This week, our readers zeroed in on some of the more unusual aspects of living in New York City, with stories on a spacious loft above Fairway in an 1850s era warehouse, a spike in vacant apartments caused by an increasing number of pieds à terre and Airbnb listings, and the tenacity of families who can make do in small quarters. Other stories on a housing lottery in the Bronx and why Brooklyn Heights may offer the best of both worlds rounded out our top five most-read stories.

Here, in full, are the top five most popular stories of the last week:

1) Attention shoppers: This loft above the Fairway in Red Hook is for rent

2) 5 great reasons to buy in Brooklyn Heights right now (sponsored)

3) Lights out: New York City's ghost apartments multiply

4) Apply to rent one of 170 cut-rate apartments in the Bronx, for as little as $368 a month

5) What it's like to raise three kids in a Brooklyn one-bedroom (until you just can't anymore)