NYC apartments use terminology that doesn't exist anywhere else. What's an "alcove studio"? How is a "junior 4" different from a 2-bedroom? And how big is 400 square feet, really? This guide decodes NYC apartment types so you know exactly what you're getting.
How Big Are NYC Apartments?
NYC apartments average 30-50% smaller than the national average. Here's what typical sizes look like:
| Type | Typical Size (NYC) | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 300-500 sq ft | 500-600 sq ft |
| 1-Bedroom | 500-750 sq ft | 750-900 sq ft |
| 2-Bedroom | 750-1,100 sq ft | 1,100-1,300 sq ft |
| 3-Bedroom | 1,000-1,400 sq ft | 1,400-1,800 sq ft |
NYC Apartment Types Explained
Studio
One room that serves as living room, bedroom, and sometimes kitchen (with a separate bathroom). The most affordable option.
Alcove Studio
A studio with an L-shaped layout that creates a separate sleeping area or "alcove." More privacy than a regular studio. You can often fit a room divider or curtain to create a pseudo-bedroom.
Junior 1-Bedroom (Jr. 1BR)
Somewhere between a studio and 1BR. Has a small separate sleeping area, but it may not have a door or may not meet legal bedroom requirements (window, size, etc.). Sometimes called "convertible 1BR."
True 1-Bedroom
A real bedroom with a door, window, and closet—separate from the living room. What most people think of as a "1-bedroom apartment."
Junior 4 (Jr. 4)
Confusingly named! It's a 1-bedroom with a dining alcove or extra room that could be used as a home office, nursery, or small 2nd bedroom. "4" refers to 4 rooms: living room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining area.
Railroad Apartment
Rooms arranged in a line (like railroad cars), where you walk through one room to get to the next. No hallway. Common in prewar buildings. Privacy concern: bedrooms may not be truly private.
Flex / Convertible
An apartment where you can add a temporary wall (pressurized, not floor-to-ceiling) to create an extra bedroom. "Flex 2" means a 1BR that can become a 2BR. Check if building allows walls!
Building Types
Prewar
Built before World War II (pre-1940s). Characteristics:
- Higher ceilings (9-10+ feet)
- Larger rooms, more character
- Original details: crown molding, hardwood floors, archways
- Often rent-stabilized
- May have older systems (plumbing, electric, no central AC)
Postwar
Built 1945-1980s. Characteristics:
- Lower ceilings (8 feet typical)
- More efficient layouts
- Often has laundry in building
- May have doorman/elevator
- Less "charm" but more modern systems
New Development / Luxury
Built after 2000. Characteristics:
- Modern amenities (gym, roof deck, package room)
- In-unit laundry more common
- Central AC, dishwasher standard
- Smaller room sizes to maximize units
- Usually NOT rent-stabilized
- Higher rent but often no broker fee
What Actually Fits?
Size Reality Check
Tips for Evaluating Size
- Visit in person — Photos with wide-angle lenses make spaces look bigger
- Bring a tape measure — Check if your furniture will fit
- Ask for floor plan — Square footage alone doesn't tell you layout
- Check ceiling height — Higher ceilings make small spaces feel bigger
- Count closets — Storage is precious in NYC
- Consider layout — An efficient 400 sq ft can feel bigger than a choppy 500 sq ft