A production designer claims he pays $1,850 per month to live in a laundromat, which he claims is less expensive than a regular apartment in New York City.
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Sampson Dahl, 27, moved to New York City from Chicago in 2019 after discovering the laundromat on an online forum. Despite the fact that his ex-girlfriend thought the idea of him living in a laundromat was revolting, he took the opportunity and moved anyway. He previously worked in a warehouse and had lived in a commercial space. According to CNBC Make It, the laundromat is located in Maspeth, Queens, and the previous tenant added a kitchen within the small space.
On the other hand, the laundromat hasn’t been in working order since 2005, and when he first moved in, the rent was listed at $1750, with two months upfront and an $875 security deposit. In 2021, his rent will rise to $1850, and he will pay $120 in utilities plus $60 for internet access.
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“I like the freedom of a commercial space, even though there are definitely fewer tenant rights. Something feels more ethical about moving into a vacant storefront that’s been empty for years than taking up an apartment in some residential neighborhood that you’re not familiar with.”
He says the small space makes him like a hoarder, but he likes living in the laundromat because the community reminds him of his childhood. Dahl was born and raised in a commune in Texas but described his experience. His personal philosophy is that everyone is entitled to live in an open space despite being mugged in the neighborhood several months ago.
“People are looking out for me more than I’m looking out for myself, and that’s a true community. I knew true community as a child, and I know it again now,”
He also created the commercial space as a studio space where he created a songwriting and organ station.
“Living in a storefront has taught me resourcefulness in a way I’ve never known before. I really can’t be too picky about what comes my way; I just have to make the best of it. And that’s the greatest skill I could ask for. It’s nothing I could teach myself; it’s something you can only learn from life. That’s really in line with the life philosophy I have.”