From the UES to Williamsburg: I wanted to be surrounded by creative types
- Joosep Seitam left a $3,800 one bedroom for a $4,200 two-bedroom loft in a converted warehouse
"Being surrounded by so many artists and entrepreneurs has sparked fresh ideas for my journey as an entrepreneur," said Joosep about his move to Williamsburg.
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Life on the Upper East Side was too quiet for Joosep Seitam, a native New Yorker. He wanted a buzzier area and set his sights on Williamsburg, where he landed a large loft, new friends in creative fields, and a greater sense of community. Here is his story as told to Kelly Kreth.
I was born and raised in New York City and went to school on the Upper West Side.
Most recently, I was living by myself in a one bedroom on the Upper East Side. It was about 750 square feet with hardwood floors and lots of natural light. The rent was $3,800 a month—a little steep but it was worth it because the building was quiet and peaceful, especially since I was living on a high floor.
[Editor's note: “Transitions” features first-person accounts of what it’s like to move from one NYC neighborhood to another. Have a story to share? Drop us an email. We respect all requests for anonymity.]
But the apartment was small and I didn’t have room for a home office. I also didn’t have many interactions with my neighbors and sometimes living there felt too quiet. The building didn’t have a laundry room, so I used a nearby laundromat. The only amenity was an elevator.
On the plus side, the Upper East Side is a classic NYC neighborhood. I loved running in Central Park and getting brunch at Sarabeth’s and sushi from Sushi Seki.
For my work commute, I took the 4, 5, or 6 train at 86th Street to Soho to my co-working space. I am the founder of Icecartel, an e-commerce platform for unique and artistic jewelry. It took me about 25 minutes to get to work. I also have a car and parking on the UES was manageable.
Socializing in my neighborhood meant gatherings with friends who were visiting or going out to eat locally—that was the extent of my options.
Why he decided to move
I decided to move in February 2024 because I wanted more space and a livelier neighborhood. Williamsburg seemed like the perfect fit.
I used StreetEasy to browse options and worked with Jessica Chan, an agent at Compass. She was very responsive and helpful.
I noticed that apartments were being rented almost immediately after the listings went live so I had to act fast. I toured six apartments and three weeks later I landed a place.
What he likes about his new place
My new apartment is a two-bedroom loft in a converted warehouse and the rent is $4,200. It’s about 1,200 square feet with high ceilings, large windows, and exposed brick. I now have an in-unit washer/dryer, which is great.
How he likes the neighborhood
Williamsburg is buzzing with activity. It is packed with coffee shops and live music venues. There’s always something happening. I adore the creative, vibrant community here.
I love grabbing coffee at Devoción and tacos at Casa Pública. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are my go-to for grocery shopping.
One major drawback: Parking is a nightmare and it is loud at night.
When going to Manhattan, I take the L train. It’s about 20 minutes which is super convenient.
Family and friends have come to hang out quite a bit, and everyone loves the loft’s design and the neighborhood’s vibe. I have met a lot of friends already. The community is so amazing—here you can find people you genuinely want to be around.
Overall, moving to Brooklyn was a great idea. It helped me both personally and professionally. Being surrounded by so many artists and entrepreneurs has sparked fresh ideas for my journey as an entrepreneur and the larger space allowed me to set up a dedicated home office.
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