New York Habitat Blog

New York Habitat and especially the blog team
would like to wish you, your family and friends
a happy and healthy holidays and new year.

New York Habitat Greetings

Our rental agents in New York, Paris, London and the South of France wish you the best.

Please check back in the new year for more great posts about everything New York Habitat related.

Don’t forget, the New York and Paris Furnished Apartment Market Reports will be published shortly after the new year.

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com

The Canal St. Martin deserves much more attention than it sometimes gets. It’s much less crowded than its big brother–the river Seine–and, in our opinion, has more authentic cafes, smoke shops and eateries than some of the tourist-driven establishments Seine-side. The neighborhoods around the Canal are a tree-lined conglomeration of some of Paris’ best bakeries, artisan shops and residencies.

The neighborhood caters to local customers–not tourists–and the extra attention shows. New York Habitat has a long-standing relationship with the quarter and has several accommodations near the iconic Canal St. Martin and its neighborhoods.

Paris Accommodation: Studio in Canal Saint Martin (PA-3600)

About one city block from the serene canal and its romantic foot bridges is this studio in Canal St. Martin (PA-3600). This studio is all about location, location, location. Besides being steps from the canal and the metro station Goncourt, the apartment is a short walk from all that the Right-Bank of Paris has to offer; the Parc Buttes Chaumont, the Pere Lachaise cemetary, and, a tad further, the river Seine.

Tucked onto the quiet and tiny rue Alibert, this small studio packs a lot of punch. One of its greatest assets is its ground floor placement; the main entrance gate opens up to a manicured courtyard. Some highlights of the studio include parquet floors, two windows overlooking the courtyard and an on-site washing machine.

If you are looking for activites during your visit to this apartment check these out:

• Apartment Rentals for Paris’ Autumn Festival
• Bicycle through Paris, Marseille or Aix en Provence

Why is this studio in Canal St. Martin, Cite des Science-Buttes Chaumont a Hidden Gem?

Couples especially will love this studio’s proximity to the Canal St. Martin, arguably Paris’ most romantic tourist spot. A nice courtyard and comfortable living space make this studio accommodation a Paris Hidden Gem.

New York City. Times Square. New Year’s Eve…

Times Square Manhattan New York at sunset

We needn’t say more, but we will anyway. New York City, for better or worse, considers itself the center of the world and on no day of the year is this attitude more evident than on New year’s eve. For North America, New York City is undoubtedly the focus of the continent’s calendar celebration and the epicenter of said party is Times Square. New York Habitat has the accommodations to keep you as close, or as far from, the over-the-top festivities as you like.

Times Square, centrally located in Midtown Manhattan, is a unique surrounding to say the least. On a regular day, visitors can expect to see throngs of tourists navigating a conglomeration of pedestrian and vehicular (automobiles, street-cart vendors, mounted policemen, bicycle rickshaws) traffic, impressed, overwhelmed, or in awe of the sensory overload that is Times Square. On new year’s eve multiply the intense daily ambiance by about a million. Times Square on the last day of the year is absolutely packed with revelers. Despite the enormous number of people attending and the sometimes wild revelers on new year’s eve, there are relatively few reported incidences during celebration festivities. The police presence is substantial and consuming alcohol is prohibited on the streets.

A great option, should you decide that standing in sub-zero temperatures is not for you, is reserving a space in a Times Square restaurant. Places can be few and pricey but the views and ambiance (in addition to the option to have a drink) are often worth the extra bucks. A third option, and possibly the best, is to stay at home in your New York Habitat apartment with a bottle of champagne and the ones you love.

New York Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Midtown West - Chelsea (NY-11107)

Less than 10 city blocks from the Times Square fete is this charming and tastefully decorated 1-bedroom vacation rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-11107). On the East Side, in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan is this unique (think lots of exposed brick) 1-bedroom rental apartment in Murray Hill, Midtown East (NY 2011). And if you want the New York loft you’ve seen in the movies check out this quintessential 1-bedroom loft rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-7245).

Watching the infamous ball drop on television is one thing. Being in the center of the world–if only for one night, is another.

In the heart of the Languedoc Roussillon region of the South of France is Montpellier, a dynamic city known for its intellectual life centered around the University, one of the oldest in the country.  Though a far cry from the pastoral Provencal villages nearby, Montpellier is worth seeing for its own more cosmopolitan attractions.

Montpellier, France (Provence)

The city boasts diverse examples of architecture representing a tour through history:  the 12th century Mikvé is one of the oldest Jewish baths in Europe; a 13th century Benedictine monastery became the Faculty of Medicine in 1289, Europe’s oldest medical school. From the 14th century, Saint Pierre Cathedral still stands as the only church to have survived the religious wars. And at the heart of historic Montpellier are over 70 private mansions, examples of classic 17th and 18th century architecture, which are open to visitors.  Surrounding Montpellier are grand buildings, lit beautifully at night.  One is the famous Place de la Comédie, the focal point of the city, which  houses the statue of the Three Graces, the symbolic Greek “goddesses” of the city.  Two opera houses, the Opéra Berlioz and the Opéra Comédie, are home to famous orchestras and  many year-round performances.  Modern design is also a part of Montpellier, displayed in the city’s Antigone district which was designed in 1979 by Catalonian architect Ricardo Bofill. 

This district incorporates 20th century stylistic elements reminiscent of Eastern bloc countries- quite a contrast from the ornate and grand buildings in the historic center of Montpellier.  Apart from the buildings, the city has its own “island of green,” the oldest botanical garden in France, complete with a research garden and a forest school for botanists.

Montpellier, France (Provence)

New York Habitat offers ideal accommodations to enjoy the architectural treasures of this southern French city. In the Antigone district, New York Habitat offers a 2 bedroom vacation apartment in Montpellier (PR-297), perfect for four or five people, or a 3-bedroom vacation apartment (PR-298), which sleeps six. These accommodations are in a modern apartment building featuring conveniences like an elevator and a concierge who can assist visitors with Opera tickets or guided tours of the city.  From the living room window of both apartments you’ll have access to incredible views of the Lez River over the Hotel de Région.  These apartments are situated within walking distance of the historical center and the Place de la Comédie.  Visitors here will enjoy the many restaurants and shops that line the banks of the Lez River outside the apartment building, as well as an Olympic swimming pool one block away. Connecting Antigone and the beach is a 10 kilometer track perfect for running or biking that takes you to the Mediterranean Sea in a short stroll.

Closer to the historic center are more New York Habitat accommodations to choose from, like a 1-bedroom vacation apartment in Montpellier (PR-793).  This one-bedroom loft apartment is on the fourth floor, and can accommodate four.  It is within a few minutes’ walking distance of the Place de la Comédie.  An open-beam high ceiling and two skylights in the living room lend a lot of light to this loft.  Excellent amenities, like a flat screen TV, DVD player and Wifi Internet access, make your stay easy and comfortable.

South of France Accommodation: Hosted 2 Bedroom in Montpellier (PR-86)

Just outside the city, in a residential district, New York Habitat also offers a hosted 2-bedroom vacation apartment in Montpellier (PR-86).  This bed and breakfast apartment offers two independent bedrooms and can accommodate four people. Guests have a private bathroom and private entrance, as well as parking space under a covered terrace outside.  There is shared access to the living-room, the spacious renovated kitchen and the landscaped outdoor swimming pool and beautiful grounds.  Though there is plenty of privacy, the welcoming owner of this residence gives guided excursions to the most interesting sights in the area, if requested.

Whether you’d prefer stay in the historical old town, a modern high-rise or a large residence outside the city, New York Habitat offers accommodations that provide excellent access to all that Montpellier has to offer.

The Christmas season is arguably the best time to visit New York City. No matter what your religious background may be, the holiday buzz about Manhattan is impossible to ignore. Each year, Rockefeller Center fills with throngs of festive tourists and frustrated businessmen shuffling by on their way to work.

Rockafeller Center Chistmas Tree New York

Tucked into a crowded corner of Midtown Manhattan, New York’s take on the European square spruces itself up around the holidays with a large, outdoor ice-skating rink and an illuminated, 84-foot-tall spruce. This year, New York Habitat has plenty of accommodation choices for travelers wanting to get a glimpse of the city’s towering Christmas tree.

The annual tree lighting ceremony took place on November 28th complete with live music and ice-skating performances. The ice-skating rink is open to anyone brave enough to stumble across the ice as tourists look on

New York Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Midtown East (NY-12498)

(many of them do) from the promenade above. Unlike in Paris where the ice rinks are a great place to people watch, the ice rink at Rockefeller Center puts the skaters on display, for better or worse. The Art Deco tower at 30 Rockefeller Plaza anchors Rock Center and the glassed-in top floor offers some of Manhattan’s best views.

Available for the holidays is this elegant two-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown East (NY-12498), just a few blocks from the festivities at Rockefeller Center. Those in need of a respite from the holiday hubbub can hide out in this expansive loft-style one-bedroom rental in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-8169).

Rockefeller Center during December and January encapsulates the holiday season in New York:hectic, cold, overcrowded and brimming with an intoxicating spirit.

If you make it to the Rockefeller ice skating rink send us your comments on the experience.

After years of experience in the New York furnished apartment rental market, New York Habitat has decided to broaden our scope to meet the needs of longer term clients who are looking for unfurnished apartment rentals. To make this new service a success, we have carefully selected a team of real estate agents who have experience in both furnished and unfurnished apartment rentals.

New York Unfurnished Apartment: 1 bedroom loft rental in Long Island City, Queens (NY-12468

Much preparation has gone into creating this department, including creation of a new section of the New York Habitat website, analysis of clients and recruitment of owners. We will share a bit of each of the process in the blog today as well as direct you to the newly created sections of our website.

Apartment Rental Customers:

For the unfurnished apartment rental service, New York Habitat has decided to continue to build on its core competencies while expanding to this new type of rental. The core competencies that the company has built itself on include:

• Personal service by a dedicated team of agents
• Multi-lingual agents able to help clients from around the world
• Fully inspected listings
• Up-to-date technology
• Extensive local market knowledge

By building on these competencies, we believe that we will be able to expand our client base to include repeat clients and new clients that learn about New York Habitat via word of mouth and extensive marketing of this new service.

Apartment Owners:

With over 12,000 apartments listed in New York from 1989 to today, we have a large base of owners to work with. Several of our owners have been pleased to learn that we are now offering unfurnished apartment rentals and have added their unfurnished offerings to our roster. Furthermore, the team has canvassed extensively to find new opportunities to offer in New York City.

New York Habitat Website:

To aid in finding the perfect unfurnished apartment rental we have created several sections on our website including:

New York Unfurnished Apartment Rental: 1 Bedroom Rental in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (NY-12540)

The Unfurnished Apartment Rentals Page

The New York Accommodations Price Range Table

The New York Apartment Services Page

If you are interested in listing your apartment or if you are looking to rent an unfurnished apartment, feel free to contact our team at (212) 255-8018 or rent@nyhabitat.com. 

Over the past few decades New York has undergone more transformations than perhaps any other American city. At the heart of the city’s urban renaissance is Brooklyn. Brooklyn has gone from a baby-booming suburbia in the 1960s to a deteriorating afterthought in the 1980s to what it is today: A prideful conglomeration of charming low-rise architecture, countless authentic cultures and a decidedly unpretentious personality. Brooklyn is now drawing tourists that venture beyond the Brooklyn Bridge into the artistic enclaves and ethnic neighborhoods that define the borough. New York Habitat accommodations go far beyond Manhattan’s borders–most often into New York’s most interesting borough, Brooklyn.

New York Apartment: 4 bedroom rental in Prospect Heights (NY-12445)

Both geographically and culturally, the Prospect Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn has always been at the heart of the borough. Tucked onto Underhill Avenue, between Prospect Place and St. Marks Avenue is this sprawling 4-bedroom apartment vacation rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445). This apartment truly has one of the best locations from which to discover the borough. This flat is just a couple of blocks from Grand Army Plaza and its famous arch, Brooklyn’s answer to the Champs Elysees. Just to the south is the enormous Prospect Park, an architecturally-designed green space that rivals only Central Park. Adjacent to the park is the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens as well as the Brooklyn Museum which is one of the best museums in the United States. Oh, and the bars, restaurants, cafes and boutique shops of Park Slope are a short stroll away.

New York Accommodation: 4 berdroom rental in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (NY-12445)

Now, finally, onto the apartment. This 4-bedroom accommodation’s signifigant space features a full-sized living room, kitchen and two bathrooms. The living room features a sunny window looking onto the street and plenty o’f room for entertaining. The open kitchen boasts cherry cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Three of the four bedrooms have big windows and all offer a unique color and personality. Wood floors run throughout the apartment, a featuredifficult to find in Manhattan real estate.

Why is this 4-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn a Hidden Gem?

If you’re interested in discovering Brooklyn firsthand, there isn’t a better starting point than from this 4-bedroom apartment. This location puts Brooklyn at your fingertips. And hey, Manhattan’s just a short subway ride away!