Affordable and convenient, but noisy and dirty part of the neighborhood
Pros
The building management is very kind, attentive, and wants long-term tenants who care about New York and building a life for themselves. I have never had a better team in all my years of renting in New York. The apartments are spacious, the renovations are thoughtful, and you are on the same block as the F/G train lines. So much convenience for
Cons
The biggest two are the dirt/dust/construction supply debris, and the noise. It is a very busy street that is active all night. The construction supply on the corner of McDonald and Ave C has taken over the whole sidewalk, and the mechanic shop across the street. They dump construction filler late at night [2am-4am] and fill it into bags from 6am-6pm daily. Fork lifts are active from 6am-6pm daily. The street has two-three big concerts in the summer with a SL 100 portable box truck stage and flown PA system. Noise levels exceed 100dBC indoors. The construction supply, and busy street leaves noticeable debris on the windows, and sills. The garbage is managed, but not well, and the block itself does not have neighbors that respect cleanliness. Composting is not followed, [despite the bins], and on more than one occasion the sewer has backed up, leaving foul smells and sewage liquid in the backyard. The Kensington neighborhood is really great with a good balance of green, long-term neighbors, and great shops. This block is just really rough, and I would advise shying away from it if you have other options. The apartments that face the back of the building may be the best option if you choose this address.
Advice to the owners
Help us address the concerns with Citi Hardware on the corner, to mitigate the noise and the dirt. Enforce composting guidelines, and provide more training and support to the person managing the building refuse and cleanliness.