625 Caton Avenue,

Brooklyn, NY 11218

Heat is great. Units are sunny and they’re large apartments.

1st floor units have much more of a pest problem. Especially unit 1A which located directly above the trash room. Constant influx of roaches.
The building is old and between floors is not soundproofed or insulated. You hear everything going on above you.
Units are renovated periodically but only kitchens and bathrooms. Doors have been repeatedly painted over and won’t close. Windows are pretty old and busted especially the screens. Finally, very little is done to keep Galway’s and stairwells clean extremely dusty and dirty. Finally, as is usual with NYC supers this one can be very confrontational and not really proactive. Expect to wait a while to get things repaired.

KEEP IT CLEAN!!!! I could see paying what’s asked if the building were just better maintained.

The rooms are large and not chopped up. Heat and hot water are free. The heat is kicking when it's on. I tell my friends to bring their flip-flops. Laundry place across the street with huge machines that are fast. I love the market next door. A bit pricey but they have EVERYTHING in a pinch. Close to the park, F/G and B/Q.

The building is a co-op, where one person bought 90% of the apartments, who is cheap. Our fridge died and our new fridge is incredibly small (we have to squat to look into it/get anything out.). The landlord is brusk, but will get things moving if you call him. The super isn't hideous but isn't there best. He's a cross between the Swedish Chef from the Muppets and a Druid. It takes Jedi mind tricks, the flute of a snake charmer, and hostage negotiation skills to get him to do anything if you aren't greasing him annually. Porch pirates run a muck, despite the video cameras and new security entrance (sometimes the video works, sometimes it doesn't.). So, the landlord is attentive, but cheap with what is done. Hallways get painted every 5-8 years. Repair jobs in the apt are done by the super and his (very friendly) side kick. English is their middle language and we've had to be the middle interpreter previously when they were doing a plumbing hack job on a leaky ceiling. (We can still hear it leaking internally). Laundry machines in the basement charge extra for hot water and various cycles and are the size of a microwave. Section 8, beware. You'll be accepted, but God forbid you are late or worse. Basic human dignity will not be given to you by the super. The stories I could tell.

Pay the electric bill on time. It's not fun to come home to warnings of darkness from the electric company. Accept rent checks digitally. Get a printer and ditch the mimeograph machine. We are in a New century.