There are a lot of places in the world where renting a apartment for $3000/month gets you a tiny studio–Tokyo, Moscow or London come to mind–but there is probably only one such place in the US. That’s why a lot of people call New York an “island off the coast of the US.” The lack of space makes it seem distinctly un-American.
Just last week, I went to my friend’s place in Chelsea for a “New York-style dinner party”, which comprises of ordering take out food, sitting on the floor while eating it, and, of course, drinking. For illustration, I took this picture, so you can see that we actually had to lay the “buffet table” out in the sink, because there is exactly 6 inches of counter space in an average Manhattan apartment.
I love how the lack of space makes people adjust their needs and be creative about hosting parties or storing stuff. I know people who turn off their fridges and turn it into bookcases, because they have no space to put their books. Others store trash and recycling in their fridges (that way, mice and cockroaches don’t get in.) Oh, the sexy life in New York!