Manhattan’s rental market is cooling down after a strong upward rise over the last few years. However, it continues to progress slowly but surely. This means that more deals are on the market now than at any time since 2009. In neighborhoods such the Lower East Side and the Financial District prices have decreased on both studios to two-bedrooms, so apartment hunters can pay less and gain more while still being able to enjoy the luxury of a Manhattan lifestyle. Though the increase in Manhattan’s rental market has been minimal over the last month or so, thankfully there has been no stagnation or downfall. Based on a recent report, there are plenty of great apartments for renters to choose from.

City Comptroller John Liu released a report last Wednesday stating that rising rents are increasingly putting pressure on middle-class families. The new report showed that half of all city households typically spend more than 30% of their income on rent alone, compared to 26% nationally. Rent becomes officially unaffordable when it goes over 30%, according to federal benchmarks. Middle-income apartment renters, defined as people earning between $35,000 and $75,000 annually, face the most pressure in Manhattan, where 45% pay rent that falls into the officially unaffordable bracket. This high rent is unfortunately not unique to Manhattan apartments however. Rents have also been creeping up in Staten Island and Queens, where 44% of the middle-class residents are shouldering unaffordable housing costs.

New York City has always been known as a very expensive place to live in. Be it a wholesome meal or even just a ride on the subway, it is a common feeling among New Yorkers that they are paying more “for everything” than their counterparts in other cities around the country. This rift is best seen in the living expenses faced by residents of New York City, and now there’s proof. “Rents Through The Roof,” a new report released by the City Controller John Liu has revealed that almost 30% of New Yorkers use up more than half their income to just pay rent.

We recently wrote about how Alphabet City in the Lower East Side is attracting lots of new residents, thanks to its cool and cultural vibe. Despite its gritty past, the neighborhood has transformed itself to a hip and trendy one and New Yorkers are eager to be seen and heard around this happening locality. Now, as the value of the neighborhood as a residential haven continues to rise, real estate developer Rash LLC has stepped up and decided to build a new luxury rental building in the area.

Finding an apartment to rent has often been portrayed as one of the most difficult things to do in New York City. Many a television sitcom has capitalized on the theme of New Yorkers navigating their way through the supposedly murky rental market here; a motif which has now become accepted as fact by many newcomers to the city. However, what is important to realize is that such horror stories of apartment searches are usually caused by a lack of preparation and readiness in securing the ideal apartment. If you're willing to put in a little time, planning, and preparation, then finding an apartment in one of Manhattan’s neighborhoods won’t be strenuous.