New York Habitat Blog

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com

New York in Song
“Greenwich Village”

I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment
I could be you
- Bob Dylan, “Positively Fourth Street”

Before he became one of the most celebrated songwriters in modern history, Bob Dylan was the focal point of the folk rock scene that emerged from Greenwich Village during the 1960’s.  “Positively Fourth Street” – the title refers to West 4th Street, which snakes its way across most of the Village – is one of many Dylan songs influenced by his life in Greenwich Village. 

Primarily identified as the area below 14th Street, above Houston Street and west of Broadway, Greenwich Village is famous for its bohemian history.  For years, it was home to musicians, artists and actors – both famous and struggling – who infused the area with a spirit of energy and creativity.  Main strips include West 4th Street and Bleecker Street, which are populated with restaurants, cafes and interesting boutique shops specializing in everything from collectible record albums to designer eyeglasses.  There are only a handful of high-rise buildings, because the neighborhood is landmarked and new structures must adhere to strict rules and conform to the area’s existing architectural context.

Read the entire story here… »

In the November 13th, 2006 issue of Crain’s New York Business new statistics were released about the number of international students currently studying in New York City. For the first time there are over 50,000 international students residing in the city.

Finding accommodations in New York City especially for international students can be particularly difficult because many landlords require credit checks, local references or income statements. New York Habitat is in the unique position to provide student housing (link) because we specialize in short term furnished accommodations, which often require less “red tape” in the booking process then options other brokers may have.

The two largest schools hosting international students are Columbia University with 5575 foreigner scholars and New York University with 5505 international degree candidates.  New York Habitat offers special incentives for students from these schools to use our services. Students and facility from NYU can visit the New York University off-campus housing site and members of Columbia University can visit the off-campus housing assistance site to find special offers on housing though New York Habitat. Students can also visit our student-housing site to find out about special programs that New York Habitat offers.

If you are a student looking for an apartment in New York, Paris, London or The South of France consider contacting New York Habitat. Our agents speak many languages and well acquainted with the cities that we are representing.

Christmas is coming… wrap yourself in a scarf and hat and join the crowd of merry shoppers or passers by to enjoy London sparkling lights and Carol singers, for London certainly is the best place in the world to discover (or rediscover) the spirit of Christmas. Dickens said so and who would disagree… for even Scrooge did it!

The city lights will start glowing towards late November, just before Advent. That’s also when carol singers start filling the chilly air with their voices.  Music is everywhere, enlightened by the twinkling colors of the festive season.

Travelers who will choose to take their Christmas break in London will not fail to go and marvel at the giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square – given every year by the city of Oslo to the people of London – and at the most dazzling lights of Regent Street.

And if you are staying at an apartment rental, why not try your culinary talent and prepare a traditional Christmas dinner, with roast turkey and stuffing, roast potatoes and vegetables, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding, with brandy butter, please!  If you do so, do not forget to place a Christmas cracker next to each plate on the dinner table.

And of course, join in caroling your own holiday song and thus take part in one of the oldest customs in Great Britain!

It is the dream of so many who take the pen to the page to go on a peaceful, scenic writer’s retreat. The South of France is a perfect place to indulge that fantasy.

With the combination of beautiful topography, exquisitely prepared food and an array of haven-like accommodations, it makes for an inspiring scenario to work on a book or thesis. And, as it attracts artists of all stripes — painters, photographers, etc. — you’re likely to meet like-minded others
along the way.

If it’s isolation you desire, think about Upper Provence as a destination. Or perhaps some parts of the Luberon. If you require more of a buzz, something livelier, consider Aix en Provence, Avignon or the French Riviera.

New York Habitat can help make your stay exactly what you want it to be, the productive but sweet getaway you’ve been envisioning for so long. Our villas and apartments in that region range from spacious to cozy, from long-term to
short-term, and have all kinds of conveniences to meet your needs.

Imagine letting your words flow in an environment that brings you joy and tranquility. Imagine making your writing dream a reality. Imagine.

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com

New York Habitat is excited to learn of the recent educational partnership between New York University and The American University of Paris. Our student housing service, New York Habitat Academics, is anxious to assist in providing high quality furnished rental apartments in Paris or New York for their students. Link to the press release issued by New York University and The American University of Paris.

With New York Habitat’s recent introduction of New York Habitat Academics division we are distinctively positioned to help offer housing to students participating in this partnership. Over the past several months we have worked with Columbia University’s architecture program to provide housing for their students studying in Paris and New York and we continue to build relationships with schools through out the world.

The solutions that New York Habitat offers for universities including our Partnership Program and Assigned Housing Program have been tailored to the needs of schools looking for high quality furnished apartment options in the cities that we serve.

Furthermore, with the growing number of international students crossing the Atlantic every year and the continued tight housing market, New York Habitat is uniquely positioned to offer a value added service to universities in need of Student Housing.  For more information about New York Habitat Academics visit the website www.nyhabitat.com/student-housing , e-mail academics@nyhabitat.com or call us at 1(212) 255-8018.

Photographs provided by francois-roux-photography.com

New York Habitat has been working with 1000’s of students during its 17 years in business and in recent years has developed packages specifically targeting groups of students as well. Because of the incredible demand for our services we have created a specific division within the company, New York Habitat Academics, to handle these requests.

The mission of this division is to help students, professors and academic institutions find furnished housing in Paris, New York, London and The South of France. With the launch of a dedicated webpage http://www.nyhabitat.com/student-housing all of the different services offered by the division are explained in one area.

The student page of the Academics website explains in detail our offerings to individual students looking for accommodations. http://www.nyhabitat.com/student-housing/student.html

The academic institution page gives information about the programs we have specifically tailored to the needs of schools, which are sending groups of students to Paris and New York. http://www.nyhabitat.com/student-housing/academic-institution.html

As a special offer for students booking an apartment with New York Habitat Academics division through January 1st 2007 we will be offering 10% off of the standard agency fees to students, professors and other members of academic institutions presenting a valid school issued ID. Mention discount code “Academic Blog”.

For more information about these programs e-mail academics@nyhabitat.com or call (212) 255-8018 and ask for the Academics Division