"I'm a shopaholic and live above a mall with 24-7 access - it's dangerous"

A self-confessed shopaholic lives above a shopping mall with 24-7 access and says it's "dangerous" and she "never has to leave".

Rachel Koggan, 33, moved from New York City to Miami, Florida, US, in July 2021 and said it was difficult to find a flat - so she didn't even view it in person before moving in.

But thankfully she was impressed at her new abode and she was pleasantly surprised to find it came with 24/7 access to Brickell City Centre - a shopping mall.

The shopping mall is open between 11am and 9pm and includes shops like Levi's, Mac Cosmetics and Zara.

In her first few months living there, Rachel said she would visit the shopping centre twice a week but has since "calmed down" and will just browse.

Rachel, who works in PR, from Miami, Florida, said: "I never saw my apartment before I moved in, I only saw pictures of it.

"I didn't even know it was above a mall.

"When I moved in I discovered it had a door that leads to the mall.

"It was such an amazing surprise.

"I am a shopaholic and it is every girl's dream to live inside a mall.

"It has everything I need, everyone is pretty jealous and can't believe this is my back yard."

Rachel has lived in Miami for two-and-a-half years after she swapped the skyscrapers of New York for the sun and sea of Miami Beach.

Rachel said: "I had lived in New York for a long time and my day job allowed us to work remotely.

"I thought what a great opportunity to see what else is out there, apart from New York.

"Miami is similar in a lot of ways to New York - which is why I think so many moved from the city - plus you can't beat the weather."

Rachel moved into her flat in July 2021 and said she was "surprised" when she found out her apartment building connects to a shopping mall.

As a self-confessed shopaholic, Rachel said it is "dangerous" and would find herself in the mall twice a week.

Rachel said that residents will get offered exclusive deals and events from brands like Chanel and Jo Malone London.

She said: "I had to learn how to manage myself when I first moved in.

"They have everything I need - they have clothing shops, coffee shops and places to eat.

"I was spending a lot of money as I could pop down very quickly and come back up.

"If there was a sale on, I definitely heard about it first.

"I was going a bit more than my budget allowed and going twice a week."

Rachel pays $4,150 a month for her apartment and says she is often asked if the pros outweigh the cons.

She said: "It is definitely a party trick - it's the coolest part of my apartment for sure.

"The biggest question I always get is whether the pros outweigh the cons and for me there are only pros.

"I have access to everything I could need, I live in a safe building and I don't hear any noise from the mall.

"It is expensive but it is an expensive city - I would move here 1,000 times over."