Pros:
as awful as my experience was here, the pros are as follows- small building with minimal neighbors and good privacy- The neighborhood it's self (around Jefferson L stop) is probably one of my most favorite places in the city. the other "pros" have.... Stipulations if you will.
Private backyard, laundry in building, central air, and 2 entrances/exits to the unit.
Cons:
here are those stipulations, and much more.... The private backyard- while seeming quaint and peaceful, it's quite the opposite. For context- when I moved into this apartment the backyard was barely accessible due to overgrowth and rose bushes that were literally NEVER pruned ( the tallest one was over 13ft). Additionally, there was an 8ft long rotten picnic table in the middle of the patio that had to be removed.
This is important because, despite almost 4 years, countless hours, literally blood, sweat, and tears put into transforming it. It was my personal version of hell... in the fall and winter the wind comes behind the buildings like a vortex making it purely uncomfortable. But, worse- is the infestation of rats, roaches, and lanternflies is unlike anything I've ever seen.
The rats have borrowed massive tunnels/colonies under the concrete patio, and run ramped in the early evening and at night. They will literally run right beside your feet... And if the rats weren't enough to scare you away the roaches and lantern flies falling from the infested mulberry trees definitely will.
Furthermore, having laundry in the building is great! But not when there is only one set for four units (all of which had between 2-6 tenants). And not when said set is constantly SOILED by a disgusting tenant.
Central air is great too! But, shocker this landlord took the cheap route and installed 1 HVAC unit per apartment ( the apartments are 2 stories and have concrete floors) so... I'm sure you can imagine how frigid it was in the winter and boiling hot in the summer.
I loved the idea of having two entrances to the apartment for multiple reasons. However, that came to a screeching halt when a fellow neighbor took it upon herself to enter our home. Granted, the door should have been locked- it is NYC after all.... But my roommate was home sitting at the kitchen table...
The apartment it's self is in shambles... we had multiple leaks, the basement floods when there is heavy ran, gas leaks, no security, and an incompetent management team, that will surely try to swindle you for money any chance they get.
Advice to owner:
sell.