I had not realized, prior to moving here, how desperate the housing situation really is. To get what i want, I need to shell out $4,000 for a “spacious” studio. But I don’t have $4,000, I have maybe $1,000 and that’s even a stretch. I’m not going to complain about rent prices because I understand economic principles and  New York City is the Queen of Economy. What I AM going to complain about is the egregious situation that I had gotten myself in upon signing my lease.

You see, the year after college I had decided that I would be moving to New York. I applied to graduate schools here, saved up $12,000 and found myself some roommates. My roommates were, and still are my best friends. But we’re having problems, and all those problems started last August when we signed our lease.
 
You see, upon arriving in that broker’s office to sign our life savings away, we discovered two things: 1) That because we were so unqualified as renters, we needed to pay 4 months rent ahead of time, and 2) That half of our crew didn’t have that money. Not to worry, we thought, in a desperate, hopeless moment- half of us would front the other half the money. So I lent out money to one roommate and the other was covered by the fourth roommate. And so we were all thankful and agreed that the enormous sum of money would be paid in full ASAP.
 
We were all wrong. The girl who borrowed money from me paid me half withing the first few months. Then she paid some more a few months later, and I am yet to see the full sum. The worst part is that I am a full time student, living on loans, savings, and a few part time jobs. She is a full time, well compensated employee at a hedge fund. Her inability to pay me back has nothing to do with means, but rather a lack of consideration. The other situation, is even more hopeless. Roommate #4 has worked many odd jobs and lender #3 has yet to see a penny. Worst yet, the other lender and I have bought the majority of the stuff for the apartment, and this has passed unnoticed.
 
Not wanting to ruin a friendship, we have walked on eggshells since September 1. Occasionally we bring up the situation, are immediately reassured  that the money is coming, and months later we do not see a dime. The girl who owes me money doesn’t see how every time she makes that huge paycheck of hers, she should be paying me back instead of buying beer and riding taxis. She doesn’t see that I have to eat pizza for dinner because it’s the only thing I can afford. And worst yet, we discuss my financial woes all the time. I’ve been okay here, I didn’t need that money to live, so I let it get to this point. I’m just mad. I am mad that she doesn’t GET IT. I am mad that it’s not her owing me money that’s denting our long term friendship, but her inconsideration. With less than $1500 in my bank account ($1000 of which only came on my birthday) I have to wait to get back my security deposit to even consider getting a new apartment. That means I cannot have any possible overlap between the two leases, which means I’m SOL unless I get that money. God, I’m so passive.