Feb 6, 2025
It's hardly a secret that New York City rents are expensive, averaging $3,866 a month, according to Apartments.com.
But one tenant is paying $3,200 a month for a place that doesn’t even have a functional kitchen. Avery Addison’s West Village studio's kitchen is ridiculously small.
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“The kitchen is a shock, but I’ve learned to adjust and make peace with it," Addison told Realtor.com.
She highlighted the shortcoming in a viral TikTok video that’s amassed over 1.7 million views, with some commenting that her kitchen is "insane" and little more than a "reheating and handwashing station."
A major sacrifice
Anyone who's ever attempted to live on their own in New York City is probably aware that renting solo means some kind of compromise, and Addison understood that from the start.
"I knew going into my search, I was going to have to sacrifice something,” she said. “Either location or square feet or amenities.”
According to Kitchen Design NYC, the average New York City apartment kitchen ranges from 80 to 200 square feet.
Addison’s is so small, there isn’t even space for a stove — let alone stand, move around or cook a meal. There’s only a hot plate, microwave, mini fridge, sink and mini dishwasher.
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But she's OK with that because there are lots of restaurants within walking distance. Plus, she points out that what her studio lacks in square footage, it makes up for in charm. Plus it overlooks a courtyard and is “extra quiet.”
“I chose this apartment because it had a very open living area, and all the prewar charm the West Village is known for," she said. “I was looking for exposed brick, faux beams, wood flooring, fire escape and a fireplace — and this gem delivers!”
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How to save money living in a major city
Statewide, New Yorker renters are notoriously cost-burdened. An estimated 52.4% spend 30% or more of their income on housing, compared to 28% on a national scale.
But living in the Big Apple — or any world-class city, for that matter — is an experience many people want, even if for a limited time. It’s not just the excitement that appeals, but access to higher-paying jobs and better career opportunities.
If big-city living is your dream, it may be worth paying a small fortune for a tiny apartment. Here are some financial strategies to consider if you want to make it work:
- Share an apartment with a roommate. That’s tough in a studio, but could be done with creative furniture arrangement and a portable partition.
- Cut back on non-essential spending, although if you're going to pay a premium to live in the city, it's a shame to not take advantage of the restaurants and nightlife.
- Work a side hustle to scrounge up extra cash. A 2023 survey by NY Bet found that 65% of New York City residents need a side hustle to make ends meet. That tends to be true in any major city.
- Put your paycheck to work earning money in a high-yield savings account.
Finally, put yourself on a budget so you know where every dollar goes — especially if it is spent on luxuries like restaurant meals and rideshares. You don’t want sky-high debt casting a bigger shadow than the skyscrapers in the big city.
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Maurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade. Since becoming a full-time writer, she's produced thousands of articles on topics ranging from Social Security to investing to real estate.
