Room for one more….

We’ve been talking abut New York’s apartment scene a lot lately, because it’s always fun to do that, but also because it contains so many absurdities. Never is this more apparent than when you’re desperately checking Craigslist to find a sublet that is affordable and not one of those “seeking a quiet foreign non-smoking student” ads. A tipster dropped off something off in our email that she came across while looking for a place. It’s a dream in price and location (Carroll Gardens! $500/month!) but is not-so-much a dream in every other way. (more…)

Have they offered to pay in burritos? Photo via Pardon Me for Asking

Oh hey, look at that, we talk about what debt collectors can’t do while collecting a debt and a real-life example just pops up in front of us, thanks to Pardon Me for Asking. Unfortunately for the tenants of the California Taqueria, this carvertisement is legal as far as we know, although it probably makes people side more with the Taqueria since who the hell even does this? (more…)

See Jonathan Ames and ask him a bunch of questions about Jason Schwartzman

Brooklyn has helped foster an incredible literary scene, to the point where it was called a “vertically integrated factory for literature.” Providing a home and a great environment for such a wealth of talent is good for more than sticking year end “Best Of” lists on the proverbial Brooklyn fridge: it also means that something as simple as a reading can be a stacked fundraiser, like the case of Book Court’s All Day Sandy Benefit. (more…)

• This week’s apartment roundup begins with a modern 1BR in Crown Heights for $1,922.  The images appear to show the same apartment as the MARK PLUS building promo video, so this may not be the exact layout of the unit, but it is described as a loft duplex. Located on St. Marks between Classon and Franklin, the space would be a good starter home for a newlywed couple looking to settle in to an up and coming neighborhood. The building boasts a long list of amenities we old, dilapidated warehouse and brownstone dwellers have long forgotten exist such as video intercom, on site gym, common court yard, parking and an elevator. (more…)

Definitely could use a comic shop. Just sayin’. via Brooklyn Paper

Not unlike Stephen Levin’s recent attempt to involve his constituents in the decision on how to spend one million dollars from the city, we’ve now got more decisions being placed into the hands of you, the people. Via Brooklyn Heights Blog comes news that the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District is polling people to see what they want from new retail developments on Atlantic Avenue.  (more…)

• We begin today’s apartment hunt with a 3BR in Kensington for $2,500, which has a cute private balcony off the living room. Looks like the kitchen and bathroom were recently renovated with nice shiny new tiles and appliances. Parquet wood floors, ceiling fans, and at least one of the bedrooms has a double door closet… This place is a find for couples recently inducted into the stroller-pushing club but not fancy-pants enough for the Slope. (more…)

The author in all his slurring victory last month.

Have you ever wanted to impress your friends with your spelling abilities, but don’t know where to begin with words like “glossophobia” (n. fear of public speaking) without suffering from “cephalalgia” (n,, a headache)?The comedy duo of Billy Parker and Mandy Levy (Billy Hot Chocolate and Supermandy) have a solution to make you feel better about your spelling problems: lots of booze. Levy and Parker are the hosts of the Slurring Bee, a monthly party the last Tuesday of every month (this month’s edition is tonight) at Last Exit that gives mediocre spellers (like me) the chance to redeem themselves. (more…)

We don’t have to tell you that you can get a deal on a 2BR if you’re willing to walk 10 blocks to take a bus to the J train at New Lots Ave., but this post is for people who want to be near the action. You know, bars and restaurants that you can no longer afford because you’re spending all your money on rent. Let’s be real: unless Uncle Sal still has his brownstone on Union Street, you’re not going to get into Carroll Gardens for the price of feeding your landlady’s cat, so don’t jump all over us because these places aren’t dirt cheap. Our prime-neighborhood Brooklyn apartment search starts in Uncle Sal’s neighborhood, with a newly renovated, high-ceilinged  2BR (alternately called a 1BR plus den) for $2,400. Here, four more: (more…)

Either this is the start of some awesome Batman-esque samaritan vigilantism, or an absurdly elaborate scheme to take your wallet along with your bike. Our friend Alan Belsky spotted this on Court Street yesterday, and he says the signs are posted everywhere between Schermerhorn and Atlantic. (more…)

Fully furnished and so homey!

What a beautiful day for a new apartment! Our Brooklyn apartment listings are busting with new places — we just got about 150 of them from Fillmore — so today’s Awesome Cheap Apartment roundup theme is good new stuff. (What will we think of next?) First up is perfect for people who hate moving! Have a stoop sale or put all your stuff in storage and move into one of the fully furnished rooms in this private Kensington home for only $600/month. (more…)