-ins, the hardwood, the natural light.

$3,300, 2-bedroom: Victorian House in Bushwick alert! I love these anachronistic sore thumbs and this one seems to be in pretty good condition.

$4,500, 2-bedroom: This accordion window situation is everything to me.