Virginia K. Smith

So, will you be adding a "baby cage" to your window? (Gothamist)

Tips on avoiding classic, unfortunately common rental scams (Curbed NY)

Groceries are actually a better deal if you live in the big city (City Lab)

When diving into the New York real estate market, it can be easy—even comforting—to fall back on generalizations or shopworn cliches, whether it's "location, location, location," or the assumption that you'll have to shell out half your income (or more) per month to live here. But the reality is that New York real estate is as dynamic and individual as the city itself, and a little research can go a long way towards clearing up misconceptions (and sparing you from ending up in an apartment you're less than thrilled with).

This joke map of how brokers see Brooklyn is uncomfortably close to reality (Gothamist)

Your landlord's required to fix stuff, and other things to know before you sign that lease (Curbed NY)

Fitting a family of five into a two-bedroom isn't easy, but it can be done (Kveller)

It's an inevitable part of every move, discarding excess books, clothes, and assorted knick knacks we no longer care about enough to bring along with us to the next apartment (or more to the point, pay to bring with us). The more organized among us pack it all up and donate it in the weeks leading up to the move, sure, but for most of us, those old DVDs and loafers? They're probably ending up on the curb, with the hope that someone who passes by will find them useful.

Updated: 1:56 p.m.

When a movie or TV show is set in New York City—and if the people making it are savvy—real estate becomes part of the story itself. In Reel Estate, we look at some of the more memorable domiciles to grace the screen.

Downtown BK, Astoria, and more solid neighborhoods for renters (Curbed NY)

Inspiration for anyone hoping to give their galley kitchen a makeover (Apartment Therapy)