Brownstones in Park Slope

When you’re looking for an apartment in New York, a lot of questions come to mind. Is it affordable? Is the neighborhood safe? Can I get along with my roommate? (Not to mention concerns about proximity to work, the Subway, and/or the laundromat.)

But here’s one question you probably don’t ask yourself: Am I breaking the law? According to a recent article in The New York Times, breaking the law in group-living situations is easier than you think. That’s because, technically, it is illegal for four or more unrelated roommates to occupy a house or apartment in New York.

Who knew, right? Apparently, a law like this is not all that uncommon, as similar legislature exists in New Orleans, Boston, and Amherst, Mass.

Fortunately, the roommate policy is hardly ever enforced; The Times reports only three citations since last July. If it is enforced, it’s almost always following a noise complaint from a neighbor, or an infraction noticed by a maintenance team.

Plus, if the city does find out that you’re living with more than three other roommates, your landlord will be at fault — not you.

Image via Dede Le on Flickr.

Imagine if Goldilocks went apartment-hunting in Brooklyn.

She would shun Crown Heights — although super-convenient for Manhattan commuters, this efficient region is crowded to the point of bustling to the point of claustrophobic. “Too metropolitan,” she would say.

But what about Williamsburg? Metropolitan in a very different way — the jeans are claustrophobic, not the streets — Williamsburg would probably be a little posh for our yellow-haired youth, who still prefers porridge to crêpes. “Too trendy” would be the complaint.

For something, ahem, just right, Ms. Locks would likely travel to Greenpoint. One of our favorite neighborhoods, Greenpoint is a comparatively quieter neighborhood featuring a longstanding Polish community and recent smattering of hipsters overflowing from Williamsburg.

Goldilocks would love the neighborhood’s proximity to the L (…and the G), and even its nearness to Williamsburg, which is good every once in a while.

Now, to shop for chairs…

Image via flickr

Brooklyn just happens to be one of those cities split up into several different sections or boroughs. In fact, Brooklyn alone has something like 30 different boroughs where you can choose to live, and there is a place for just about everyone. This includes elderly couples, couples with children, young couples, and gay and lesbian couples—as well as singles! Different neighborhoods in Brooklyn also offer different styles of homes, such as brownstones, Victorians, lofts, and apartments.

For younger couples, I recommend shopping around in Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. Both of these are ideal if you’re looking for restaurants, cultural activities, and convenience. Young singles can thrive here as well, in addition to Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, which are already populated with people right out of college.

These areas are all fairly close to Manhattan’s lower tip, which means you’ve got some of the city’s hippest attractions only a short Subway ride away—only you get to go home to a significantly lower rent. For example, you can check out the East Village for a whole selection of restaurants, café, and coffeehouses.