This Columbia-area alcove studio is a SERIOUS upgrade from dorm living. But is it worth the price?
This Morningside Heights alcove studio, which has a charming raised dining area and built-in shelves, has recently been updated, which is immediately clear from the bathroom and kitchen photos. In the kitchen, there's a stainless SubZero fridge, a Miele dishwasher, a granite countertop, and cherry cabinets. The bathroom has marble tiles, and an original restored bathtub per the listing.
The 1941 building appears to be well-maintained and, according to the listing, it has a renovated lobby, elevator, and laundry room. Oh, and while the asking price is $2,350 a month, the landlord is offering three weeks free, which means you'll effectively be paying $2,203 a month.
So is it worth considering? For more perspectives, we asked our experts (and veteran renters), real estate research and analytics firm NeighborhoodX founder Constantine Valhouli and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.
Size: Alcove studio, one-bath
Location: 3111 Broadway (beween 123rd and LaSalle streets)
Monthly rent: $2,203 (net effective rent), $2,350 (gross monthly rent), no broker's fee
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 20
Subway: 1 at 125th Street
Pros and cons:
"This is a generously sized studio with an updated kitchen and bath in what appears to be a no-frills, but well-kept building in Morningside Heights. The price is a little bit steep for one person, but I'd imagine that you could negotiate a little, especially since the landlord has already agreed to give three weeks free. The fact that there's no broker's fee is another perk." —Lucy
"It has a really nice bathroom and kitchen. And it's close to Riverside Park, and a walk to Columbia University. But even with the three weeks free and no fee, it is too much. For that price, you can live on the Upper West Side, with more restaurants and amenities. Also, at 125th street, the 1 train is elevated and can be really noisy. Also, despite being anchored by multiple universities, upper Manhattan feels like the suburbs in terms of limited nightlife and dining." —Constantine
"With a little creativity, this $2K-ish Morningside Heights studio might end up feeling more spacious than at first glance. For example, if you make the space off the kitchen into a dining/living space and create a spacious bedroom in the step-down room, a tenant will have plenty of space to stretch out. And while this building has very few bells and whistles (in other words, no doorman, gym, etc.), there is a bonus: At least this place is just two blocks from the 125th street subway." —Lambeth
Who this apartment would be perfect for:
"A grad student at Columbia, or a student at the Jewish Theological Seminary or Manhattan School of Music, who's looking for a major upgrade from dorms, and has the budget (or stipend) to pull it off." —Lucy
"Someone who's attending Columbia or any of the schools nearby. An aspiring Beat poet who wants to draw inspiration from the former neighborhood of Kerouac and Ginsberg." —Constantine
"A newbie Columbia or Barnard grad hoping to stay in the neighborhood." —Lambeth
The verdict(s):
TAKE IT "Suggest a whole month free, and don't be afraid to negotiate; if you can, even slightly, this is a solid choice." —Lucy
LEAVE IT "If the price comes down significantly and one must be within walking distance of Columbia's campus, take it." —Constantine
TAKE IT "They're not kidding when they say this place has condo finishes—that bathroom has major appeal!" —Lambeth
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