I rented a studio apartment in the East 70s near First Avenue for about four years. Then, three years ago, I bought a one-bedroom on 57th between Ninth and Tenth Avenues.

Personally, the Upper East side felt a bit too quiet. I didn’t spend my free time there. I always seemed to leave my neighborhood to meet my friends.  

Ideally, I was hoping to buy a place on the West Side, preferably below 23rd Street. I also looked in Hell’s Kitchen, but this apartment was in much better condition and was much bigger than other places I’d seen further downtown.