In 2020, Alex Verhaeg settled into a cozy 95 sq. ft. apartment in Manhattan’s vibrant East Village. He was making monthly payments of $1,000.
Verhaeg expressed a strong attachment to this space, emphasizing that it is more than just a room or a closet – it is his cherished home.
The 23-year-old barber, bike messenger, and content creator discovered the apartment on Zillow and had to rely solely on photos to get a sense of the space before moving in.
“When I first laid eyes on it, I was taken aback by its size. However, my desire to experience life in this area outweighed any reservations,” he expressed. Every space has the potential to become a cozy and inviting home, regardless of its size. You simply need to infuse it with some love.”
Verhaeg’s mother agreed to co-sign his lease, making the upfront costs for his move amount to $2,000. This included $1,000 for the first month’s rent and an additional $1,000 for the security deposit.
His monthly rent has now gone up to $1,100. Verhaeg’s apartment is approximately 95 square feet, which is similar in size to an average parking spot measuring about 16 feet by 8 feet.
Verhaeg’s small apartment does not include a bathroom. Instead, the five-story building requires residents to share the three bathrooms and two showers that are located on each floor.
“Living here can sometimes give you the feeling of being in a college dormitory due to the shared amenities,” he said. “Sometimes you’ll see your neighbors in a towel or a bathrobe. It’s something you gradually become accustomed to.”
Not only does the apartment lack a bathroom, but it also doesn’t have a conventional kitchen. Verhaeg has an electric cooktop that is conveniently placed on top of a dresser, serving as a practical solution for food storage.
Verhaeg refers to the corner of the apartment with a sink and medicine cabinet as his bathroom area.
Additionally, there is a closet and a compact loft area where he keeps his clothing and barber tool kit.
“Living in a small space really helps you appreciate what you have and embrace a minimalist lifestyle,” he explained. “You really can’t just go out and buy random things because you don’t have the space to store them.
Verhaeg’s apartment features a unique layout for its kitchen and bathroom.
He mentioned that despite his intention to continue living in the 95 sq. ft. apartment for another year, it will likely be his final one.
@cnbcmakeit Alex Verhaeg’s East Village apartment is 95 sq. ft, costs $1,100 a month and doesn’t have a private bathroom — take a look inside. #unlocked #nycapartment #nycapartmenttour #tinyapartment #smallspaceliving ♬ original sound – CNBC Make It