Take It or Leave It: Could this $2,795/month 3-bedroom charm you all the way to Clinton Hill/Bed-Stuy?
In this week’s Take It or Leave It, our roster of renters ponder the virtues of this gut-renovated 3-bedroom/1-bathroom floor-through apartment in a historic townhouse in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Our panelists—who have a combined 43 years of rental experience between them—are RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin, freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and BrickUnderground’s own senior editor, Lucy Cohen Blatter.
The Apartment:
Size: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Location: 43 Monroe St. between Franklin Ave. and Classon Ave. in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Cost: $2,795/month
Flexible Layout: No
Subway: C, S at Franklin Ave.; G at Classon Ave.; C at Clinton & Washington Aves.; A, C at Nostrand Ave.; S at Park Pl.; LIRR at Nostrand Ave.
Pros and Cons:
Zeb: “Pros: This is an affordable, clean, nice-looking 3-bedroom in a townhouse on the border of Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy. Cons: It’s far from Manhattan, the fireplaces don’t work, there isn’t any outdoor space, and there’s only the one bathroom.”
Lambeth: “No doubt, this Bed-Stuy floor-through apartment is spacious—you could have a party in the marble bathroom—and props for the decorative fireplaces and not-regulation-white walls, but it’s hard to figure how exactly to configure the space with only one bathroom, an odd kitchen (looks like it’s not quite renovated yet) and one room that appears to have no windows.”
Lucy: “Pros are definitely charm-related. Love the windows, the decorative fireplaces and the large marble bath. Also love the price—under $2,800 for a 3-bedroom is hard to beat. On the con side, the listing says the apartment has been gut-renovated, but the photos don’t depict a place that’s in tip-top shape (case in point: the slightly worn floorboards). Also, it appears as though rather than having a kitchen, it’s one of those kitchen walls. Not too handy for people who really like/need to cook.”
Who would this apartment be perfect for?
Zeb: “Great for Pratt students, roommates, or a couple looking for more space for the money.”
Lambeth: “A couple of Pratt professors who want a quiet and clean space to call home.”
Lucy: “Roommates. It’s a great price for three people who want to share an apartment. Besides, all young people are moving to Bed-Stuy now.”
The Verdict(s):
TAKE IT “If you’re looking for a good deal on a 3-bedroom and you’re cool with the location, this spot makes a lot of sense.”—Zeb
LEAVE IT “The layout feels too awkward for this would-be renter.” —Lambeth
TAKE IT “You may not find as good a deal in an up-and-coming area for long.”—Lucy
Ready to rent? Check out our How to Rent Guide...and if the apartment you like requires a guarantor that you don’t have, see if the landlord accepts Insurent, a guarantor solution from one of BrickUnderground’s sponsors.
Take It Or Leave It is a weekly column in which a panel of long-time renters weighs in on the pros and cons of an apartment that’s currently on the market.
