Greenpoint has long lost its rep as Williamsburg's cheaper, sleepier cousin, and has the prices to prove it. And while this one-and-a-half-bedroom has plenty of details that could charm renters—hardwood floors, tin ceilings, a funky little decorative fireplace—a railroad layout for $2,000 a month is not exactly a quirky outer-borough bargain, either.
While many NYC renters are veterans of railroad apartments—wherein you have to walk through one bedroom to access other rooms—the floorplan will be a drawback for many. On the flip side, the bathroom looks to be recently renovated and the kitchen is large enough for an honest-to-god sit-down breakfast table. More than anything, though, prospective new tenants might want to consider the commute: if the G train is down, your options will be the infrequent (and comparatively expensive) nearby East River Ferry, or a 1.2-mile walk to the L train.
Our veteran renters—including RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin, freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and BrickUnderground’s own senior contributing editor, Lucy Cohen Blatter—weigh in for this week’s Take It or Leave It.
Size: 1.5-bed, 1 bath
Location: 203 Green Street (between Manhattan and McGuinness)
Cost: $2,000/month
Flexible Layout: No
Days on the market: 38 Days
Subway: G at Greenpoint Ave; Ferry at India Street Landing; L at Bedford Ave; G, L and Metropolitan
Pros and Cons:
"There’s something sweet and old-fashioned about this Greenpoint 1.5 bedroom—fans of tin ceilings and tree-lined streets will agree. But, at $2,000, this place is going to be a tough sell since the layout includes one large room up front and a large eat-in kitchen in back. Is that what they’re calling a half-bedroom these days? At least it’ll be cinchy to reach over and grab a snack from the fridge." - Lambeth
"This is a nice sized, high-ceilinged one-bedroom in Greenpoint for a good price. It's also deep in Greenpoint, closer to Long Island City really. It's a 20-minute walk to McCarren Park, and you're stuck taking some combination of trains or buses to commute." - Zeb
"On the pro side is the decorative fireplace, if you like that kind of thing, and the high ceilings. That said, I cannot wrap my head around the layout. Whatever it is, it seems a bit strange with two 'smaller rooms' in between the living room and 'eat-in kitchen.' The apartment seems to be in okay condition, but it's far from luxury. The 'eat-in kitchen' is more of a kitchen wall, and there's no dishwasher, which for some, like me, is a deal breaker." - Lucy
Who would this apartment be perfect for?
"A couple who wants to check out the neighborhood for a year before committing to it full-time." - Lambeth
"Greenpoint has grown awesome in its own right, so if you know you'll be happy there, this could be a great spot. Ideally your work does not require a regular commute, or you are cool biking a long way each day." - Zeb
"A young couple who wants to take advantage of this popular Brooklyn neighborhood." - Lucy
The Verdict(s):
LEAVE IT "...and seek another apartment along the G line that’s a better value for the money." - Lambeth
TAKE IT "Check the walking distance venues and make sure there's enough nearby to love. If there is, grab it." - Zeb
LEAVE IT "I suspect the layout is strange, and since they don't mention an elevator in the listing, don't expect one either. I'd imagine you could do better for around the same price." - Lucy
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