Take It Or Leave It

Take It or Leave It: Is this Williamsburg walk-up worth $3,000/month?

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner  | March 12, 2014 - 2:59PM
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In this week’s Take It or Leave It, our long-term renters size up a no-fee, gut-renovated 1-bedroom loft in a walk-up building in hipster habitat Williamsburg with two bathrooms, a stainless steel kitchen, exposed piping and high ceilings. Our experts—who have 43 years of rental experience between them—include RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin, freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and BrickUnderground’s own senior contributing editor, Lucy Cohen Blatter.

The Apartment:

Size: 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms                                               
Location: 68 Richardson St. between Lorimer and Leonard Sts. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Cost & concessions: $3,000/month+no broker’s fee
Flexible Layout: No
Days on the market: 6 days
Subway: G, L at Lorimer St.; L at Graham Ave.; G at Nassau Ave.; J, M, Z at Marcy Ave.; Ferry at N. 5th St. Ferry landing

Pros and Cons:

Zeb: “This new, sorta fancy 1-bedroom in ultra-hip Williamsburg is just a block away from McCarren Park and boasts two bathrooms and a balcony. But it’s pricey, close to the noisy BQE, and you can bet the view from the balcony—which was conveniently omitted from the photos—doesn’t overlook the park.” 

Lambeth: “This no-fee apartment has a suburb-worthy kitchen and is in a great location—who wouldn’t want to be just a block from McCarren Park? But this third floor 1-bedroom walk-up is expensive at $3,000/month. Plus, the ad promises two bathrooms but only provides photos of one.”

Lucy: “The apartment has obviously been renovated recently, and the kitchen and pictured bathroom look nicely updated. I also love the large windows in the living room. On the con side is the fact that it’s three floors up in a walk-up building and that it’s pricey. But then again, this is Williamsburg we’re talking about ... it’s not cheap.”

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

Zeb: “This place is perfect for a wealthy, healthy hipster with a dog.” 

Lambeth: “Someone who absolutely must be in Williamsburg—no matter the price or how many flights he has to hike up to get home.”

Lucy: “A single person or young couple looking to take advantage of all that Williamsburg has to offer. Maybe quasi-hipsters on more corporate salaries.”

The Verdict(s):

TAKE IT “As much as I like to hate on overpriced hipsterism, this no-fee place makes sense for people who can afford it.”—Zeb

LEAVE IT “The facade of the building looks tired and there have been complaints lodged against the owner that would prompt me to ask some hard questions during a walk-through.”Lambeth

LEAVE IT “I suspect you could find a comparable apartment in a full-service building in Williamsburg for a similar price.” Lucy

Ready to rent? Check out our How to Rent Guide...and if the apartment you like requires a guarantor that you don’t have, see if the landlord accepts Insurent, a guarantor solution from one of BrickUnderground’s sponsors.


Take It Or Leave It is a weekly column in which a panel of long-time renters weighs in on the pros and cons of an apartment that’s currently on the market.

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.

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