My Saturday

It is 11:15 on a Saturday night and I am alone in Andrew's apartment.  I'm having fun by myself--Captain Morgan and The Prince and Me are keeping me company.  But that's probably a lame Saturday night by most standards.

I've had a busy few days though, so I'm ready for the relaxation.  Worked all week, then last night I worked at Uno's til about midnight.  Then I practically ran 21 blocks in 15 minutes to make the Ram Van, only to find out that the Ram Van stopped running about 30 minutes before.  On to the subway, then the security shuttle before finally making my way into bed around 2 am.  Then today I spent apartment hunting.

I visited one place on Roosevelt Island that was terrific.  It was a two bedroom, but in a luxury apartment building--free gym, roof access, concierge, awesome views.  It took about 10 minutes to get to my subway stop for work.  I mean, it was pretty much ridiculous.  I can't decide if its totally a great deal, or if, as a 23 year-old transplant from Maryland I should be living in a crappy walk-up in Harlem.  I've always been kind of a romantic when it comes to that sort of stuff--you know, struggling artist type stuff, where you spend a few years working your way up, on the career ladder and the apartment hierarchy.  Am I too young to live on a residential, luxury island in a building with a pool and concierge?

The second place was a one bedroom in Inwood.  I've never spent too much time in Inwood but I've heard it's up and coming.  It felt a little bit like Fordham Road, but a little bit safer.  The building was older but the apartment was in fine shape and a really good space for the money.  Plus I'd be taking over someone else's lease, which ends in October, so after 5 months I could move if I wanted.  Basically, I've got a lot of thinking to do, and a lot of talking with my potential roommate, in a very short amount of time.  Both of these places will go really fast.  Ah, New York, and its ridiculous real estate market!

To sum it all up, any advice would be greatly appreciated because I really don't know what to do.  I'd rather live in the luxury apartment building, I think, but if my roommate doesn't want to, I need to go for the one bedroom.  But if that's gone by the time she decides, I'm in a bad way.  In a city filled with apartments, why is it so hard to find a decent place to live?!?!