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Monthly Archives

May 2017

24 May 2017
7 NYC Cheap Eats Every Millennial Needs to Know About

Savvy millennials flock to New York City for its limitless attractions and opportunities, but the cost of living in the Big Apple isn’t for the faint of heart. And with the micro-kitchens that are typical of New York apartments, eating out is far more attractive than dining in. Fortunately, there are plenty of places around town to get a great meal at a reasonable price.

Mamoun’s Falafel in Greenwich Village

Where else but NYC could you find world-class falafel at 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning? Mamoun’s Falafel gets rave reviews among hungry, young locals looking for a quick bite. Here, you can grab a vegetarian pita bread sandwich for just $3.50. A plate features double the amount, served on top of a tasty salad with pita bread on the side — all for just $6.00! Mamoun’s also serves omnivore options, tempting sides and scrumptious pastries that are sure to satisfy your craving for Middle Eastern cuisine. You’ll find Mamoun’s in Greenwich Village at 119 MacDougal Street.

Whitmans in the East Village

Few meals satisfy quite like a tasty burger, and Whitmans has some of the best in town. Its most coveted menu item is the Juicy Lucy — a beef short rib blend that’s stuffed to the gills with pimento cheese and topped off by caramelized onions and spicy pickles. Whitmans also offers a blue cheese version of the Juicy Lucy — the Bluicy. For diners who are feeling particularly virtuous, Whitmans’ kale salad offers a satisfying crunch. The menu also offers sautéed kale and crack kale, which is as addictive as it sounds. Excluding the salads, the cheapest item on the menu at Whitmans is the BLT. For just $7, you’ll get Applewood smoked bacon and special sauce on Blue Ribbon Pullman bread. You can find the East Village location of Whitmans at 406 E 9th Street.

Potjanee in the West Village

You’ll find this delightful Thai eatery at 48 Carmine Street. Millennials love this eatery for its atmosphere, quick service and great food at even better prices. Potjanee is the place to go for pick-up, dine-in or delivery Thai food. Some of their menu items are on the pricier side, like the Salmon Roma and Kang Sapparod Duck, but there are definitely plenty of affordable dishes, too. Choose from six different spicy curries, four fried rice dishes (including pineapple fried rice) and more noodle dishes than you can shake a stick at.

Naruto Ramen in the Upper East Side

If you’re looking for a quick bite on a short lunch break, head for Naruto Ramen in the Upper East Side. It’s at 1596 3rd Avenue. You won’t find college students’ ramen noodles here — it’s all authentic Japanese comfort food. Pull up a seat at the bar (there are no tables) and treat yourself to rich, full-flavored broth, perfectly cooked noodles and crunchy edamame.

Broadway Bagel in the Upper West Side

Broadway Bagel is the go-to spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Upper West Side. It’s at 2658 Broadway, and it’s famous for — you guessed it — bagels. But these aren’t just any bagels. They’re hand-rolled, satisfyingly crunchy and pair perfectly with eggs on the side. Broadway Bagel also serves omelet platters, burgers, wraps and salads at reasonable prices.

Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea

If you’re new to Chelsea, the Chelsea Market should be at the top of your must-see list. At 75th 9th Avenue, Chelsea Market houses some pretty unique eateries, including Los Tacos No. 1. It’s a food truck-style eatery (no seating) with very affordable tacos, tostadas and quesadillas.

Previti Pizza in Murray Hill

No rundown of NYC eateries would be complete without a pizza spot. Previti Pizza at 123 East 41st Street is a counter service pizzeria that proudly features focaccia and thin crust slices. The artichoke and spinach pizza is a house specialty, and the sandwiches on homemade bread are just as affordable as a couple of slices.

Regardless of which NYC rental you choose, you’re sure to find exceptional cuisine at affordable prices. Check out NoFee Rentals to start your stress-free search for New York apartments.

13 May 2017

Stocking Your First Kitchen

Moving to New York means having your choice of NYC rental apartments to check out. Whether you’re looking at studio apartments in New York or planning to share a three-bedroom with friends, you’ll have plenty of options to consider. But one thing that all NY apartments have in common is a kitchen! In order to make your new apartment as homey as possible, you’ll want to stock your kitchen with all of the basic essentials so you can enjoy home-cooked meals whenever you like.

Everyone has different needs for their kitchens — some people are amateur chefs and love to cook at home all the time, while others only make the occasional sandwich or bowl of cereal. Regardless of your cooking habits, it’s a good idea to outfit your kitchen with the basic essentials so that you have the option of cooking whenever you want to. Here are some tips for stocking your first kitchen in your new apartment.

Basic Dishes

No matter how much of a gourmet cook you are, you can’t eat without the proper tableware. Here is a basic list of dishes and flatware that can help get your new kitchen into great shape.

  • 4-6 water glasses
  • 4-6 coffee mugs
  • 4-6 plates
  • 4-6 bowls
  • 4-6 sets of silverware
  • 4 wine glasses
  • A set of mixing bowls
  • Serving platters
  • Serving bowls

As long as you have a set like this, you’ll be able to cook for yourself or invite a few friends over to help you warm up your new apartment.

Necessary Kitchen Gadgets

Some of these are things you might not use that often but you’ll be glad you have them when you need them.

  • Can opener
  • Corkscrew
  • Kitchen shears
  • Pot holders
  • Serving spoons
  • Spatula
  • Knives: butcher, paring and serrated
  • Cutting boards
  • Grater
  • Tongs
  • Peeler
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Groceries and Shelf Staples

Everybody has different tastes, so you’ll have to make sure you have the ingredients you like best. But these are some of the ones that people tend to use most often.

  • Dry pasta
  • Rice/quinoa
  • Olive oil
  • Vinegar
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Spices: basil, bouillon, cayenne, chili powder, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, onion powder, oregano, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme
  • Broth
  • Canned tomatoes
  • Tomato sauce
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Ketchup
  • Mayo
  • Mustard
  • Soy sauce
  • Butter
  • Milk

Over time, you can start adding in more staples, like fresh veggies, produce, peanut butter, canned and frozen fruits and veggies, and more. But this list will help ensure that you have all the basics to cook a decent meal.

Cookware

You’ll need pots and pans in order to do all your cooking and baking.

  • Skillets
  • Saucepans
  • Baking dishes
  • Cookie sheets
  • Colander
  • Cooling racks

Small Appliances

Small appliances can be considered a luxury until you’re ready to buy them. But here are a few you might consider starting out with.

  • Toaster
  • Blender
  • Coffee pot or French press
  • Coffee grinder
  • Microwave

Food Storage Items

It’s great to have items on hand to help you put away leftovers and preserve fresh ingredients.

  • Plastic baggies and freezer bags
  • Plastic wrap
  • Tin foil
  • Waxed paper
  • Food storage containers of all sizes

Getting your kitchen set up as soon as you move in can make your new NY apartment start to feel like home right away! Don’t have the home yet? Check out our available apartments now.

2 May 2017

Living in New York City certainly has its perks — but generally, space isn’t one of them. In fact, recent studies have shown that the average home size in New York is only 866 square feet. One of the biggest challenges of living in a space that small is finding a place to keep all of your things — especially in a way that is functional, and looks good, too. If you live in a tiny New York apartment, check out the list of organizational tips below. These ideas for stashing your stuff will ensure that you can reach it all easily, and that your space feels livable and looks great.

Use Every Surface

Sure, you probably have a closet or two in your space, but that’s not the only place you can use for storage. Take advantage of every possible surface in your apartment — including the backs of cabinet doors, open wall space and, of course, under the bed. Add hooks to the backs of doors and hang items like towels, brooms and mops on them. Use empty wall space to install shelves. When space is at a premium, you can’t afford to let any of it go to waste.

Simplify, Simplify

Having a lot of things can feel nice — but when you don’t have a space for them all, it can make your life feel cluttered. Go through all your belongings once a year, and get rid of anything that you haven’t used in the last year. Decluttering is a great way to ensure that you stay organized. Once you find items you’re not using, consider donating them to charity — it helps people out, and feels good, too.

Hang Pots and Pans

Find a wall in your kitchen, and use it to hang your pots and pans. This frees up cabinet space, which you can use to stash other items (even if they’re not kitchen specific). You can find a pot rack from a home goods store that is intended to be used for hanging kitchenware, or simply buy a pegboard and hanging hardware from a hardware store, then use them for organizing your cookware.

Raise Your Bed

Under the bed is an excellent spot to stash stuff that you don’t use that often, like holiday decorations and out-of-season clothing. To create more space under your bed, put it on risers. Risers lift a bed up a few inches, meaning you can stack more things there, out of sight. To take advantage of the space under your bed, consider buying storage boxes specifically designed for that space. They will easily slide and stack under your bed.

Buy Multipurpose Furniture

When buying furniture for your apartment, consider pieces that are multi-use. For example, an ottoman can have storage inside of it, where you can keep linens and blankets. Or a coffee table with a liftable surface to offer space to stash remotes, magazines and more inside. Buying multipurpose furniture gives you more space for organization, and cuts down on the need to buy even more furniture for storage (like chests and shelves).
Living in New York can be a challenge when it comes to finding a space that can fit all of your stuff. Luckily, what you sacrifice in apartment size in the city, you make up for in exciting opportunities. Ready to find the perfect apartment? Start HERE.