There’s never been a better time to team up with a roommate and score the NYC apartment you’ve always wanted. Comfortably sharable 2-bedrooms are going for lower prices than we’ve seen in years, making Manhattan an affordable option for renters on a budget. (Imagine that!) Our Rental of the Week is a Yorkville 2BR that proves the point perfectly, with 900 square feet of living space for below $2K per month.
Address: 322 E. 85th St. #4B
Price: $1,950
Size: 2-bedroom
Neighborhood: Yorkville
Best feature: At 900 square feet, this Yorkville 2BR is certifiably huge. That alone makes it a much more pleasant share than other, more cramped spots. But it also has lots of little details that make it feel comfortable, including a bright and fully equipped kitchen with built-in banquette seating. Room for an actual kitchen table inside the actual kitchen — now that’s a bonus in Manhattan.
Our Rental of the Week also boasts an in-unit washer/dryer, an amenity that can never be undervalued. In addition, there’s plenty of decorative trim and moldings to remind you that you’re in a prewar brownstone building. Character and practicality is always a winning combination.
Why it’s a deal: The median asking rent on the Upper East Side, which includes the submarket of Yorkville, is $2,495, according to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard. That puts our Rental of the Week at more than $500 per month below average for the area. It’s even more of a bargain when you consider that the median for a 2BR specifically shoots up to $2,995. (Indeed, the last time this unit rented, back in 2017, it cost $2,900 per month.)
Manhattan 2BRs Under $2,500 on StreetEasy Article continues below
Biggest drawback: This Yorkville 2BR is a walkup. But it’s only three flights up, so not too bad, and you won’t have to lug your laundry. More problematic might be the layout. There’s no floor plan on the listing, but it seems as if the bedrooms might be in a railroad configuration. Meaning you might have to walk through one to get to the other, which obviously is not ideal. However, at this price, you could conceivably keep the whole apartment to yourself. Use that room as a home office, or even a dedicated spot for your Peloton and yoga mat to live. Score!
See the listing: 322 E. 85th St. #4B, in Yorkville. Listed by Annicette Kessely at R New York.
—
Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.
