Prime location and quiet living, but building needs improvements
Pros
The location is excellent, especially for Columbia University students, and the building is only two streets away from Central Park. The area is very safe and calm since the building is located in front of a school, and the neighborhood feels quiet and secure. It is also convenient, with large supermarket chains about a 15-minute walk away. The building itself is generally very quiet, with mostly student residents and respectful neighbors. The apartment size is suitable for four people, the rooms facing interior doors are very quiet, and the kitchen has modern appliances.
Cons
The main issues relate to cleanliness and maintenance. The staircases are not always clean, and we experienced roach and rat infestations during the summer. Another downside is that the building does not have a laundry room. Although a laundromat recently opened next door, these businesses often do not stay open long, and for more than a year there were no nearby laundry facilities, which was inconvenient. The living room also does not have natural light, which makes the space feel somewhat like a bunker. Additionally, the rent increased by $200 from one year to the next.
Advice to the owners
Improve cleanliness in common areas and ensure stronger pest control measures. Adding reliable laundry facilities in the building and maintaining stable rent increases would significantly improve tenants’ experience.
Still Worth It
Pros
Maintenance people are very kind. Agent/broker is responsive, honest, and professional. Amenities for price. Appliances (minus AC) in good working condition. Trash room never overfilled. No noise issues.
Cons
Pre-installed AC’s do not have much cooling power. Messy paint job. Water leaks from doors and ceilings (temporary patches done on some). Floors in rough condition (broken tile in building, flooring in apartments just in bad aesthetic condition). Stained window.
Advice to the owners
Water damage looks like it is getting severe, probably needs to be fully addressed ASAP.
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