Perhaps no other neighborhood is as beloved as the Upper West Side. With its neighborhood-y vibe, close proximity to Riverside and Central parks, high-class eateries, and cultural landmarks like the Museum of Natural History, many people choose this location to call home. Which brings us to our Deal of the Week. This studio at 214 Riverside Dr. #401 comes in at a fraction of the median UWS asking price and is in a great building near the water. Let’s take a look.
The Price: $385,000
The median recorded sales price for an apartment on the Upper West Side is $1.3 million, according to the latest StreetEasy Market Report. That puts our Deal of the Week at about a third of the median asking price for the neighborhood.
Buyers who pay the minimum of 20% down ($77,000) can expect to see monthly payments of $2,178. This includes a mortgage payment of $1,460 and a maintenance fee of $718.
Why You’ll Love It…
While it’s officially listed as a studio, this apartment was nicely converted into a 1-bedroom and has a large closet, glass-paneled pocket door, and a window, making it a true 1-bedroom. However, the wall can be removed, if desired. As it stands, the bedroom is large enough for a bed, desk, and shelving unit — not bad for a starter in New York City.
A decent-size walk-in closet is off of the main living area and is large enough for a dresser, or to store coats, shoes, and bags. Perhaps even the fridge (more on that later). Plus, there are another two closets in the entryway, so storage won’t be an issue here.
The kitchen was recently renovated and has stainless steel appliances and a dishwasher.
Located in a beautiful prewar building, the apartment has access to a rooftop deck with views of the Hudson River. Getting your fix of nature and the outdoors will never be difficult with Riverside Park just across the street. Plus, Broadway is just two blocks away, providing plenty of restaurants and shops. Commutes will be easy with the 1, 2, and 3 trains a quick walk away, providing both local and express options.
Guarantors and pied-à-terres are both allowed, so for those looking for a weekend pad, this could be the one. The building also has laundry, an overnight doorman, and to top it all off, a pet-friendly policy.
… And Why You Might Not
One of the most obvious shortcomings of this apartment is the fact that it only has one window — in the bedroom. So if you want more natural light, you might be tempted to take the wall down and turn it back into a true studio. But, the wall doesn’t extend to the ceiling, so some light does filter out over the top.
Plus, there’s no fridge in the kitchen – it’s currently in a closet in the living room. But, according to listing agent Lauren Carden of R New York, the walk-in closet next to the kitchen can be altered to fit the fridge without much effort or cost. So if you’re looking for a pied-à-terre or a nice place to hang your hat in a great neighborhood, this could be it.
Checkout the listing at 214 Riverside Dr. #401, listed by Lauren Carden of R New York.
Upper West Side Sales Under $500K Article continues below