Meet the New Yorkers Living in Micro-Studio Apartments in Manhattan

When Aliana Randazzo, 25, and JR Wills, 27, were planning to move to New York City, they both fell in love with the micro studio apartments in midtown Manhattan.

Randazzo found his rent-stabilized 80×150 sf micro-studio on StreetEasy and moved into the space in August 2021. Rent was $650 a month.

Randazzo’s initial move-in costs totaled $1,950 and included the broker’s fee, security deposit, and first month’s rent.

Before moving to the micro-apartment, the fashion campaign planner and content creator lived in a luxurious high-rise and paid $2,000 a month in rent. She quickly realized that it wasn’t worth it because she was never home.

“I wanted to pay less for rent so I could travel more and experience more,” Randazzo tells CNBC Make It.

“Living in this place has been quite an adventure. It’s nice because I was in Manhattan, so I didn’t miss a thing,” he added.

But as much as he loved living in his small downtown apartment, Randazzo found himself in a creative rut because he didn’t have enough space to create content.

Since then, he’s moved into a $6,750-a-month townhouse in the East Village with four other roommates.

Although he now pays $1,350 a month to live in one room, Randazzo says he needed the extra space to continue growing his business.

“This big bed is definitely my favorite part of the room and this time I have a window, so I’m very happy,” he says. “I don’t even know what to do with all this space.”

Like Randazzo, Wills found his micro apartment on StreetEasy.

The 27-year-old barista trainer at Starbucks Reserve Roastery moved into his 85-square-foot space in February 2022 and pays $687 a month for what he tells CNBC Make It is his “rent-stabilized shoebox.”

Wills’ initial costs for his move were $2,874: $1,500 broker’s fee, $687 for the first month’s rent, and $687 for the last month’s rent.

“I wasn’t really looking for a particular microstudio, but I saw the space. I liked it, so I jumped on it,” says Wills. “I walked into the space for the first time. I saw the window. There was so much natural light everywhere. I knew it was for me.”

In addition to all the natural light in her apartment, Wills says she loves the location because it’s convenient for getting around town.

“I love the accessibility of my neighborhood. I can go anywhere super fast, super fast,” he added.

While some might say they couldn’t imagine living in such a small space, Wills recommends it to everyone because it makes you appreciate the things you have so much more.

“I have a lot more money to spend going out on the town, going out and eating with friends if I feel like it. It’s $687 versus $2,000. So it opens up the city for me, I think,” Wills added.

Those same friends always ask Wills how long he’ll be living in the apartment, and for now, he says he doesn’t see himself leaving anytime soon.

“I tell them all the time I want. I’m very comfortable here. I’m saving a lot of money. It’s rent stabilized, so why would I move? I’m in arguably the best location in the world,” says Will.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at start to change, so I choose to live in positivity. I’m having a great time.”

It is article It was originally published in English by Celia Fernandez for our sister network CNBC.com. For more from CNBC enter here.