Virginia K. Smith

Consider this a whole new form of "rent-stabilization": Rents are finally evening out (stabilizing, if you will) in Brooklyn and Queens after what's felt like years of non-stop, astronomical price hikes. Of course—and you knew this was coming—that doesn't exactly mean that anything will be getting cheaper. 

Write a convincing enough essay, become the owner of a quaint Maine inn (House Beautiful)

How to sniff out potential new neighbors without technically breaking the law (Habitat Magazine)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! How much trash and dog poop is melting out of your block's snow banks? And how long can you hold out before diving into everyone's favorite springtime tradition: making angry street cleaning complaints to 311?

Rent-controlled apartments are quickly going the way of the dodo (City Limits)

A new mobile game lets you live vicariously in Bushwick (Bushwick Daily)

Clever compromises that'll trim your decorating budget (Apartment Therapy)

Living in New York usually means that even your most peripheral acquaintances—oh hey there, estranged freshman year roommate—will at some point ask to crash with you when they come to town. Besides, you probably don't have anywhere to put them.