scorecard
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. I toured a Baltimore apartment to see how it compares to the one I rent in NYC, and I'm still dreaming about the extra space and amenities

I toured a Baltimore apartment to see how it compares to the one I rent in NYC, and I'm still dreaming about the extra space and amenities

Joey Hadden   

I toured a Baltimore apartment to see how it compares to the one I rent in NYC, and I'm still dreaming about the extra space and amenities
Insider's reporter compared her NYC apartment to one in Baltimore that costs $100 less to rent.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I saw an apartment in Baltimore that costs $100 less in rent than my $1,650/month NYC residence.
  • The one-bedroom home is twice the size of my 1.5-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn and has a dishwasher.

As a New Yorker, I often wonder what I could get for my money if I lived in another city. So, on a recent trip to Baltimore, I was curious to find out what an apartment within the same price range as my rental in New York City would look like.

As a New Yorker, I often wonder what I could get for my money if I lived in another city. So, on a recent trip to Baltimore, I was curious to find out what an apartment within the same price range as my rental in New York City would look like.
The author takes a selfie in Baltimore.      Joey Hadden/Insider

According to Apartments.com, the average rent in Baltimore is $1,255 for a one-bedroom, compared to $2,953 in Brooklyn, where I live.

According to Apartments.com, the average rent in Baltimore is $1,255 for a one-bedroom, compared to $2,953 in Brooklyn, where I live.
Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn (L) and Fells Point, Baltimore (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

I took a look on Zillow and found several apartments in Baltimore listed for around $1,650 a month, which is what I pay to rent my apartment in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

I took a look on Zillow and found several apartments in Baltimore listed for around $1,650 a month, which is what I pay to rent my apartment in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
A screenshot of Baltimore apartments the author found on Zillow.      Zillow.com

I was intrigued by a one-bedroom loft that used to be a carriage house listed on Zillow for $1,550/month in the neighborhood of Fells Point.

I was intrigued by a one-bedroom loft that used to be a carriage house listed on Zillow for $1,550/month in the neighborhood of Fells Point.
The Fells Point apartment is the red-brick building.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Zillow

Fells Point is about 20 minutes from downtown Baltimore on public transit. It's considered one of the city's best neighborhoods for young professionals and families, according to Niche.

Fells Point is about 20 minutes from downtown Baltimore on public transit. It
Fells Point is a neighborhood in Baltimore.      Google Maps

Source: Niche

At 1,000 square feet, the apartment — which used to be a carriage house — is more than double the size of my Brooklyn apartment and comes with some amenities that I don't have, including a garage.

At 1,000 square feet, the apartment — which used to be a carriage house — is more than double the size of my Brooklyn apartment and comes with some amenities that I don
The outside of the apartment in Baltimore.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In Brooklyn, I live in an apartment that takes up less than 500 square feet. From Bed-Stuy, it takes me about 30 minutes to get to lower Manhattan by train. If I wanted to get to Midtown Manhattan, it would take me 45 minutes.

In Brooklyn, I live in an apartment that takes up less than 500 square feet. From Bed-Stuy, it takes me about 30 minutes to get to lower Manhattan by train. If I wanted to get to Midtown Manhattan, it would take me 45 minutes.
A view of the outside of the author's Brooklyn apartment building.      Joey Hadden/Insider

According to my lease, it's technically a 1.5-bedroom apartment. But I only use one room as a bedroom, and I have two extra tiny spaces that I use for work and recreation.

According to my lease, it
The living room inside the author's Brooklyn apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While I love my Brooklyn apartment with all its quirks — I'm looking at you, windows that face each other — I decided I had to tour this Baltimore apartment to see what I was missing.

While I love my Brooklyn apartment with all its quirks — I
The author's windows to nowhere are seen.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I walked in, I was greeted by a staircase leading up to the living space.

As I walked in, I was greeted by a staircase leading up to the living space.
Stairs leading up to the apartment in Baltimore.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In my Brooklyn apartment, I live on the third floor and there's no elevator, so walking up just one flight of stairs was a nice change.

In my Brooklyn apartment, I live on the third floor and there
Stairs in the author's Brooklyn apartment building.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the top of the stairs, in the Baltimore apartment, there is a spacious kitchen and living space with an open floor plan.

At the top of the stairs, in the Baltimore apartment, there is a spacious kitchen and living space with an open floor plan.
The kitchen and living space in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It's a bright space with four skylights and three windows bringing natural light in.

It
A skylight (L) and two windows (R) in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

A windowed door opens up to a barrier, creating a balcony without any additional outdoor platform, which I thought was clever during the tour.

A windowed door opens up to a barrier, creating a balcony without any additional outdoor platform, which I thought was clever during the tour.
Views with the doors open in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In my Brooklyn apartment, the kitchen and living area is less than half the size of the same space in the Baltimore carriage house I toured. While my apartment also has an open floor plan, the living space feels separate from the kitchen since the layout is so narrow.

In my Brooklyn apartment, the kitchen and living area is less than half the size of the same space in the Baltimore carriage house I toured. While my apartment also has an open floor plan, the living space feels separate from the kitchen since the layout is so narrow.
The author's living and kitchen area.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The only windows in my kitchen face the wall of another building, so it doesn't get as much light as the same space in the Baltimore apartment.

The only windows in my kitchen face the wall of another building, so it doesn
Windows in the author's kitchen.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My kitchen is pretty small and simple, with a fridge, oven, stove, and sink.

My kitchen is pretty small and simple, with a fridge, oven, stove, and sink.
Inside the author's kitchen.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In the Baltimore apartment, the kitchen is much more spacious with unique design choices, like the tile flooring, the blue oven, and teal countertops.

In the Baltimore apartment, the kitchen is much more spacious with unique design choices, like the tile flooring, the blue oven, and teal countertops.
The kitchen in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The faucet with two sinks in the Baltimore apartment's kitchen is something I'd only dream of having in Brooklyn.

The faucet with two sinks in the Baltimore apartment
The kitchen sink in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Baltimore apartment also has a dishwasher and a washer and dryer — amenities I'd love to have in Brooklyn.

The Baltimore apartment also has a dishwasher and a washer and dryer — amenities I
The Baltimore apartment's dishwasher (L) and washer and dryer (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

The bathroom in the Baltimore apartment is pretty similar to mine with a small vanity, toilet, and shower.

The bathroom in the Baltimore apartment is pretty similar to mine with a small vanity, toilet, and shower.
The bathroom in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The only big difference I noticed: a closet with some storage shelving in the Baltimore apartment.

The only big difference I noticed: a closet with some storage shelving in the Baltimore apartment.
Storage space in the Baltimore apartment's bathroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At home, I stuff all my toiletries into the top two shelves of a bookcase that's crammed into a corner.

At home, I stuff all my toiletries into the top two shelves of a bookcase that
The author's bathroom in her Brooklyn apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The bedroom in the Baltimore apartment is separated by a partial wall with no door. It has a ceiling fan, which would really come in handy in the summer.

The bedroom in the Baltimore apartment is separated by a partial wall with no door. It has a ceiling fan, which would really come in handy in the summer.
The bedroom in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On one side of the bedroom there's a large, walk-in closet with hanging racks and storage cabinets.

On one side of the bedroom there
The Baltimore bedroom and closet.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My Brooklyn apartment, on the other hand, has two tiny rooms that lead to the main bedroom. One of them is my music room, but I've thought about using it as a workout space or for other activities.

My Brooklyn apartment, on the other hand, has two tiny rooms that lead to the main bedroom. One of them is my music room, but I
A small room inside the author's Brooklyn apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The other tiny room is my office, which I also use as a guest bedroom. Since the small rooms are in the middle of my railroad apartment, you have to walk through one room to get to the next, and neither space has natural light.

The other tiny room is my office, which I also use as a guest bedroom. Since the small rooms are in the middle of my railroad apartment, you have to walk through one room to get to the next, and neither space has natural light.
Another small room inside the author's Brooklyn apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But my bedroom at the back of my apartment is much larger than the other rooms and has two large windows that bring in plenty of natural light.

But my bedroom at the back of my apartment is much larger than the other rooms and has two large windows that bring in plenty of natural light.
The author's bedroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My closet leaves something to be desired, though, and is about a quarter of the size of the wardrobe in the Baltimore apartment.

My closet leaves something to be desired, though, and is about a quarter of the size of the wardrobe in the Baltimore apartment.
Inside the author's bedroom closet.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While the bedroom in Baltimore is about the same size as my three rooms put together and has a larger closet, I appreciate that my Brooklyn apartment has three separate rooms, however small, that I can use for different purposes.

While the bedroom in Baltimore is about the same size as my three rooms put together and has a larger closet, I appreciate that my Brooklyn apartment has three separate rooms, however small, that I can use for different purposes.
The bedroom in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But one thing I prefer about the Baltimore bedroom is the balcony, past a sliding barn door and another windowed door.

But one thing I prefer about the Baltimore bedroom is the balcony, past a sliding barn door and another windowed door.
Doors lead to the balcony in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While it was too cold to open, I could tell by peering through the window that two people could stand out there comfortably.

While it was too cold to open, I could tell by peering through the window that two people could stand out there comfortably.
A peek of the balcony in the Baltimore apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In Brooklyn, my bedroom window opens up to a fire escape overlooking a sidewalk that I use as outdoor space.

In Brooklyn, my bedroom window opens up to a fire escape overlooking a sidewalk that I use as outdoor space.
A view of the author's bedroom in Brooklyn.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But the fire escape doesn't have enough room for two people to sit comfortably, so when I have someone over, one of us has to sit on the window sill.

But the fire escape doesn
A view of the author's fire escape in Brooklyn.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Overall, while I still love my tiny Brooklyn apartment and don't plan to move, I can't help but fantasize about the Baltimore apartment's bigger footprint, extra amenities, outdoor space, and natural light.

Overall, while I still love my tiny Brooklyn apartment and don
The author is seen outside her Brooklyn apartment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

READ MORE ARTICLES ON

Popular Right Now

Advertisement