When setting up your apartment viewing with your broker, make sure you know the type of apartment you are looking for, and what its called. It seems pretty easy, but the names of the different types of apartments can be confusing. If you want to live alone for example, you need to decide if you want a studio, an alcove studio or a one-bedroom. All three mean a very different feeling (and priced!) new home. A big part of preparing for your apartment viewing with your broker is deciding what kind of apartment you want. Know the lingo before you go, and you’ll be all set!
Studio (0 bed, 1 bath) – A one-room apartment combining the living room and sleeping area into one space. In many studios, the kitchen sits on one wall of the room (a Pullman kitchen), but some larger studios are lucky enough to have a kitchen area set off from the rest of the apartment. Studios of course have bathrooms, and though the quarters can be tight, studios are the cheapest option to live in the big city.
Alcove Studio (0 bed, 1 bath) – A studio apartment with a small dining or living area, usually due to the ‘L’ shape of the room. An alcove studio allows its residents to have a separate dining area next to the kitchen, or, if space permits, to create a small sleeping area set off from the rest of the apartment. Alcove studios are a great option if you’re on a tight budget but don’t need a full bedroom.
One-Bedroom (1 bed, 1 bath) – An apartment with a living room, a bedroom one bathroom and a kitchen. One-bedrooms are the most common type of apartment found in the city. Some people choose to erect a wall in the large living room to create a second bedroom, which can significantly cut down on expenses for roommates (we recommend you check with your broker about this as some building don’t allow it). In some luxury buildings, 1-bed, 1.5-bath apartments can be found, but these are not common. One-beds offer much more space and privacy than a studio as well as an entertainment space separate from the rest of the apartment.
Junior 4 (1 bed, 1, 1.5 or 2 bath) – A 3-room apartment consisting of a bedroom, a kitchen and a living room that includes an alcove off the living room which could be a dining room or converted into another bedroom. Junior 4s are great for roommates or families because they can provide a full-sized second bedroom in the apartment. Sometimes a Junior 4 will be marketed as a flex/convertible two-bedroom.
Two-Bedroom (2 bed, 1 or 2 bath) – Two-bedroom apartments are some of the most desired apartments in the city. They vary greatly in size and layout, but usually consist of two full bedrooms, a separate living area and kitchen. In many two-bedroom apartments, the master bedroom is much larger than the other, with an en-suite bathroom. Some two-bedroom apartments are marketed as a flex/convertible 3, where a 3rd bedroom could be created from the living room, dining room or home office. Two-bedrooms are great for families as well as roommate shares.
Classic Six (2.5 bed, 2 or 3 bath) – Classic sixes are mainly found in prewar buildings. They have a living room, a formal dining room, two bedrooms and two to three bathrooms in addition to a small maid’s room off the kitchen. Most of these apartments reside on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. Classics vary in size (5, 8) but are distinguished by their formal dining room and maid’s room.
Three+ Bedroom – True three-bedroom apartments exist in the city, but will be harder to find than two-bedroom and smaller apartments. The Suitey team has seen some unbelievably large 3+ bed apartments which are usually found in older, non-doorman buildings or as penthouses in newer buildings. While it is certainly possible to find these multi-bed apartments, they get taken quickly so make sure you’re working with a great broker (like one of Suitey’s!).
