Housing crunch much? I think this speaks for itself:

$550 Fifth Avenue/14th Street – No joke, but there’s a catch! (Union Square)
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/roo/380212406.html

- Available August 1.
- 24 hr doorman, laundry in building, elevators.
- First floor corner unit, your private room has three large windows.
- Room dimensions are 11 x 17 feet, in addition to ample closet space. It’s BIG!
- No common space except for kitchen and bathroom.
- All utilities included except cable TV and DSL, but room is already wired for this.
- Quiet, good for a student or someone on a budget.
- Near Union Square, Whole Foods, Parsons, shopping on Fifth Avenue (you will be ON Fifth Avenue!), Barnes and Noble, The Film Academy, movie theaters, etc.
- Long-term only.
- Pets are negotiable.

The catch?

This is a one bedroom to be shared with a 65 year old chain-smoking woman. She is on disability due to a stroke and chronic back problems so she does not leave the apartment except to get groceries and more smokes. She lives in the living room, you will take the bedroom.

While your contact with her will be minimal, it must be stressed that she smokes and she smokes A LOT. Fans and air filters are a necessity if you choose to live here, and it helps if you too are a smoker. Her hygiene is questionable, but again, you will have your own room to yourself. She is honest, quiet, and will give you Birthday and Christmas gifts from the dollar store. She’ll also sometimes share food she has made (she’s on food stamps), as she cooks, and cooks a lot.

Apologies to those who responded before to this ad. My move-out date was in flux, thus I could not respond. Candidates will be screened carefully by me starting this week.