It’s no secret that New York is an incredibly expensive place to live. According to Zillow, the median rent in New York City as of March 12, 2024 is $3,450 — nearly $1,400 more than the national rent average reported in Rent.com’s February 2024 report. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that New Yorkers may be willing to overlook certain features when trying to find an affordable space.
Just look at Instagram’s reaction to a real estate agent’s (@ocr_realty) recent viral video posted on March 2 showing a kitchen-bath Soho apartment for rent for $3,495 a month. @Ocr_realty begins the video by telling viewers that the space is, in his opinion, the “worst layout” he’s ever seen in an apartment.
“What I’m about to show you is so absurd it might leave some of you speechless,” he adds.
When the seller walks into the space, you can see a tiled half-wall just a few feet from the door — and if you’re wondering what that is, it’s an unfinished kitchen shower, surrounded by dirt and drywall.
To make matters worse, the unit’s “bathroom” is in a closet with no sink, light or mirror – just a toilet and a window. But there are three windows in the studio space that offer renters plenty of natural light.
Many viewers were, to say the least, shocked by the layout of the apartment. Since the @ocr_realty video was first posted, more than 3,690 Instagram accounts have left comments. “$3,495 for a roach motel,” wrote one commenter.
While another said: “Having an open shower next to the fridge and cooker, how is that not a fire hazard????”
However, the apartment did not scare to everyone.
“It’s actually pretty nice,” claimed one Instagram user.
“I don’t hate it,” wrote another commenter. “I think it’s suitable for a single person.”