If you haven't heard, New York City rent is expensive.
Still, is the situation bad enough that New Yorkers should be lining up to live in a dingy, dirty bathroom for $30/week?
Sadly, according to the New York Post, the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
Alana Reali is a bartender at Local 138. As a joke, she posted an ad to Craigslist offering a 15-square-foot "hip artist loft" with a "Manhattan ZIP code for Ohio prices," priced at $30-a-week. Of course, the listing was really for Local 138's bathroom.
In the ad, Reali wrote, "Room includes a window, a door, your very own bathroom and walls dressed with authentic NYC street art. Hot water included. I provide a space heater for the winter months."
We were unaware that the presence of a door was worth mentioning in an apartment listing, but apparently it was, as Reali's ad worked. Her inbox was flooded with dozens of people looking for more details within 24 hours.
Were any of these people curious whether the room had a shower? Reali took care of that woe as well.
"The shower is located at the Comfort Inn next door. I'll personally introduce you to the door man Juan Pablo. Juan only works two nights a week so plan accordingly," Reali wrote in the spoof ad.
How about neighbors? Well, Reali addressed that concern too.
"The neighbors are kind of sh*tty but you can't beat this price!" Reali wrote.
We have to say, our hearts do go out to the ad's hopeful responders. We understand the strife of finding an apartment in this city. But still. The pictures on Craigslist do not hide the fact that the room in question is just a really dirty bathroom.
via Craigslist
Reali said she understood the logic of those who responded.
"I can see why people didn't know it was a joke," Reali said. "People will do anything to live here and pursue their dreams."
Mostly, we're wondering whether anyone who responded actually read the ad.
"If I like you, you'll have a chance to take over the lease as I'm moving to Williamsburg in January to be closer to Five Leaves (which by the way is my FAV brunch spot)," Reali wrote in the ad.
It's true that brunch is a big deal in NYC, but it's not that big of a deal. Like, we wouldn't pack up and move just to be closer to our favorite brunch place, would we?