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Virtual Tour of my Apartment

I t is notiously difficult to get to see a Manhattan apartment. In the first place not many people have one, as more people commute to the island every day than actually live on it. But also most Manhattanites are very shy about how they live. Even best friends prefer to meet in the cornerbar instead of at home. I have heard different reasons for this behaviour, ranging from really small apartments, annoying roommates or an obsession with privacy to just a lack of time to clean it all up.

Click on a picture for an enlargement.
There is no room for a desk, so the computer is just tucked away in between the books.
As I just have a small apartment, but not too small, and no other problems, I tend to welcome visitors at any time without appointment. For example the other weekend, we were having fun with a small group of people when somebody knocked at the door at 3AM. It was not an angry neighbour complaining about the noise, but just someone who walked by the door and had the kindness to say hello. Needless to say, he was immediately invited to join the party. So when you're in the neighbourhood, why don't you stop by and come in for a drink. And in case you can't make it, I put up this page so at least you can have an idea how I am living.
The smallest kitchen you
have ever seen. Not that
I cook much anyway.
This full view 'all the way' from the entrance in the living room
to 'way in the back' in the bedroom, gives an idea how small the place is.
This apartment has been recently renovated and therefore has a fully functional bathroom. You would be surprised how many people have to improvise, building showers in closets or worse..
This is the bedroom, the 'bed' being the operative word.
For transportion in the city a bicycle rules. Unfortunately there is no storage in the building, so I just keep it in the livingroom.
And how do you get an apartment in this location? Very simple, this location being Manhattan, it all comes down to money. It's America after all. On top of that you have to deal with New York real-estate brokers and they make second-hand car dealers look like saints. Few people are lucky and get a rent controlled apartment through family or friends. The rest have to share or live in Queens or New Jersey.
Click here for a description of my neighbourhood and how to get there.