In a video titled Inside New York’s Smallest Apartments, travel vlogger Drew Binsky explores one of Manhattan’s tiniest living spaces—offering viewers a raw, eye-opening look at how some New Yorkers make the most of extreme square footage limitations.
The featured apartment is home to a young woman who rents the room for $650/month—an unusually low price in one of the world’s most expensive cities. The entire space, no larger than a walk-in closet, includes a bed, a small wardrobe rack, and walls adorned with posters and personal art. There is no kitchen or private bathroom; instead, residents share communal spaces with others in the building (source).
Throughout the video, the resident walks Drew through the realities of living in such a small space. She explains how she optimizes storage using vertical racks, keeps her clothing organized, and personalizes the apartment with framed photos and fashion posters. Despite the constraints, the resident expresses gratitude for having a place of her own in New York, emphasizing freedom and independence over comfort.
Drew Binsky, known for documenting global cultures and lifestyles, uses this video to highlight the growing trend of micro-living in urban centers. With rental prices soaring and space shrinking, more people—especially young creatives and students—are turning to minimalistic lifestyles to afford city living (source).
This short but insightful video provides a compelling look at how space, comfort, and cost are constantly being redefined in modern city life. Rather than focusing on limitations, it celebrates the creativity and resilience of those adapting to tight conditions with style and purpose.