Metronest

It is SO easy to spend all your money in one weekend in New York City, and that’s why sometimes it’s easier to just save and stay in. While yes, your No Fee apartment is the coolest place in town, there are a bunch of things you can get out and do, for ZERO dollars. (Now that’s what I call a deal). Finding them though, is not always so easy. So I’ve looked high and low for you for the best things to do that are totally F-R-E-E.

Check out Picnic Point on Governors Island: Grab your friends, a blanket, an awesome food selection from Zabars and catch the free ferry to Governors Island for an awesome afternoon! The free ferries from Manhattan are at 10am, 11am and 11:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

The River to River Festival: More than 10 downtown museums will open their doors on June 21^st from 4-8pm, FO FREE.

Yoga On Sundays: Every Sunday at 9:30 Lululemon offers free yoga at Union Square. FREE mat, FREE instruction! Get your flex on!

Zip Lining, Bike Riding, Rock Climbing: Bring a helmet and a friend and enjoy heaps of excitement for NO COST AT ALL! Check out Summer Streets, when seven miles of road from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Park Ave are closed off on Saturday mornings in August.

If you’re looking to live in this awesome city we call home, check out some of No Fee Rental’s amazing apartments! They offer furnished, luxury, short-term or long term options that all include great amenities (like rooftop decks, hello summer fun!) and are in the BEST neighborhoods. Check out your options HERE.

Until next time!

XO

Steph

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/40567541@N08/26869631941″>State Farm and Harris Poll conducted a State of Neighbors survey</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a>

Moving to a new city can be tough. Sure, you’ve found your perfect apartment and you’re moved in, but what about food? Which grocery stores are the best bang for your buck? (because trust me if you’re not careful you’ll end up paying $6 for one avocado) Finding your new favorite places takes time, and in a big city like New York, it can be a little overwhelming where to start. Luckily for you, New York is also full of some really great resources that can help you to find your way. Here are the 5 best websites I used when I moved to New York City to find my favorite places.

1. Time Out New York: From best happy hours, to awesome things to do on the weekend, Time Out New York has the beat on everything amazing about this city you now call home!
2. Gothamist: Gothamist has some great lists, but they also have the inside scoop on breaking news in our city. It’s great to stay on top of all things NYC, that way you’ll be up-to-date in conversations as well!
3. Postmates NYC: For everything that is delivery! This service brings you food, groceries, juices and coffee! The perfect solution for when you just can’t make up your mind!
4. A true NYC staple, with just a click of a button or a touch of your finger, you can have food from all over the city delivered right to your front door. Seamless changed the world of delivery, and with the reviews loaded within the app, you can see everything from bad experiences to the most ordered items at every restaurant featured.
5. Thrillest: A bit of a hybrid site, this online-magazine is a great guide to what’s hot in New York City. With lists like “Every Free Outdoor Concert in NYC this Summer” with this app/website in your pocket you’ll be in-the-know in no time at all.

Now that you’re up to speed on the best resources to check out, isn’t it time you found that dream apartment?! No Fee Rentals has long term, short term, furnished, unfurnished and luxury apartments available NOW! Some buildings feature gyms, outdoor spaces, rooftop decks and they’re all in prime locations in the best neighborhoods.

If you’re thinking about moving to this gorgeous city we call home, which neighborhood should you live in? Are you best suited for a one bedroom apartment in Chelsea? Or maybe a hip studio in Greenwich… Find out which neighborhood in New York City is best for you with our quiz!

When deciding which NYC apartment to choose, there are many factors to consider: How close is the subway? What are your neighbors like? What is the rent? And most importantly, what is the character of the neighborhood. We gave you an awesome guide to the East and West Villages, but there are more neighborhoods to get to know! If you’re thinking of renting a NoFee apartment in Chelsea, this guide is for you.

A bit of history to give you your bearings: Chelsea takes its name from the estate and Georgian-style house of retired British Major Thomas Clarke, who obtained the property when he bought the farm of Jacob Somerindyck on August 16, 1750. The land was bounded by what would become 21st and 24th Streets, from the Hudson River to Eighth Avenue. Clarke chose the name “Chelsea” after the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home for soldiers in London, England.

Insiders Tip: Be sure to make stops at the Highline, and also Chelsea Markets for a full afternoon of fun things to do.

Now that you’re acquainted with the neighborhood, we’re going to take you to some of the best spots.

Coffee

Café Grumpy: Love the no-lap top policy at this place, it makes you feel like you’re back in time when people would sit and enjoy their morning cup of joe, sans checking email and snapchat. Known for having one of the best cappuccinos in New York, this gem is located at 224 W 20th St.

Breakfast

Johny’s Luncheonette: Awesome atmosphere and great food, what more could you want for your first meal of the day?! An added bonus, it’s rumored that the owner is also extremely attractive… Which always helps. Located at 124 W. 25^th St.

Lunch

Hill Country Chicken: Not the healthiest place I’ve ever told you about, but on your cheat day make sure you hit this place up for their fried chicken sandwich. It is so good; you’ll be dreaming about it for weeks. Located at 1123 Broadway.

Study Break/Work Break

The Diller – Von Furstenberg Sundeck: Catch some serious afternoon rays at this awesome sundeck this summer. Overlooking the Hudson, and a great place to relax, add this place to your list of go-to spots in the city! Located on the High Line between 13^th and 14^th street.

Happy Hour

Ovest Pizzoteca by Luzzo’s: Apertivo 5-8pm free food with your drink, small plates and a great hang! Located at 513 W 27th St.

Dinner

The John Dory Oyster Bar: Great drinks and fresh oysters, The John Dory Oyster Bar is a great dinner spot to go to with your friends, or on a date night with your significant other. Located at 1196 Broadway.

Night Out

Bathtub Gin: What is cooler than a speakeasy?! There are a bunch in New York City, but this one is on the top of my list. Beautiful architecture and great drinks, when you walk through the secret door in the coffee shop it’s like you’re transported to the pre-prohibition era of NYC! Make it a theme night and dress up with your pals! Located at 132 9^th Avenue.

Looking for an apartment in Chelsea? We’ve got you covered. From multi-bedroom shares, to furnished apartments, No Fee Rentals has it all. To check out some of our awesome apartments in Chelsea, click here: http://www.nofeerentals.com/apartments.aspx

Until next time!

XO, 

Steph

We tend to see a lot of random weather fluctuation here in New York City, and it’s easy to binge watch Netflix and order seamless when it’s crummy outside, but you’re missing too much! Some of my best memories are from times when almost all my friends stayed in because it was snowing, or pouring rain. Don’t let the weather stop you from doing your thing! Throw on those wellies and a raincoat and make some memories! Here are some of the best things to do in NYC when the weather is trying to cramp your style.

1. Hit a Bucket of Balls at Chelsea Piers: Seriously, hitting golf balls is so underrated. I go all the time with my friends, and Chelsea Piers is an awesome place to blow off some steam by whacking some golf balls.
2. Hit Up a Museum: New York is home to some of the world’s best museums. From oogling the gems at the Natural History Museum to making memes of the most famous oil paintings at the MET, there are so many fun things to do in museums around NYC. For a full list click here.
3. Head to a Bar with Games: Ah yes, the most popular American past-time, drinking games. Check out Brooklyn Bowl, Barcade, Jakes Dilemma, or Spin for some awesome daytime (and into night time) fun.
4. Grab Your Pals and Hit the Spa: Let’s be real for a second and just say that EVERYDAY can be a spa day, but on rainy days when you don’t feel like walking from place to place, hit up a spa for a day. Check out the Russian Bath’s in the East Village, or Bliss Spa in SoHo.
5. Check Out a Movie: a trip to the cinema in New York City is different than in most cities. Indie theaters like the Angelika Film Center and the Landmark Sunshine Cinema, for example, screen the kind of nonmainstream fare (documentaries, foreign films and such) that you’d be unlikely to find in a typical multiplex. The same goes for the movie theater at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For those who want to experience the splendor of movie palaces past, it’s worth a trip to the Ziegfeld, which opened back in 1927 as a Broadway theater and only shows one film at a time in its cavernous screening room—often the site of major premieres. If you’d like to combine dinner and a movie, you should try Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg.

So while every once in a while it’s totally fine to watch TV all day in your pajamas and order-in for every meal, it’s important to get up and out of your awesome New York Apartment for some memories! If you’re looking for aplace to live, check out these great apartments.

Until next time!

XO,

Steph

Although the past few days have been filled with wacky weather, the warm winds of spring and summer will be breezing through the streets and avenue’s of New York City soon enough! And when you’re overwhelmed with that smell of summer in NYC (haven’t experienced it yet? You’re in for a treat), you’ll be jumping at the chance to get above it all. If you’re not lucky enough to have your very own rooftop to sip margs on, (click here if you want one) you’ll thank me later for this list of the best places to get outside in NYC in the warmer months.

BARS:

Bookmarks Rooftop Lounge at the Library Hotel

This cute little lounge has one of the best rooftop bars in NYC, with stunning views this place is great for a date night, or just a night out with pals! Located at 299 Madison Avenue.

The Delancey

Good drinks, great vibes, great music. The Delancey Rooftop is a great bar to go when you just want to party like you’re on a tropical island! (Mosquito’s not included) Located at 168 Delancey Street.

Gallow Green (personal fav)

My personal favorite rooftop bar in New York City, Gallow Green is super cute, and you’ll catch that nice breeze off the Hudson River too! Located at 542 W. 27^th Street

Le Piscine at the Hotel Americano

Totally unpretentious, this rooftop bar is the perfect summer hang spot for you and your squad. Re-opens for the season June 1^st, so mark your calendars! 518 W. 27^th Street

POOLS:

McCarren Pool

Located in Williamsburg, the McCarren Pool is a great place to cool off and get some exercise outside without breaking a massive sweat this summer! Located at 776 Lorimer Street

Barretto Point Floating Pool

I seriously did not know about this pool until I was researching this blog but it is safe to say I will spend 90% of my free time this summer there! Located on Tiffany Street in the Bronx

Lasker Pool in Central Park

Find some much needed relief to the heat of New York City this summer at Lasker Pool, just be sure to arrive a little early to avoid lines, and bring your own lock as they won’t let you in without one. Located at 830 5^th Avenue

EVENTS:

Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival

This two day celebration of all things Japanese will make you completely forget you’re in New York City. Located at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, April 30^th-May 1^st

Electric Daisy Carnival

You HAVE to check out EDC. It’s at Citi Field this summer and is going to be an amazing time! Great music, great costumes and you’ll get to see Citi Field in a way you never thought possible. So get your rave gear ready, it’s coming May 14-15^th

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Every year, residents of the five boroughs get together and celebrate the beginning of the summer season in New York City. Put on some glitter, body paint, and seashells in your hair and get festive! It’s happening on June 18^th.

Governors Ball

The biggest event to hit New York City in quite some time, Governors Ball is also one of the biggest music festivals in the country. With headliners this year like Kanye West, The Killers, Beck and The Strokes, this is a party you will not want to miss! Check it out this year on Randall’s Island from June 3^rd-June 5^th.

So get your party pants (or shorts) on people, because summer in New York City is the best! Make this gorgeous city your permanent residency with No Fee Apartments! We have the best apartments in New York City in all the best neighborhoods! To find your next home, click here.

Until next time!

XO, Steph