If you thought New Zealand rental prices were steep, spare a thought for those in the US.
Because in New York City at least, a poky, dated flat with a sad excuse for a “kitchen” located inside a cupboard recently hit the market — with a staggering US$1600-a-month (NZ$2337) price tag.
The apartment, located in trendy Chelsea in Manhattan, has been touted in a real estate listing as a “cosy studio apartment in (the) heart of Chelsea on a quiet tree-lined street”.
The one-bathroom studio also boasts hardwood floors and high ceilings and the “prime location” means it is just “steps from multiple subway lines, buses, excellent shopping and dining”.
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But that’s where the attractions end.
It’s so small and narrow, it has been compared to a hallway on social media after pictures of the flat were shared on Twitter by user @AmericaCanceled.
It immediately went viral, attracting thousands of likes, retweets and comments from bemused social media users.
@AmericaCanceled posted several more comments, pointing out “the kitchen is in a closet!!” and joking that “at these prices I will never find an apartment in NYC”.
“This should be illegal … how can you charge someone $US1600 for half of an apartment?” he continued, with Zachary Inman replying: “That ain’t even half that’s a shoebox.”
Others also complained about the property’s grimy, cramped and dated bathroom, which didn’t appear to have been cleaned before the pictures were taken.
The only window is above a radiator. Photo / Twitter @AmericaCanceled
Many also slammed the almost complete lack of storage — and the only source of natural light, a small window, being located on top of a heater.
“Where is the refrigerator???” one Twitter user asked, while others noted the lack of airconditioning and only one electrical outlet in the flat.
However, many argued the rent was actually reasonable for the popular and pricey neighbourhood.
RebekahStar wrote the rent was “not bad”. “Chelsea is where a lot of celebs live. Extremely nice accessible area. $1600 isn’t bad for a small studio,” she said.
It doesn’t look like the bathroom was cleaned before the snaps were taken. Photo / Twitter @AmericaCanceled
“Exactly, the only people saying it’s insane truly don’t understand how amazing that area is,” another New Yorker added.
According to a 2018 graphic from financial website Walletwyse, Manhattan is the world’s third most expensive rental market.
- news.com.au
