Christa Avampato's Blog, page 26

A guide to find a New York City apartment

Photo by chris robert on Unsplash

Are you looking for a new New York City Apartment? Know someone who is? I wrote this guide for you.

In May 2023, I got a new apartment and I learned a lot in the search. After living on the Upper West Side for many years, I found an incredible place in Brooklyn despite the fact that the New York City rental market is the worst it’s ever been. If you or someone you know is searching for a new place to call home in this city, I hope the information I this guide is helpful. If you’ve recently done a search and have tips to share, please post them in the comments to help others.

Tip #1: Decide how much you can afford
Sit down and honestly assess your current finances. What can you afford to pay monthly? How much would you like to pay? How much money do you have upfront to get into a new apartment? Do not start a search until you have these questions answered. In a wild rental market, be clear about staying within your budget. Price trumps everything right now. Also recognize the gap between what you could afford to pay and what you’d like to pay. That distinction is important, and you don’t want a broker to talk you into something you can’t afford. 

Tip #2: Have all your paperwork and money ready to go

Before you begin your search, have all of your paperwork organized and ready to send at a moment’s notice. I kept mine in a Google Drive folder that I could easily share when I put in an application. In that folder, I had the following information:

My most recent tax filingPaystubsLetter from my employer saying I’m employed and my salaryLetter from current landlord saying I’m in good standingExisting lease with dates and monthly rent listedCredit rating (you can get these for free now without it impacting your credit score from many banks and credit card companies)Bank statementsInvestment fund statementsMy dog’s headshot (yep, they asked for it!) and vaccination recordPersonal referencesResumeIf you’re self-employed, you may also need a letter from your accountant and / or attorney

Not every application requires all of this information but I wanted to have it all ready to go just in case.

Tip #3: Have your money ready to go

Make sure you have money for first month, last month, security deposit, and the broker fee in your bank account, ready to access when you want to make an offer. In this competitive market, you’ll need to jump at a deal as soon as you find one.

Tip #4: Make your peace with paying a broker fee because it might help you in the long run

I hate paying broker fees. I’ve rarely paid them in the past but in this market, fee-free apartments were much less common this time than they were in years past. Also, do the math. I found that the apartments with broker fees were less expensive than those that were fee-free and over the course of a year, the broker fee would be compensated for by a lower monthly rent. So yes, I needed more money up-front but after a year (or less) paying that money upfront would be worth it. I understand that this is a lot to ask of renters, and that I’m tremendously fortunate that I did have the money upfront. I never take that for granted for a moment. In years past, I was neither this lucky nor fortunate.

Tip #5: Streeteasy.com searches are your best resource right now

While there are many ways to find an apartment, I found that the best online resource is Streeteasy.com. It’s the most comprehensive, updated throughout the day, and easy to set up searches to be emailed to you that match your criteria. I tried many others, but ultimately everyone always lists on Streeteasy if they’re listing an apartment online.

Tip #6: Add a personal message to each Streeteasy.com apartment inquiry you send

Once you find an apartment that interests you on Streeteasy.com, don’t just send an anonymous inquiry. Add a personal note with your credit score, annual income, employer, profession, the rental price you want to pay, and the date you’re looking to move. Brokers read these and they often have other apartments that may match your criteria that they have not listed. This is because they pay per listing on Streeteasy.com. Often they’ll list a few, and then tell those that message them about others that they have that aren’t listed. 

Tip #7: Message Streeteasy.com brokers even if they don’t have a listing that matches what you’re looking for

Pursuant to Tip #6, on Streeteasy.com you may find the same brokers popping up in neighborhoods that interest you. Often, there are a few that seem to have a corner on the market of a specific neighborhood. That’s because many of them have deep ties to specific neighborhoods and the landlords, management companies, and property owners there. Streeteasy.com lists their email addresses and phone numbers. Message or call them, tell them what you’re looking for, and ask if they have anything available or coming available soon that might be a good match. 

Tip #8: Tell everyone you know you’re looking for an apartment

Some apartments are pure luck. A friend of a friend of a friend knows a place is about to open up. In case some of these gems are somewhere in your sphere of influence, tell everyone you know by every means you have that you’re looking for a new apartment. Be clear about what you want and tell them so they keep you top-of-mind in case they hear of something.

Tip #9: Be open to not getting everything you want
I hope you find everything you’re looking for in a new apartment. I found I needed a list of non-negotiables and nice-to-haves. There was no perfect apartment. That was pretty evident to me from the outset of my search. My new place does have all my non-negotiables and many of my nice-to-haves, so I knew it was the right fit as soon as I saw the description.

Tip #10: Be open to new neighborhoods

I loved living on the Upper West Side and lived there for many years. However, when I looked at my list of non-negotiables, I quickly realized that I would have to move to a new neighborhood. That was disappointing at first, but I quickly got over it and moved on with my search. And this means I didn’t waste too much time focused on a neighborhood that just didn’t match my needs anymore. Living in a new neighborhood in a borough I’ve never lived in before gave me a fresh and wonderful perspective on life and this city that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Tip #11: See the apartment in-person, and preferably at night

I went to see so many apartments that looked completely different than the photos online. Long shots can make them look bigger than they are. Sometimes the photos were old and the apartments were much more run-down than they looked online. I also went to see many of them at night to see if I’d feel comfortable coming home late at night. Nothing replaces an in-person look!

Tip #12: Show up looking professional and responsible
Brokers and property owners make a split-second decision when they see you. It’s not right, but I saw it happen again and again in this search, especially since a broker usually shows the apartment to multiple people at once. Sometimes I’d go to open houses and there were 30 people there to see it. When you go to see an apartment, look the part of a professional, responsible person. It goes a long way. 

Tip #13: Book movers early

I booked Piece of Cake Moving before I even knew where I would be moving because it was a local move. They were amazing through the whole process. With just a $50 deposit, I could secure my rate, date, and time, and that could be changed later as long as they had availability (and sometimes has a lower or higher fee). Remember that the earlier you book, the lower the rate and the more availability they have.

Tip #14: Be flexible on move date and putting your items in storage

Piece of Cake Moving offers a free month of storage with every rental. Yes, you have to pay to move things into storage and out of storage, but for the right deal that might be worth it to you. It was for me. There was a two-week gap between my old lease and new lease so I got an Airbnb out of town and put my things in storage. This is because it was an incredible deal. Yes, it was a hassle on some fronts, but it was absolutely worth it!

I hope this guide is helpful to you and anyone you know looking for an apartment in New York City. If you’ve got any questions, put them in the comments and I’ll share anything I know. Also, if you have other tips about moving in New York that I didn’t put in this guide, please share those, too. Let’s help each other find a great place to live!

Thoughts from the inaugural Games and SDG Summit at the UN

Me at the United Nations

“Go further than you think you can, or should. Push that boundary of what you could do into the uncomfortable zone because that’s where you know change is happening.” ~ Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO

Being at the United Nations Games for Change Games and SDG (Strategic Development Goals) Summit to talk with attendees across government, academia, industry, and nonprofits about my sustainability in games research at University of Cambridge with ustwo Games, and learn more about the role of games in promoting sustainability, was nothing short of an honor. I know I was privileged to be in the room.

Because 1/3 of the world population plays games, games need to be a tool for every organization working in sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about that, please get in touch! I’d love to share ideas of how you can get started! I also encourage anyone and everyone to look into Playing 4 The Planet, the UN’s inspiring games initiative with resources and data for every size of organization.

The summit was filled with incredible presentations about what’s already been done with games, projects that are underway, and the mountain of work ahead. There is one idea that I can’t shake, one perspective that completely changed my point-of-view about my work and my place in the world. It was from Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of gaming company Sybo. He talked about how his company is pushing the boundaries in their communications and storytelling so far that there was a bit of backlash from their community. Rather than seeing this as a mistake or misstep, he saw this as a victory to be celebrated, a milestone that showcases progress. On this border, he saw evolution, change, and a provocative call-to-action. He closed his talk by saying he hopes all of us will have the courage to go further than we think we can, and to push our companies to do the same.

Over the next few weeks and months, I’m going to think about what that boundary is for me and how I can push past it to create breakthrough change. How can I extend myself beyond what I think I’m capable of doing? How can I take a bigger risk, step outside of my comfort zone to do something extraordinary that I’m not certain I can accomplish? How can I dare greatly?

I don’t know the answers to any of those questions right now, but I’m excited and eager to find them and share them. I hope you’ll join me in that quest to rise higher, to go further and faster together. The future of our planet, and all species with whom we share it, depends on it.

Games and Climate Action at the UN’s inaugural Games and SDG Summit

United Nations HQ in NYC – Games for Change

I spent my first year at University of Cambridge researching and writing about the role of video games to encourage climate action. I was fortunate to collaborate with the incredible team at ustwo Games on this work, especially Jennifer Estaris who is a shining star in the games for good space. They are a group of passionate, talented, and deeply committed people. Through our work, I realized that video games can and will play a part in building a healthier, more joyful, safer, and more sustainable world.

Games are for everyone. They unify people across cultures, continents, and every demographic designation. Their stories are timely and timeless. They allow us to reconcile with our past, make sense of our present, and simulate our future with a high degree of accuracy and an abundance of empathy. They help us not only to imagine a better and brighter future, but also create the roadmap to get there. Games can do what so many other tools can’t: they can transcend politics, cross the chasm of experience, and help establish common ground. They are a map, a compass, and a guidebook to the very highest calling of humanity—to be humane to all beings.

Today I’m at the United Nations for the inaugural Games and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Summit at the UN Headquarters, the kick-off to the 20th Games for Change Festival. I’m honored to be invited with industry professionals, government officials, and sustainable development experts, and look forward to all of the incredible conversations, ideas, and ambitions that will flow through each and every person in the room. Together, we’re building the path to higher ground, and I can’t wait to see what we find. 

I’m starting my sustainability dissertation at University of Cambridge

Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash

My dissertation proposal has been accepted by University of Cambridge and I have a fantastic supervisor who is based at The London School of Economics and Political Science, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

I’ll spend the next year developing a framework for climate change storytelling to connect sustainability advocates with family offices investigating sustainable investments and business decisions. I’m passionate about creating win-win-win opportunities for these families, the planet, and all beings who share this home.

The capital shortfall is a massive challenge for the shift to a sustainable society, and my hope is that my dissertation can help contribute a piece of the solution. Here we go!

New York. What a character. My latest essay for Pipeline Artists.

Feature image from dikaya888 (Adobe)

If you know me, you know how much I love New York and how proud I am to be a New Yorker. To that end, this is my toast and roast to dear old New York. Essentially a love letter to my city, published by Pipeline Artists. You can read the full piece here.

An excerpt:
“Dearly Beloved,

We are gathered here today to toast and roast our dear old chum, someone who’s like no one, someone who’s a chameleon, a shape shifter. You may know them as the Big Apple, Gotham, the City So Nice They Named It Twice, the City that Never Sleeps, the Empire City. Many simply call it The City. Me? The nickname I like best is A Beautiful Disaster.

I give you the dynamic, the dastardly, the dreamy—New York.

I’ve left New York multiple times over the years, sworn them off for good, to never return, only to eventually make my way back. I’m not alone in this pursuit to try to live without New York only to find that New York lures me back just by existing.”

You can read the full piece here.

I’ll be at Games for Change 2023 as press

https://festival.gamesforchange.org/

I’ll be attending this year’s Games for Change festival in New York City in July with press credentials. I’m a freelancer so I’m looking forward to submitting pieces to a number of publications. If you’re interested in having me write for your publication, please get in touch at christa.avampato@gmail.com.

I spoke at the festival a decade ago for the 10th anniversary when I was with Sesame Workshop managing the National STEM Video Game Challenge. At this year’s 20th anniversary, I’m looking forward to meeting and learning from all of the attendees, and being inspired by how games are helping to build a better world for all beings. I’m particularly interested in games and developers focused on climate issues and the environment.

If you’ll be there, let me know. I’d love to meet you, and hear about what you’re doing. You can reach out to me at christa.avampato@gmail.com.

Myth-busting: Canada is not to blame for wildfires impacting NYC, and these fires aren’t “natural”

Photo by Kym MacKinnon on Unsplash

The U.S. loves a good blame game. I’ve seen some journalists and talking heads blame Canada for New York City’s hideous air quality that is now migrating south, and others call these fires “natural”. Let’s debunk both these myths.

Don’t blame Canada
Canada is not the enemy, just the stage for this latest environmental tragedy. The wildfires were caused by years of extreme temperatures and drought, driven by climate change, drying out forests and making them hotter. This is a great recipe for kindling. Canada’s millions of acres of forest are tinderboxes. 

Dry, hot weather also creates more lightning. Lightning starts 50% of Canada’s wildfires that generate 85% of wildfire destruction. The other half of Canada’s wildfires are caused by human activity. Changing our collective behaviour to mitigate the impacts of humanity-driven climate change needs to be our collaborative focus. 

These Canadian wildfires are not “natural”
Climate deniers love to throw around the word “natural”. There is nothing natural about the fires except for the fact that they are impacting nature in profound ways that will, if left unchecked, leave this planet and us in jeopardy. There’s nothing natural about massive consumption far beyond our needs, our outrageous generation of trash and pollution, and the intense love affair we have with fossil fuel use. This wildfire season has started earlier, is already more fierce than any in history, and will last longer. All of these circumstances are driven by an accelerated rate of climate change, rate being the opportune word. 

Yes, climate changes over time, and so does weather. Another myth to debunk—climate and weather are not the same. Climate is a pattern over time; weather is an acute event. They are linked, but they are not the same. We expect weather to change. We expect, and need, climate to be stable.

For the past 12,000 years, the Earth’s climate has been stable with very little change. In the past 150 years, the change to our climate has been substantial, occurred at a rate at which nature cannot adjust and adapt to maintain quality of life, and is due to human activity. This is anything but natural. 

We still have time to fix this
As treacherous as this situation is now, all is not lost, yet. We can change our behaviours. We can change how we live on and with this planet, and all the species who call it home. We can eat more plants and fewer animal products. We can use less energy, and create more of it from sustainable sources. We can have honest conversations, and take more responsibility as individuals, communities, governments, and businesses. We can be alarmed, maintain hope, and use tragedy as fuel to turn pain and peril into power through our actions.

What we can’t do is lie, bury our heads in the sand, prey off of people’s fears, and be complacent. It’s time to rise together to protect the planet. Our own lives and livelihoods hang in the balance. 

New York wakes up to climate change

Picture I took this morning of the thick skies in upstate New York

Yesterday, Mayor Adams walked out of Gracie Mansion, smelled the air, looked at the sky, and asked, “What the hell is this?” This, Mr. Mayor, is climate change.

A truly stunning series of events is unfolding in New York. For the first time in recorded history, the AQI (air quality index) was over 200. 218 to be exact—a purple warning, the highest level of the AQI. Right now, it is the second worst air quality in the world. Canadian wildfires are mixing with ground level ozone to create a thick smoky gravy in the skies. 

It’s forcing New Yorkers indoors to protect their health. The city has asked that if they must go outdoors, they should dig out and wear those KN95 masks they thought were in their COVID-19 rearview mirrors. They are being encouraged to work from home is possible, and many events are being cancelled across the city, including after-school activities. 

To my knowledge, the 33-minute press conference that Mayor Adams and his collaborators and staff held this morning on the situation is the first time a New York Mayor has held such an event specifically because of climate change, with that being the dominant message at the event. It won’t be the last. The climate emergency is here, it’s impacting daily life, and it will get worse. 

During the War of 1812, Master Commandant Oliver Perry wrote to Major General William Henry Harrison, “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.” He could easily write the same line today with respect to climate change. We are the problem, and we are also the solution.

Synchronistically, I am in upstate New York taking a break as I wait for my new Brooklyn apartment to be ready and I am working my way through the climate segment of my Masters degree in Sustainability Leadership at University of Cambridge. For the record, I don’t like to be away from my city when there’s a crisis. As a proud and committed New Yorker, I feel responsible for my home, my neighbors, and our collective future, particularly when it comes to environmental sustainability. 

Some environmental facts about New York City may surprise you. New York has more trees than any other U.S. city has people, with 39.2% tree cover, the highest of any city in the world. New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions are 7.1 metric tons per person compared with the national average of 24.5. New Yorkers are collectively responsible for just 1% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions though we comprise 2.7% of the nation’s population. We are the only city in the U.S. where well over half of households do not own a car, and most people regularly take public transit — the highest percentage to do so in the nation. 78% of New Yorkers are personally convinced climate change is happening, slightly higher than the 71% national average. 

Still, inequality in environmental impacts and health outcomes, often linked to environmental causes, is rampant in New York. It has the third highest cancer instance in the country, the old housing stock and lead paint are ongoing concerns, and pests are so rampant that we have a rat czar (her actual title), Kathleen Corradi, on the city payroll. Though the average New Yorker creates less trash than the national average, we are the largest city by population and collectively generate 14 million tons of trash every year, which is all shipped out of the city for processing.

The inequality in New York is also causing a disparity in impact with this latest air quality warning. I feel for the elderly, those with health challenges intensely impacted by this situation, those in neighborhoods who are already disproportionately impacted by climate change and health challenges, and essential workers such as sanitation workers who again are being asked to show up in our city for our sake. 

I also feel for the animals and natural landscapes who did nothing to precipitate this situation, and now have no protection from the fallout. New York is home to over 7,000 species of plants and animals, and we are in one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. We need this biodiversity in flora and fauna, and they need us to change our ways, now more than ever. 

My biggest goal in my life is to make New York the healthiest and most sustainable city on the planet. We have much to do, and a long way to go. This latest air quality warning proves we must go together. 

Canadian wildfires impacting New York City air quality

Imagine on Secret NYC by Gary Hershorn

Canadian wildfires are having a massive impact on NYC air quality today. Limit time outdoors and limit energy use when possible. The air quality is so poor that people will begin to feel health impacts from it. It is in place at least until midnight tonight.

This will be common throughout the summer as global warming and climate change have triggered an earlier and more intense start to wildfire season. More details, links, and information about this alert here: https://secretnyc.co/air-quality-health-advisory-nyc/

Stay up-to-date on this warning and other environmental notifications by following the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation twitter account at https://twitter.com/NYSDEC

Envision your new space

Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

One thing I’m spending time on while I’m out of the city is considering how I’m going to decorate my forever home in Brooklyn. I have never decorated a home before. I’ve moved far too often to make the investment of time and money worthwhile. But that’s changed now with this apartment. I don’t know a lot about interior design because I’ve never spent any time studying it. I’m poring over magazines, websites, and the social media feeds of designers.

One piece of advice that everyone seems to give is “start by imagining how you want your home to feel.” How do I want to feel when I open the front door? How do I want guests to feel? Now I have an answer—I want it to be a little jewel box of peace. I want to open the door and feel like I can take a deep breath. I want my home to feel like an oasis, a respite, and a place of relief. A place where joy can grow.

I can manifest that feeling in the colors, textures, selection and arrangement of the furniture, and art. I gave away nearly all my furniture from my old apartment. I get a chance to start fresh with this apartment, to make it exactly the home I want it to be, and I can’t wait to begin.