July 2016

The Lower East Side is the southeastern area of NYC that lies between The Bowery and the East River. It’s bordered by Houston Street to the north and Canal Street to the south.

The Lower East Side has become Manhattan’s trendiest grit-meets-glam neighborhood. One of the oldest neighborhoods of the city, it was once home to a mostly poor immigrant population who came through Ellis Island.  In recent years, gentrification of the East Village has spread south, bringing with it upscale boutiques and an entire menu of super-cool eateries. Tree-lined Clinton Street was described by New York Magazine as the “hippest restaurant row” on the Lowest East Side.

With all that being said, lets dive in and find out the BEST this neighborhood has to offer! We gave you awesome guides to the The Upper West Side, East Village, Chelsea, The Upper East Side and the West Village, but there are more neighborhoods to get to know! And if you’re thinking of renting a No Fee Apartment on the Lower East Side, this guide is for you.

COFFEE

Café Grumpy: One of my favorite places to get coffee! You definitely won’t be grumpy after stopping by here. PS you can get their beans to go! Located at 13 Essex Street.

BREAKFAST

Russ & Daughters Café: The perfect mix of a modern and old world charm. I highly recommend ordering a bagel and lox, with a bloody mary. Located at 127 Orchard Street.

LUNCH

Cheeky Sandwiches: Simple menu with good prices, this lunch spot has awesome sandwiches and an easy going vibe which keeps bringing us New Yorkers back for more! Located at 35 Orchard Street.

STUDY/WORK BREAK

The Lowline: If you are looking for some place SUPER COOL and SUPER FUN to go relax, check out the Lowline, a glimpse into Manhattan’s underworld meets nature. Located at 140 Essex Street.

HAPPY HOUR

Old Man Hustle: This throwback bar is great. Please know, it is NOT a dive bar but their happy hour specials? OMG. $5 Beer and a shot. That, my friends, is a good step to getting through the work week. Located at 39 Essex Street.

DINNER

Goa Taco: This foodies paradise is known to be one of, if not the best taco joint in NYC. Try the lamb taco or the pork belly (tons of yelp reviews raving about it). Note there is limited seating, so don’t come with a big group. *Date Night* Located at 79 Delancey Street.

NIGHT OUT

The Late Late: While the Lower East Side has pretty much an endless supply of fun bars, the funnest of them all has to be The Late Late. Playing childhood jams mixed with the top dance tracks of today this sophisticated hang will be your new go-to spot. Located at 135 E Houston Street.

Looking for some awesome Lower East Side apartment rentals?  Our 25 Clinton Street property offers unfurnished and fully furnished studio apartments—a great option for New York City newcomers who need a place to call home. Just bring your clothes, your friends and get ready

Until next time,

XO

Steph

New York City summertime weather is no joke. If our tips for cooling down your NYC apartment aren’t enough for this coming weekend with scorching temperatures, it may be time to head out of the concrete jungle for some cooler outdoor activities.

1. Rockaway Beach: Just a short ride on the subway, this beach is a famed surf spot and NYC-resident destination. Go for the day or stay overnight at the Playland Motel.
2. Fire Island, L.I.: A quick ride on the LIRR, this no-cars-allowed island is a close paradise that’s an easy day trip. Be sure to swim at Sailors Haven Beach!
3. Sleepy Hollow, NY: Hop on Metro North and check out Philipsburg Manor Upper Mill’s living-history museum. Staffers dress in period costume demonstrating how life used to be, and while it may not cool you down, seeing them sweat in their wool-garb will certainly make your shorts feel just that bit more comfortable.
4. Bear Mountain, NY: Just over one hour from NYC, Bear Mountain offers some awesome hiking, biking, picnic spots, fishing and swimming. Stay at the Bear Mountain Inn, built in 1915.
5. Hudson, NY: I may be partial to Hudson since it is so close to where I grew up, but it is seriously an awesome place for a weekend getaway or just a day trip. You can take Amtrak which is super cushy and nice (plus they have wine), and then just walk into town! Rent an Air BNB with your friends, or stay at the gorgeous hotel, The Barlow… And be sure to check out Helsinki at night for some after-hours fun!

Although the temps in NYC range from a frozen -10 degrees in the winter to a scorching 100 degrees in the summer, there is nowhere else we’d rather call home! NYC is the best place to be, no matter the season. If you’re looking to make the move to our beloved city, No Fee Rentals has the best apartments this city has to offer. From buildings with spectacular views, to studio apartments on the hip Lower East Side, No Fee has it all.

We New Yorkers must be creative, selective and decisive when it comes to decorating our New York City furnish apartment. The size of our apartments, whether it be a studio apartment in Greenwich Village or a two bedroom in Murray Hill, allows our belongings and décor to always be on display. From how many shelves we can squeeze between the door frame and the wall to which hand towels to have hanging in the bathroom, our style choices are all the more important. Luckily for us, there are an abundance of home furnishing stores. Whether you’re looking to organize, highlight some of your personality or do a complete re-design, you can find what you’re looking for at these NYC stores.

Delphinium Home: This one-stop shop offers kitschy housewares and an eclectic array of home items. This is the perfect shop if you’re looking for a quirky item to highlight your personality. Located at 353. W. 47^th Street

Canvas: A NYC staple, Canvas offers statement-making colorful dishware and home accents. Located at 426 Broome Street

Fishs Eddy: Fixture with an eclectic selection of flatware, dishes & glasses from funky to vintage styles. Located at 889 Broadway

Alessi: Shop here for an extremely aesthetically pleasing shopping experience. Alessi started as a kitchenware supply line in Italy and is now furnishing homes with modern décor. Located at 130 Greene Street.

Whisk: This shop shows you how you can stock your tiny NYC kitchen. From cute towels to state-of-the-art espresso machines this shop help turn your kitchen from your shoe storage space, to a organized and functional space. Located at 231 Bedford Ave.

Sharktooth: This hip Williamsburg shop specializes in antique and vintage textiles. All of their pieces are hand-picked and one of a kind. The perfect addition to your growing collection. Located at 111 Grand Street.

It’s definitely a challenge finding the right pieces to decorate your apartment. We’re not all blessed with inner Martha Stewarts, and for some it takes years to figure out what exactly is your style. If you’re looking for your first canvas (a new apartment), No Fee Rentals has a TON of awesome apartments available in the best neighborhoods. Take this gorgeous newly renovated penthouse apartment in Greenwich Village! Or if you’re looking for something a little more practical, check out this awesome two bed room apartment in the East Village with its own private garden!

Welcome to Summer. Maybe you’re one of the lucky people that get to live in an NYC apartment with central air, but for the rest of us keeping cool in our apartments can be a struggle. From getting out during the day to hacks to keep you cool while you’re in-domicile, here are 6 ways to beat the heat this summer.

1. Hit the Library: The library is air-conditioned, plus you can get your read-on. Explore the rows of old novels, or just sit back with an iced-coffee and people watch! Insiders tip: they don’t allow big bags. (learned that one the hard way!)
2. Cross Ventilation: When you open your windows, try to open windows at opposite ends of your apartment. Place fans to have one blowing in, and the other blowing out. This will help keep the air circulated, which can help to lower temps.
3. Go See a Movie: Check out the Alamo Draft House for an awesome movie-viewing experience. With comfy couches and in-theater service you may never want to leave.
4. Turn Your Fan into an Air Cooler: Using a twist tie, attach ice pops (long colorful tubes of sugar water) to your fan. This will give you a cold airstream blowing over you. Plus it’s a delish summer snack.
5. Get Poolside: With free options, this could be your new summer hang. Check out this list of the best pools in NYC!
6. Freeze Your Sheets: A few minutes before bed stick your sheets in the freezer. Put them in a plastic bag so they don’t smell like the freezer. This won’t keep you cool all night, but it will give you some fast relief!

If you’re looking for an apartment to try out all these awesome tips, click here. If you’re looking for a summer-proof apartment with A/C Click Here. No Fee Rentals offers a wide variety of apartment options in all different neighborhoods. From chic Greenwich Studios, to swanky Murray Hill penthouses, we’ve got you covered. Contact Us today to find the apartment of your dreams!

Until next time,

XO

Steph