I toured 3 apartments around $1,500 in Raleigh, NC, and still wouldn't give up my New York City apartment

My apartment is located on the first floor of a historic brownstone building in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It's considered one of the "trendier" neighborhoods in Brooklyn and is home to coffee shops, restaurants, and a quaint neighborhood feel.

However, my area of southeast Bushwick is definitely not as bustling as neighborhoods like Williamsburg, which I lived in for about a year, or most areas of Manhattan.

In total, the rent for my apartment is $2,850, which is pretty expensive. However, as you can probably tell by the photos, our apartment is a really good size for New York City and by far the largest one I've ever lived in.

In September, our rent is increasing to $3,000 due to the rising market cost of apartments in New York City. 

On average, a one-bedroom apartment in New York in July 2022 costs $4,761 per month, according to Apartment List, up from $3,805 per month in October 2021.

Our apartment comes without many amenities you would expect from a high-priced apartment. We wash all of our dishes by hand and have to take our clothes to the laundromat as there's no dishwasher, washer, or dryer in the building.

However, the cost of our two-bedroom apartment is still far below the average price of a two-bedroom in New York, which is $6,188 per month.

It features tons of crown molding, original hardwood floors, an original chandelier, and lots of other historic details. Given that the brownstone was built in 1905, the apartment has a lot of charm — something you simply don't get with a new build, in my opinion.

I know that if I was ever to move, either within the New York City area or further afield, outdoor space would be a must-have. 

I toured three different apartments in Raleigh, North Carolina. The city is certainly up-and-coming and is attracting scores of millennials from across the country who want a big-city feel without the high price tag of cities like New York or other metro areas.

I lived in an apartment in Burlington, North Carolina, for two years when I was attending Elon University. When I lived in an off-campus apartment during my junior and senior years, I paid half of the $930 total rent per month to live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a roommate.

While paying between $1,500 and $2,000 a month in rent would definitely be a stretch, it's a lot more doable than the average price of a one-bedroom in NYC. Suddenly, having a place of my own seemed a lot more within reach.

The apartment complex was located a stone's throw away from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, but it definitely didn't feel overwhelmingly urban. While the apartment wasn't located in the heart of Raleigh, it was a short distance away from Target and a few other major retailers, as well as restaurants.

There was also a small pond with a fountain near the pool area and main business center.

It was a very walkable community, while still offering tons of parking. I didn't feel like I was in the city at all — even though I was technically in an urban area.

The kitchen had a tile floor, white appliances, and warm brown cabinetry. Apartments similar to the one-bedroom apartment I toured cost $1,428 per month, plus a community fee and the cost of the internet.

I also liked that despite having an open look from the kitchen into the living room, there was a degree of separation between the two spaces thanks to the difference in flooring and a wall with a hall closet. 

I could see myself really enjoying this space. However, my one con came from the flooring.

The flooring in the living room and bedroom were both carpet. Although this definitely made the space feel cozy and inviting, I personally prefer hardwood floors as I find them easier to clean and they're generally more in line with my personal design style.

There was space for a queen-sized bed, two nightstands, and a dresser. 

Every inch above the toilet was maximized for more storage, and there was a vanity with space for toiletries.

I'm lucky to have a tub in New York, but it's definitely not common in other apartments I've seen in the city. 

The walk-in closet is about four times the size of what I have now.

I've never lived in an apartment with in-unit laundry, and the apartment I have currently doesn't even offer it in the building.

New York City apartments that do have in-unit laundry tend to be way above my budget, so I was intrigued. This is a major amenity that I wish I currently had and would be able to afford if I was to move into this apartment. 

The apartment was on a lower floor, so there wasn't an incredible view or anything. However, I liked that I would have the option to sit outside with my coffee in the morning and soak up the North Carolina sun.

I found through my tours and from my time living in the state that pools are pretty commonplace at apartment complexes in North Carolina. Every complex I toured had one or was in the process of having one built. 

The 24-hour gym was small but had everything you would need for a basic workout. All of the amenities are included in the monthly rent, plus a small community fee.

This would be a perfect space for entertaining or grilling when the weather isn't as nice. 

Overall, I really liked this apartment and could see it definitely working for one person. The number of amenities and option to live alone made the apartment seem worth the price.

However, I wasn't as crazy about the aesthetic of the actual apartment — it was simple, clean, and comfortable. However, I prefer the unique quirks and pre-war style of my current apartment. 

The apartment was located a close distance away from Lake Johnson Park on the west side of Raleigh. It was in a more centrally-located apartment complex, while still feeling homey and away from the real hustle and bustle of the city.

Right away, I really liked the overall style of the apartment. Although the living area was carpeted, I really liked the color of the walls, the large window that looked out onto the surrounding trees, and the fireplace. 

One-bedroom apartments at The Summit at Avent Ferry run between $1,535 and $1,915 per month, depending on the unit, plus the cost of administration fees, trash removal, and pest control.

The lighting was a little dim, but that could also greatly depend on the time of day I saw the apartment and the shade offered by the trees outside the window. I toured the apartment in the late afternoon on an overcast day, when the sun was hidden.

I loved the large island, modern black appliances, and the double-sink. There was also space to have a few bar stools, adding even more dining options to the space. 

This was an upgrade from my current apartment, which doesn't have a dishwasher.

In my current apartment, there's no space for a dining room table at all inside. This would be a major upgrade when it comes to having people over for dinner parties, as well as being able to sit at a table to eat my meals every day.

The blinds were drawn when I visited, but I imagine they would let in a fair amount of light when they were open. 

There were multiple mirrors and a tub-shower combo.

The laundry machines were similar to the ones I saw in the first and third apartments I visited. 

I really liked that, unlike the first apartment I saw, the porch was screened in to prevent bugs and other wildlife from the surrounding trees from getting in. I imagined this space would be comfortable to sit out on at night and was large enough to fit at least three chairs and a table.

The agent I spoke with said the dog park was very popular among residents with dogs.

However, it's worth mentioning that the apartment complex doesn't allow all dogs. Pit bulls, Staffordshire terriers, Dobermans, Presa Canario, Malamutes, Rottweilers, Chows, Akitas, and wolf-hybrids were all listed as "restricted" dog breeds on the information pamphlet I was given. 

It was extremely hot the day I toured, so I would have loved the opportunity to hop in.

Overall, I really liked the apartment's general style. I loved the fireplace and the screened-in balcony and thought it was also really spacious for the price. I liked the amenities and the pool, as well as the location. Compared to my current space, it was definitely an upgrade.

However, I thought having a more modern communal area to do work in would have been nice, and I was still iffy about the amount of light that would come into the apartment due to the shade and the weather on the day I visited. 

The apartment was the most centrally-located one I visited. It was a short distance away from downtown Raleigh, the North Carolina State Fair, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and North Carolina State University. 

When I spoke to the agent, she said that the very first residents had just begun moving into the already-finished buildings, with more apartments opening up very soon.

It cost $1,525 per month, plus standard fees. The apartment was bright, spacious, and modern, with wood flooring in the kitchen and main living room. I liked the fact that I could visualize how my own furnishings would fit into the space given that it wasn't staged for viewing. 

All of the appliances were brand new, and I liked the tan-colored granite countertops. There was also a dishwasher and a laundry room off of the kitchen, which had both become must-haves for any apartment I was looking at by this point.

The agent said that an island would also be going into the space to provide additional seating. 

It had carpeting, but since the apartment was brand new, I didn't mind that as much.

I could see the space fitting perfectly into what I was looking for.

The gym was absolutely massive and included everything you could possibly need for a full-body workout. Thanks to the large windows lining the walls, the space was also bright and airy.

This was by far the most well-stocked gym that I saw during my apartment tours.

A television was also being installed, making the space perfect for watching the NC State football games with friends.

I could see myself coming here to do work and socialize.

The agent let me know that the pool would soon be open for residents to use, potentially as early as the first week of July.

Overall, I was really impressed by this apartment complex and could see myself living here. It was right within my budget, the amenities really blew me away, and I loved the location. If I was to make the move to North Carolina, this apartment complex would be at the top of my list. I also liked the other apartments I saw, and thought each offered something desirable.

However, I'm still torn about whether I really want to give up my current space in New York. I live with roommates for about the same price as what it would cost to live alone in a stylish Raleigh apartment, but I get to live in New York City with all of its hustle and bustle, culture, and historic feel. 

Talk to me again in a few years. However, for now, I'm happy right where I am.