237 E 79th St

Cons - shady management, poor heating in many of the apartments, mice or other rodents can be heard through the walls, one of the main supers (Philip M) was unprofessional and his main priority was his other apartment building that he covered. Females that he "perceives"as attractive might fair better in terms of service response. I assume they kept him around since he is related to the owners. Also the kitchen areas are non-existent. Under no circumstances should you rent any of the... apartments on the 1st floor next to the main entry door since you will hear it opening and closing all day!

Pros - conveniently located, has an elevator, and has a washer/dryer which is pay as you go. Some of the apartments are spacious but keep in mind the heating will not work consistently as the winter moves forward.

Overall, if you are really interested in this place request $500 below the broker's asking price. That is all it is really worth. If the "charming" broker does not accept your offer, look elsewhere. Read More

The Apartment: First-floor, railroad-type studio apartment, with some charming pre-war touches like a brick wall and a decorative fire place. Btw, "railroad" means it's really narrow (about 8-9 feet in width.)

The good: Good space for one person. A real treasure of an apartment for an old-school paper-book reader (full wall build-in book shelves) who is not much of a cook (the "kitchen" is in the hallway and has limited counter space. although there is a (new) stove so it's not impossible to... cook.also, keep in mind, the fridge is mini-sized). Lots of closet space for a studio! I'm able to fit all of my clothes,cleaning supplies, and a bicycle, with no trouble. There is a new air conditioner in place. Decent-sized bathroom with bathtub.

The bad: Apartment is very old and parts of it are literally crumbling, and it's right next by the entrance so can get annoying when people are coming in and out. Also, it's first floor so expect outside noise. Also, it doesn't get sunlight at all.

The Building: This is an old, small, modest, co-op building, sandwiched in between two large fancy buildings. That adds an extra layer of security for us since they have doormen, and this building is in their field of vision. The fact that it's a co-op means you'll have to pass a brief board interview, but the good news is that so do your neighbors. Most of the owners rent out their apartment, but because it's a co-op and the apartments are ultimately owned, I feel like it's better maintained than your typical rental building. There is an elevator and laundry on premises - no other amenities, unless you count the foot massage salon in the basement as a perk. Super lives near by, and is a pretty helpful guy. The building is kept clean, though I know many of the apartments still have your typical NYC rodent problems (not mine.) No dogs allowed (not sure about cats, but more likely not.)

The Neighborhood: Convenient UES location - the 2nd avenue and cross-town buses are right outside, and the 4/5/6 trains are close by. Everything you could possibly need is within a mere block or two. Read More