I'm now looking for my 5th apartment of 2020. Yes, 5th.

My needs from a home have changed many times this year. Location, space, cost, work-from-home, friends, furnished vs. unfurnished - I've kinda run through them all.

//on my approach + history:

Apartment #1: Hollywood
(Jan 2018 - Jan 2020)

Loved this place. Massive 1 BR off Sunset & Highland, walking distance to my favorite bars + theater + basketball court. 20 min to work, washer/dryer, parking. $1900.

I'd have stayed forever, but NY recruited me.

Apartment #2: West Village
(Feb 2020 - June 2020)

My needs: cool location, accessible to work, somewhere to settle into NY.

Assuming the world would be, ya know, normal, I chose location over everything. Decently-sized 1 BR in WV. Figured I'd spend more time out, not in. $3100.

Apartment #2: West Village Ep 2
THE PANDEMIC STRIKES BACK
(Feb 2020 - June 2020)

I didn't have a desk in my apartment - had to drop a bunch of money to make it WFH ready for 12 hour days. I'd also starting working out hard in 2019 & grabbed those bowflex weights to pass time.

Also, shout out to everyone who's worked-from-home in studio apartments. Feel very fortunate I could throw together that set-up through a week's worth of Amazoning.

Then I was laid off, the same week I was asked to renew my lease. Was told it'd be the full $3100 for a 12 month lease or to leave.

So in a 2 week period, I gave up my apartment, put all my belongings in storage, and sought short-term housing while deciding if I'd stay in NY.

Apartment #3: Chelsea
(July 2020)

My needs: 3 mnth sublease, furnished. Somewhere to recover, interview, & make big life calls. Maybe freelance?

A buddy abandoned his place for COVID - I offered 25% 1st month rent ($1K), 50% add'l months ($2K). Situation seemed perfect. But...

...his landlords suddenly let him out of his lease. My planned 90 days ended around 30 days. Suddenly had to find another place while still deciding my next move.

New needs: literally anywhere short-term, furnished, for any amount of time. Only had 5 days to find something.

Apartment #4: Midtown East
(Aug - Sept 2020)

Friend of a friend's place was just sitting. Worth ~$4k, I offered $1500, we settled on $1625/month, with a hard stop end of September. I was interviewing + freelancing & decided to have a decision on FT or permalance by end of Sept.

Which brings us to now.

New situation: starting new job, work-from-home until further notice, staying in NY for winter.

New needs: fantastic WFH set-up, natural light to avoid dungeon feels, tons of space, 6 mnth or lease break, $3500 - $4000.

Bonus: gym, high-rise, near park.

So much of NY apartment pricing is based on location - it's one of my lowest priorities right now. I'd rather walk, Uber, or Subway longer to see friends than have a smaller place.

Mostly looking lower & mid Manhattan w/ some Williamsburg curiosity.

Besides getting space because I'm a large human, I also want enough room + set-up so someone else could work from my place.

Someone I know tired of solo WFH? Swing by for a day, WeWork style. I did extreme isolation during quarantine WFH - it ain't fun.

Work: 8-10 hours a day.
Sleep: 6-8 hours a day.

That means 14-18 hours a day in one apartment.

So, I've readjusted my budget to add $500-$1k/month if needed for a perfect place. Rent is easily my most important expense - I'd cut all other spending to make a home if I had to.

So yeah. There's 13 tweets on my apartment thought-process right now. Searching hard this week - we'll see what happens.

PS. I'm totally open to suggestions here. I know nothing about NY. Help!