Kelly Kreth

Just as the pandemic hit NYC, Tori Mattei, a publicist who lived in the East Village with a roommate, got a new, higher-paying job. She decided it was time to upgrade to a place of her own. She finds the move from the East Village, with its college town-like feel, to the more sophisticated vibe of Gramercy Park, is worth the extra rent. Here’s her comparison of the two neighborhoods.

People in the area found out about the store via word of mouth. While there were no set hours, it seemed to be open for about four to six hours daily. There was no password or anything special. It was right out in the open, which I guess ultimately lead to their downfall

In 1971, Ben and Betsy, a pair of artists, decided to splurge on a rent-stabilized penthouse on the Upper West Side. The rent was a stretch for them at $325 a month—which seems astonishing now, but even more surprising is what they pay today, 49 years later.

When Nadine moved into a new apartment, a neighbor’s shrill voice and incessant shrieking drove her up the wall—at first. Then she finally met Gertrude, the neighbor, all the noise made sense—and provided cover for her own young family’s ruckus.

After a breakup, Sam, a commercial airline pilot, decided to ditch Manhattan and head to the Hamptons, where she’s surrounded by nature and water views. With a less hectic work schedule because of the pandemic, she’s getting a chance to enjoy her surroundings—and being an owner—in a way that wasn’t possible before. Here’s her take on how the areas compare.

"Living next to an urgent care-turned-Covid-testing site has kept the virus in focus for me. I’m reminded daily that there are people who are still getting sick," our author writes.