Beth Stebner

Donna Kreeger looks forward to her building’s annual Halloween festivities, knowing it’s a time not only for the kids to enjoy, but for the adults in the neighborhood to bond. Children line up in the building’s lobby for a parade and, later, rush to the tables set up for a pizza party. Sometimes they trade a building lobby for a nearby restaurant, but the heart of the event is always the same—it’s a way for Donna to get to know her neighbors in (and out) of costume, and be a part of the community. 

You’ve done it! You’ve landed your first New York City apartment, and you’ve got ambitions to turn your 200-square-foot studio into a luxurious oasis, artfully designed, Instagram-ready, with carefully curated knick-knacks that speak to your personality and your aesthetic.

The New York City of more than a century ago was one full of cable cars, bustled skirts, and men in bowler hats, and, of course, medical innovation. All are portrayed in Cinemax's Steven Soderbergh-directed Victorian-era hospital drama, The Knick, which returns to the screen this weekend on October 16.  That, of course, got us thinking about the days gone by where the word "luxury condo" just wasn't in the lexicon. 

Can a smart home ever be too smart?  

There's no doubt that home goods like automated systems that control your home’s heating, cooling, lighting, and locks are a major part of the ever-growing sector known as the "Internet of Things," a name given to objects like these that contain this kind of smart technology.

Even if you've got a quarter million burning a hole in your pocket, given New York's current market, finding a place to buy—let alone a decent place for that price—is no small challenge. But just because the market is hot doesn’t mean you can’t find one for less than $250,000. It just takes some tenacity, a little creativity, and of course, a few good coats of paint. And, like most things in New York, be prepared to pony up more than you thought. It is a tough market, after all!

Here are five listings ready for your once-over this weekend.

It’s not impossible to live on Billionaire’s Row if you make under six-figures—just improbable. Still, some affordable units are up for grabs in Danish “starchitect” Bjarke Ingels’ massive and architecturally bold VIA 57 WEST new construction rental on the far reaches of 57th Street. Of the 709 apartments, 142 are up for grabs with the usual housing lottery. So the question remains: Do you qualify?