Is it possible to get private outdoor space in NYC?
Sometimes it seems like a dream: Getting private outdoor space in New York City when you are looking for an apartment. Many people searching for New York City apartments initially add “outdoor space” to their search criteria, but fairly quickly remove it from their list of “must-haves”. They quickly realize how few apartments in NYC have private outdoor space. If you want to have private outdoor space, you must be ready to spend more, make other tradeoffs, and work harder on your search.
NOTE: To search for NYC apartments with private outdoor space, go to frele.com (free service). Or, click for more rental tips
But getting private outdoor space is possible. Let’s look at some things to consider:
Private Outdoor Space Versus Public Outdoor Space
You you should first decide what kind of outdoor space suits your needs. You may realize that you don’t need the outdoor space to be “private”. For example, you will find many NYC apartments that let residents access a public roof deck on top of the building or a patio on the ground floor. Of course, this means you will be sharing the outdoor space with the other tenants but maybe you are okay with that.
Of course for some people having “private” outdoor space is critical. They want to have their own little spot where they can have coffee or read a book, and not be disturbed by others. These private outdoor spaces are known as balconies or terraces in New York City.
Advantages of having Private Outdoor Space
Fresh air: If you think being cooped up in a small NYC apartment will drive you nuts, a balcony or terrace gives you that place to go to for some fresh air ….to drink coffee, read a book or maybe even soak up some sunlight.
Extra room: Having an outdoor space will make your apartment feel bigger. You can also stow away your bicycle and utilize outdoor storage lockers.
Space for entertainment or hobbies: Private outdoor space is perfect if you’re into gardening or want to entertain some friends.
Drawbacks of having Private Outdoor space
Cost: You are certainly going to pay more for having private outdoor space.
Tradeoffs: Many NYC apartments with private outdoor patios are located on the ground floor, and can make your place more susceptible to noise, pollution and security issues. Of course many apartments with private outdoor space are also located on higher floors, but they are in walkup buildings. Many people may not want to walk up several flights of stairs to and from their home every day.
Limited Use: The private outdoor space may not be usable during the winter months and parts of the fall. Considering the weather in New York, you may only be able to use the outdoor space for 6 to 8 months each year. Many people forget this fact if they sign the the lease in the summer months. Yes, it can get very cold in NYC, and it snows too. A lot sometimes.
Not All Private Outdoor Space is Created Equal
Just because an advertisement states that an apartment has private outdoor space does not mean you will like it. In fact, sometimes outdoor space is just plain not worth it. For example, a balcony may face a brick wall. It may even be littered with cigarette butts from your upstairs neighbor, which hints at what kind of air you will be inhaling. A terrace could even face an airshaft, and get zero light. Sometimes the area is so small, you can’t even fit a chair out there.
This is why it is so critical to always visit an apartment before you sign any leases, especially one with private outdoor space. If you are going to pay more for private outdoor space and make tradeoffs on other important criteria, you want to make sure it is the kind of private outdoor space you had in your dreams.
For more NYC rental tips, please go to frele.com/learn.
This article was written by:
Phil Horigan, NYC Real Estate Veteran
Founder, Frēlē, the free and honest NYC rental marketplace
Producer, Phil’s NYC Rental Tips [YouTube Channel]
Blogger: flowfreely.com
Instagram: @philiphorigan
Phil has been a licensed NYC real estate agent since 2004 working for some of the top real estate brokerage firms in the industry. He founded Leasebreak.com in 2013, and Frēlē in 2017. Frēlē and Leasebreak are free and transparent rental marketplaces to search for or post apartments for rent in NYC
Go to frele.com to search for NYC apartments (free service).