For $1,750/month, a charm-filled Bed-Stuy one-bedroom with a kitchen too small for a fridge

In typical pre-war style, this Bedford-Stuyvesant one-bedroom for $1,750 a month has large rooms (the living room could easily fit a couch and dining table, which in NYC is spacious), and at least two hallway closets—more than enough space for a single person to store his or her stuff. 

While the apartment has some definite charm, including crown moldings and hardwood floors, it comes with at least one strange "only in New York" feature: the fact that the refrigerator and microwave don't fit in the kitchen and seem to be out in the living room.  Also, if you value quiet, it may not be the place for you: The apartment is on the second floor of a walk-up building, and judging from the photos, it faces the street. 

On the plus side, heat and hot water are included, the landlord accepts guarantors and the broker's fee is negotiable.

But is the place worth its price tag? We asked our veteran renters, including RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin, freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and myself, to weigh in for this week’s Take It or Leave It.​

Size: 1-bed, 1-bath
Location: 148 Hancock Street (at Nostrand)
Cost: $1,750/mo
Flexible Layout: No
Days on the market: 4
Subway: A/C to Nostrand

Pros and Cons:

"The place is well-sized, and charming with its light yellow walls, crown moldings and hardwood floors. It reminds us of an apartment out of 'Girls.' That said, it could definitely use some updating, like most of the apartments in 'Girls.' There's just an overall dingy feeling we can't seem to shake completely. Maybe it's because of the mismatched kitchen cabinets or the fact the bathroom looks like it needs one more good scrub. The fridge in the living room doesn't help. And we're slightly concerned that there are no larger photos of the bedroom. Make note of that if you plan on seeing the place." - Lucy

"This looks like an affordable one-bedroom close to the A/C in Bed-Stuy. But the building has six of these listed, four of them use the same photos as this one, and it's a one-month fee.." - Zeb

"There’s a certain quaintness to this Bed-Stuy one-bedroom. I love the crystal knobs, buttery walls and archways. They almost make up for the fact that this is yet another rental with a fridge in the living room." - Lambeth​

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"A single person who wants a bit of space to entertain and/or hang out in a space other than their bedroom. Also, anyone who wants to be part of the ever-changing Beford-Stuyvesant neighborhood." - Lucy

"Anyone can make this place work. It's best for a renter on a budget that will enjoy Bed-Stuy with its great new restaurants and cafes, but that's still rough in spots." - Zeb

"A couple who are either eager to check out the neighborhood or plan to eat regular Southern Comfort breakfasts at Ms. Dahlia’s Café, which recently reopened right down the block." - Lambeth

The Verdict(s):

TAKE IT "This was a tough one to decide, but I think it's safe to say this place will cost more in a few years, and now's the time to grab a large one-bedroom in this changing neighborhood. Just see if you can move that fridge closer to the kitchen first." - Lucy

TAKE IT "You could do better, but you could do a lot worse, too. Check it out to see that it's the exact apartment in the photos. Some of the other apartments listed in the building have the same photos. Assuming there aren't any big issues, take it." - Zeb  [Ed's note: Though several apartments appear to be listed in the building with the same photos, this one is, in fact, the only unit currently available, according to the broker.]

LEAVE IT "Especially since it’s not easy to scrape together $5,250—you’ll need three months to move in, one for security, one for the month and one for the broker’s fee. That's pretty pricey for the nabe." - Lambeth