Don't live in the duplex with basement (lots of leaks and mold)
Pros
Great sound insulation, never had a problem with rats, safe, never had a package stolen, never had water pressure issues.
Cons
I lived here for 1.5 years in a unit with a basement on the first floor, and the management was horrible. It repeatedly flooded during storms and management responsiveness was very low. In our last week there, it flooded the upstairs (first floor) from the ceiling, and there was water everywhere. We asked them for a mop and buckets to help and they didn't show up until a few days later. Whenever we would report a leak, they would just paint over it on the wall instead of addressing the actual problem. There was visible mold in a closet in the basement despite the paint. We also had an ant problem.
Advice to the owners
Be better?!?!! Don't illegally deregulate these kinds of units as well. This building definitely should still be rent stabilized.
Poisoned from every angle
Pros
Backyard is nice when not gross
Cons
Pests everywhere, leaks, most notably a gas leak confirmed and fixed by gas company that travelled up walls to first floor apt. On the garbage truck route, so literally every full garbage truck must sit idling with hot garbage to weigh in. Absolutely horrendous and would never recommend
Advice to the owners
Burn it down already.