I pay $4,150 a month to rent this apartment above a Miami mall | Wilnesh News

In 2021, Rachel Koggan decided to leave New York City and head south to Miami, Florida.

Koggan, 34, vice president of media relations at M Booth, told CNBC Make It she was ready for a change and wanted to be closer to her parents, who live about an hour outside of Miami .

“I just love Florida. I love the weather, I love the atmosphere, I love the people and the culture. I think it’s going to be a really fun adventure,” she said.

Kogan hired a real estate agent in Florida to begin looking for an apartment, and she also searched for homes online. That’s how she found a bedroom and a half-bath above the Brickell City Center shopping center in Miami.

“When I saw this apartment, I jumped immediately,” Cogan said. “I actually didn’t even visit or visit the property in person before making an offer. I did a lot of research on the building and I believed it would be something I would like, but I had to basically , stop taking pictures.

The apartment was originally listed for $3,100 per month, but with many other applications submitted, Koggan offered $3,350 per month in hopes of securing the space. The measure worked.

Koggan’s rent for the unit was $3,350 the first year he lived in it, but increased to $4,200 the second year. Koggan was able to lower the monthly rent for the third year to $4,150.

“I’m paying more rent now than I was paying in New York, but in New York I lived in a studio that was only about 400 square feet and I have about 1,200 square feet here, so I understand it’s more expensive there Reason,” she said.

Koggan’s upfront costs include two $3,350 security deposits and one month’s rent, for a total of $10,050. She also paid $500 in pet fees when she moved in.

Koggan will also have to pay an additional $1,700 security deposit when the lease is renewed in 2022. Koggan spends $114 a month on utilities.

One-bedroom apartment with balcony, washer and dryer, and master bathroom with double bowl sink. Koggan’s luxury complex includes amenities such as a spa, gym, multiple swimming pools and shared outdoor spaces.

One perk that completely surprised Kogan was that, as a Brickell Town Center resident, she had direct access to the mall from her building.

“It’s the best find in the world. It’s now my absolute favorite feature in my apartment and every time I have people over I show them my backyard and it’s my party trick…honestly. It gives me so much fun.

Additional perks for Brickell Town Center residents include invitations to events such as happy hours, fitness classes and the chance to try new restaurants at the mall before they open.

Kogan admits she did a lot of shopping when she first moved in. But since she’s been in her building for several years, the habit has faded away.

“I went through a transition period where I had to relax my spending restrictions because everything was so achievable for me, but now I feel like I’m getting by,” Kogan said.

“I understand my limitations and I have a really good relationship with shopping now, but I still love it and it still brings me a lot of joy.”

Kogan plans to stay in Brickell City Center after renewing her lease: “I’m going to make sure to check the comparisons in my building to see if my current price is still fair,” she said.

The most Koggan is willing to pay is about $4,300. She said if costs rise too much, she would consider moving out of the building but staying in Miami.

“I’m much happier living in Miami than I am in New York…half the people are on vacation and half the people live here and are just as happy as I am,” she said.

“So I find that I absorb people’s energy and I feel like I’m on vacation every day.”

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