Kelly Kreth

For years, Floyd Feather Jr. debated about whether to move to Manhattan, where he worked, or remain on Long Island, where he enjoyed his quiet, residential neighborhood and spent his free time sailing. His breezy lifestyle always won out—until he sold his boat and falling rents lured him to Hell’s Kitchen.

With her daughter attending high school in Midtown Manhattan, native New Yorker Lisa Lugo decided to make a move from Washington Heights. Her priority was finding a place where her 15-year-old could safely gain some independence and have a better commute. They landed in Forest Hills—and are enjoying the amenities of their new building and getting to know their new neighborhood. Here’s her story.

Diana Ramirez found her co-living situation convenient, but the lack of privacy and her one-hour commute was brutal after late nights at her job in the wine industry. Falling rents gave her an incentive to move to her own place, where she will soon welcome someone very special: Her young son, who is coming to live with her. Here’s her story.

Matthew J. Cardish was living in Philadelphia and coming to New York City often for his job with Live Nation. When rents in the NYC dropped substantially during the pandemic, he decided to move here and checked out a total of 25 apartments. A two bedroom in Yorkville came with a big discount and a concession—and his broker negotiated an even better deal. He's already very enamored with NYC living. Here’s his story.

Even before Thomas Jepsen, a native of Denmark, landed in Williamsburg, he found out that living in NYC requires some street-smarts. But he acclimated quickly (great restaurants helped). During the pandemic he decided to leave the roommate life behind and move to Tribeca, where the cobblestone streets reminds him of Europe. Here’s his story.

Cassandra Cotta, a Pilates instructor and artist, was living in Ridgewood, Queens with no plans to move. But when NYC rents started to drop, she began to look for an apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—a neighborhood she had wanted to live in but couldn't afford. She ended up in her dream location with cheaper rent and better amenities. Here’s her story.