“New York City apartments are tiny and overpriced.” – Every out-of-city person in existence. They’re not wrong. New York City boasts plenty of glamorous apartments with modern luxuries or pre-war charms, but many renters do not sign leases for these sprawling floorplans. Renters across the city have to find a unit that fits into their budget, and sometimes this means compromising on space. Those who want to save more money can consider an ultra-small apartment, otherwise called an efficiency apartment. Efficiency apartments are common in densely populated cities and exist for residents who desire to live in trendy, expensive neighborhoods while still renting on a budget.
Efficiency Apartment Definition
An efficiency apartment is an apartment with all the living spaces contained within one room and is usually less than 600 square feet. These apartments lack space and amenities but reside in desirable areas. They’re well-suited for people looking to live alone in heavily populated cities.
Kitchenettes
Efficiency apartments do not have full kitchens, opting for a kitchenette or “mini-kitchen.” These kitchenettes usually have stovetops and miniature fridges and don’t have ovens. While some of these apartments have dishwashers, the sinks in these units are often smaller than standard sinks, and they have little to no counter space or cabinets available. Residents in efficiency apartments may need to get creative when cooking at home, opting for more microwave meals, stovetop cooking, or eating outside the house.
Ideal Locations
While the lack of kitchen appliances may sound inconvenient, what these apartments lack in space, they make up for in location. Most efficiency apartments are in ideal locations close to the city center (in Manhattan, many of these apartments are in downtown neighborhoods such as the Lower East Side or Chelsea or highly desirable areas such as the Upper West Side or Midtown), allowing residents to cut down on or eliminate their commutes. While these apartments offer little opportunity to eat at home, they are located in neighborhoods with a myriad of restaurants, bars, and places to order takeaway dinners when needed.
Attractive Rent
Efficiency apartments are also popular due to their lower than average rents. Efficiency units offer cheaper rent than traditional studios or one-bedrooms due to their lack of amenities and square footage. In addition to cheaper rent, these apartments boast lower utility bills, as heating and cooling a small space is much cheaper than a large apartment. In a city where many people live with roommates, these apartments can offer a slice of privacy while not breaking the bank.
Efficiency apartments are also easier to furnish and maintain as residents need less furniture and possessions. The need for a large sectional couch is gone, and some of these units don’t have space for a dining table either. If moving into an efficiency apartment from a larger apartment, it could be time to sell or donate any miscellaneous and unused items! The lack of kitchen space eliminates the need for cookware, and while the lack of storage space may seem intimidating, these apartments are easy to keep tidy and organized due to the compact nature of the space.
What is the Difference Between a Studio and an Efficiency Apartment?
Efficiency apartments and studio apartments share many similarities, and it’s easy for renters to confuse the two. However, it’s important to note their subtle differences, as they can impact a tenant’s lifestyle.
Here are the differences between studio and efficiency apartments:
- Studio apartments offer full kitchens, complete with ovens, full-size refrigerators, and maybe dishwashers. The kitchen space can take up an entire wall in a studio apartment. Efficiency apartments have kitchenettes without ovens or full-size appliances.
- Studio apartments are bigger than efficiency apartments, which are usually under 600 square feet.
- Studio apartments sometimes have alcoves or lofted sleeping areas where the bed is separate from the living area, whereas efficiency apartments have everything in a single room.
- Studio apartments available almost anywhere, but efficiency apartments prioritize location and are almost always in the city center or a city’s most desirable neighborhoods.
- While studios often have alcoves for kitchens or a separate area for living space, efficiency apartments are too small for space differentiation and frequently only have room for a bed and perhaps a small desk or table.
How to find Efficiency Apartments
It can be difficult to sort through the countless listings when looking for an efficiency apartment. Many websites do not have filters to find these types of units, and users need to search through the studio listings to find an efficiency apartment. A great way to approach looking for an efficiency apartment is through the keyword search, where you can type “kitchenette,” “mini fridge,” or “efficiency.” Renters can also try to search for units under 600 square feet to show results.
Examples of Efficiency Apartments
It’s easier to understand the differences between studio and efficiency apartments by looking at listings. The following listings are examples of efficiency apartments. Notice the small kitchenettes, their location, or the type of building.
Greenwich Village Apartment
This apartment at 49 West 11th Street costs only $2,300 and has room for a bed, desk, and a small kitchenette that even has a dishwasher. This apartment is at the heart of Greenwich Village, one of New York City’s most popular neighborhoods boasting esteemed restaurants, bars, and shopping. The apartment is conveniently located right off the L train and is close to Union Square as well as Washington Square Park.
East Village Efficiency Apartment
At 336 East 6th Street, residents can enjoy a top-floor apartment with “pre-war charm” for just $2,200. This apartment has great natural lighting (this can be difficult to find in small New York City apartments) and room for a small couch, table, and bed. This apartment also has closet space and built in shelving for extra storage. This efficiency apartment is located in the East Village, close to Tompkins Square Park and copious popular restaurants and recreational spots.
Upper West Side Apartment
The Upper West Side is both an expensive and highly coveted neighborhood, and this apartment on West 63rd Street costs just $2,195 (the lowest-priced unit in the building!). While this unit doesn’t even have a stovetop, it offers other useful amenities such as a gym, laundry in the building, and a common courtyard area for residents to enjoy. This apartment is also located just steps from Lincoln Center and is easy walking distance to Central Park.
Westchester Efficiency Apartment
Renters can sometimes find efficiency apartments in the areas that surround major cities, though this is less common. The efficiency apartment will likely reside near an commutable area. Take the above example at 68 Mason Street #3B. Renters will lease a small portion of a single-family home and acquire a sunny unit. This apartment does not have a stove, but it does have multiple windows and space for storage. Renters will not have to pay utilities for this unit and can rent the apartment for $1,500 a month. Tenants will live a three-minute walk from 311 bus with Connecticut Transit.
Find Westchester studios here.
Is an Efficiency Apartment Right for Me?
Though efficiency apartments have many benefits, including lower rent, utilities, and prime location, they are certainly not suitable for everyone because of their compact living space. These apartments are best suited for one person and get cramped with additional people. An efficiency apartment is appealing for renters who have a roommate budget, but a strong preference for privacy.
These spaces are best suited for residents who don’t like to cook or who find themselves dining out frequently, as the kitchen is unsuitable for elaborate cooking. Most of these apartments don’t have space for a large couch or dining table, so hosting a gathering at an efficiency apartment is also difficult. These units are best suited for those looking to go out more than stay in and for residents who don’t mind living in tight quarters.
Any resident with a multitude of possessions may want to think twice before choosing an efficiency apartment, as these units have little room for storage and sometimes don’t even have closets – minimalism is key for anyone looking to live in this type of space. Conversely, these apartments are great for people just moving to the city. Many new residents in New York City don’t have access or resources to purchase furniture like couches or dining room sets, making these small apartments ideal for those with limited furniture.
If location is a major priority in your search, efficiency apartments can offer the “best of both worlds” when it comes to price and choice of neighborhood. Many of these Manhattan units reside in in otherwise expensive neighborhoods, offering residents the opportunity to live in the heart of the “hustle and bustle” while saving on rent and utilities. Additionally, those looking for second homes or pied-à-terres might appreciate efficiency apartments when they visit the city.
Conclusion
Efficiency apartments appeal to city renters who are ready to compromise on space and amenities in exchange for lower rent and a prime location. These apartments remain popular in New York City as they provide private residences at a fraction of the cost of other units in the area. What these units lack in terms of square footage and kitchens, they make up for in their proximity to high-traffic areas like offices, entertainment, and restaurants. Much like some people who choose to live in “tiny homes” and traverse the countryside, residents in efficiency apartments make sacrifices of space to reap the benefits of city living.
