It's important to know the worth of a shoebox when you're in New York.
Alex Verhaeg gave a tour of his apartment in New York in an interview with CNBC.
Verhaeg said that the apartment, which has no in-unit toilet or shower and has a cooktop in place of a full kitchen, is located in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood.
Verhaeg said that he wanted to move to Manhattan for convenience. I prefer not to take the train a lot. It is nice that stores and restaurants are open 24 hours a day, as well as I have a bad sleep schedule, so I am very happy.
Verhaeg is living in a big city. He is a licensed barber and a bike messenger.
The upfront cost for moving into Verhaeg's East Village apartment was $2,000, according to him. His apartment was $1,000 a month. He paid the first month's rent with a security deposit. Verhaeg's rent has gone up by an additional $100 since he moved into the apartment.
Verhaeg is able to fit a single twin bed in his large apartment. He had a small breakfast table that he retrieved for free from the curb of a restaurant that was closing. There is a television wall unit, a few plants, a sink in the corner, and a closet in this room.
He said that his mother gave him the same reaction when she visited him. You are surprised by how small it is. It's just like any other place once you spend more than 10 minutes here.
There are 10 apartments on each floor of the walk up.
It can feel like you are in a college dorm if you share a bathroom and a shower with other people. You get used to it when your neighbors walk around in a towel or bathrobe in the hallway.
No dishwasher or laundry units are available in the building. Verhaeg doesn't have to worry about utilities payments. His rent includes things like water, heating and electricity. He pays $50 a month for wi-fi.
He said that living in a small space makes you appreciate your stuff and be minimalist. You can't just go out and buy random things because you don't have enough room to store them.
The apartment in which Verhaeg has lived for the past two years might only last a year.
He said that his last year of living here would be his third. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of my life is.
The article was first published on TODAY.
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