I lived in a hotel for three months. boohoo, poor me.

this is the apartment I’m staying in while in Paris. Located on Rue Larry near Place Monge in the fifth arrondismont. The arrangement is for two years. But honestly, i don’t know if i can last two years, especially when the only french i know is swear words.

I moved, to the Biltmore. on the 49th floor.

Ben’s new apartment, over looking the bay bridge and perfect spot for fireworks from embarcadero

So after five years living in cramped apartments in college town, I desperately wanted to a big place. I wanted to live in a big apartment in nyc, preferably one with a view. However, after looking around, I came to my senses something like that would cost me three arms and a leg, hey, if it was only one arm and a leg, I’d say, to with that, lets go for it, I can get by w/ just one arm and one leg, I would never have to worry about parking any more. Anyway, on top of that, there’s the broker’s fee, which runs to about $4000. So the sensible choice is to broaden my horizon and look a little bit out of Manhattan….

On January 20th, I moved into my perfect apartment, it’s a two bedroom in a brown stone house on 60th and fifth ave. Out of the living room window is a gorgeous view of a cathedral. Totally safe neighborhood, how do I know that? Cuz I would frequently see grandmother walking w/ their grandchildren late at night. Why would they be out and about late at night, you guess is as good as mine, but the point is, they are out there strolling totally at ease. Here comes the punch line, I pay only $800! You are thinking, how is this possible? How could I ever find such an amazing place in Upper East Side and only pay 800, my landlord must have left out a zero in the rent. Well let me tell you, this is only possible in the other 60th and fifth, as in Brooklyn. I think this may also explain the fact that my bedroom floor is slightly slanted and there are screws instead of handles on all my kitchen cabinets? Oh, speaking of the kitchen, I don’t have any drawers, only cabinets, no drawers, nor counter top space. And I’m not even going to into the fact that there is no oven. How am I going to become a master chef if I’m being deprived of all these basic necessities? And isn’t one of the perks of being in a developed country is that there will always be an oven, fridge and a dish washer in the kitchen?