Real Estate Adventures, Chap. 2

[serinde]

Looked at two apartments this week. The realtor for #6 never called me back; I expect that means "the super isn't around" is code for "someone just called with an offer for it". I left him two messages and haven't gotten even the courtesy of "sorry it's off the market", which rather vexes me.

So, anyways, Apartment #7, E. 83rd and First: A 1BR for $TOOMUCH, it's in the area I like the best, and, I mean, 1BR. On the other hand, once again it was a very very small bedroom, and also a very small living room, and a small kitchen. There are windows, but they are small and barred, and the apartment feels rather dim and aggy. Also, the cupboards in the kitchen have been so multiply-overpainted that they don't open or close without Herculean effort. NO.

Apartment #8, E. 73rd and York: A 1BR for $TOOMUCH. Size-wise very comparable to #7, or a little smaller, but sunnier and nicer. The building facade is very old-style ornate with carved pillars and capitals on the windows, which detail pleaseth me. It has World's Smallest Tub like #2, and the kitchen though appliance-laden (dishwasher, even) is very narrow, with a peculiar angle at the back that you have to suck in and squish between the fridge and the stove to reach. You could certainly put some shelfage there, though. It is a 5th-floor walkup, but apparently my daily charge up San Juan Hill the four levels of long stairways at 63rd & Lex is doing me some good because I took no note of the exertion. There is laundry in the building. 15-minute walk to work. One block from the river. I'm pondering it, though I'm again feeling that if the "bedroom" and "living room" don't add up to any more space (or even less) than there is in a studio, I had as soon have the damn studio. I love the light and the location, but I'm increasingly convinced that the kitchen and bath would annoy me over time.

The broker/agent/whatever for #8 did an interesting thing. She rescheduled twice (though the second one was just asking if I could delay half an hour, which I could with no grief), and I found that a pair of girls looking for a place also arrived at 1:30 to see the apartment. I can only assume that this is a tactic to convince us that there is Hot Demand for the apartment. It should vex me, but for some reason I am only amused.

So far, #4 is the one I keep thinking about. I may ask to see it again, perhaps in the evening right after work so's I can see how pleasant or un- it is without a sunny morning.

Comments

[pir.livejournal.com]

for $TOOMUCH

Isn't that going to be true for all places you may want to live in, in NYC, and many that you would not want to?

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

In this case, that variable is defined as "Over my arbitrarily-stated monthly limit, but by less than $60".

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

I think one of the advantages of having a bedroom is that guests are not in your private bedroom space... unless you want them to be. In a studio, there's always the temptation to get some sort of futon or other bed that converts into a couch. And let's face it, that's a pain in the neck on an everyday basis.

Having lived for years in a Manhattan apartment that was likely smaller than anything you've looked at, I know that I would choose a smaller space with a separate bedroom, as opposed to an only slightly larger studio. But everyone is different.

I am sure that you would LOVE being walking distance from work which both of your "maybe" places are! WHOO HOO!

[heliumbreath.livejournal.com]

In connection with the latter, one's housing budget should likely factor in the transportation budget between there and work, so you can afford to go that much higher for something in walking distance.

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

Nah. Still need an all-you-can-eat Metrocard. Well, sweh ran the numbers and posited that the unlimited ride isn't that much of a deal, but I think it's as much psychological as anything.

Anyways, I get it pre-tax.

(And I've already figured in the No NJ Transit savings.)

[caelfinn.livejournal.com]

What is it that you like about #4? Is it the garden, or is it a nicer layout, or better light? Maybe if you can figure out what you like it will help you look for those things in other places too. Or maybe it means #4 is the right one for you.

Good luck, sounds like you're narrowing it down.

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

It turns out that #4 does not have an oven. NEXT.

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

Oh. Um, more specifically, what I liked about #4 was that it seemed very light (in spite of it facing north), and it felt old-as-in-classic, not old-as-in-rundown. The very nice garden was a plus as well, of course; but mostly that in spite of being small, it didn't feel cramped. (I'm sure it would've after I put STUFF in it, of course! But if it feels cramped to start with...)

[caelfinn.livejournal.com]

Ah, so maybe a classic layout is important to you (in good condition of course). I find that apartments in pre-war buildings tend to have much more livable layouts; even when they are small places, they still feel as if you're not sure what you will find around the next corner, whereas apartments in modern buildings tend to feel really boxy and completely predictable. Sucks about no oven!