Dru in London & New York: Catch me on Pitt St.

There have been so many changes the last month and half its hard to really know where to begin. Actually, its really quite easy given that one is a direct result of another, and I'm really only talking about two major changes in my life. I've recently began reading Here is New York by E.B. White who talks about the old New York. The romanticized New York through the eyes of a man who lived, loved it and grew to appreciate it. Amazingly enough, he manages to captures some of the very nostalgia and excitement that people, myself included, still feel for the city today.

He talks about the three types of New York that exist. The natives, the commuters and those who were born somewhere else and come to New York in search of something. He says it is the "settlers that give the city its passion." For the past year, I suppose you can consider me a settler of New York. I've come to gain my bearings in the city and acquire a massive appreciation for everything it offers. Interestingly enough White says New York has this magnificent ability to give you both privacy and lonliness simultaneously. Its the same 18 inches the separates you from someone that also connects you to that person. It's so brilliantly apparent and relevant its hard not to agree with him decades later.

So what's changed? Well a few days following my one year anniversary living in New York, I as promoted at work to Account Executive. With the wonderful promotion came a very generous salary boost that bumped me into an entirely new tax bracket and mindset. Its amazing how the removal the word "assistant" can change your entire outlook on your job and responsibilites. Although, to be fair, it could have been the extra income that makes your daily routine seem "not so bad." I really can't complain given what my job is and what I'm earning. While often times tedious, it has afforded me a comfortable life in New York this far that to complain seems ungrateful and selfish. I've also noticed that I've begun taking much more pride in the work that I submit, I'm more confident in my responses and I've just become an all around better employee because of the change. Its a morale boost that really goes a long way.

With the new job title and the new salary, I began thinking about my living situation. I did not think that my rent was justified by the area I lived in. I felt that it was borderline expensive to be in the neighborhood and building I was living in. Granted, the amount of space was enormous, but when I avoided as much time as possible being home what's a few extra square feet anyways? I began searching for apartments in Manhattan knowing full well that, that was my next logical step. I needed to experience living in Manhattan. I wanted to experience living in Manhattan. I'm young, reasonablly successful and self sufficient.

I was anxious in my apartment hunt. I wasn't picky and I just knew I had some requirements. I wanted to be closer to work, in a good neighborhood and if I could find something within my budget, I'd love to live alone. I came up short many times on Craigslist. Hitting roadblocks and scams one after another -- it was probably the most frustrating thing coming across all these seemingly fantastic apartments that turn out to be scum bags trying to swindle money out of innocent people.

As time progressed and days passed, I realized that I probably wasn't going to get anywhere without the help of -- cue dramatic music -- a broker. Now, to be fair my friends all said that there were ways around it. I then began thinking about getting a 2 bedroom with KM because chances are I'd pay a bit less and still live in a nice neighborhood (wherever that would be). KM and I went to two places in Brooklyn before it happened. At 10:30 P.M. last week I came across a Craigslist add with a Broker's name and phone number on it. The add talked about a 1 bedroom apartment on the Lower East Side (L.E.S.) near the "F" Train. I called the number immediately figuring there had to be some kind of catch to it. It seemed to good to be true because it was well within my budget and it would mean I could live alone.

I arranged a time to meet with the broker after work. We headed down the apartment on the L.E.S. When we arrived, I caught on immediately to the broker's antics. He had no idea where he was walking when we stepped off the train, he was introducing himself for the first time to the super and was asking to take pictures. I wasn't sure how or why I would ever agree to pay this guy 15% of my yearly rent when he wasn't really doing anything.

Now, I'd never had to do the apartment hunt in New York, so I really didn't know what to expect. I knew it'd be small and expensive, but I think I had to witness a few terribly small apartments that cost more than my parents' mortgage in Florida to rent a month. When I stepped into the one bedroom there were two female graduate students who were also looking at the space. There was no way they could share the space and live comfortably without sacrificing privacy. The 1 bedroom was a reasonable size, but it didn't leave a particularly good impression. Again, I had nothing to compare it to really.

I started talking to the super about the apartment and how long she'd been working and living there. I guess her and I got along well enough for her to be honest with me and tell me that I shouldn't waste my time with a broker because she had posted the apartment on Craigslist herself. She was nice enough to give me the management's direct number in case I was interested. I took some photos of the apartment and brought them to work to show some co-workers. Turns out that this was an opportunity I could not pass up.

The apartment is a "one bedroom" on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I say one bedroom because it's really just a wall that separates it from being a studio, but having that division from the living room makes it feel more like a home. So, I had a dilemma -- my lease wasn't up until September and I knew I had to jump on this apartment otherwise someone else would get it. I loved the area because of the great bars, restaurants, proximity to work and friends and it was in Manhattan. It was small, yes but its just the right size for me to live alone. The negative was that I was still in a lease, my roommate was away on a road trip and it was on the first floor of the building. It made me a little uneasy.

I slept on it for a day before making the decision to jump on the apartment. I agreed to take the space and had to supply 3 months rent in order to secure it for myself. Luckily, I saved myself the brokers fee by dealing directly with managament. I also had a friend who was in need of an apartment, so having her sublease my room worked out really well. Naturally, my roommate wasn't happy, but I wasn't leaving her high and dry. I wasn't letting a complete stranger live in my room and it was only for two months until the lease was up. I was going to move out anyways, so I really didn't see the big deal.

I signed the lease on Tuesday, so the apartment is officially mine. I plan on moving all my things Saturday, so if all goes well I'll spend my first night in the apartment Saturday night. I couldn't be more excited and happy for this natural progression. Looking at where I stand now, it's incredible to think of the strides I've made. Sometimes, its hard not to feel a bit selfish and opportunistic, but its New York and opportunities present themselves -- sometimes you have to leap with both eyes closed.

I know this is going to work out really well for me. I am really looking forward to establishing my home and settling in for the long term-- there's really nothing to complain about! It's really rewarding to know that I've achieved a personal goal of mine so quickly.

So much can be said about my behavioral patterns since I moved here. One could say that I'm unable to committ to something given that I've moved four times in one year. You could argue that I'm only looking out for my best interest because I'm peaced out on two roommates on short notice. You could even say I'm hypocritical for once not being able to comprehend how someone could pay so much for an apartment that was miniature. I realize how my actions can be perceived, but (and I mean this in the nicest possible way)... I really do not care. I've moved because I haven't been comfortable, so why would I stay in a situation that is unpleasant, unjustified, overpriced and unreasonable. Of course I'm looking out for my best interest because in the bigger scheme of things, the only person you can rely on is yourself. Friends come and go, while my family is not close at all. Should I really be sacrificing how I feel for the benefit of those around me? No, because I'm the one who has to live with those feelings. As for being hypocritical, well I never lived in Manhattan and I want to do it while I'm young, can enjoy the neighborhood and don't need the extra room. Not to mention, if its an apartment in an area that I like, I'm going to want to spend time at home in my apartment. I think that trumps space and justifies price.

Check out some preliminary photos below, but you'll find it's quite sizeable for one person. I'm really excited and my family is all extremely happy for me. So...meet me at Pitt St. & Rivington.