When I became a 'DINK,' my apartment in NYC got a major upgrade. I'm paying $150 less a month on rent and now have a backyard.

Joey HaddenFeb 7, 2024, 19:24 IST

Clifford Prince King for BI

I recently became a DINK when I moved in with my partner in New York City.
"DINK" describes someone who lives in a double-income household with no kids.

This is part of our series Splitting the Difference, which examines the financial lives of couples.

I'm a DINK, which means I live with my partner and we have double income, no kids.

Living in New York, I can see how much your life can change when you couple up. Before I lived with my partner, I was typically spending nearly half my income on rent, and I couldn't afford to save for big purchases.

But moving in with my partner allowed us to get a bigger place for less money. And I'm finally able to buy things that add so much value to my life.

See for yourself.

In 2021, I moved into a New York apartment by myself for the first time.

The author snapping a selfie after signing her lease.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Two years later, I've coupled up and moved into a much larger space with my partner. This "double income, no kids" lifestyle makes me a DINK.

The author enjoying her new home.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In my previous apartment, I had just a fire escape outside my bedroom.

The author's fire escape in her previous apartment.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Now I have a fenced-in yard with a patio, a firepit, and plenty of grass for my small dog to hop around in.

The author's backyard in her current apartment has a patio and a fire pit.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My previous apartment had a modest kitchen with wooden cabinets.

The author's kitchen in her previous apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

My new kitchen looks modern and has more appliances.

The author's kitchen in her current apartment has a dishwasher and a microwave.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my previous apartment, the bathroom felt cramped.

The author's bathroom in her previous apartment.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My new bathroom feels twice as big and has modern finishings. I have an additional half bath in the basement.

The full bathroom in the author's apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my old place, I spent about $200 a month on laundry services.

The author's dog sitting on a pile of laundry in her previous apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

But now I have a washer and dryer in my apartment. In New York, this is a huge deal.

The author's laundry machine in her current apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my previous apartment, my bedroom doubled as my office.

The author's office in her previous apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

Now my office fits in my kitchen.

The author's office in her current apartment is next to the back door.Joey Hadden/Insider

In my old place, the living room was cramped into the kitchen.

The author's living room in her previous apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

Now I have a basement big enough for a living room and a guest bed.

The author's basement in her current apartment has enough space for a coffee table and a guest bed.Joey Hadden/Insider

My previous apartment had two tiny rooms that couldn't fit much furniture.

One of two tiny rooms in the author's old apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

There's enough room in my basement now for a full drum kit.

The author's new kit in her current apartment.Joey Hadden/Insider

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