Is this Upper West Side studio's price too lofty?

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | June 3, 2015 - 9:59AM

There's no shortage of charm in this $2,790 Upper West Side studio. But there is a shortage of bedroom space, which is why you'll have to live with a lofted mattress if you want to live here.

If you're okay with that, there are some definite perks to the apartment , like bay windows, a separate kitchen (with dishwasher!) and what appears to be a decent amount of closet space. It's also right near Riverside Park, which is heaven for runners, dog-owners (pets allowed!), or really anyone who loves spending time outside.

So might it be worth the climb up for bedtime? I asked our experts (and veteran renters), RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.

Size: Studio loft
Location: 330 West 108th Street (between Broadway and Riverside)
Cost: $2,790
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 3
Subway: 1 at 110th Street

Pros and Cons:

"I really like the brownstone details — like the windows and high ceilings, even a foyer — and the location is great, too (particularly for anyone affiliated with Columbia University). The kitchen is also cute—and hooray for a dishwasher! In fact, I'd say the only potential deal-breaker here is the lofted bed. And maybe the price, too, which seems high for a studio with no amenities. In fact, it's almost $300 higher than the median for the area. " — Lucy

"Just a block from Riverside Park, this apartment is in a restored 1893 20-foot wide, six-story townhouse on a tree-lined street full of townhouses on 108th. But the listing touts 'Actual Photos!' that reveal a cramped loft bed ." — Zeb

"At first I was completely in love with this place. We’re talking crown moldings, butter yellow walls, a fabulous mahogany front door — quaint, quaint, quaint! Then I realized this is a loft apartment which basically takes it down a notch from a one-bedroom to basically a glorified studio. And spending $2,790 per month (plus broker’s fee) to face out to barred windows overlooking garbage cans feels like an unnecessary splurge." — Lambeth

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"A Columbia grad student with a decent stipend. Or anyone who knows they won't feel claustrophobic in that sleeping space," — Lucy

"Someone with a reason to be in this neighborhood." —Zeb

"A recent Columbia grad or Absolute Bagel addict. One bonus to living so close--you'll never have to stand on a long line again!"— Lambeth

The Verdict(s):

LEAVE IT "Unless you're totally fine with the lofted bed, and brownstone charm is of utmost importance. "— Lucy

LEAVE IT "You can get a real one-bedroom for this budget, or a really nice studio. " — Zeb

LEAVE IT "Especially since it looks as though the owner lives on the top three floors (with interior elevator)— so you won’t even have lots of neighbors to hang out with."— Lambeth

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.