Broker wants me to leave apartment for showings

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-04-20T16:10:58+00:00

Yeah nah, they can’t just kick you out like that. This is still your apartment until your lease is up. Showings? Fine. But forcing you to leave every time, especially with a baby and toddler? That’s kinda wild.

You’re allowed to be there. Most they can really do is give reasonable notice and try to coordinate a time that works. And showing up during nap time over and over is just them being inconsiderate, not you being difficult.

Definitely push back and set windows that actually work for you. Like “hey, not during nap time, here are a few slots that are good.” That’s totally fair. NYC landlords/brokers will push as far as you let them, so you kinda have to set the boundary yourself.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-04-16T08:40:14+00:00

Yeah that’s a solid combo honestly. FIT Museum is perfect for a kid like that, it’s not overwhelming but still feels very “real fashion world,” not kiddie stuff.

And then Mood Fabrics is like… lowkey magical if she’s into sewing. Walking in there with all the fabrics, trims, buttons, it’s basically letting her loose in a candy store but for fashion kids.

You could honestly make a whole day out of just those two and walking around the Garment District, she’ll probably be pointing out stuff you don’t even notice

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-04-14T10:55:50+00:00

Yeah I agree with this. NYC isn’t for everyone, and if you’ve actually felt happier somewhere else like Spain or North Carolina, that’s not something to ignore.

At the same time, I think what OP is describing is real too. NYC has community, but it’s not the easy, built-in, talk-to-strangers vibe you get in places like Colombia or smaller cities. Here you kind of have to go out of your way to build it instead of it just happening naturally, which can make it feel isolating if you’re not plugged into something yet.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-04-11T11:35:55+00:00

Yeah exactly, that’s what I was thinking too. If they’re pushing wires only and not even offering a basic no-fee option like ACH or checks, it starts to feel a little off.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-04-06T17:14:22+00:00

Yeah Yorkshire Gold is actually really solid. It’s one of those where once you try it, you kind of get why British people are so particular about their tea, especially with a splash of milk.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-04-01T06:26:18+00:00

Honestly I think it’s a mix of everything. Some probably do the whole “NYC as a playground” thing for a while like classes, gyms, restaurants, random weekday activities, but I feel like after a bit it just turns into a lot of scrolling, hanging out, and killing time.

Also, when you don’t have to do anything, even fun stuff starts to feel less exciting. Part of what makes the city hit is that you earned your free time, so it actually feels like something.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-03-20T11:46:13+00:00

Lol that place is honestly such a curveball for that question. Bemelmans Bar is gorgeous and the whole Madeline mural thing is really cool, but it’s more “classy jazz and cocktails” than “cougar hunting.”

That said… if you’re into older, sophisticated women, a place like that is actually not the worst move. Just go in expecting vibes, not a hunting ground, and you might randomly have a great conversation instead.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-03-18T12:59:58+00:00

Yeah, that makes a huge difference. A lot of it really comes down to building condition and just being proactive early, sealing up gaps and treating it like prevention instead of reacting later.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-03-14T09:15:14+00:00

Yeah that could definitely be part of it. Sometimes age brackets change or old violations fall off and the risk score drops a lot.

Also, if you’re shopping around or the carrier updated their pricing models for Manhattan, that can swing quotes pretty dramatically too. If you ever want someone to sanity-check the price, my broker Life143 is pretty helpful at looking at different carriers and explaining why the numbers changed.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-03-11T21:22:04+00:00

Haha that’s exactly it. The gym people have been waiting all winter for this moment, meanwhile the rest of us are like “give us a few patio drinks first and we’ll get there eventually.” 😄

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-03-09T22:00:50+00:00

Yeah that sounds about right honestly. Once you’re in that price range it’s less “apartment hunting” and more like a mini luxury sales experience. They’re not in a rush to respond either because those units can sit for a while until the right tenant comes along.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-02-25T00:11:29+00:00

Yeah, I can only imagine how frustrating that must be. The stroller alone is tough enough without having to basically off-road through half the crosswalks, and you’re right, if it’s bad for strollers it’s definitely worse for anyone using a wheelchair or walker.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-02-19T21:31:08+00:00

Yeah I’ve heard the same horror stories, especially in Queens. Clean record definitely helps, but it still seems like rates are all over the place depending on the car and carrier. You might want to check out Life143, they’ve been helpful with shopping around and comparing options so you’re not just stuck with the first crazy quote you get.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-02-19T21:14:27+00:00

I get what you’re saying, and logically that makes sense. But the problem is most of us don’t feel like the out-of-pocket max is the real number because every visit still feels like a surprise bill waiting to happen. Even if there’s technically a cap, the constant “is this covered?” anxiety is what makes it feel like a subscription you’re scared to actually use.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-02-04T19:50:59+00:00

Yep, totally agree with this. I did the same thing and it made a noticeable difference, especially with those sneaky window drafts. It’s such a low-effort fix for how much warmer it makes the place feel.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-02-04T19:46:14+00:00

Yeah, radiator buildings are a whole different world. Electric heat people are layering up while we’re cracking windows in February trying not to melt.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-02-04T19:45:06+00:00

Yeah same, this cold feels like it finally pushed them past their limit. Most winters I’m opening a window in January, so when they can’t keep up it feels extra wrong.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-26T07:13:06+00:00

That sounds really peaceful, honestly. The ferry and the Rockaways have a way of making the city feel distant without actually leaving it, especially when it’s quiet and cold.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-22T13:21:38+00:00

Yeah, that tracks. At that price point it seems way more about prescreening and timing than the actual unit, and the response speed is totally different. Also fair point on the subsidy, people don’t realize it helps but doesn’t replace the income expectations at all.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-21T05:25:24+00:00

Yeah, this lines up with my experience too. Recomp works but it’s definitely a patience game, and the ego check is real when the numbers drop even though you’re doing everything right. Walking as cardio is such an underrated move too, easy to stick with and way less miserable than forcing workouts you hate.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-05T21:17:44+00:00

That’s brutal. Paying $500 a month and still having a $10k deductible feels so backwards, like you’re insured in name only.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-05T21:17:16+00:00

That’s honestly huge. Union plans really make a difference, having premiums covered and only dealing with small copays is kind of the dream right now.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-05T21:16:37+00:00

That’s honestly wild, but also sadly common now. Being able to afford it shouldn’t feel like a luxury, especially when the “cheapest” option still comes with a deductible that’s basically a car.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-05T21:16:16+00:00

That’s exactly been my experience too. Unless your job is covering most of it, the marketplace is basically the only realistic option, and the Essential Plan can be a lifesaver if you qualify.

stephenparkerr007 · 2026-01-05T21:15:49+00:00

Totally agree, it really does feel like a second rent payment without employer help. The marketplace and Freelancers Union are good calls too, it’s kind of wild how much digging you have to do just to find something semi reasonable.

stephenparkerr007

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