New York Habitat Blog

New York Habitat continues it market report series with the release of the 1st half 2008 New York Furnished Apartment market report. Our report covers the following divisions: furnished rentals, vacation rentals and roommate share apartments. We continue to be proud to be able to offer you details about the current market conditions related to our business. To read this report visit: New York Furnished Apartment Market Report site.

In the 2008 1st half market report we compare date from the 1st half of 2006, 2007 and 2008.

New York Habitat 1st half 2008 Furnished Apartment Report

Trends are explored and predictions are made for the 2nd half of 2008 and the into 2009. The following trends are noted in the report:
•    Strength in the vacation rental and roommate share markets
•    Continued growth in Brooklyn, Uptown, Manhattan and Queens
•    Future uncertainty with the world economy suffering from the credit crisis

To see all apartment listings throughout New York City visit : The New York Vacation Rental search, The New York Furnished Rentals Search and The New York roommate share search.

To find this report and previous reports visit the New York Furnished Apartment Market Report webpage. We will periodically update this page with the latest reports for the New York City market. Check back in the 1st quarter of 2009 for the full year 2008 report.

We continue to integrate your latest suggestions into the report. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions feel free to e-mail us at marketreport@nyhabitat.com. We strive to provide the most up to date and useful information.

Our team of real estate professionals is here to serve you and we hope that this report helps you to make informed decisions about your real estate transitions in New York. They would be happy to help you find the perfect apartment rental in New York or give you advise about an apartment that you would like to list with New York Habitat.

Previous market report blog articles:
•    New York Furnished Apartment Market Report: 2007 1st half
•    New York Furnished Apartment Market Report: 2007 2nd half and full year

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to visit France. A country steeped in tradition, there are many types celebrations that take place throughout the month of December, all leading up to Christmas.  The Christmas markets are a perennial favorite, and while the largest one may be in Strasbourg, the South of France has some great markets as well, in Menton and Avignon.  Thanks to New York Habitat’s wide range of accommodations in the region, markets in both towns are easily accessible this December!

Avignon accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in the South of France

Christmas markets date back to the Middle Ages and began in the Germanic parts of Europe, but quickly spread throughout the continent. You will usually find a nativity scene among the many stalls selling food (roasted chestnuts), drink (hot mulled wine), and handmade toys and ornaments among other things. However, every market is different and manages to include some local flavor with the traditional.

In Menton, a town along the Riviera near Nice, the theme of this year’s Christmas market is “Les Comptines” or nursery rhymes. Running from December 12th to January 4th, these festivities will delight children and the child within.  Animatronic figures act out some classic French nursery rhymes and there’s even a small train to guide you through them all.  Also for the kids, there are daily shows featuring clowns or puppets and short classes to make Christmas decorations.  For the kid in all of us, there is an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel and other carnival rides.  And don’t forget to stop by the market itself to enjoy warm crepes or hot chocolate and to pick up some unique souvenirs!

The Provincial town of Avignon takes a more traditional approach to its annual Christmas market festivities. Throughout the month of December, you will find shop and food stalls set up around the Place de l’Horloge in the center of town.  Folk dancers, dressed in traditional costumes, will perform, but Santa will also be around to greet the children.  Walk down the “Chemin des crèches”, an alley of large, animated and lighted nativity scenes.  Avignon truly uses its history to its advantage since all of this takes place right by the Palais des Papes, the seat of Catholicism for much of the 14th century!

Menton apartment: 1 bedroom apartment in the South of France

New York Habitat offers numerous accommodations in the area of both Menton and Avignon so that you can enjoy both Christmas markets.  Maybe one of these will suit your needs:

•    This 1 bedroom rental in Roquebrune Cap Martin, French Riviera (PR-699) is not far from Menton or the beach!  The charming apartment is brightly decorated to match the fantastic Mediterranean sunlight!

•    This 2 bedroom maison de village rental in Avignon (PR-137) is perfect the spot to take the whole family on vacation.  The apartment may be newly renovated but the classic touches, such as exposed wooden ceiling beams, remain and so does the provincial charm!

A trip to a Christmas market is a wonderful tradition to add to your holiday vacation.  The wonderful markets put on by the towns of Menton and Avignon are great reasons to visit these areas of the South of France, whether you’ve never been or even if you’re a frequent flyer.  Let New York Habitat provide you with a luxurious vacation apartment and really make this holiday season a memorable one!

What’s your favorite part of the holiday season?  Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

One of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring sights in all of London is St. Paul’s Cathedral, especially when lit up at night. Seen from the South Bank, its crowns the cityscape with Sir Christopher Wren’s dignified and iconic dome and sets the stage for romantic, historical and ennobled London all wrapped into one. This unparalleled view has graced numerous films, has been captured by countless cameras—and can be enjoyed from your New York Habitat rental accommodation.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom apartment in Blackfriars (LN-650)

Perhaps one of the more recent films to make exquisite use of this landmark is “Closer” (2004), which shows cinematic London in all its glory. Making prodigious use of the South Bank, just across the Thames from St. Paul’s, as well as the National Portrait Gallery, the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane and the nearby, hidden oasis of Postman’s Park, the movie captures the city’s changing moods and singular beauty. It also portrays up close and personal looks into London’s “tourist attractions,” such as the London Aquarium on the South Bank or Whiteley’s shopping center, which are equally well-loved by locals.

Yet among all of these scenic spots (and the preternaturally good looks of the film’s stars, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts and Jude Law), St. Paul’s Cathedral somehow manages to stand alone in its majesty. From its stunning white exterior to the peaceful Whispering Gallery below its dome (where words whispered against the wall are supposed to travel around and back to you), all the way up 530 stairs to the Golden Gallery, which rewards visitors with a glimmering view of London, St. Paul’s is an architectural treasure. Wren’s own epitaph in the cathedral’s crypt sums it up best: “If you seek his monument, just look around you.”

A stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental will put you even closer to St. Paul’s than its stunning depictions in “Closer” do. You will also be within easy walking distance of the not-to-be-missed Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Royal Exchange and all of the activities and attractions of the South Bank, including the British Film Institute, the Hayward Gallery and Royal Festival Hall. There is also a wealth of cafés, restaurants, shops and pubs in the neighborhood (including The Blackfriar, a structural gem in its own right and one of Britian’s best public houses).

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom apartment in Islington (LN-224)

A few suggested accommodations are:

• A lovely 1-bedroom vacation rental in City-Islington (LN-224) on the fifth floor of a modern apartment building with elevator and porter. Located between Queen’s Street and Southwark Bridge, this perfectly situated flat puts you within easy walking distance of the riverbank and many of the city’s most popular attractions.

• A charming 2-bedroom vacation rental in City-Islington (LN-580) just a short walk from St. Paul’s, though located in a pretty garden setting that seems miles removed from the city. This apartment comes with double beds, an on-site porter, a private entrance and laundry.

• A super-deluxe 1-bedroom accommodation in City-Islington (LN-650), located in The City’s Square Mile, or “the Wall Street of the U.K.” This historic property is adjacent to Playhouse Yard, the former site of Shakespeare’s Winter Theatre, which was originally a Dominican monastery. The refurbished flat retains its original charm while boasting modern furnishings and features.

For a close-up view of London at its cinematic best, stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental near the incomparable St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Be sure to check out our other choices for cinematic London, and leave a comment below to let us know which parts of the city you most want to see on celluloid—or would even like to film yourself.

Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of the holiday season in the United States and what better way to usher in Christmas than by witnessing the historic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The 82nd annual parade is almost here and will be marching your way on Thursday, November 27th. Rain or shine –even snow- the show will go on.

Macy\'s Thanksgiving Parade: New York City

Stemming from European tradition the United States parade made its debut in 1924 and became such a huge success that Macy’s declared then that it would become an annual event. Replete with bands, floats and huge helium filled balloons this is one event for the entire family. So, as you and your family make preparations to become one of the million plus spectators that line the streets of Manhattan from Central Park West to Broadway, Herald Square; be sure to contact New York Habitat for vacation rental accommodations.

New York Habitat has perfect vacation rental pads along the parade route for your convenience, like this elegant fully furnished two bedroom vacation rental in the Upper West Side NY-4177 , two blocks from Central Park and the Museum of Natural History.  This location is pretty popular as the Thanksgiving Day parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West.  Spectators at this location will be the first to see the bands and floats, and of course Santa Claus who comes last but is definitely the main attraction.

New York: Accommodation 1-bedroom Midtown West (ny-11197)

You can even lodge in the midst of Herald Square in this modern and chic one bedroom vacation rental in midtown west NY-11197. From this location you can watch as the parade tapers off, making its final march down 34th Street.  Wherever you choose to stand on the sidelines we just want to make sure you’re part of the excitement.  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an event that everyone should experience at least once and here at New York Habitat we urge you to make your reservations quickly.

Have you ever been spent the holiday season in New York City?  If so we’d love for you to share your experience in the comments box below.

While Notting Hill may be well-known worldwide for the eponymous film featuring the famous blue door, it made our top five list for two very different reasons: “Alfie” and “The Italian Job,” both watershed movies in the career of Michael Caine and in their portrayals of swinging ’60s London. If you’re a fan of either film or just love that time period in general, then Notting Hill is the place for you—and New York Habitat has the perfect pad (um…rental accommodation).

Notting Hill, London

In 1966’s “Alfie,” Caine plays a playboy with an irresistible Cockney accent, about a million assorted girlfriends and a West London flat off Chepstow Road (at 29 St. Stephen’s Gardens, to be exact). That neighborhood was—and still is—the epicenter of happening London and hasn’t changed all that much in terms of being the place to see and be seen.

Filled with cutting-edge shops, retro fashions, antique decorations, laid-back cafés, cool cinemas and artsy residents, Notting Hill ranks as one of London’s must-see neighborhoods. That’s especially true on Saturdays, when Portobello Road market comes alive, just as it has been doing since the ’60s—the 1860s, that is! The streets overflow with international travelers, vendors, local celebrities (just look for the not-so-inconspicuous sunglasses) and more vintage finds than you ever imagined could be assembled in one place. Sienna, Gavin and Gwen all call Notting Hill home—and Alfie would fit in just as well there today with his mod look and stovepipe pants.

Just as smooth is Caine’s Charlie Croker in 1969’s “The Italian Job,” one of Britain’s most beloved films. If it’s playing in Notting Hill Gate’s historic Coronet movie theatre or Portobello Road’s funky, art-house Electric Cinema while you’re in London, be sure to catch it—and listen as the locals sing along to the theme song and recite some of the movie’s classic lines (it’ll come in handy if you know when to say, “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!”).

In that comedy, Charlie’s campy flat was at 18 Denbigh Close in Notting Hill, off the north end of Portobello Road near Alice’s Junkshop. (His coming out of jail party was celebrated close by at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Lancaster Terrace in always buzzing Bayswater.)

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom in Notting Hill (LN-112)

Through the decades, directors have loved the look and feel of Notting Hill, using its colorful houses and vibrant streets as backdrops for “Withnail and I” and “Performance” (where Mick Jagger had a hideaway), and the more contemporary settings of “About a Boy,” “Sliding Doors,” and, of course, “Notting Hill.” You’re sure to fall in love with the neighborhood, too—especially during your stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental, such as:

•    A charming 1-bedroom accommodation in Notting Hill, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-112) on Chepstow Road. This renovated third-floor apartment with amazing rooftop terrace is in an 1840s walk-up building. Our client testimonial states: “The London accommodation was good. Thank you.”

•    A lovely 1-bedroom vacation rental in Notting Hill, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-258) on Chepstow Road. This lower ground floor apartment comes complete with laundry and is near Portobello market, Queensway shopping center and Kensington Park. A satisfied client raved: “I want to thank you for your excellent service.”

•    A nicely decorated and comfortably furnished 1-bedroom accommodation in Notting Hill, Kensington-Chelsea (LN-622) on the second floor of a walk-up townhouse located on a residential street in the heart of this cosmopolitan neighborhood.

Stay in a New York Habitat rental accommodation in Notting Hill and experience swinging London the way Sir Michael Caine did!

What was your best find in Portobello market? Let us know in a comment below—and be sure to check out our other selections for cinematic London and next week’s number one.

Check out the prvious selections:

Check out: #5: Liverpool Street,  #4: Earl’s Court and #3: Canary Wharf.

You may not have heard of Saint Rémy de Provence before; it doesn’t have the world-wide recognition of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or other well known provincial cities and towns.  But thanks to two famous men who once called it home, Nostradamus and Van Gogh, many have been visiting this quaint little town and finding it to be just as enjoyable as the larger cities in the area.  A vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat is a great way to experience Saint Rémy and find your own inspiration.

Saint Remy de Provence, France

Michel de Nostradame, or as we know him, Nostradamus, was born in the sixteenth century in Saint Rémy de Provence, and his childhood home still exists.  Though he traveled throughout France and Italy to study and work, most notably for Catherine de Medici, Saint Rémy still holds Nostradamus as a native son and honors to him and his life can be seen throughout the town, such as a fountain made from a bust of him in the historic center.

Vincent Van Gogh is another famous man that Saint Rémy holds dear.  For the last year of his life, Van Gogh committed himself to the asylum and former monastery Saint Paul de Mausole, which still serves as a psychiatric hospital to this day, though small tours are permitted.  It was here that Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works, such as The Starry Night and Bedroom in Arles.  To see some of Van Gogh’s work, go to the Musée Estrine, which organizes a themed exhibit of some of the artists’ paintings each year.  The tourism office has also organizes tours of Van Gogh’s time in Saint Rémy which includes many of the landscapes that inspired him and in some places, the exact spot where a painting was completed is marked.

The best way to experience Saint Rémy de Provence as these two great men did would be to rent an apartment from New York Habitat.  Stay right in the historic center of town, like Nostradamus, in this 1 bedroom maison de village (PR-790).  This historic home is full of provincial charm with its tiled floors, stone walls, and exposed wooden beams.  Best of all, everything you could want, from shops and restaurants to the weekly market, is right outside your door!

South of France Accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in Saint Remy de Provence PR-695

If you’d like to stay in the Saint Rémy of Van Gogh, look at this 2 bedroom villa (PR-695), further out in the country around the town but still a short walk away from the historic center.  This beautiful house features a large open floor plan with lots of light from the many windows.  The outdoor space is equally large and inviting with is terrace, gardens and pool.

Saint Rémy de Provence, a smaller town with its own cultural heritage, is the perfect place for your next vacation in the South of France. Renting an apartment from New York Habitat will really let you feel like a local and get a feel of life here.  Let the spirits of its two famous residents, Nostradamus and Van Gogh, infuse and inspire you to create your own great works.

For more about Saint Rémy de Provence, read our other blog article Top Towns to visit in the South of France: #5 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Have you visited Saint Rémy, or other smaller towns in Provence?  Please share your experience with us in our comments section.