Virginia K. Smith

Posts by Virginia K. Smith:

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5 apartment "dealbreakers" that are no big deal
By Virginia K. Smith
August 10, 2015 - 09:59 AM
Everyone goes into their apartment search with requirements—No more than two blocks from the L train! Outdoor space! A dishwasher!—but as the search wears on, most of us pare down our list of demands to "livable" and "in my price range." But knowing where to compromise and where to stand your ground can be trickier than you'd think, especially if you're trying to reach consensus with a bunch of roommates (or have never rented in the city before).
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If you live in Brooklyn, you probably live in a 'subway desert' according to this map
By Virginia K. Smith
August 7, 2015 - 12:59 PM

Consider all your late night cab expenses justified: According to a new map, more parts of the city than you'd expect are located in so-called "subway deserts." Self-described "urbanist, mapmaker, and data junkie" Chris Whong  has put together a map showing the parts of the five boroughs located 500 meters or more from a subway station, and turns out, there are a lot of them:

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Ingenious moving tips, the downside of "smart" homes, and more
By Virginia K. Smith
August 7, 2015 - 10:59 AM

Take a picture of your elaborate TV cord setup, and more sanity-saving tips for your next move (CityLab)

Most people want their "smart homes" to be a little dumber (WSJ)

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Applications just opened for Brooklyn rentals as cheap as $689/month
By Virginia K. Smith
August 7, 2015 - 08:59 AM
Applications opened this week for affordable rentals in the Ocean Hill, Bed-Stuy, and Clinton Hill areas of Brooklyn, according to a pair of listings on NYC Housing Connect. There are a total of 92 apartments available in four different buildings. And unlike some recent additions to Brooklyn's affordable housing scene, these apartments are priced more appropriately, with one-bedrooms as low as $689/month.
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The diehard Brooklynites behind Twig Terrariums dish on Grubhub dependence, the appeal of the Greenwood Cemetery, and more
By Virginia K. Smith
August 6, 2015 - 13:59 PM

Since launching as a stall at the Brooklyn Flea, Twig Terrariums has since graduated to a  brick-and-mortar setup in Gowanus, not to mention status as a full-fledged Brooklyn institution. (We're guessing you've seen those glass terrariums with their signature mix of delicate plant-life and laugh-out-loud figurines in more than one friend's apartment, if you don't already own one yourself.) 

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Two shrinks share tips on handling terrible roommates (and sending angry texts isn't one of them)
By Virginia K. Smith
August 6, 2015 - 09:59 AM
Do a quick search of "roommate horror stories," and you'll find yourself tumbling down a terrifying Internet rabbit hole of incidents ranging from the gross to the grotesque to the downright criminal. As we suspect a lot of you have already learned firsthand, figuring out how to live in a sane and comfortable fashion with someone who isn't a blood relative—or really, even someone who is—tends to take a strong stomach, and a knack for diplomacy.
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