Twenty-somethings have all the responsibilities of adulthood, but more often than not, they lack apartment hunting experience. Renting in New York City can even prove challenging for the most learned rental veteran, so for someone fresh into the market, it can easily overwhelm. It doesn't have to, though. We're here to help learn from mistakes of renters past. From budgeting to neighborhood research to lease comprehension, these are the top 5 mistakes 20-somethings make when renting in New York City.

From earthquake aftershocks to hurricane-turned-tropical-storm Irene, New York City has seen its fair share of natural hazards in 2011. In a city filled to the brim with luxury rental apartments, many renters have a false sense of security and misconceptions about renters insurance. According to a 2010 survey, more than 70% of the 81 million Americans who rent either do not have renters insurance or even know that it exists. Given that the average American renter owns up to $30,000 in personal properties, a renter who finds himself or herself as an unfortunate victim of mother nature would potentially be paying for the bills all out of their own pockets.