It doesn't have bells and whistles, but this Queens apartment is well-sized and well-priced. Is that enough?

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | October 5, 2016 - 3:59PM

What drew us to this $1,750 one-bedroom were the generously sized rooms, specifically that surprisingly spacious-seeming galley kitchen with built-in storage. While it's not in the trendiest neighborhood in Queens, it also happens to be about $100 a month less than the median rental price in the neighborhood.

So is it worth considering? We asked our experts (and veteran renters), real estate research and analytics firm NeighborhoodX's founder Constantine Valhouli and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.

The apartment:

Size: One-bedroom, one-bath
Location: 94-01 64th Road (between Booth and Wetherole), Rego Park
Monthly rent: $1,750/month
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 6
Subway: M, R at 63rd Avenue

Pros and cons:

"I love this kitchen. It's got a seriously cute retro vibe. Plus, the rooms are generously sized, and the fact that there's a foyer and decent closet space makes the apartment feel more livable.That said, of course, Rego Park isn't Long Island City, and the mostly residential neighborhood isn't going to appeal to everyone (though the fact that it's one of the borough's safest neighborhoods should be a serious pro.) " —Lucy

"Rego Park is regarded as a quintessentially Queens neighborhood, and it has fairly extensive transit options for a neighborhood so comparatively deep in Queens. However, the subway commute can range from 48 to 63 minutes to midtown. And Rego Park is regarded as one of the louder neighborhoods in Queens, with some residents reporting an almost constant sound of planes taking off or landing. But it's a neighborhood with a rich history and a range of impressive architecture—and the original doors and molding on this apartment are a testament to that quality of building. Although they could have toned down the floor finish just a notch. Matte top coat, folks. Or tung oil. Seriously." —Constantine

"I’ll admit I’m a sucker for black-and-white floors and the expansive kitchen in this one-bedroom is a huge draw. On the other hand, there’s the commute from Rego Park, Queens, into Manhattan, which feels far from the photo taken from the apartment, which might put this right into the non-negotiable category." —Lambeth

Who this apartment would be perfect for:

"Someone who works in Queens and refuses to pay Brooklyn or Manhattan prices, or live in a Brooklyn or Manhattan-sized apartment." —Lucy

"One can find similarly priced apartments with shorter commutes, so there ought to be a compelling reason for someone to be in this specific neighborhood. Perhaps they work at one of the airports, or drive to Long Island or Westchester for work." —Constantine

"Someone who just got a job in Queens, whether in nearby Middle Village or Forest Hills, and doesn’t want a huge commute." —Lambeth

The verdict(s):

TAKE IT: "As always, make sure the neighborhood works for you, but if it does, there's value in this place." —Lucy

LEAVE IT: "While the apartment is large and well-priced for someone who is working locally, someone who is based in Manhattan may opt to sacrifice size for a smaller place closer to the city." —Constantine

LEAVE IT: "Leave it, especially if you’re a dog owner. Cats only!" —Lambeth

Improve How to get a taxi back home to Brooklyn (Queens, etc.)

Troubleshooting The Safest and Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in NYC

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.