Rachel Koggan, a 34-year-old VP of Media Relations at M Booth, decided to leave New York City and move to Miami, Florida in 2021 to be closer to her parents. She fell in love with Florida’s weather, vibes, people, and culture, and saw the move as a fun adventure. Koggan found a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom apartment above the Brickell City Centre in Miami through a realtor and online searches. Despite not seeing the property in person before making an offer, she was confident in her decision based on research and photos.
The apartment initially listed for $3,100 a month, but Koggan offered $3,350 to secure the space. Her rent increased to $4,200 in the second year, but she was able to negotiate it back down to $4,150 for the third year. The apartment is 1,200 square feet, much larger than what she had in New York City, which justifies the higher rent for Koggan. She paid upfront costs totaling $10,050, including two security deposits and a pet fee, and pays $114 a month for utilities, in addition to the rent.
Koggan’s apartment in the Brickell City Centre features luxury amenities such as a spa, gym, multiple pools, and shared outdoor spaces. One unexpected perk for Koggan was the direct access to the mall from her building, which she considers her favorite feature. Residents of the building also enjoy invitations to events like happy hours, workout classes, and early access to new restaurants. Koggan admits to initially spending a lot on shopping but has since adjusted her spending habits to adapt to the accessibility of the mall.
Despite the increase in rent over the years, Koggan plans to stay in the Brickell City Centre when her lease is renewed. She will reassess the cost and compare it to similar units in the building to ensure it remains fair. If the rent becomes too high, she is open to moving out of her building but staying in Miami, where she feels much happier than she did in New York City. Koggan enjoys the vacation-like atmosphere in Miami and believes she lives on vacation every day due to the positive energy around her.
