Many people understand the potential pitfalls of socialism, recognizing it as a collection of slogans and catchphrases aimed at enticing the unwary. Phrases such as “rules for thee but not for me,” “do as I say, not as I do,” and the memorable observation by Margaret Thatcher, “The problem with socialism is that eventually, you run out of other people’s money,” encapsulate these ideas. As Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Mayor of New York City, gears up for his inauguration, the city’s residents are poised to experience firsthand the practicalities of socialist policies.

Following tradition, Mamdani is set to relocate to Gracie Mansion, the official residence for the city’s mayors. This change will soon make an apartment in Queens available to potential tenants. However, before considering a move, they should be aware that the cost won’t be equivalent to what Mamdani was paying. The rent for the apartment, previously stabilized, will now see a 35% increase, equating to an additional $800 per month. As a result, the total monthly cost for this Astoria, Queens apartment will rise to $3,100.

READ MORE: Mamdani’s Vision: The Financial Strain of Affordable Housing in NYC

Interestingly, Mamdani, whose professional background includes serving as a New York Assemblyman, benefited from a “preferential rent” arrangement. This scenario allowed him and his wife to pay a reduced rate of approximately $2,300 per month. The preferential rent is a strategy landlords use to offer temporary discounts on rent-stabilized units to attract renters in weaker markets. It’s an advantageous deal, especially for someone whose family is financially secure, like Mamdani.

New York City Council Minority Leader Joanne Ariola (R-Queens) highlighted the situation, stating:

READ MORE: Mamdani’s Dream: High Costs, Low Rents Doom NYC Dwellings

The best part is, the guy who has never had a real job, with the possible exception of New York Assemblyman, has been living in the apartment because of something called “preferential rent.” This is when landlords offer temporarily discounted rates on rent-stabilized apartments to attract prospective tenants in softer markets. Mamdani and his wife were only paying around $2,300 per month. Because that’s just what a guy whose parents are millionaires needs, a break on his rent.

New York City Council Minority Leader Joanne Ariola (R-Queens) pointed out the obvious, saying:

“Isn’t that just the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York in a nutshell? A nepo baby leaves his under-market apartment for a mansion, the price gets jacked up for the next guy, and some ill-conceived legislation forces the landlords to make an off-market listing to avoid the fees ‘progressive’ policies shoved down their throats.”

Zohran Mamdani campaigned on the Democrats’ new buzzword, “affordability,” which includes a promise of more rent freeze increases. But during his campaign, he was criticized for living in the apartment while earning a $142,000 salary as a Queens Assemblyman. Mamdani argued that he moved into the apartment while only earning $47,000 a year as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor. The other problem is that the apartment is being leased “off-market.”That means it is not publicly listed, and can only be found through private networks and word of mouth. Off-market listings also make it easy to bypass the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, which includes a ban on broker fees, something Mamdani was for in his previous gig as Assemblyman. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that those broker fees would just be snuck into rent prices, sending them soaring.

The socialist who built his campaign on working New Yorkers’ struggles is trading up spectacularly. No more one-bedroom apartment. Mamdani mansion complete with a professional chef’s kitchen. Overlooking the East River from around 87th Street. https://t.co/74vPOE6Qxp

— Bill McAdory (@bill1096) December 12, 2025

But Zohran Mamdani’s very election has proven that leftist hypocrisy just doesn’t matter in New York. It’s all but guaranteed that one of the affluent white elderly liberals who won Mamdani the Democratic nomination and ultimately the election will consider it an honor to plunk down the inflated rent price so they can invite their affluent white elderly liberal friends over to brag about how they now live in Mamdani’s old address. It’s even too much for conservative Queens Democrat Councilman Robert Holden, who said:

“This is exactly what New Yorkers are sick of: politicians who benefit from housing arrangements while pushing policies that make rents higher and listings disappear for everyone else. It is always the same story with nepo baby communists backed by trust funds who never pay the price for the policies they impose. If Mamdani’s idea of affordable housing only works for him and no one else, then it is not affordable. It is hypocrisy.”

But apparently, Councilman, they are not sick of it. Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as the next mayor of New York City on January 1, 2026.

Zohran Mamdani’s apartment is rent-stabilized… but apparently his politics aren’t!

— Logic Not Found (@LogicsNotFound) December 27, 2025

Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.

Join RedState VIP and use the promo code MERRY74 to receive 74% off your membership.