It’s getting better, just not quickly enough.  The streets feel far more crowded than 1-2 years ago, but the majority of business owners are squeezed on both ends by higher wages, inflating expenses, and lower foot traffic.  Today we focus on two interesting niches that have not quite recovered.

Theater Space For Rent

Pop-up event space has always been tricky to find in premium Midtown locations, but now off-Broadway, smaller theaters such as Chain Theatre are regularly offering their spaces to mitigate the shortfall.  It’s unclear what you might host in a 99-seat theatre, complete with a 2nd story escape door and backstage dressing room.  A corporate outing for all-hands meetings?  A hackathon?  Your own escape-room themed birthday party?

It would probably be cheaper than any of the usual hotel spaces to hold a corporate off-site event, but the dimensions don’t exactly lend themselves well to the usual coat check, catering, bar, and networking.  Plus, you are paying for the trap door!  How exactly will your company all-hands meeting use it?  (HR and Security will not be happy)

Still, at least they should have the AV situation mostly under control.  They also have two smaller spaces which could make for breakout rooms at a reasonable additional cost.  It’s unclear if you need to use unionized labor or can bring in your own company, but the restrictions may be more flexible than those at hotels and traditional venues.  Don’t expect theaters to turn into NYC apartments for rent anytime soon, though.  Despite the many creative zoning variances under discussion, theater space is not on the list.

Bridge Clubs in Crisis

Before the pandemic, Manhattan was home to the largest bridge club in the country, and over the years the Greater New York Bridge Association included over 4000 members that frequented 4 fulltime clubs and several private invitational clubs (such as the Regency Whist Club, University Club, and Cosmopolitan Club).  Unfortunately, bridge players are an aging population (median age 74).  They were among the most at-risk group during Covid and many migrated to online bridge or stopped playing altogether.

The once thriving bridge clubs would hold daily tournaments and lessons twice a day, with the main game regularly reaching capacity at 140 players with tables overflowing to the elevator lobby, with many more taking lessons or playing a newcomer game on a different floor.  Evening and weekend games thrived, and some morning sessions ensured heavy utilization of the space: approximately 60 hours of bridge usage per week.

Fast-forward to 2024 and Manhattan is down to one club in a significantly smaller space which fills to 60% capacity on a good day.  There are promising signs for the Wed evening game and a monthly Sunday Swiss teams, but most other evening initiatives have fizzled out.  Club management hiked prices 15% this month, $40 to play in the afternoon main game when online equivalent price is $7 (sans commute, Covid, and getting dressed).

Space Utilization Solutions?

Perhaps the real problem is utilization.  One theory: a space in Midtown New York pretty much needs to be in use at least 40 hours a week in order to make economic sense (pied-à-terre excluded, by definition they do not make economic sense).  Or, when used for fewer hours, the space is packed.  A top flight Broadway show still runs 6 days a week with 2 matinees.  Less popular shows don’t quite meet the bar.  A fulltime bridge club holding only 20 hours of games per week will fold and needs to supplement with Canasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble, and Backgammon (at one point they considered Magic: The Gathering).

Would it make sense in the future to build multi-purpose space that has one group heavily utilizing only during the day and another group only in the evenings?  What would it take to build a space configurable to both bridge and theater, all in the same day?  More amusing, could we extend the idea to apartments and offices?  Instead of “work-from-home”, what if we reverse the concept to “sleep-at-office” where you save money on rent because everything you need, from showers to beds to baby cribs, could be found at the office?

Ok, sleep-at-office is probably not feasible, especially once families and children enter the picture.  But we should continue to brainstorm creative and quirky solutions that could appeal to an open-minded niche and unlock many hours of idle space-time.  By pushing the boundaries of what normal zoning and building codes allow, we might just stumble into a sustainable new normal.

The post Midtown New York 2024: Empty Offices, Theaters, and Bridge Clubs appeared first on CitySignal.

Less Ideal: The 401K Loan

Most readers might think we are discussing the 401k loan trick.  To be fair, borrowing against your 401k is a reasonable option.  You can take a loan penalty-free and tax-free from your pre-tax 401k, as long as you “pay yourself back with interest,” as they say.

That point of paying yourself back with interest is entirely confusing to almost everyone and even the so-called financial experts tend to get it wrong.  Yes, you have to pay back what you borrowed, but that’s just taking the money you got up front and putting it back in later.  No harm done.  You didn’t have to pay taxes or penalties on the lump sum you took out, so it’s only fair that you use post-tax dollars to pay it back later.

The interest is the weird part. Who gets the interest, your employer, your fellow employees in the plan, the IRS, or someone else?  Turns out all of those are wrong.  You get the interest!  What?!?  Yes, you actually pay the interest and it increases the balance of your account.  However, that increased balance is still considered pre-tax dollars much later on in life when you are finally required to withdraw the old-fashioned way at age 70+.

There are other disadvantages:  the loan duration is only 5 years (not the 30 you might want when buying investment or personal property).  You also can’t contribute new funds into the 401k while the loan is outstanding (although weird loopholes may apply if you have multiple jobs or already changed jobs, or have your own self-employed 401k).

You don’t get any sort of tax deduction on what you pay back, otherwise you’d be getting a tax deduction twice.  If that sounds confusing, don’t even worry about it.  It’s not important – just know that the 401k loan is a very reasonable way to tap your retirement account at a very low interest rate, but has limitations.

Very Limited: The First Time Homebuyer

Most people have heard about a penalty-free withdraw for first time homebuyers, but the limit is so low in this day and age that it’s barely worth mentioning.  You can take up to $10K out of any IRA without penalty, but you must still pay the tax.  In most parts of the country, that isn’t going to make much of a dent in the down payment.  Perhaps if they indexed this to inflation it would help a little, but it’s one of those laws that came out over a decade ago that no one seems inclined to fix.  Next.

Best Retirement Account Early Withdrawal Method: SEPP Withdrawal

For those who want to tap a large retirement account before age 59.5, there is the little known and totally legal method called SEPP Withdrawals.  SEPP stands for Substantially Equal Periodic Payments, and it is a strange IRS loophole created for savers who claim they are retiring early.  It’s also know as 72(t) payments, because it is codified in section 72(t) of the complex IRS rules governing retirement accounts.

You can start at almost any age earlier than the usual 59.5, and there would be no point to starting later because you can withdraw penalty-free the regular way.

Why is the SEPP method better than the others?

1.)  There is no arbitrarily low dollar cap on the amount you can take.  If you have a multi-million dollar balance (or in Peter Thiel’s case over a billion), then you can drain it all over the withdrawal period.

2.)  It counts as income in case you want to qualify for a loan or condo / co-op purchase.  Early retirees or those with lots of savings but difficult-to-document income can use these withdrawals as an income source for any situation that requires income but not assets.

3.) You can decide how much to take.  You don’t have to drain all of it and you can basically stop once you are 59.5 or after 5 years, whichever is later.

4.) There is no 10% early withdrawal penalty.

What’s the catch?  You are still limited to how much you can take in any given year.  It is approximately 1/30th of the amount in your retirement account per year (even less if you opt in when extremely young, say 35-45).  That’s because the rules require you to simulate a retirement that begins the day you withdraw, in lieu of the normal 60-70 age range.

Still, of all the possible methods, this is the least used and most beneficial way to tap into a large retirement account.  Best of all, the tax is staggered throughout many years, so hopefully you can optimize further by engineering a lower tax bracket during your years of withdraw.  Contrast this with the much-loved backdoor Roth IRA conversion — also an interesting technique — but one that leaves you with a huge lump sum tax bill the year you do it.

Btw, nothing stops you from taking some of these SEPP payments and spinning up a new Roth IRA or Roth 401k, a topic for next time…

The Main Downside to Every Early Withdraw

What’s the main downside to any of these methods?  Opportunity Cost.  For the past century, buy-and-hold as worked very well over any long period, and when you withdraw that money, you are likely doing so because you want to spend it.  Are you willing to give up the age-old long term stock market return of 8%?

It’s important to call out a particular group that might be hoping to withdraw early:  investors who want to beat the market using alternative asset classes.  Do you think your real estate, startup angel investing, crypto speculation, or futures and options trading has a chance of beating the market?  You might be considering taking money out of the safe and regulated world of retirement accounts to take an increased gamble.  Please don’t.  Very very few people can beat the market long term, and those that do aren’t the ones who need to tap their 401k’s for cash.

The post The Least Known Secret to Avoid IRA and 401K Early Withdrawal Penalties appeared first on CitySignal.

Unfortunately, the freedom and safety of riders is contingent on proper city planning, designated bike lanes, and personal precautions. In a city like New York, where cars rule the road, this is not always the case. As of 2020, New York boasted over 1,375 lane-miles of bike infrastructure, but only 545 were protected. This discrepancy in designated bike lanes, which exist to keep riders and pedestrians safe, brings to light several issues in NYC. Most concerning is the human toll: in 2021, the Department of Transportation reported 4,949 cyclist injuries and 19 fatalities. 

As New York becomes more and more of a cycle city, how will the streets – and the residents – adapt? 

Bike Lanes in NYC 

In November 2022, the NYC DOT announced major plans to expand bike lanes and public spaces in 2023. As part of the city’s effort to make the largest bike network in the US, the expansion includes adding a one-way protected bike lane on 10th Avenue between W 14th Street and W 52nd Street and improving bicycle and pedestrian access between Manhattan and the Bronx on the Washington Bridge. With an eye toward creating protected bike lanes with “high ridership, a history of vehicle non-compliance and/or lanes adjacent to heavy vehicle corridor,” other projects include protected bike lanes on Westchester Avenue (Bronx), Berry Street (Brooklyn), Ashland/Navy/Hanson (Brooklyn), and adding a two-way protected bike boulevard on Broadway between Madison Square and Herald Square. 

Essentially sidewalks for bikes, and protected bike lanes use some kind of physical delineator – planters, plastic bollards, parked cars, curbs – to keep a rider safe. Though a good step, these basic barriers don’t always do the trick; a plastic bollard is often not enough to deter a car from blocking the bike lane, which can lead to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. To combat this, the DOT plans to replace half of the “protected bike lanes” with Jersey barriers (fortified cement blocks weighing four tons each) by the end of 2023. 

In September 2022, a second rider-centric solution was introduced: a proposed “lane blocking bill.” If passed, the bill would allow citizens to “submit a photo of a blocked bike lane to the Department of Transportation (DOT). After an investigation and subsequent ticketing, the submitter could receive 25% of the ticket value—which is expected to be $175.” Modeled after the Citizens Air Complaint program, which encourages civilians to submit photos of idling trucks and cars in exchange for 25% of the resulting ticket, the lane-blocking bill has the potential to engage citizens and make the city safer for cyclists.  

How Bike-Friendly Is NYC Compared To Other U.S. Cities?

In September 2022, Anytime Estimate came out with a ranking of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S. The ranking analyzed data from “the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information, Walk Score, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Vision Zero Network, Google Trends, and Yelp.” Though New York made it into the top 15, it didn’t break the top 10, and for a city itching to build the largest bike network in the U.S., it means that there is much more work to do. 

New York was outranked by ten major cities, including Portland, San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, and Minneapolis. 

Based on data by Anytime Estimate

Hopefully, the aforementioned infrastructure projects and a more cyclist-centric community will continue to move up New York’s ranking. There is, however, one larger roadblock: traffic laws and practices. In their 2022 Bike Friendly States survey, the League of Bike Activists gave New York an “F” rating, mostly due to failings in the state’s legislature. As of spring 2022, the state had not passed any items on the “livable streets wish list,” a collection of potentially life-saving bills and laws compiled by the cyclist advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. These items include allowing New York City to set its own speed limits or running enforcement cameras 24-7. 

But it’s not the end of the battle. Just this month, Transportation Alternatives unveiled their new platform aimed at addressing the legal failings affecting cyclists and pedestrians. This agenda includes the SAFE Streets Act, a package of life-saving bills intended to curb speeding, champion safe street redesign, and offer support to those impacted by crashes. Submitted to Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Legislature, advocates urged urgent action if the state hopes to meet “the critical goals of its own multimodal transportation agenda by 2030.”

The Current State of Cycling in NYC

In addition to legal and structural hurdles, there is another major pain point affecting cyclists in New York: access. In 2017, the DOT completed a study identifying the 10 districts with the highest cyclist severely killed or injured (KSI) data. The neighborhoods – seven in Brooklyn and three in Queens – were severely underserved by the DOT, with high ridership but few dedicated bicycle facilities. In an effort to make cycling safer, the agency has prioritized those areas for bicycle network expansion. A review of the projects announced and completed in recent years indicates the DOT is working to stay true to their word. Some notable ones include safety improvements on Flatbush Avenue between Grand Army Plaza and Empire Blvd (Brooklyn), greenway connections in Jamaica Bay (Queens), and an extensive bike network plan for Flushing, Queens. 

Furthermore, in August 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would be “targeting areas with a lack of good transportation and jobs for an expansion of the city’s greenway network, using $7.25 million in federal infrastructure funding to plan for the new bike paths.” Though the funding only covers planning and study, the hope is that the proposal – expected to be released in 2024 – would pave the way for potential new greenway sections including an “extension of Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway into Brownsville, the Jamaica Bay Greenway into southeast Queens, along the Harlem River in the Bronx, and Staten Island’s North Shore.” 

Citi Bike – the official bike-sharing system for New York – is crucial for both expansion and adoption of cycling in the city, especially in underserved neighborhoods. The massively popular program has continued to increase its presence and popularity throughout the five boroughs since launching in May 2013. Despite the roll-out, however, it has not been without issues. In 2019 a report from New York Communities for Change found that “more than 75 percent of neighborhoods that experience extreme poverty lie outside Citi Bike’s service area, and only 16.5 percent of people of color have access to any of the city’s bike sharing services.” 

Though privately owned, Citi Bike is contracted by the city, and works with NYCDOT to plan its service areas. As New York works toward transportation equity, ensuring not only designated bike lanes but also access to bike stations (by way of Citi Bike) is crucial. 

Since 2019, Citi Bike has shown marked improvement in its service areas. As of December 2022, Citi Bike (now owned by Lyft) had 30,000 bikes with plans to reach 40,000 by the end of 2024 — expanding to underserved neighborhoods in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. Hopefully, this is only the beginning. Clearly the demand is there: on September 8th, 2022, 138,372 [Citi Bike] rides were taken, a new daily record. 

Where to Bike in NYC

For the eager cyclist ready to hop on a bike and get pedaling, the NY Department of Transportation releases a yearly bike map with updated routes and paths. 

It’s not a perfect system, but as the network of bike lanes continues to improve and expand, it only makes commuting through the city via cycle more enticing. And it’s not just the city – the Hudson River Greenway, for example, stretches all the way from Battery Park in Manhattan up to Whitehall in Washington County. 

A ride across the Brooklyn Bridge offers bikers a particularly spectacular view of either Manhattan or Brooklyn, depending on the direction. For tourists, it’s a great way to get to know the city. For commuters, it’s an easy – albeit physically taxing – method of getting to work. 

One can only dream of what the New York City bike network will look like in five years. If the city continues to put its money where its mouth is, hopefully it’ll be a sprawling, interconnected system of protected bike lanes that safely co-exist amongst pedestrians and cars, reaching from the depths of Brooklyn to the tip of the Bronx. 

The post Gears to Grind: The State of Biking in NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

Best Hair Salons in Manhattan

 

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Sally Herschberger

This salon is famous in the city, and has three amazing Manhattan locations in NoMad, Hudson Yards, and the Upper East Side that’s frequented by celebrities. Lead stylist, Sally Herschberger herself, has been featured in Cosmopolitan, USA Today, the NYTimes, and Glamour Magazine, amongst other famous publications. Sally has a line of specialty hair products that can be found at each of her salons. Talent can also be found at these places, as people typically have to book days in advance to get an appointment here. If folks want a style from the boss lady herself, they’ll need to pay a pretty penny. Otherwise, services typically run a few hundred dollars.

Broome Street Society

This salon can do basically anything, but specializes in natural hair and curls. Basic haircuts at this Lower Manhattan salon in Little Italy start at $110, while getting something a bit more adventurous will cost a bit extra. That said, all the styles and coloring done here yield beautiful results, constantly turning new customers into regulars. If a customer isn’t happy with their hairstyle, they offer readjustments within seven days of the original service, making this an extremely flexible salon. One of their most popular services is the fantasy color, a dye job that will transform any aesthetic. They also have extensive knowledge of textures.

Butterfly Studio

This Flatiron gem has been featured in Glamour Magazine, Modern Salon, and People Magazine for their amazing services. The team here makes customers feel like celebrities, and even style celebrities on occasion. A consultation is required before all stylings to determine pricing, technique, and ensure a quality cut that both artist and customer will love. They also color hair for a seamless, natural-looking beauty, which works very well with the wedding styles they offer. This full-service salon is one of the best in the city.

The Mona Cut

Located in the Garment District, the owner of this salon, Mona Baltazar, is responsible for creating an incredible new style known as The Mona Cut. This salon specializes in curly, natural hair, styling it in unique ways that are extremely trendy with a personalized touch. Appointments open monthly and are a bit tough to get. However, it’s possible to get styled by one of Mona’s talented apprentices for a lower price. Clients who get regular cuts get a discounted reshaping price if they come in within four months of their last appointment. This salon will give anyone a truly amazing look.

Salon Ruggeri

Voted Best Salon by Time Out New York, this salon has been around for almost ten years and can be found in a townhome in Chelsea behind a bright red door. The space is small, and the only stylist working there is Gregorio Ruggeri, the genius behind this amazing place. Not only is he a master at coloring, styling, and beauty, but he also works with those experiencing hair loss. Through his studies in trichology (study of hair growth), he is able to use advanced techniques to naturally encourage increased hair growth, strength, and shine.

Hair Rules

Located in Hell’s Kitchen, Hair Rules is a salon that can style any and all kinds of hair. Featured in O: The Oprah Magazine, Essence, and New York Magazine, this salon is owned and operated by master stylist, Anthony Dickey. Dickey began his illustrious career in 2003, when he wrote the book on curly, kinky, and wavy hair. He then released a line of specialized hair products and opened Hair Rules just a few years after. Now the salon is a beacon for the styling community, and educates the public on different textures of hair, what hair means to the Black community, and the latest in coloring and styling techniques.

Treehouse Social

This East Village salon has a ton to offer and is a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community. This salon is cozy, retro, and has a back patio space that holds regular comedy, music, and drag events. This salon almost acts as a hangout, where folks can get styled and then enjoy a nice show afterward. Filled with talented stylists capable of working with any hair texture, the bold colorings and eclectic styles done here will impress any newcomer and keep regular customers coming through the door.

Beleza Naturals

This Harlem establishment was actually founded in Brazil. The company is enormous there, with multiple salons, product stores, and even a factory. The US location continues the original philosophy, that curly, natural hair is beautiful, and should be treated as such. Relying heavily on the input of their customers, this salon strives to make every single patron happy with their hair, even teaching them how to apply products properly and maintain their hair’s glorious appearance as long as possible. This establishment is truly special, and it’s likely that more of them will pop up in the US in the coming years.

Best Salons in Brooklyn

 

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The Salon

Located in Clinton Hill, this Salon comes from the brilliant mind of Ursula Stephen, the stylist for celebrities like Rihanna, Kerry Washington, and Laverne Cox. This salon has revolutionized style, and has been featured in Elle, Vogue, and Glamour. Offering seasonal specials and a consultation before styling, this salon is surprisingly affordable, given its elite clientele. This is because all who come here are meant to leave looking and feeling their best. This salon is a true gem in Brooklyn and is not to be missed.

CutLoose BK

This Greenpoint salon opened in 2017 and has been filling Brooklyn with bold designs ever since. Head stylist Siobhan Benson, treats her salon like a celebration space, even DJing during special events and occasions. The salon is even booked out for private events on occasion! The team here all has separate specialties and prices, so just about any style one could want is attainable. This fun establishment knows how to have a good time while keeping things professional. They even do styles for weddings, rounding out this salon’s extensive and impressive resume. Be sure to check them out, even if it’s just at one of their parties.

Ludlow Blunt

This retro salon has fabulous celebrity clientele, including Lady Gaga and Tilda Swinton. This subtle salon in Williamsburg doesn’t like to boast about its trade, even leaving their website largely devoid of information beyond scheduling an appointment (by phone), pricing, and hours. Catering to a client’s sense of style, while also advocating for styles that have stood the test of time. This place might be old-fashioned, but the staff is friendly and strives to satisfy all their customers. They even shave faces with an old barber’s tool, which feels amazing.

The Bird House

This fancy salon is located in Gowanus, and has a deep connection to the hair of its clients. Capable of working with thin, straight hair, or thick, curly locks, this salon has a ton of specialists who can do it all. This salon has been featured in The Cut, USA Today, and was listed as the second-best salon in the city by Time Out New York. The stylists here have each been assigned a level, one being the lowest and five being a master. Their continuing education into techniques is what drives the success of this remarkable establishment.

Little Axe

Another Williamsburg joint, this salon specializes in coloring. Opened in 2013, this salon continually innovates when it comes to coloring and dyes to keep hair healthy and bold at the same time. Gloss, highlights, and even double-process coloring are all standard procedures here, and folks can get a regular haircut too if that’s all they need. This salon is extremely popular and works with the hair styling education group, Oribe, which is dedicated to the continued education innovation of hair styling. This place is unique, and is well worth the trip and waitlist for an appointment.

Hair & Co. BKLYN

This salon specializes in natural hair, and has two locations in Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights. The consultation before the styling is the most important part of the process here, as the stylists will use the info gathered to create a masterpiece that clients are guaranteed to be happy with. Pricing is based on who is doing the styling, the director of the salon being the most coveted cut in Brooklyn. Though natural hair is the specialty, this place can do anything with any hair texture, and uses their vast knowledge to create bold looks that clients would never expect to pull off.

Best Hair Salons in Queens

 

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Shay’s Place

Located in Forest Hills, this salon is likely the best in Queens. The professional staff here specializes in coloring, styling, and even waxing, ensuring that every client is satisfied with their results. The space itself is comfortable, with exposed brick and classy décor, both of which perfectly highlight the professional experience customers can expect there. Working with bold colors and innovative techniques, this salon keeps pace with the elite of Manhattan and Brooklyn, solidifying itself as a powerhouse in the beauty industry.

Estelle Hair Studio

Another Forest Hills gem, this salon is a go-to for people celebrating special events in Queens. For over 20 years, these stylists have been innovating the fields of coloring and styling, making these difficult techniques look easy. Customers with a wide variety of hair textures tout this establishment as the best in Queens, coming back regularly for maintenance and new styles altogether. They offer cuts, styling, colors, and even perms, making this place extremely versatile. They even sell some of the products they use to make clients’ hair shine, so be sure to check them out if you live in Queens.

Best Hair Salons in The Bronx

 

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The Stage Hair Salon

This salon is the best in The Bronx, focusing on four pillars of beauty: Self-confidence, relaxation, self-expression, and passion. These talented professionals prep clients for any special occasions, even if that special occasion is just a night on the town. This affordable salon prides itself on versatility, and can do just about anything one can imagine with hair. They specialize in styling, but they also perform cuts and coloring amongst other services. They work with hair textures of all sorts, and help keep everyone’s hair happy and healthy. There’s a reason they’re the best-reviewed salon in The Bronx.

Best Hair Salons in Staten Island

 

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The Secret Garden Salon and Spa

This salon is extremely popular for their hair styling and spa treatments. Clients can get styled while also receiving some well-earned relaxation time. They offer coloring, skin treatments, nail care, and just plain haircuts. This salon really does it all, which is what clients want before a special occasion. Spa and salon treatments before weddings, proms, and sweet sixteens are the perfect way to celebrate and prepare for these special events. This salon’s versatility has earned them a reputation, which is why folks from every borough come here for services.

NYC is a stylish city, and the artists at these salons aim to keep it that way. Their talents are on full display daily. If someone fabulous walks down the street, it’s likely they went to one of these amazing salons. They are innovative, hip, and they care about their clients. They want all of their customers to look and feel their best. These artists constantly come up with new trends, techniques, and styles that leave jaws on the floor. Many of them have a waitlist and celebrity clientele for a reason. The stylists at these salons are the best at what they do, so let them transform your hair today.

The post Best Hair Salons in NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

Moving in the Summer

As the school year ends in May, college students begin vacating dormitories and moving into apartments, and many out-of-towners decide to make the leap to move to the city as the weather warms up. While moving in the temperate summer weather can make the moving process more accessible, the increase in demand can also lead to increase in prices. The summer spike in rent prices continues to rise through July and August, with prices only dropping come October. A study by RentHop found that a one-bedroom apartment in July cost $2,939 compared to a December price of $2,800. While this may not seem like an astronomical difference, renting an apartment during peak season can cost renters over $1500 a year. 

With the extremely competitive market at this time, apartments are also more likely to be rented within hours of appearing on the market, with some units sparking bidding wars between prospective renters. Be sure to schedule any viewing appointments in advance, as it’s common for viewers to wait in lines that sometimes can circle the city block.

Hiring movers in the heat

Hiring movers in the summertime can also be more expensive; similarly to rents, many moving companies also increase their prices in the summer. The general manager of Oz Moving and Storage told the New York Times that consumers can save money by moving in the middle of the month rather than the day their lease expires. If moving during the summer months, asking movers for multiple quotes for different days can help save some pocket change. 

Broker fees (or lack thereof)

For those looking to save some extra money on summer rentals, it is advisable to look for “no-fee” apartment listings. Most real estate agents make their living off of commissions, and the broker fee is how they are paid for their services. Broker fees can drive up moving costs quickly, and finding a unit without the 10-15% broker fee can help alleviate financial burdens when moving during the most popular time of the year. Listings that are owner pay, where the landlord pays the broker’s commission for finding them a tenant, are considered no fee. However, given the rise in demand in summer, landlords are less likely to offer owner pay and therefore competing for these types of no fee units gets harder during summer. 

How to stay competitive

If renting in the summer is unavoidable, it’s imperative to make sure all of the necessary documents are assembled beforehand to encourage property managers to approve your rental application quickly. Some applications demand tax forms or guarantors, so it’s a good idea to contact the necessary family members and get all of the required paperwork signed in advance. If touring apartments in the peak summer season, getting an application submitted within the first 24 hours can be the difference between approval and rejection. 

Moving in the Winter

While the summer sunshine encourages movers, the winter months do exactly the opposite. Not only is moving in cold weather a hassle, but school and work schedules are often packed during this time of year and many people want to spend the holiday season with family rather than packing moving boxes. From October to May, prices on rental units will be lower than usual, given the lack of demand. While rental prices begin to drop in October, they fall to their lowest starting in December and stay low through the snowy months. February (one of the city’s coldest months of the year) is the cheapest month to rent in NYC, with the average rent price in February being over 4% lower than in July. 

Cutting costs and lowering broker fees

Hefty broker’s fees can sometimes be as expensive as 15% of the rent (making a $2,500 per month apartment have a $4,500 fee), but even these expensive moving costs can be lessened during the winter months. Broker’s fees run lower during this time of year or are even non-existent due to the lack of renters willing to pay the steep prices. If looking at an apartment with a fee, tenants may be able to negotiate with the landlord by asking them to cover part (or all) of the broker’s fee. Landlords and management companies are more willing to cover broker’s fees during the winter time to incentivize tenants to move. 

Fewer renters means lower prices

As fewer people look to move in the wintertime, landlords will frequently lower prices to increase demand on their remaining units. However, because there are less renters moving, that also means less listing inventory. Rather than hundreds of apartments being available at a time, renters are forced to choose between a smaller selection of available listings. The positive flip side is that bidding wars in the winter are less common, and apartments are more likely to stay on the market for days or weeks at a time. 

“Weather” or not to move

Weather should always be a consideration when moving – while moving in the colder months can be less expensive, it can also be the most physically challenging. New York is prone to heavy snowfall, and moving a couch in a foot of snow can be tiring or dangerous, even for professional movers. Walk-up apartments can present challenges in extreme heat or cold – ice in the winter can make steps slippery and treacherous, and the summer heat can create awful moving conditions for scaling multiple flights. If moving into an apartment without central air, tenants also need to be sure to prepare for the heat and humidity – it can be a good idea to either secure a window air-conditioning unit before moving in, or bring a fan with you on moving day. Both the sweltering New York City heat and the bone-chilling cold can affect the conditions of a move, so before deciding what month is optimal for relocation, be sure to prepare for any inclement weather that may come your way. 

When is the best time?

The best time to move ultimately depends on the priorities of the renter – while moving in the winter can yield low rental costs and a less competitive market, it also forces renters to deal with harsh winter weather and lack of availability. The summer can drive up costs, but unit availability is also best in the warmer months as more tenants vacate their apartments and seek new surroundings. For renters looking for a wide variety of apartments and ideal viewing weather, May to August could be perfect. For penny pinchers, there’s no better time than February to move (as long as you have a pair of snow boots!). Moving in New York City is more expensive than ever (especially post-pandemic, as more people flock to the rebuilding city), yet knowing when to move can help alleviate financial burdens and give any newcomer to the city a leg up in the competitive real estate market. 

The post Best and Worst Months to Move in NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

Best Tailors in Manhattan

 

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Alteration Specialists

With several locations in Manhattan, and even one in Williamsburg, Alterations Specialists is a well-known brand for a reason. Their experts have been talked about in major publications like Forbes and Vogue, and they are one of the best-rated services in the city for their quality work and personal touches. 

Dejavu

This boutique clothing store sells quality luxury items, but their tailoring services have changed the fashion game in NYC. Focusing on sustainable fashion, the tailors at Dejavu offer extremely affordable tailoring services in order to fulfill their mission: reduce the waste and carbon footprint of the fashion industry by altering, repairing, and changing the clothes people already own.

Beyond Bespoke

For nearly 20 years, this tailoring service has been raising fashion standards for men and women. This store has an extremely personal touch, with a consultation service before tailoring even begins. This allows customers to be comfortable, yet daring at the same time, expanding said client’s fashion options beyond what they thought was possible.

Wazin Custom Tailor and Alterations

This tailor has been a major player in the New York fashion scene for a while, and has two locations in Manhattan. They offer alterations, made-to-measure suits and dresses, and they even restore vintage clothing. This tailor really does it all, which is why hundreds of people have written positive reviews on Google and Yelp.

Best Tailors in Brooklyn

 

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Tiefenbrun

This amazing tailor focuses on craftsmanship, and introduces small details into their clothing that no other tailor in NYC has even dared to do. These unique and durable clothes will make anyone stand out at an event. This Williamsburg staple is run by Yosel Teinfenbrun, one of the best tailors in the city who has absorbed techniques from all over the world. Residents of Williamsburg will continue to rave about his work for years to come.

Teodoor Tailor LLC

This appointment-only tailor is often hailed as “the best tailor in NYC” and frequently makes repeat customers out of first time clients. These tailors work fast, and price their alterations based on what needs to be done to the clothes. However, everyone who comes here leaves happy and with great fitting clothes.

Lords of Tailoring

This tailoring business really lives up to its name, as happy customers have left a ton of great reviews for them on Google and Yelp. These reviews rave about the quality of service and the friendly staff, no surprise considering they can alter just about any article of clothing thrown at them. This place is truly amazing. 

Best Tailors in Queens

Read Sharon M.‘s review of Main Plaza Master Tailors on Yelp

Main Plaza Master Tailors

This Flushing staple specializes in weddings, but can tailor outfits for almost any special occasion. They have a ton of five star testimonials on both Google and Yelp, and they are right off the Main Avenue & train stop. This convenient location offers amazing craftsmanship in a timely manner, and makes their customers insanely happy.

San Remo Tailors

This old school tailor has been around forever, and their regular customers have been going to them for years. The staff all know what they’re doing when it comes to repairs and alterations, and they always ask clients what kind of look they’re going for so they can do the job right. This Astoria tailor is one of the best in the city.

Best Tailors in The Bronx

 

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American Cleaners and Tailors

This family owned business is a personification of The Bronx, and has been in business since 1964. They specialize in cleaning and weddings, but they can do just about everything when it comes to tailoring. This professional service is dedicated to a job well done, and they make every client leaves their establishment looking good.

Sastre Modista

Specializing in women’s clothing, this multi-lingual establishment makes some of the best dresses in the city, and can fix or alter just about anything. They even have specialty masks to wear for the duration of the pandemic. Affordable and personable, this establishment is a Bronx favorite, and will be around for a long time.

Best Tailors in Staten Island

 

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Rainbow Tailors and Cleaners

This dry cleaning and tailoring service is beloved by their customers for their quality work, friendly faces, and affordable prices. Alterations always come out looking great, and clients can expect a personal touch to go along with it. This service always ensures their clients are happy with the results of their work.

Maria Alterations and Concierges

This stellar service has made many brides and grooms look amazing for their wedding days. This service does much more than just weddings, though. They specialize in any “once in a lifetime” moment, like proms, sweet sixteens, and much more! They have an incredibly knowledgeable staff who knows how to get the job done.

A good tailor is hard to find in NYC, but once a person finds one that works for them, there’s no going back. A good tailor will listen to their client’s needs, get the job done fast without sacrificing quality, and do it all in a professional and fun manner. Tailoring has been around as long as the city, and everyone who lives here deserves to look and feel their best. These tailors do just that and more, ensuring quality work that will help make any occasion special. Most of these places are by appointment only, so call for a consultation and see which tailor will fit you best. 

The post The 13 Best Tailors in NYC Near You appeared first on CitySignal.

Entryway Mirrors

When it comes to making a space seem larger, nothing is better than a classy mirror. Entryway mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, and can emphasize the aesthetic of an apartment.

Desiree Irregular Metal Wall Mirror From Birch Lane

Though this mirror has “irregular” in the name, it’s one of the more muted options when it comes to entryway decor. This mirror is subtle and refined, perfect for a home that doesn’t want to be too loud with its style. Small and thinner, this piece can be the first thing people notice in a foyer or show itself a bit down the hall, greeting guests as they make their way into a classy abode.

Elinor Rattan Wall Mirror From West Elm

This mirror has a lot going on and is perfect for a house with a big and bold aesthetic. This unapologetic piece has a wooden frame that seems simple at first. However, at a closer glance, it’s obvious how much time and care has been put into crafting such an intricate masterpiece. Guests entering this home will be greeted with a big, yet warm, welcome, and they’ll know what to expect after being greeted by such a grandiose entryway decoration. Folks should make sure the rest of their home can keep up with this piece.

Marlowe Round Metal Wall Mirror From Birch Lane

This jazzy mirror is unique while not being too distracting. The frame of this mirror is like a pearl necklace and comes in black, gold, or silver, all for the same price.  This makes the mirror look refined and elegant and works perfectly for homes with many rare pieces of furniture and decor. This piece belongs in a vintage home and appreciates older items, almost like a museum. Guests who see this mirror will love it and know what they’re in for with the rest of the home.

Entryway Hangers

Guests need a place to hang their coats, bags, or other things when they enter a home. Throwing all this stuff on the floor in a bed can get messy, and not everyone has a coat closet near the door. This is where decorative hangers come into play.

Bekins All-In-One Entryway Storage From West Elm

Perfect for guests and residents alike, this hanger has many features while managing not to stick out like a sore thumb. The hanger has three larger knobs for coats and jackets, two small knobs for keys, and a small drawer perfect for storing mail or pet supplies like leashes and doggy bags. The top of the piece also functions as a shelf and is a great place to put decorative plants, or even a small mirror, to add a welcoming, personal touch to any home.

Lakya Hall Tree From Wayfair

This piece has a little bit of everything and, while looking more industrial than some other pieces here, can fit the aesthetic of a home, depending on the person. This might be the most functional piece on this list, as it has a ton of hooks for coats, bags, scarves, and hats, a bench, and even shoe storage at the bottom. Four hooks are adjustable, meaning coats of various sizes have plenty of space for themselves. While the look might not be to everyone’s taste, this piece is still a beauty and does everything it’s meant to and more.

Everlene Hook Wall Mounted Coat Rack From Wayfair

This coat rack has a ton of storage options, and it looks nice too. With five large hangers for coats and four small hangers for keys, this piece can hold many items. Even better are the four shelves above the hangers, which can fit a ton of items like scarves, hats, gloves, or pet supplies. This unit has a shelf on top so people can add their own decor, like pictures, mirrors, or small plants.

Entryway Benches

Folks who have entryway mirrors and hangers now need something to bring it all together. A nice bench can do just that. It’ll give people a place to sit as well as a place to put bags, so no one has to put them on the ground.

Lesia Bench From Joss & Main

This bench is stylish and comfortable, and even comes with features not usually found in entryway benches. The addition of a back and armrests make this a great place to sit and rest after entering a home. It provides a warm and welcoming feeling that guests will greatly appreciate, setting them up for a great experience in the home. It’s also relatively tall, so shoes and boots can fit underneath the bench comfortably. Overall this bench is functional, stylish, and can bring a foyer together.

Astride Wood Bench From Wayfair

A bit more comfortable and homey, this bench will invoke a feeling of nostalgia. This bench is reminiscent of one you’d see on a ranch and goes great with more rustic decor. Coming in three colors, black, gray, and white, this bench can be customized and is extremely versatile. It’ll look good anywhere in the home, not just in the foyer. However, a foyer is where it shines brightest. It invokes a mudroom while encouraging folks to leave their mess at the door. It has plenty of space for boots and shoes underneath it too.

Safavieh Lonan White Bench From Overstock

This bench has some amazing storage features, and it makes said features look good. Along with a comfortable, padded bench that greets guests upon entry, this unit has three large drawers with wicker baskets. These drawers make storing shoes easy, especially in winter when snow and salt can damage the flooring. It is also perfect for backpacks, other winter apparel, and pet supplies. This bench doesn’t leave as much storage for shoes as other benches, but it makes up for that in style and comfort. This piece will make a statement about a home.

The entryway to a home is extremely important for function and decor. It shows guests what they can expect when they enter a new home, and it gives them a place to hang their stuff. For residents, entryway decor can be a welcoming part of their day. Every home deserves a grand entryway, even if the foyer is small. Many NYC apartments have a smaller entryway, but residents can utilize the decor we recommend to make these places feel large and comfortable and do it with style.

The post Small Entryways Decoration Ideas for Your Apartment appeared first on CitySignal.

Room Design and Layout Apps

Room Planner

Room Planner is one of the most straightforward apps for design – while the options in the free version of the app are slightly limited, it features pieces from IKEA, Wayfair, and other popular online furniture stores. For shoppers interested in purchasing pieces from these retailers, Room Planner lets users see how furniture will look in the space beforehand. The app offers the ability to construct a room from scratch or place furniture directly into a room using virtual reality tools. Once finished designing, there are also options to export images/layouts of rooms and send them to friends and family for free. 

Room Planner has a free version of the app, which is very user friendly, but also offers a PRO version for $5.99 weekly or $14.99 per month, which offers premium features such as setting exact dimensions of the rooms, access to more online stores, and a myriad of tile and furniture color options. 

HomeByMe

HomeByMe, similar to Room Planner, offers the ability to browse available products from online stores such as Anthropologie, Wayfair, and Urban Outfitters. The app offers some of the most up-to-date and trendy items, great for users looking to purchase pieces for their new home. While HomeByMe has furniture pieces from American retailers, many of the prices are listed in Euro, so it’s important to be cognizant of currency when budgeting for the space. In addition to furnishing rooms with custom dimensions and objects, the app also offers shopping/browsing pages for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and miscellaneous furniture. HomeByMe also offers the ability to see top users’ creations – a great way to gather inspiration and see how other designers use space. The app is entirely free (great for designers on a budget!) but does require users to create an account to save their work. 

Home Design 3D

Home Design 3D offers the ability to not only construct and furnish rooms but also to construct full houses with multiple levels. App users can choose from pre-existing home layouts that they can further customize, or they can start building projects from the ground up. This app offers great customization opportunities, but many of the best features in the app are hidden behind paywalls. If utilizing the free version of the app, users are subject to in-app advertising, which can become a nuisance for some. With the free version of the app, users can draw custom dimensions for their rooms and choose from various build and furniture options, though many pieces are only included in the Gold membership. The Gold membership, available for a one-time purchase of $11.99, offers full access to the furniture catalog, the ability to create unlimited projects, and export designs for free. For multi-story build plans and the ability to add roofs, the Gold Plus version is available for $19.99. 

MagicPlan

The MagicPlan app offers a great deal of room customization and free features without a bombardment of advertisements. This app uses sketch-based furniture rather than online catalogs, which adds the ability to customize the shapes and sizes of pieces but doesn’t allow users to try out furniture they may be looking to purchase. One of the most unique features of this app is the ability to create reports and financial estimates for projects (available with the paid version). The app can create custom price lists and help plan renovation costs for users.

Unfortunately, this app only allows for two free projects before requiring upgrading to a paid version. “Sketch,” the $9.99 per month option, offers unlimited projects and the ability to collaborate with other app users. The mid-tier “Report” ($29.99/month) offers 360-degree images and the ability to export field reports from the app. The priciest version, “Estimate” ($89.99/month), offers all of the benefits from the previous tiers and the ability to calculate price lists, financial estimates, and phone support where needed. For more serious room planners, this app can offer great customization options and the ability to plan larger renovation ventures. 

Rooms 

Rooms is unique in that all of the paid features of the app are accessible in the free version except saving work. The Rooms app allows users to input custom dimensions for spaces and choose from furniture pieces. However, the user interface of the app is lacking compared to some of the other apps on the market. It is sometimes difficult to turn pieces of furniture or increase or decrease their size. Additionally, the catalog of furniture pieces is much smaller than some of the other available apps, offering limited options in furniture shapes and models. Rooms does not pair with any retailers, so all of the furniture pieces are generic sketches of stock furniture. That said, the app is simple to use and has far fewer in-app purchases than similar apps. This could be a great place to start for small projects or users looking to explore interior design. 

Wayfair

Though the Wayfair app doesn’t offer custom room designing capabilities, it can be a great tool for interior design. The app offers both “Room Ideas,” where users can shop rooms designed by the Wayfair team (seeing how pieces of furniture can be styled together), as well as virtual reality 3D placement of furniture in pre-existing rooms. Wayfair is one of the leading online furniture retailers, and the ability to virtually place objects in rooms allows designers to conceptualize space easily. The Wayfair app also has hundreds of videos with design tips, ranging from seasonal decor setups to how to furnish small spaces. Users can also favorite items and create wish lists to circle back to at a later date. In addition to the app being free to use, Wayfair also provides free shipping for most objects – a major perk for online shoppers. 

Start designing!

Whether or not interior design is just a hobby or you’re setting up to furnish a new home, room design apps can be a useful tool for the imagination and conceptualization of space. As furniture sales shift to the online market rather than in-person retail, being able to visualize furniture before purchasing is an absolute need. Some apps allow users to browse catalogs of pre-existing furniture, while others focus on layouts and space usage. Choice in room design apps ultimately boils down to personal preference, and with many paid and free options on the market, there are apps to suit any designer’s needs. 

The post The 6 Best Room Design Apps for Planning Out Your Space appeared first on CitySignal.

Humphrey Bogart Avenue 

On the small block between Broadway and West End Avenue, 103rd Street has two signs marking its location – this block is both 103rd and Humphrey Bogart Avenue, named after the iconic actor. Humphrey Bogart’s history includes the stage and screen. His most notable films include Casablanca, To Have and Have Not, and Dark Passage. The small block on 103rd is now home to the Humphrey Bogart House, dedicated to carrying on his legacy. 

Nikola Tesla Corner

At the intersection of Avenue of Americas and West 40th Street, a third sign hangs to denote “Nikola Tesla Corner,” an homage to the Serbian-American engineer and inventor. Nikola Tesla is primarily famous for the Tesla coil and his work with electricity. Elon Musk’s electric cars now carry the name of the famous inventor as well as the street in New York. Nikola Tesla Corner is highly trafficked, sitting in the heart of Midtown and conveniently located near Bryant Park. 

Tin Pan Alley

On West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, young songwriters would play their new tunes for music publishers, hoping to garner a record deal. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name “Tin Pan Alley” was coined for the area because of the clanging pianos and instrumental noise that flooded the street at all times. “Tin Pan Alley” was just a nickname until recently, when over 17,000 people signed a petition to make the area a historical landmark. The agenda, called “Save Tin Pan Alley,” was successful and the street was co-named in April of 2022. This home of jazz, blues, and musical theatre songwriting is now forever commemorated by the double name. 

Firefighter Jimmy Martinez Way

Many co-named streets have been named in honor of victims of 9/11 or prominent figures who helped during the crisis. In Staten Island, the intersection of Beach Road and Hillcrest Street was co-named “Firefighter Jimmy Martinez Way” in honor of firefighter Jimmy Martinez who worked for the NYFD for 26 years. Jimmy died of a 9/11 related illness in August of 2018, and the street was co-named in August of 2022. The co-naming ceremony was attended by over 100 people, including fellow firefighters, friends, and elected officials. Martinez’s daughter commented, “It was touching to see how much he meant to people, and the love and respect they still have for him.” 

Duke Ellington Boulevard

In addition to his music scoring the hit musical Sophisticated Ladies, American jazz composer and pianist Duke Ellington has been otherwise honored by his name on a green street sign in Manhattan. In 1977, 106th Street between Riverside Drive and Central Park was renamed – it now shares the title of both 106th Street and Duke Ellington Boulevard. Duke Ellington is both a grammy and a posthumous Pulitzer Prize winner, most famous for hit songs such as “Take The A Train,” “Misty,” and “In a Sentimental Mood.”

Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd

Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd takes the place of 7th Avenue starting from Central Park North all the way north through to 155th Street. Though 7th Avenue was officially renamed as Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, even official records still get the two names mixed up. For example, the city’s Department of Education lists the standardized address for Frederick Douglass Academy as 2581 Seventh Avenue even though the academy is located on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. Whereas, the Department of City Planning officially recognizes Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard as the correct address.

Edgar Allen Poe Street

Though West 84th Street between Riverside Drive and Broadway carries the name “Edgar Allen Poe Street,” the block is hardly flooded with ravens and doom. This iconic block in the Upper West Side looks much like any other block, with crowded brownstones and busy streets. Though Edgar Allen Poe is commonly associated with Baltimore, he called this stretch of New York City home for years, and Edgar Allen Poe Street is now home to the Brennan Farmhouse, where Poe lived on the second floor. The street was officially co-named in 1980, and has drawn tourists and Edgar Allen Poe fans to the Upper West Side ever since. 

Celia Cruz Way

At the corner 195th Street and Reservoir Avenue, Celia Cruz Way was named after the iconic Latin singer in 2021. Near the public high school named for her, Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, the street is dedicated to the remembrance of the “Queen of Salsa.” Though Celia passed away in 2003 at the age of 77, the street serves as an extension of her legacy and as a way to remember her contributions to the music industry. 

Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard

Some of New York City’s double street names are due to the multitudes of languages spoken in the city. St. Nicholas Avenue, which runs through the primarily Latin neighborhood of Washington Heights, is often referred to as Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard by Latin residents. In 2000, ex-mayor Rudy Giuliani signed legislation formally adding the name “Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard” to St. Nicholas Avenue. The street now honors Juan Pablo Duarte who is considered to be the “Founding Father of the Dominican Republic.” In the press release, Giuliani stated that “it is fitting that this area of Manhattan, in the heart of one of New York City’s largest Dominican communities, be named “Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard.”

Gershwin Way

Though the Gershwin brothers already have their names plastered on a Broadway theater and a luxury Manhattan apartment building, the iconic music writing duo have their own street as well, called Gershwin Way. Co-named in 1998, the stretch of 50th Street that houses the Gershwin Theater and apartment building honors the achievements of George and Ira Gershwin, who passed away in 1937 and 1983, respectively. The brothers worked on 16 Broadway shows together, including Porgy and Bess, Funny Face, and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, Of Thee I Sing. 

Avenue of The Americas

Not all co-named streets are named after notable people – Sixth Avenue is one of the busiest streets in Manhattan and a prime example of a double named street. In 1945, the avenue was renamed “The Avenue of The Americas” by mayor Fiorello La Guardia. The United Nations headquarters found its home on Sixth Avenue, and by renaming the street, the mayor hoped to evoke a sense of patriotism and pride for New York being a cultural and political epicenter. The name and UN Headquarters, however, didn’t stick. Today, most New York City residents refer to the street as Sixth Avenue, and the only remains of the re-named street are old lamp posts, a few flags, and a handful of businesses who claim “Avenue of The Americas” as their formal address. 

Who will be commemorated next?

Though New York City has multitudes of eponymously named streets, new streets are still being co-named. The only requirements are that the honoree must be deceased and have made a notable contribution to the community. Finding double named streets can become a scavenger hunt for New York residents and visitors, as you’re able to search the city for famous names and street corners. With new people being commemorated all the time, whose name might belong on a street sign next?

The post 11 NYC Alternative Street Names appeared first on CitySignal.

Methods to Prepare Your NYC Apartment For Winter

Windows and doors

Cold winds coming in through windows and doors can easily disrupt a heated apartment. Especially in older buildings, renters should ensure their windows are completely shut and all seals are intact. If cool air is coming through the windows, make sure that building management is alerted immediately so that they can repair the seal. You can also insulate windows using insulation film, available at hardware stores. Most insulation film can be stuck around the edges of the windows, preventing cold air from seeping in. Window coverings, such as drapes or blinds, can also provide an extra layer between the cold elements and the inside. 

Many older buildings also don’t have heated hallways making even the most well-insulated rooms lose heat. A quick way to solve this problem is with a draft guard, which can be purchased at most hardware stores or online for around ten dollars. You can even DIY a draft guard at home using fabric and an insulating material such as beans, rice, or kitty litter. 

Added insulation (and decoration!)

Bare wood floors are major culprits of lost heat. Rugs can help insulate a space and provide an extra layer between the warm apartment and the cold weather. Rugs also make for a soft landing spot when getting out of bed in the morning and keep bare feet away from cold floors. For best results, choose a rug with heavy, thick material. Wool rugs are considered the best material for insulating, but if the apartment has furry friends or children, a cotton rug may be more durable. For an extra layer of protection, an insulated rug pad can help keep the room warm. These rug pads come in various shapes and sizes but sometimes must be cut to fit a custom rug. Some rug pads can even function similarly to electric blankets, pumping heat into the rug and stopping once it reaches a specific temperature. Some welcome mats can also be heated, melting snow and sludge the minute you enter the front door. 

Outlets

If the windows and doors are protected from drafts, but there’s still chilly air in the apartment, it may be coming from the outlets. The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) recommends installing a foam gasket on the inside of the outlets to ensure air doesn’t leak outside. To test outlets, the NACHI website recommends performing a simple test – holding up an incense or smoke stick to the outlet and seeing if the smoke moves horizontally. The NACHI website also warns to ensure the smoke/flame isn’t near any flammable items such as drapes or rugs. Child safety plugs can also help winterize the outlets and prevent warm air from seeping out of the apartment. 

Humidifiers

Though a humidifier won’t physically make the temperature warmer, it can help maintain moisture in the air and make an apartment feel warmer to residents. Humid air retains warmth better than dry air and can help residents prevent wake up with a dry throat when the heat is running. Besides the financial benefits of using less energy, humidifiers also have many health benefits and can increase bodily hydration. As an electric appliance, the small motor can also add heat to a room. Humidifiers range in price and effectiveness based on how large a room they are put in, so be sure to check the product details to see what size room the humidifier is meant to serve.

Space heaters

For particularly finicky setups, a space heater can do the trick. Many New York City bathrooms lack heat or radiators, so a small space heater can help the cold tile floor feel more bearable after a hot shower. Though these space heaters will drive up electricity costs, they certainly will add comfort to cold spaces. Much like humidifiers, space heaters come in a variety of sizes and price points – for most bathrooms and bedrooms, a small space heater will do. To save on electric costs and for safety, unplug the space heater when it is not in use. 

Reverse the ceiling fan

A ceiling fan may seem like a summer staple, but it can be useful all year round. Though ceiling fans can be hard to come by in New York City, they can be great tools to save energy and conserve heat. In the warmer months, ceiling fans circulate air and push the cold air downward. Yet, reversing the ceiling fan’s direction in the winter can have the opposite effect. Most building management personnel can assist in reversing the direction of the ceiling fan upon request. The Environmental Protection Agency advises reversing the motor and operating the ceiling fan at low speed in a clockwise direction. This will cause the ceiling fan to produce a gentle updraft, forcing warm air near the ceiling into the occupied space. 

Ready for winter?

Though apartment living can present some obstacles in the way of winterization, there are certain steps renters can take to drive down their utility bills and increase their comfort in the cold winter months in New York City. Protecting from drafts with an insulation film, window drapes, rugs, and installing foam gaskets in outlets can all help to save energy and heat. Communication with your property manager or building management can ensure that they help alleviate stress and assist with winterization techniques. Even if you can’t winterize every part of your New York City apartment, taking a few small steps can save hundreds of dollars in the coming cold months. 

The post How to Winterize Your New York City Apartment appeared first on CitySignal.