Avalon Bowery Place

you have to pay extra for the gym there. How absurd is that

I lived in an Avalon complex in NJ and it is very difficult to get any maintenance work done after hours. If you need anything done past 5 pm, you have to call their HQ in Virginia and stay on hold. Plus, Avalon is overpriced.

If you move into Avalon at Bowery place, don't forget to say hello to your "Yuppie Scum" neighbors:

http://curbed.com/archives/2008/06/16/die_hard_yuppie_scum_protesters_rock_the_east_village.php

remind me why you would want to live in that neighborhood? it's absolutely disgusting.

I appreciate all the info and comments. I am well aware that the neighborhood is far from ideal and 50 yeards in the wrong direction can truly be an eye opening experience. It is not prime Greenwich Village nor Soho but puts you in very close proximity to both hoods and seems to offer decent amenities with WholeFoods across the street, a gym, subway lines within 3 blocks and walking distance to soho/village. As high priced as the apts are, I assume prime location doorman buildings with similar amenities would be even more (assuming they exist). Just trying to get a sense if the extra cost is actually worth it and trying to weigh pros/cons of the building and neighborhood. Never going to find the ideal situation until at least my wallet grows a few extra sizes. If I wanted to stay downtown (south of 22nd) but somewhat central (not too far east or west) and north of White St in tribeca....what would you recommend?

nycREjunkie, rufus' comments should never really be taken seriously here - I'm pretty sure he thinks every neighborhood in this city is "disgusting." I don't know much about Avalon, but I used to live on Elizabeth St, which is a block away from the Bowery. Nolita is obviously a bit different (not to mention quieter), but this is far from a disgusting area. It's been massively cleaned up, and you're quite close to lots of great stuff. Again, can't speak to the building/rents themselves, but I really think this is a great neighborhood.

It's a great neighborhood and only getting better when you look at what's going in on Bowery. I live in the LES but would much prefer to live in that area. Being footsteps from Whole Foods is huge and the subway is right there, too. Personally, I'm not particularly fond of living in mega apartment buildings. But all told, Avalon is new and I'm sure the apartments are nicer than most in Manhattan.