Rental at 215 West 95th Street

Not absurdly low, no. There are plenty of other doorman studios on both sides of the park above 86th for under $2,000. And many are no-fee (this one is not.)

$1800 is pretty low for luxury/doorman building considering the size of the apartments (500+ square feet). I've seen TONS of apartments in the past two months, and most under $2000 studios in nice buildings are teeny tiny boxes. The large, true alcoves seem to be in the $2400-$2700 range.

My bigger concern is how long they've been sitting on the market. Would love some input from somebody who lives (or has lived) in the building. Is it insanely noisy? Horribly managed? What's the deal?

Here's two issues: 1. That building is 25 yo and was constructed really cheaply. If it hasn't been renovated, it's in only fair condition. 2. That block has an SRO with some hostile tenants (police frequent it), it also has a parking garage. Nothing nice about that Amsterdam block accept the Tapas restaurant.

Thanks. I am aware of the neighborhood issues, and it's definitely not prime UWS, but since it's a doorman building I felt a little bit better about looking there. (I saw some walkups nearby and ruled them out because of safety concerns.) I just wasn't sure if there was a larger issue keeping rents so low, aside from the neighborhood and construction stuff. But maybe that's enough. I am checking out one of the apartments tomorrow, so I'll report back with my findings.

jason...are you guessing or is it true that i can get a doorman studio under $2k..my lease isn't up until 2/12 but i would love to live on the uws.

Julia, the Princeton House is a good building to put your sights on because its non-prime location and its dated condition keep the prices lower for a full service building. Also the alcove studios were small when they were built but tend to be larger than new builds today. The cheaper rentals there tend to be in dated condition, and even in the 80s it wasn't a true "luxury" building. It was constructed to satisfy investor demand.

PMG...thank you i just saved the bldg...they have an alcove studio for rent for $1800 which would be perfect for me...

Julia-
I've been looking at apartments for about 2 months now (primarily on the UWS) and have not seen a big studio in a really nice doorman building for under $2000, so I was curious about that statistic as well. (It's also what raised my initial suspicion about 215 W. 95th, and PMG has confirmed that my suspicions are probably correct!) You can definitely find a studio for that price, but it really depends how much space you need and what kind of a building you're looking for. The ones I've seen in really nice buildings have been TEENY tiny (many fit little more than a bed, dresser, and chair) and are right around or above $2000, and true alcoves are quite a bit more expensive. But if ANY building with a doorman will work, you should be fine. I saw several doorman studios (and even some one bedrooms) in the under $2000 price range, but they were in dark, fairly dilapidated prewar buildings. I'm not looking for luxury/full service, but I do want something nicely maintained, so they weren't right for me, but I think it all just depends on what you're looking for.

"jason...are you guessing or is it true that i can get a doorman studio under $2k..my lease isn't up until 2/12 but i would love to live on the uws."

ME: The kid who works for me is looking for just that, and has seen some, all off of streeteasy, nybits, or craigslist. East of second in UES, above 86th UWS, and hells kitchen. One just south of central park.

none GREAT but they exist.

"none GREAT but they exist."

THAT I definitely agree with :) If you're not picky about the apartment/building/exact location, under $2000 doorman studios are definitely out there. But like I said, most of what I've seen has had some major reason why it's so cheap--teeny tiny, dirty/dilapidated building, windows facing a brick wall, etc. I saw one building in the West 90s where the "doorman" was so rude and grumpy that there is NO way I would've rented an apartment there...and the building wasn't nice either.

Tapdance42, I am anxious to hear what you have to say about the units and if you got a chance to see one today. Keep us posted.

No problem. I saw one of the two studios available in the building. It was too small for what I'm looking for and not a true alcove. The entire unit was a bit worn-down and the kitchen was small and dated, which for me is a dealbreaker. (I cook.) It had a view of the backs of some other buildings. Also, as PMG pointed out, it really isn't the best location. Even in the afternoon there were some sketchy-looking people hanging out on the street outside, and it's right next to a very loud construction site.

The building itself was not bad. A little dated, perhaps, but clean. The staff seemed nice and the lobby was well-maintained. Not "luxury" by any means, but definitely liveable. Worth a look if you're willing to go through the condo application process and aren't put off by the location and dated condition of the unit.

Tapdance --

Re: kitchens, I've seen many units in many buildings where even the newest kitchens are minimalist. It seems that developers think that NY'ers no longer cook except to heat up takeout.

Re: the neighborhood, I've never understood why people object to the location of 95/Broadway. I've walked around that area at various times of the day and night and never personally had a problem. Yes, there's an (apparently) low income building across the street -- so what?

Yes, the kitchen thing is frustrating! I cook/food blog/am thinking about cooking school, so the electric burner/mini fridge combo just won't work for me, but you're right--developers must think that nobody in New York cooks! (And in truth, most of my friends do not...) I've seen three or four apartments this week alone with nice renovated kitchens, though, so I know it's possible. I don't mind small if there are nice appliances and enough counter space to get the job done :)

As far as neighborhood, it's all about what works for you. I'm in the 80s right now, and I do find it interesting how much the neighborhood changes in just a few short blocks. I just remembered from another thread that blossom was looking for safe housing for a daughter, so I thought I should point it out in case neighborhood was a concern. Not the worst location in the world, but there are definitely much nicer parts of the UWS, at least in my opinion.

Broadway/95th is extremely convenient to transit--the 95th entry to the express station will be architecturally unique when completed with the proposed art/sound installation. Nearby and within quick walking distance, Broadway in the very low 90s and high 80s is charming. 95th St east of Broadway, near Princeton House, is negatively impacted by traffic exiting the West Side Highway, and the local SRO. West of broadway, the area feels a bit more peaceful with prewar buildings, Symphony Space and Pomander Mews. Further west there are two SROs but these get a much gentler clientele and many European tourists. Then there is Riverside Park, which is the prewar version of the High Line, without the buzz or tourists. The immediate neighborhood just west of Princeton House has a lot to offer.

Thanks for your thoughts.. I also saw on the other thread that you didn't recommend 63 west or something in that vicinity...do you mind sharing why..I think my daughter looked at something there.

Re: 63 West Realty--I've never lived there but have heard horror stories, ranging from safety concerns to a severe mouse infestation to part of the building being used illegally as a hotel. I'm not sure if StreetEasy allows links, but this should give you all of the information you need:

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=13242373157876555348&q=63+west+realty&hl=en&gl=us&view=feature&mcsrc=detailed_reviews&num=10&start=0&ved=0CFcQuAU&sa=X&ei=JGAuTO3qHobCzQTDjbT_Cw

(If that doesn't work, just Google "63 West Realty reviews" and you'll find what you're looking for.)

Otherwise, there are many lovely places to live in the West 60s. I was referring specifically to that complex/management company.

Blossom, did you try 711 West End Ave from an earlier thread? It is in the nicer section in the mid 90s west of Broadway. Its an elevator doorman building at an inexpensive rent, the problem is getting them to write you a lease.

215 W. 95th st is a building to consider only if you're not particular about neighborhood?

Are you kidding?

Unless you're accustomed to living in the creme de la creme of NYC (5th...Park...etc.) you should have absolutely NO reservations about the "neighborhood" of 95th and Broadway.

You've got the 2/3 96th street express stop on the block. Symphony Space, one of NYC's premiere concert and independent film venues, across the street. Riverside Park and Central Park are 2 blocks away in either direction. West 95th street is lined with gorgeous brownstones on every block of its existence EXCEPT between Amsterdam and Bway (where 215 is) - but walk one block east or west and it's stately UWS living at its most classic. The surrounding blocks are teeming with fine restaurants, live music options, and houses of worship of all denominations - including a Synagogue that attracts some 700 young professional 20-somethings every week...right on W 95th St. And of course, the rest of the Upper West Side, and all it has to offer, is within walking distance, and the subway affords easy access to any other part of the west side of Manhattan.

The SOLE drawback of this block, and this block alone, is the small SRO across the street. So, yes - if the sight of an impoverished, elderly man strikes fear in your heart and makes you think that the neighborhood is going to piss, then this would not be the block for you. Otherwise, the notion that this area is somehow sketchy, or appropriate only for those who can look past undesirable neighborhoods, is laughable.

Totally agree with Someonewhoknows. Please get over yourself. Most of the people in that home are sick or disabled; your attitude about safety is unwarranted, and frankly kind of elitist. But more than that, most places in Manhattan are within a few blocks of low income housing. If 96th and Broadway gives you pause, you probably want to avoid 95% of New York City.