NYC: flatshare for $1200, worth it? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Starting as a first-year in NYC biglaw this fall. Friends asked if I want to share a 3bed/2bath apt for $1200 per month. This sounds very attractive. With less privacy, I can pay back my loans more aggressively, and have a more spacious place than I otherwise would get with the same money. The place is a 35-min commute door to door--not that bad. Any thoughts on how flatsharing works with the biglaw schedule/lifestyle?

[NoBladesNoBows]

Do you just mean you'll have roommates, or is flatsharing referring to something else? If you just mean you'll have roommates yes tons of people do that especially in New York, and it shouldn't cause any problems so long as you and your roommates don't have wildly different lifestyles (ex. 1 biglawyer 1 college fratboy). It's really just a personal decision, some people like the benefits of cheaper rent and more space more than they mind the infringement on privacy and occasional necessity of working around other people's lives (and cleaning habits). Plenty of biglawyers and other professionals in NYC live together though.

If flatsharing means something else idk

[Anonymous User]

I know of a lot of people who shared apartments (I'm assuming you mean having roommates, but having your own bedroom) after graduating law school.

[CiFULA]

As long as they're not roping you into some shithole, and you have similar preferences (i.e. having heat on in winter, quiet/loud, etc.) having apartment mates should be fine. And you may be fine with it but 35 minutes seems like kind of a long time to me. Then again, $1200 is really cheap.

[Anonymous User]

As long as they're not roping you into some shithole, and you have similar preferences (i.e. having heat on in winter, quiet/loud, etc.) having apartment mates should be fine. And you may be fine with it but 35 minutes seems like kind of a long time to me. Then again, $1200 is really cheap.

I agree... is it really a 3BR/2BA for ~$3600? That seems super cheap. Is it nice and in a decent location? When I graduated, a shared a 2BR that was $4400.

[Anonymous User]

Fine to do that - it’s probably the best financial move you can make as a first-year because Manhattan rent is so high. I would just caution you that there’s a huge range of apartments in NYC, depending on neighborhood type (and even the specific street you are on), building amenities, subway line access. $3600 seems super cheap for a 3BR, 2BA so just understand what you are getting into before you sign the lease.

[Anonymous User]

I have a friend living in a 3bedroom with 3 roommates. Seems totally fine, everyone is gone all day anyways and when they do come home its straight to their rooms to chill then sleep.