NYC Tips

30 Jul 2017

Entertaining in Small Spaces (and on a budget)

Living in New York has tons of perks. It’s easy to go out with friends and have the time of your life every night — but what if you want to have people over at your home? Entertaining in a small apartment may seem like a challenge, but it’s actually possible to have a great time in your small space — without having to put a ton of effort (or cash) into doing it.

Here are some great tips for entertaining in small spaces (and on a budget), so you can welcome friends and loved ones into your space — and have a party that’s comfortable, festive and fun!

Be Inventive With Seating

Only have a couch and two dining chairs? Fear not. You can still have a party where everyone can sit comfortably. Get creative with seating options — use a stool, ottoman or even small end tables for people to sit on and converse. You can add throw pillows onto them to make them even more comfortable.

Do it Potluck Style

If you want to host a dinner party for friends, your tiny apartment kitchen might be too small to cook a full meal that will feed everyone. Instead, do it potluck style. Assign everyone a dish or course to bring, and then everyone gets to taste what everyone else made. This is a great way to save money on a dinner party — and ensure you don’t have too many dishes to wash at the end!

Don’t Forget Temperature Control

Packing people into a small space means there’s a lot of body heat in one place, and a small apartment can get really hot during a party. Before the party starts, open all of the windows you can, and turn on your air conditioning window units and fans. This will ensure the apartment is comfortable while everyone socializes.

Move the Couch

Do you have a couch that sections off your living room from the rest of the apartment, or chairs that are in the middle of your living for lounging? If so, push it (and any other furniture floating in the middle of the room) against the walls. This gives people more room to move about and mingle. This is especially important if you’re planning to host a dance party in your space!

Designate a Spot for Peoples’ Belongings

Don’t have people’s coats, hats, purses, shoes and other items taking up precious socializing space. Instead, designate a place where people can stash their stuff while they’re at your home. Try picking somewhere like your bed or a linen closet where they are out of the way. That way, you can have more space to sit and move about — and everyone will remember where their stuff is when it’s time to leave (and after they’ve had a glass of wine or two).

Now that you know how you can entertain your friends in a small city apartment, it’s time to find the apartment that’s right for you. Check out the apartments available on No Fee Rentals to see if you can find the perfect living space. One of the perks of renting from No Fee Rentals? You don’t have to pay a pesky real estate broker’s fee, so you can have more money to enjoy the city and throw great parties for your friends.

12 Jul 2017

Take a Day Trip to the Cutest Unknown Neighborhood in New York

July 12, 2017
Metronest
NYC Tips

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway destination in New York City that has an easy, slow pace and charm to spare, look no further than Sunnyside, Queens. This hidden gem is off the beaten path of most New York City residents, but don’t let its low-key name fool you; this area is one of the Five Boroughs’ best-kept secrets for an easy, car-free escape that’s pretty far removed from the hustle and bustle of Midtown.

The neighborhood’s name dates all the way back to 1713, when the original French purchasers of the land named it “Sunnyside Hill.” The name stuck, and once the Queensboro Bridge was built, it became a haven for immigrants that even today feels a world away from the skyscrapers of the big city.

Within Sunnyside is a planned community called Sunnyside Gardens. These picturesque private townhouses, most built between 1924 and 1928, came with their own gardens in the front and the back as well as inclusive terraces. The tree-lined streets and landscaping of this development are typically kept immaculate. Sunnyside Gardens also incorporates one of the city’s only two private parks (the other is Manhattan’s Gramercy Park). Strict rules protecting the garden areas and limiting changes to even the exterior paint colors resulted in the development staying the same for decades, and it now looks like something out of a time capsule, when buildings in the boroughs were larger, more ornate and featured much more green space. You’d be hard-pressed to find an area with more stateliness, placidity, and natural beauty this close to Manhattan. Walking down these serene streets in the northern part of Sunnyside is one of the city’s simpler pleasures. Sunnyside Gardens is now a protected historic district unto itself, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But Sunnyside Gardens is only part of the neighborhood; many of the other attractions in the area are just as unique and come with plenty of character. Unlike other neighborhoods in the city, strong efforts have been made to preserve the tranquility, quaintness and original style of the district that the first developers instituted in the early 20th century. Cute vintage shops, cafés and boutiques give the area a laid-back, small-town feeling that’s simultaneously woven into the fabric of Queens and New York City itself.

The best way to experience Sunnyside is to visit and stroll down the neighborhood’s streets like Skillman Avenue, 43rd Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue. Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and explore the vicinity for yourself to see a part of New York City that feels like a breath of fresh, unpolluted air.

The 7 train stops at two places in Sunnyside, and the neighborhood is just four short stops from Grand Central Station in Manhattan. The large shopping centers of Woodside and the hip cultural attractions of Long Island City are within walking distance if you want to combine your visit with art viewing or eating, even though the neighborhood has plenty of quality dining establishments of its own, including a number of wine bars and cute little Asian, Latin and Mediterranean bistros. But even with big-city connections, the neighborhood doesn’t feel at all urban or industrial (with the possible exception of Queens Boulevard, which bisects Sunnyside’s center and offers a multitude of appealing eateries).

Come see what Sunnyside has to offer. And while you’re at it, if you’re in the market for a new place to live, NoFeeRentals.com is a great place to find a home base that’s not far from quick escapes like Sunnyside. Whether you prefer Uptown, Midtown or Downtown, NoFeeRentals.com has something for everyone.

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21 Jun 2017

It’s Summer in the City. Get Some Fresh Air!

June 21, 2017
Metronest
NYC Tips

Part of what makes New York such an amazing city is the fact that you’re never too far from natural beauty. Sure, there are some neighborhoods with far more paved surfaces than green spaces, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors.

So, go out and get some fresh air! Here are some easy tips to help you along:

Eat Outside

Outdoor space for restaurant patios are at a premium in New York, but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to find. From Shake Shack’s bustling Madison Square Park location to Gemma at Bowery Hotel’s European-cafe vibes, there are plenty of outdoor dining spots to enjoy delicious food and relaxing sunshine. Remember that you don’t need to wait in long lines or shell out the big bucks to take advantage of this strategy. Even just grabbing something cheap like a deli sandwich and sitting on a park bench can make mealtime more relaxing and enjoyable. Every New Yorker should have some go-to spots for an impromptu picnic. Try some spots close to work and close to your apartment and find the ones that are the most interesting and relaxing for you.

Do Something Touristy

New York newcomers will soon learn that complaining about tourists is a way of life, but those tourists are onto something. As a major international city with an incredible cultural history, New York has a ton of great tourist spots, and a lot of them are outdoors. You can visit the Cloisters, row around Central Park’s Lake, ride the Circle Line or Staten Island Ferry, stroll the High Line or traverse the full length of the Brooklyn Bridge. Many New Yorkers never actually check out these attractions, and while it makes sense in a way, there’s no shame in the tourism game. You’ll see a lot of great sights and enjoy some fresh air while you’re at it.

Discover Hidden Nature

When you’re ready to go even deeper into the natural beauty the NYC area has to offer, there’s a surprisingly great amount of outdoor immersion available without much travel involved at all. While some of these attractions are on the outskirts of Queens and other boroughs, Central Park offers amazing natural diversity. Still, for true lovers of unspoiled wild places, this isn’t going to cut it, and a trip to one of the city’s remarkable nature parks may be in order. Options include the 507-acre Forest Park in Queens, Owl’s Head Park in Brooklyn and Governor’s Island, a once-restricted island in New York Harbor. You can reach Governor’s Island by ferry and enjoy miles of walking trails, lush green lawns and some beautiful public art along with incredible views of the city from the water.

The best thing about most of these ideas is that they’re suitable all year round. While you probably don’t want to sit outside and eat when it’s snowing, checking out some parks or even trying to ride a ferry in wintry weather can give the city a whole new sense of beauty.

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.

2 May 2017

5 Key Organizational Tips for Tiny New York Apartments

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.

15 Mar 2017

Leaving Home For the First Time

Leaving home for the first time is no easy feat. People deal with everything from homesickness and financial stress to uncertainty about how to deal with new situations. It is an exciting time but can also cause all of these common feelings. That’s why you want to put some time and thought into how you can make this change as smooth as possible. Check out these tips to help you transition into your new life while maintaining a happy and healthy relationship with your parents.

Secure a place to live

One of the biggest keys to making leaving easier on yourself is to find a place that you like living in. NY apartments are great because there is such variety – whether you are looking for apartments in Chelsea, Greenwich Village or somewhere else entirely. You’ll have a great selection and you can find a happy, cozy home you will love coming back to every day. Plus, your parents will rest easy knowing you are in comfortable digs in the city. Added bonus is if you can find a great no-fee rental and save both you and your parents a lot of cash!

Finances

Before leaving, establish a financial budget with your parents. Are you going to work and pay your own rent and living expenses? Are your parents paying rent but expecting you to cover bills and stuff like food and clothing? Having a clear understanding of what your financial obligations are can help you plan appropriately and make sure you won’t be stressed about cash.

Boundaries with parents

It’s sad to say goodbye to your family, but nobody wants Mom and Dad showing up at the door every other day. Make sure you set up boundaries with your parents so that they understand how often you would like to get together. It’s also good to agree upon advance notice of when they want to come over. This goes both ways, too – they might not want you showing up at the house every few days! It doesn’t mean they don’t love you, it’s just a sign of growing up and showing mutual respect for each other.

When to call home

Inevitably, you’ll have to deal with some bumps in the road. These problems will range from big to small, and it’s good to get into the habit of taking care of the trivial ones yourself. No need to call in help for a broken light bulb or a dead bug in the shower. However, if the issue is a big one that you’re not sure how to handle, it’s okay to call your parents for help or advice. Since they might be guarantors or co-signers on your lease, they will have your best interest and that of the property in mind.

Leaving home for the first time is a big adventure. As long as you put a little time and thought into how the move and your new life will look and feel, you should be in for a comfortable transition. And don’t forget to enjoy it! You’ll look back on these years fondly for the rest of your life. Now, get out there and find the perfect apartment! Your search begins HERE.

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