I lived in a rented studio in London (with tiny separate kitchen and bathroom) for four years. At the end of last year, I finally moved into my own one-bedroom apartment ... and I can't recommend it enough. I think I have used the phrase 'this has revolutionised my life' (slightly hyperbolic, I grant you) at least ten times in the past month. It is so refreshing to be able to have my friends over for dinner and seat them around a table; to be able to close a door on a messy room; to have enough storage for all my clothes (finally!) and the freedom to decorate four whole separate rooms however I want. It has also resulted in unexpected changes in my lifestyle: I had no room in my studio for a freezer and very little storage for food in general. This meant I shopped for food nearly every day and ended up spending a lot of money and eating quite poorly ... it's much easier to give in to convenience foods or easy pasta dinners when you have to start afresh every day (and have no prep space). Now I can cook up loads of tasty, healthy food at the weekend, freeze it and eat like a king (well, almost) during the week.

So, I am a bit of an evangelist for upgrading if you can. I loved my studio, but it restricted the way I lived my life and I am 100 times happier now I have space, walls and doors!

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Hannah

Tammy, are you in a position to buy rather than rent? I hear that housing prices in the US have declined quite a bit - this could be a good time to invest in that first time purchase. You will have the advantage of any additional monies you pay going towards your equity rather than your landlord's. And a few years down the road, when the market has recovered, you will be in a better position to upgrade to a larger place. If, however, you are not in a position to buy just now, then you might consider staying where you are, culling what you own to create more space and saving the additional money you would spend on a larger place to go instead towards your future down payment.

I just purchased a 400sq ft 1 bedroom here on Hong Kong island (so I understand the prices you are talking about) and some days I wonder whether I was right to pay the extra I did just for the wall between the two spaces. I think faced with the choice again, bearing in mind the the cost and the difference it makes mentally, I would have bought a 400ft sq studio and erected a 3/4 high dividing wall.

As a renter (you can't build a wall), I think the issue for you is what REALLY bothers you most - the size, or seeing your bed all the time (the effect of which is magnified in 300 ft sq). I suspect its the size and that a 400 sq ft studio with a good divide would feel a whole lot different ...unless a 1 bedder where you are = a whole lot more sq ft.

If you have a super sweet deal, bear it as long as you can and save your $$$ for a deposit on the home you dream of (if you have had it good for 5 years, you shouldn't be far off) ... unless you have the deposit now and your mortgage would be less than the rent on that 1 bedroom you badly want, in which case - jump in and buy the 1 bedder. I wish I had done it way sooner!

Only if your living with a significant other or a sibling. I prefer to save up the funds. Do you have enough in savings to protect yourself for 8 months in case of health or other financial issue. Your asking about space but the real issue young men and women like yourself should be asking is how is it best to properly build up savings, rainy day funds, and your future. If you get a bigger space that too will eventually be cramped. Better to plan and invest in your safety than more space.

I'm living in an about 400 sq.ft. (plus about 80 sq.ft. storage in the basement), with a very good murphy bed. I also have a little balcony (but unfortunately the shape do not allow to really have dinner there). I'm paying a "significant" loan for it. I'm more than fifty and I consider this as my permanent home. It is very conveniently located with respect to public transportation and I have everything I could need at a walking distance. Surely I have to be careful with the objects bring in, but I would not change this apartment with a bigger one not so conveniently located.

I forgot to mention that this 400 sq.ft. is a studio and I bought it as 1 bedroom, but I decided to remove the wall that used to separate the little kitchen with the balcony from the big bedroom with a small window. I've been living there for almost 8 years and I do not regret having removed the wall. I can see some space and I can enjoy the light in the whole apartment. In this way I can even seat up to ten people at a table (organizing a bit). I couldn't have do that with the walls in between :-)

I'd also vote for making sure your savings are maximized- do you have a solid emergency fund (6 months expenses, plus other investments like retirement)? If so, then go for the bigger space.

I lived in a dorm through grad school, and didn't really have the studio option. But choosing to live in smaller spaces was the right decision for me, financially. However, my first, small one bedroom was worth it!

I still wouldn't buy, though. Unless you are sure you are going to live there for 7-10 years, don't buy. We resisted the pressure to buy, and I am so thankful. We can pull up roots so much easier than friends who are stuck in houses and condos. Don't buy! Houses are a lousy investment.

Am I the only renter who gets super annoyed when people suggest I "save my money for a downpayment and buy"? I've owned, and - at least in my city - renting is a much better deal; I can get a nicer place for $1200/month rent than I could ever afford to buy. Also, my "dream home" is a farmhouse on an acreage in the country. I won't be getting my dream home for anything close to what I pay in rent, so the best I could hope to own is a ramshackle bungalow (or condo) in a crappy neighborhood. I think life is too short to live in a home you hate, just in the name of boring old equity.

Onwards...

I agree with other commenters that the availability of more square footage and/or storage is a great reason to pay more for a space upgrade - not a wall between two "rooms." I felt more cramped in a tiny one bedroom than I did in a tiny studio. The wall made it feel smaller and like I had limited use for my 425sq.ft. than I would have had it been open concept.

I agree with the commenter who suggested you think about what means more to you: space or having a separate bedroom.

Since you live in NY, it might be much more difficult for you than it was for me to find a great deal (I'm in Chicago, which isn't great, but it's a bit cheaper than NY). I live in a studio, but my studio has a separate dining room and kitchen with plenty of room to have people over and get a REAL house-size dining table. I don't feel cramped at ALL!

It sounds like you might prefer to focus on finding a one-bedroom, but if you can find a larger studio (mine's about 500-600 sq. ft.) with the right layout, it's still an upgrade but might be more affordable.

Just some food for thought!

It sounds like you really want to upgrade, so I'd say do it! You will LOVE the extra space. Sure, it's more money, but now you won't have to go out with friends as much...you will have the space to entertain (which is much cheaper). Do it.

Don't be fooled into buying in this current fiscal chaos. Renting may not give you freedom to decorate/renovate, but you have freedom to evacuate, upgrade should circumstances change.You are only 27 and single, so keep it simple, multiple use, and go for quality, not quantity, and you can be happy, because life in West Village is worth every sq inch and every penny, and you will treasure it forever as long as you don't get in over your head now.

I'd say hold off till you are absolutely certain (no doubts whatsoever) that you are ready for the additional expense. You'll have the extra rent expense, higher utilities (although maybe only slightly), the expenses that come with the initial nesting phase to think about and all that darned entertaining you'll want to do. And... I've always felt that if you have to ask... You know the answer and are trying to talk yourself through to a different end point.

Knowing the prices in NYC, I think I would upgrade only if the other aspects of my life would not be affected financially. I'm guessing that for a 1 bedroom it'll probably be ~$2400 a month, and if you can spare that extra grand and don't have to skimp on shopping or going out or saving, then why not? However, if you have to make lifestyle sacrifices then I wouldn't do it.

I'm kind of in a similar situation, I have a 2 br condo and my roommate pays me a grand a month, which halves my mortgage. I really miss living by myself but that extra $1000 goes right into my savings account. I can afford my mortgage, but I just can't justify forking out that much money for more space and privacy, especially since I get to do so much more traveling...although I think once I have enough saved up, I'll start thinking about living by myself again, but to be honest I'll probably see if my bf would want to move in first :-O

It's me again :-)
I quote virtuelsie. Moreover, a little improvement like buying a murphy bed can really change your feeling of having your bed so in your face all the time. And in the meanwhile you can still enjoy your neighborhood and use your money for other purposes (like traveling, for example).

What would you do with the extra space you're paying for? Would you entertain more? Have more overnight guests come to visit? Set up that sewing corner or art area? Have room to work out or do yoga?

And what you would do with all that saved money if you stayed in the studio? More dinners out? Take a trip? Gym membership? Saving for a big purchase?

Think about which scenario sounds like it's worth more to you.

I also like SBGBlogs' suggestion of finding a bigger studio. My sister used to live in a rather large East Village studio that was easily divided into two rooms with shelving and a curtain. She felt very comfortable having friends come to stay, and she still had money to go out and have fun with them. Seems like a good middle ground to consider.

There are hidden deals in every city. Keep your place but keep your eyes and ears open for something you love, that isn't too much money.

I agree with what some others have said - think about what you want out of a one bedroom. Is it more space, or the wall?

Here in DC, I moved from a teeny-tiny one bedroom into a studio that was about the same size. My reasons at the time weren't really about the space, but I ended up being happier in the studio. So for me - given the same square footage, the studio was the better option. It was lighter, and w/out the wall, I had more options for using the little space I had.

Fast forward a few years - I'm much more interested in entertaining in my home, and the studio was a little awkward. I didn't really have room for a dining table, and even if I set one up, you were still eating dinner next to my bed. So I moved into a one bedroom - like you, my rent (when you factored in utilities, etc) about doubled. My space increased by probably a little more than 1/2. It's been totally worth it - I can have people over whenever I want, I have a table that sits up to 8, and I can shut my bedroom door to hide any mess.

And, yes - like you mentioned - I feel much more grown-up, like this is a real "home".

I believe your question had to do with whether or not the extra space is worth the extra money, so I'll try to keep my comments to that subject. Over the years I've rented both studios and "walled" apartments, usually in the 500 - 600 square foot category. One does pay extra for that wall, but if you entertain on a regular basis, it is worth it. On the flipside, I personally enjoy the intimacy of a well laid out studio space as well as the savings from the lower rent that one pays in such a dwelling.

Especially when one lives in a big, hectic city, I think it's important to have a home that is welcoming, calming and safe. Good luck!

Your place sounds like a dream! I'd give my left arm to live in the West Village. :)

Craving more space is a perennial problem in NYC. Having lived in a similar situation for over a decade, I understand your plight and the constant craving for space. Our living room was so narrow we literally couldn't even have a loveseat, much less a sofa. Saving half on your rent is no small concern, though... especially down the line your savings will give you more flexibility for buying a place, losing your job, wanting to travel, needing to take a leave, finding a vacation spot, you name it. I would seriously look into the costs of some custom work for your current space - murphy bed, built-in storage, etc. It could be that those costs would merely be the cost of one or two years of rent at a higher rate. And don't discount the costs involved with moving as well (movers, realtors fees, etc.) Even a small storage space within walking distance might help.

I say go for it. You spent your time in a studio. Sometimes more space is worth it.

I suggest you stay, for me quality of life would be hindered if I moved to a place less desirable just for more room. Not to mention rent doubling, uneccessary risk especially in this economy. I would take a hard luck at your furniture and it's scale, before deciding that 300 sq feet is too small.

Maybe you'd rather double your rent, but have you thought about (ominous music) An Outer Borough? I used to work in the Village, so I know how great it can be, and I'm a former Manhattanite myself, so I wouldn't blame you if this just wasn't an option for you. But consider for a moment. I also loved my neighborhood (UES), but was tired of my tiny studio for all the same reasons you are. I was paying $1300 for a studio the size of my current livingroom. Now I pay that for my Queens one-bedroom, a 15 minute train ride from Manhattan. My apartment is a beautiful pre-war with a great layout, lots of light and air, original moldings on the walls, and plenty of room to have friends over. I've been here four years, so it definitely feels like an adult apartment and not a dorm (I'm 29, so not that much older than you). No, there aren't as many bars and great restaurants as there are in the West Village, but there's a reason WV is such an expensive neighborhood. If I could move back to the city for this rent and this amount and quality of space, I would in a second. But this was a great compromise for me.

You need to think long-term. What's your ultimate goal? Do you plan to ever leave the city? If so, maybe you're right where you need to be. If you want to stay here for many more years, my guess is that the space issue will only grate on you more as the years go by. If you're going to be here long-term, whether you plan to rent or buy, you need to consider long-term comfort. My suggestion would be to check out some rentals in the Western-most neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and see if apartment lust doesn't overcome your (assumed, on my part) aversion to leaving Manhattan. If it doesn't, you'll have your answer.

look around and if you see a space that is the right size, price and neighborhood, go for it. be happy now. just be sure you weigh the pros and cons of everything before leaping.

I would personally stay, but I'm only 18! At 27, it would be nice for you to move on to something biger and more adult like.

Tammy, the extra space is not worth it. Although you are sometimes frustrated by the lack of space, I feel it is wiser to stay put and save your money.
As a 27 year old woman (I'm guessing from the fact that you are posing this question, not in a serious relationship) the chances are that you are going to face major life changes in the coming few years (e.g. moving in with a partner, starting a family, a change of city as your career evolves).
I feel it would be a better idea to live frugally (albeit in a location you love, with a high standard of living) for a few more years and see what happens. You can always take the plunge at 30 if your life hasn't significantly changed by then, and in the meantime enjoy the opportunities an extra $1000 per month will afford you.
Good luck.

I would focus on the lifestyle. Can you afford to continue to live in a neighborhood you love if you choose a bigger apartment? You have the resources for transforming a studio; it doesn't have to feel like a dorm room. But do you have the resources to transform your whole neighborhood?

I would definitely upgrade.

I'm presently living in a teeny-tiny bachelor (about 150 sqft). It's a great location (priceless given the present transit strike!) and in a quiet neighborhood with a big park, but I'm itching for a bedroom and more space.

I'll be moving in August, and plan on purchasing a two-bedroom apartment - so that the roomie can help pay my mortgage!

i upgraded from a studio (when i was single) to a similarly sized one bedroom (when i got married) and now to a 3 bedroom row house. while i love having the extra space to entertain and have friends over now, if i were single i'd still be in the studio. i'm a frugal person and would like to be able to save the extra $1k or so a month. i like the security of having money in the bank and not having to cut back on fun things like travel and going out to eat w/ friends.

Hey Tammy,

I live in the West Village, too. I'm in a place that's kind of in between a studio and a one-bedroom. When we (I live with my fiance) started looking almost two years ago, we asked to look at one-bedrooms. But we hated all of them - for what we could pay (our max was $2700), the one-bedrooms felt cramped and dark. But then the studios were often too small and open for two people to live in.

What's nice about the place we ended up in is that there is definite separation and flow between the "rooms" but the apartment is open and bright and airy. You can tell that at one point there were french doors separating the spaces, but those french doors are long gone, leaving walls with large door frames in them. I have a real kitchen with four walls and a table. That makes the place feel less like a studio/ dorm room, I think. It's also a good size - 450 square feet, and in a good location, and we only pay $2000/ month.

Anyway, that's a long way of saying that you've got options! If I were you, I'd just poke around and see if you can find anything you like better. I'm always curious to call the phone numbers I see on the signs hanging off buildings advertising rooms for rent - maybe give that a try? I know that there are apartments for rent in my building, and I'm sure that there are more of these studio/one-bedroom hybrids in this part of town, so hopefully you won't have to move out of the neighborhood :)

Good luck!

This is a tough situation. I had a studio apartment and it was in a great location. I definitely craved more space to have people over but in the same token I really wanted to pay off my student debt and sacrificing space meant I was able to put more money against my loan. If your quality of life will improve and you can still afford to do everything you do now then I would go for it. If not then I would bask in the luxury of knowing you are getting a good deal on your place right now (good deals are always few and far between)

Hard to say since I'm not sure of your current financial situation, but...

If you have lots of savings, will still be able to save with a more expensive apartment, and aren't planning on buying anytime soon, go for it!

If you're saving towards something big, the new apt eats up your whole budget, or have little savings, stay where you are (which doesn't sound like a bad place to be, to be honest!)

I just keep thinking of all the things I could do with an extra month's rent every month... :)

Good luck Tammy!

As a fellow NYer, I say stay where you are for now. Especially if you are rent-stabilized. NY apts are never big enough, but typically NYers savings accounts aren't big enough, too. I'm a a great rent situation, too, and the only reason I would move is to buy a place. Once you give up a good deal in this town you will never get it back. Whatever you choose, proceed with caution -- and remember there will always be lots of market-rate place available.

@latoyaversailles -- I completely agree with this. As I was reading the other comments, I was waiting for someone to mention the Outer Boroughs! I live in Queens as well, and I really like it. My bf and I would not be able to live in a studio in the city for the price we pay to live in a one-bedroom in western Queens. Yes, I would love to be closer to the nightlife of Manhattan and would love to live in the Village, but there's something about having the space that makes it so worth it. We've hosted several parties for friends just because of the space. Plus, I'm sure you'd be paying the same amount as you are no (or something very similar... amazing what the location does to the price), BUT you'd have enough money to take a cab because that money won't be going toward rent.

Tammy: I'm also in the DON'T DO IT camp.

1. Financial security means a lot today (and tomorrow-retirement). Jobs change, lives change. It's good to have money saved to make transitions in life much easier.

2. Spend some money now. If spending $2K will make your current place a little more easy to live in - do it. Get a murphy bed. Get better shelving or closet hardware. Then save the rest of the year's rent!

I know a few too many people who are house poor and it has limited career and personal mobility.

We live in a 500-ft one-bedroom and that extra wall changes everything! Although our space is small we can entertain (we had parents and grandparents over for Thanksgiving, and a table with an extra leaf), and when friends stay over we're not all sleeping in the same room. I also love to cook, so I love having a normal-sized kitchen (I lived for 2 years with just a hot plate and a toaster oven, and now I'm getting MINE!). It definitely feels like a more grown-up apartment, and it's nice not to feel like we're waiting for something to happen just to give us an excuse to upgrade.

If you're financially secure and can afford it, I say go for it. Someone said, life is too short - if you're waiting for Mr. Right to come along or kids to get a real grown-up apartment...I say why wait? And really, it's a one-bedroom, not a penthouse suite. A modest upgrade. You'll be alright.

This is a quality of life decision, and those are always personal. For me, I did my time in studio apartments, was very happy to move up to one bedroom units, and now, in my senior years, pretty darned ecstaatic to have a nice house! If circumstances required it, I could be content in a one bedroom again, but I'd do about anything to avoid a studio now! But that's me, not you. You need to decide what's best for you.

(I'd investigate installing a Myrphy bed -- maybe your landlord would even approve and help subsidize it, if you left it behind.)

JenPDX said it before I could.

You should have your long and short-term savings in order before making any changes in this economy. I was out of work for 6 months...

If you can afford double the rent you are paying now, use 1 or 2K toward a re-do of your current residence instead. It will feel like a new place!

DON'T DO IT camp.
Use the money that you are saving by staying there to make up-grades - maybe bring in a professional, too. Don't underestimate the value of a high quality futon. I got a really nicely crafted one eleven years ago that guests assume is a regular sofa. It's got the most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on, and lucky me, I get to sleep on it every night.

By staying in your tiny place, you are doing more than just saving money. You are reversing the American ideology that bigger is better. By taking up less room, you turn on less lights and heat less space, which is better for mother earth. Do Maxwell's home cure. Rejuvenate what you have.

As Hannah Clara said, I cannot recommend it enough! My husband and I moved from one studio to the next over a period of 3 years. Two months ago, we finally found a great one bedroom, and having a door is just about the best thing ever. I'd say do it and don't look back.

As someone who has lived in NYC for over 10 years - buying actually isn't worth the trouble of the mortgage - so many other things add up, like co-op fees or condo maintenance, and generally, apartments in NYC are good with maintaining their conditions.

I've now lived in 500sq feet with 3 dogs and my husband, and it works out well, and over time, although we covet space, we have also re-worked our space and systematically decluttered.

I can however, recommend renting storage space, especially if you are able to find something very closeby. Creating an organized archive space is actually money well spent.

I really have to agree that if you are on a great rent deal - especially if you are one of the lucky rent stabilized tenants - stick with the space, spend a bit of money on upgrades. ESPECIALLY if you LOVE the neighborhood.

it depends on the studio. i personally feel like my last studio was more efficient than many 1 brs i've had. i moved into my husband's one bedroom & we missed studio living so much the bedroom is used as my art studio & his study.

i say don't do it. focus that extra money in vesting in amazing storage pieces. get convertible storage (like murphy beds that turn into an office. don't rely on ikea completely. i mean, if you're considering doubling your rent, just hire a professional organizer. it'll be cheaper in the long run.

Hi--its Tammy. To answer some questions:

1. I am a renter and will probably remain so for quite some time.

2. Financially, I can afford the rent increase--I have at least 6 mos expenses saved up--and would not dip into those savings by upgrading to a 1 bedroom. However, I would be saving less if I moved to a bigger place (~ at least 10k less a year).

3. Personally--I have a serious boyfriend, but marriage or moving in together is maybe 1-2 years out.

I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions!

I moved from a studio to a one-bedroom in a popular neighborhood in Seattle which bumped my rent up to nearly half of my income. Was it worth it? YES! A thousand times yes! I still live in a small space (about 500 sq feet) but I didn't realize how much I love being able to make my bed a focal point of a room without other people seeing it. My bedroom is my sanctuary and now I don't have to care if my sanctuary is occasionally strewn with unfolded laundry.

For me it was also worth it to rein in other costs such as eating out and drinking with friends. My apartment is now the place where friends come by with bottles of wine and we cook or watch movies. No one feels cramped and no one feels awkward about having to perch on the end of my bed if couches and chairs are full.

I might have lucked out: I pay $1100 for a one-bedroom in West Harlem. It is NOT a bad neighborhood if you stay below 135th Street and as close to the Hudson River as you can get (I'm on 135th and Riverside). I had lived in a studio (for the same rent) in Boston, and it was fine for a few years. Then, I spent two years with roommates, then moved into the apartment I'm in now. I understand what you mean about the "grown-up" space. I know apartments in the West Village are tiny. In my studio in Boston, I had a separate kitchen, a walk-in closet, and lots of space. I could still have dinner parties. I think for you it'll come down to location -- I work at Columbia so my location is perfect. If you're willing to change neighborhoods, you can get an affordable one-bedroom. If you want to stay in the Village (and I couldn't blame you), then I wouldn't move right now.

I am actually days away from moving from a shared housing situation to my own, 800+sf 1BR apartment. And I'm thrilled and can't wait! I have no furniture (not even a bed) since I've lived in furnished places the last 6+ years, but I'm looking forward to decorating. I'm also looking forward to being able to implement different color schemes in each room (living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, bathroom). I'm also thrilled at having three closets, plus a built-in linen closet (with drawers!). Did I mention there are tons of windows?

It's daunting to be moving somewhere with so much space, but I feel like I'll be able to breathe. Also, I'm a freelancer who mostly works from home, so it's worth it to me to not have to look at the same walls for living and working life (that dining room? It's going to be my library/office). And if I don't make my bed, it won't look like my whole living space is a mess.

Re: all the financial comments: ensuring a healthy savings is smart, but you're an adult so you can do what you will. That said, it will cost more to live in a bigger place -- more furniture, more utilities (esp if you will entertain more), etc. But if you do, or want, to spend more time at home, having more space is worth the price. For me, moving into my own apartment isn't too big a stretch financially, but it (obviously) means I'll be saving less money each year.

I had a studio for many years, and moved into a 1BR with only about 100 more SF but excellent storage/layout. This was desperately necessary for me in this way: I didn't feel like I could possibly ever live the life I was meant to in the previous space.

Is this true for you? Consider whether you will experience such a lift, such an expanded sense of possibilities in a new space that you will be inspired to do things you might not otherwise? That you'll feel that extra boost to start a business on the side, tackle those creative projects that you've been mulling for awhile, etc.

If you think that's you, that you'll do more with your time and live more intensely because you're in a space that suits you better, go for it. Otherwise, I'd hold off.

Tammy,

Have you checked this out? Enter your current rent etc. and it calculates whether it's better to rent or buy.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/buy-rent-calculator.html

I didn't read any of the other comments, but I figure if it's on your mind a lot, and you can afford it, then yes, of course it would be worth it to get a larger place. You're not 21 anymore, you're a 27 yr.old woman and you should have a place where you can entertain your friends (and your boyfriend!)

For the extra $12,000+/year that it would cost you to move into a 1BR, you could spend ALOT of money on redecorating your existing space.

There are many people in NYC who are up to twice your age who are perfectly happy living in studio apartments - But they live in immaculate spaces with quality furnishings.

If you're happy with your neighborhood and the building you're in - save your money, redecorate lavishly, take frequent trips abroad and put lots of money in the bank.

Funny, you are getting lots of advice, and it's all different! My $.02: I actually just moved from a studio in the west village to a 1BR in brooklyn. I'd been in the studio for 6 years and downtown for 10. I frankly found an apt more than double the size for the same rent, with crown molding, a full size kitchen and a dining room, (in cobble hill) and I love it. I love having people over. I love just having space. I'm literally more relaxed now when I go home. In my experience I didn't realize how much more the added space meant until I had it.

SBGBlogs- where in Chicago do you live? What is your rent? I'm planning a move and your studio sounds awesome.

Tammy sounds like you need to get your priorities straight. I feel your pain because I just went through this when I was deciding to move out of my previous apartment in a fab location in Brooklyn ( but my reasons were because I wanted to get a dog.)

What do you value most in terms of where you want to live ( and order these in terms of importance):
1. Neighborhood
2. Space
3. Monthly Rent
4. Feeling Like A "Real Home"

The combination of what you value will determine what your next steps should be. ( To make it more scientific I gave points to each apartment characteristic and evaluated all apartments based on my scoring system.)

If you value the neighborhood above all else ( and want to keep you rent the same but also want a space that feels homier) then look for other apartments in the WV that might be roomier studios and that are only marginally more expensive than what you pay now.

If you value space above all else , but want to stay in the same hood and pay more rent then go ahead and spend more money to get a 1 BR in the WV.

BUT if you value space and keeping your rent the same then CONSIDER MOVING OUT OF THE WEST VILLAGE. There are great spacious apartments in upper Manhattan (Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood). Also there are fabulous apartments in great neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. At least in many parts of Brooklyn you can roll out of bed and enjoy shopping, great bars, restaurants and cafes. When you are in your lovely spacious apartment you wont believe how long it took you to make the move. And then when your friends come visit you they will be jealous and might consider the move to the gasp Outer Boroughs.

for double the rent i'd say no. i used to live in a 1br apartment that was 385 sq feet, then moved to a 1 br that was 700 sq ft (with a boyfriend, and then, post-breakup, moved into a 3-br house (but my room, which has all my stuff/hangouts, is 10x12, and i pay the same as i did in the 700 sqft'er).

honestly, the space has not made a huge difference as far as overall happiness. plus, i'd rather have the extra money for other stuff.

I lived in one bedroom for three years... sharing the rest of the space with 5 roommates. That amounted to 120 square feet for me, and a bathroom and kitchen I shared with 5 other people.

Now I live in a little one bedroom with my partner. about 6 months in, I started to itch for a bigger place again. I thing we want the ratio of (stuff we have) : (space we have) to be right. We think we want more space, but that's because we also have and want more stuff.

So instead of moving AGAIN, we purged about 10% of our stuff, and stopped bringing in new crap.

Life is good. 400 sq ft is way easier to clean and maintain that a 3 bed, 2.5 bath dream home with a lawn. So for now, we'll stay where we are.

Tammy, I too say DON'T DO IT. Esp. If you think you may move in with someone in 1-2 years.

Or, before you do it, try different ways of making your current situation work better for you: Rearrange things, get a murphy bed, get a room divider, etc.

Many factors affect your decision: funds available, job security, will you be living in the same city for some time (if so, yes, it's a good time to buy.) As you're figuring out those things, buy a nice wooden screen to separate your bed from the living area... and make sure to save the money that your current reasonable rent now allows.

I'm with the don't do it camp, save the money. For $10,000 a year you could either go on some amazing vacations, rent a summer spot in the hamptons or put that towards buying a home or retirement. NYC is such a thriving place with some many parks and public spaces there's lots of places to be outside of your house and to meet up with friends, etc.

I would wait a few months & put away the difference in expenses in a hands off account. Then see how you really feel about your new budget. It's alot easier to make money work on paper than when you're really paying the extra bills. Then, if you still want to move, you'll have money for decorating the extra space.

I would wait a few months & put away the difference in expenses in a hands off account. Then see how you really feel about your new budget. It's alot easier to make money work on paper than when you're really paying the extra bills. Then, if you still want to move, you'll have money for decorating the extra space.

Yeah, my first reaction was to say go for it! I'm 27, too, and at some point you want to feel like an adult.

But reading through the comments I'm thinking maybe stay as long as you can stand it. The odds of your life changing drastically in the next 5 years are high, either with a job change or a relationship, and you'll probably want the money you save later on. I wouldn't buy in NYC right now, but if you wanted to keep your rent low and get more space, keep your ear to the ground for a good deal and consider changing neighborhoods.

I'm not sure the extra space will be worth doubling your rent.

Doubling your rent? Wow. I am always so shocked at what apartments cost in NYC. I would never think of doubling my rent.

How much do you really entertain? It is my experience that clients always over estimate how much they entertain.

I recognize your apartment. You have too much stuff. Try a good purge, and then you will feel like you have more space.

You haven't said how long you live in this building. I have some friends (In Austin, not NY) who after being great tenants in a one bedroom for a year or two negotiated renting a two bedroom in the same complex for the same price they were paying for their one bed. Landlords like long term tenants, especially ones that don't cause trouble and are always on time with the rent, and this is why they will negotiate deals like this.

Now, you are in NYC, not Austin. I'm KNOW the price percentage between an Austin 1 and 2 bed and a West Village Studio and 1 are far different. Your search for a 1 is turning up rents that double your current pay, while in Austin a two maybe 1/3 to 1/2 more than their one bed was. So I understand if you go to your landlord and say "Can I move into a one for the price I'm paying now?" he/she will probably laugh in your face. But the advice isn't all bad. Perhaps you could negotiate a studio with more square footage, or a junior one bedroom, and maybe for only 450 or 500 more instead of 850 or 900. This way you have compromised. You have gotten some more square footage, maybe a little more separation, but for less than an entirely new apartment.

Maybe you all are laughing at me. Maybe in NYC this sort of negotiation won't happen. In that case I leave you with the following. There are companies in NYC that will put up temporary, landlord friendly, walls. This will cost far less than the price of a separate bedroom, but accomplish the getting the bed out of the living room. You won't get more square feet, but you will get real wall separation instead of a screen. You can select french door options in them, so if you need light coming through you can still have that.

Everyone is suggesting "no, don't do it, save your money" or "yes, do it, you'll love being able to have a lot of space" or "move to an outer borough". If negotiation with your landlord works, though, you stay not just in the West Village, but your same building, you'll have a bit more space, and you'll still spend a lot less and be saving some of that money.

Ah, I just saw. You said you had been there for five years. In that case, I think you have a very strong case for trying my advice. :)

Living in the Midwest, it's hard to relate to such an increase in rent from a studio to 1-BR. I have often thought of how nice it would be to have a 2-BR to use one bedroom as a studio. But the increase in rent, although not as steep as your's would likely be, just isn't worth it. I could afford it also, but can see myself doing better things with the difference in money. Instead, I resolve to have less belongings, clutter and practical furniture.

If I were you, I'd probably just see what smaller yet significant changes I could make to your current place that would maximize space and comfort. Sometimes just changing the color scheme or vibe of your abode can do a world of difference.

Whatever route you choose, don't decide on a whim. If you do decide to upgrade, make sure it's a place you love and isn't just so-so.

www.AConleyCreation.com

I currently rent a 350-square-foot studio in Hong Kong (so I understand the prices you are talking about). And I, too, am looking for a bigger place -- maybe 500 or so -- but I'm not ruling out bigger studios. I just want a bit more space (a bigger bathroom, really), and I want to get away from my landlord's crappy furniture.

One thing I do love about my place is that the layout allows the bed, which is right next to the front door, to be partitioned off: There are translucent sliding panels around the corner where the bed is. I keep them open most of the time, but it's nice to be able to close the space off when I have people over.

I completely get the need to have a bigger, more spacious place, however I would recommend staying where you are or at least hunting for somewhere bigger that isn't double the price. I moved straight out of my parent's place in Australia to London, and spent the next 7 years living in share accommodation. The last place I lived in for 3 years was amazing deal for its location, and in return we made do with the tiny size of it and the ugly kitchen cabinets. But I constantly craved my own space and the room to move some of my many belongings out from their various hiding places in my bedroom (if there was a spare space, trust me, I had stuff hidden beneath it, above it, beside it and inside it!), to the point where I recently moved back to Australia and found myself my very own spacious one bedroom flat for double the rent I was spending in London. The funny thing is, I've been here a month and all my belongings are still in boxes. I've realised I don't need all the stuff I've been holding onto all these years, and I'm not as desperate to be a grown up as I thought. It's made me realise that the grass is always greener, and given me hope that I'll live in New York or London again one of these days and I'll be just fine in a tiny studio (at the ripe old age of 31).

Sorry, that story went on forever, but I hope it's given you the perspective of someone who's been there, traded up and can see the benefits of her old tiny space. Good luck with the decision!

One thing that hasn't really been mentioned is moving costs/broker's fees. You say you're 1-2 years away from potentially moving in with your bf, so you could move twice in two years if you move now. Given that most brokers are back to charging exorbitant fees and that you'll also probably need to pay someone to move your stuff, you'll be spending a huge amount of money just on the moves. Why not wait a year and see where things go with the BF?

Also, I live in a one bedroom in the West Village, and it's only about 150 square feet bigger than your studio! The housing stock in this neighborhood is so odd that even if you do upgrade, you may not be actually getting that much more actual space for your money.

A wall makes a whole world of difference!!!!

IF you're not stretching the budget, don't really know what else you'd do with the money other than put it in the bank, then get the bigger place. Can't live your life on - might move in with bf in a couple of years.

The unknowns of course are whether just the bigger space will make up for the neighbors (loud?, cranky?) and the neighborhood. Quality of life is not measured by space.

From experience, it's not necessarily true that it's cheaper to entertain at home, than to go out with friends. The sky is the limit, after all.
Good luck with this decision! Fun times!

Having just downsized from a family 2-bedroom to a tiny one-bedroom (I know, not the same as a studio, but less than half the space I used to have), I'm amazed at the improvement in my quality of living it has made to not have worry every month about paying the rent - mine was nearly halved.

Sofa beds have an unfairly bad reputation. If you spend on a good sofa bed what you would spend on the difference of 1 or 2 months rent, you can find something super-comfortable and crucially, easy to pull out. Scandinavian-style "click-clack" designs are great for both. To safe the fuss of making up your bed every night, keep one king sized duvet to use instead of a bottom sheet (you can sew elastic onto the corners to hold it in place), another duvet to sleep under, and pillows. Invest in a wicker chest that can double as a coffee table, and simply roll or fold your bedding loosely every morning and keep it in the chest. It takes less than 3 minutes to make or unmake a sofabed using this system.

If you need to differentiate different areas of your living space, IKEA has a great range of shelves that double as room dividers, and can fit baskets or file-type boxes to keep your clutter hidden. You could calculate the difference of one or two month's rent you would spend on a bigger place, and use that to invest in an attractive storage system and some decorative accents to freshen up your current space.

Whenever I'm tempted to pine for bigger spaces, I think of having low rent as a positive financial asset and source of stability in the current unstable economy, rather than focusing on the lack of space. Anything extra I manage to save will only add to my ability to invest in my dream home in the future.

I have to agree with the advice to consider a move out of the West Village. For all of the advantages, there are a lot of downsides to living there, too, and there are plenty of vibrant, interesting neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens to look at as well.

Otherwise, if you are rent-stabilized, stay; if not, try looking at places and see what your gut tells you. You might fall in love with an apartment, or you might feel like the additional space isn't really worth it after all.