Not Great, Not Awful
Pros
-- good location -- neighbors on my floor were quiet -- superintendent was responsive and tried his best -- pet-friendly -- never had bugs or rats/mice in my apartment (can't speak for anyone else) -- windows all work and had screens, and are large -- decent square footage for the price -- decent maintenance of the front grassy areas -- in-building laundry -- my unit had been renovated somewhat recently -- silly little "appreciation gifts" like free cookies at Christmas, free ice cream on 4th of July
Cons
-- elevator broken for at least 24 hours, at least once a month -- hot water off for at least 24 hours, at least once a month -- ALL water off for at least 4 hours every other month -- serious pipe bursts "fixed" by painting; there's definitely mold in this place, and I am suspicious of the electrical situation as well, just based on how many large-scale pipe bursts we've had where water was *shooting* out of the outlets and light fixtures -- building front door knob/lock often broken for 24 hours (meaning anyone could get in) -- got the sense that management did not support superintendent; he often seemed to know what was wrong and how to fix it, but couldn't get them to order parts, arrange contractors, etc. -- "back yard" inaccessible and unmaintained -- in-building laundry area very small, dirty, and unmaintained, with few washers/dryers -- cupboards do not close due to being painted over for decades -- many of the other units I saw had definitely NOT been renovated recently -- overall feeling of grungy old-ness...I don't know a better way to describe it...like nothing is really clean, and nothing will EVER really be clean
Advice to the owners
FIX/UPGRADE the pipes/boiler/plumbing/whatever and the elevator
Pest Palace; Fire trap; Moldy lodgings; Lots of empty units BUT cool neighbors:)
Pros
Love my neighbors and the location
Cons
The fire escapes are all rusted through. If there was a fire, I hate to think what would happen if more than one person had to use them. Lots of mold, roaches, and mice. The exterminator that the building provides just sprays poison. The radiators are so hot that we often times have to run our air conditioners and leave all the windows open. Only one outlet in each room.
Advice to the owners
Probably the biggest liability at the moment is all the metal fire escape steps and landings, along with the perpetual mold in the bathroom ceilings and ceilings above radiators. I know how these things go tho. However little they can spend and still maintain the building. The wiring here is so old though, I'd be more prepared for a building fire.
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