Sweet community, decent old building
Pros
Working fireplaces, proximity to the park and supermarkets, very sweet community of neighbors, decent and kind live-in super who means well and responds to texts and calls, elevator generally works, lovely view of garden across the street
Cons
Frequent package theft, heat blasts all winter and can't be lowered or controlled, roaches, exorbitantly expensive laundry machines with an annoying app that doesn't work in the basement, weird layout, cheap finishes in kitchens and bathrooms
Budget apartments cost you quality
Pros
Rent pricing was below market for the unit size in an elevator building with common area laundry. Excellent location right next to the 96th St express train.
Cons
The heating during the winter could not be adjusted, so the apartment was way too hot, resulting in the need to keep windows open all winter long. The drainage in the shower and bathroom sink were very poor and always clogged. We cleared the drain on a regular basis, but water would still build up in the tub while showering. The kitchen and bathroom were extremely dated - really old cabinets, tile, appliances. Because of this, the apartment never really felt clean. The ceiling in the bedroom had a leak, which was repaired relatively quickly to stop water from coming in, but the water stain remained on the ceiling for the rest of the time we lived there. Management is very rude and unresponsive.
Advice to the owners
The building needs a full renovation and replacement of the building systems.