I feel lucky to have grown up in the West Village, living in a rent-stabilized apartment that feels like a New York City gem despite its many drawbacks.
Isis O'Flynn-Shahaf
My three-story walk-up apartment in the West Village has some dreamy qualities: original exposed brick walls, classic crown molding, and a claw-foot tub.Perhaps best of all, it's rent-stabilized, meaning annual rent increases are capped, and tenants retain the right to renew the lease each year.Rent for the one-bedroom, 380-square-foot space is about $2,000 a month. It feels like a steal considering it's rare to find even a studio apartment in this desirable neighborhood for under $3,000 a month.I've been here most of my life, as this apartment is where I was raised with my dad and stepmother. When I tell people this, they often look at me with one eyebrow raised and ask, "How did you all fit in here?" to which I respond, "Tightly."Growing up having no personal space and sharing one tiny bathroom was challenging, to say the least. I still sleep in my childhood "bedroom," which is really just part of the living room sectioned off by a curtain.In high school, if I wanted to have my boyfriend over, I had to warn him that anything he said would be used against him, since my father was most definitely listening from his bedroom less than 5 feet away from mine.Now that I'm in my 20s and my dad doesn't plan to stay in the city forever, I'm hoping to take over the lease. The apartment is small with many quirks and drawbacks, but it's basically a dream come true for any native New Yorker.
