Take It Or Leave It

This Sunnyside two-bedroom has an extra room and a very reasonable price. But what's up with the phantom bathroom?

By Lucy Cohen Blatter  | May 27, 2015 - 3:30PM
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This $2,100 two-bedroom apartment—which the listing claims has a second bathroom, though we can't seem to locate one—is a far cry from the brand new shiny condo-style rentals you'll find in Queens neighborhoods like Long Island City and Hunters Point. But the price is, too. Plus, it has an extra room that can be used as an office (meaning it doesn't have a window).

One bedroom is MUCH smaller than another, so if you're doing the roommate thing chances are one person would be paying a much larger percentage of the rent (unless maybe the other person got to use the office?).

It's located in a six-story elevator building (sans doorman) with a live-in super and laundry facilities, and the price is $300 less than the median for the neighborhood.

So is it worth renting? I asked our experts (and veteran renters), RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.​

Size: Two-bedroom, one-bath
Location:  4755 39th Place (between 47th and 48th)
Cost: $2,100
Flexible layout: Yes
Days on the market:  5
Subway: 7 at Lowery Street

Pros and Cons:

"The apartment is decently sized and the extra room is a nice perk.  But it all feels dated. Check out the bathroom light fixtures and the flooring — which alternates between tile and hardwood. And while stainless appliances and a dishwasher are nice, I'm not sure how you'd open the fridge without bumping into the counter. Also, you're going to be reliant on the 7, since all other train options (M, R and E) are about 10 blocks away." — Lucy

"The price is the best thing about this apartment. On the downside, you're 40 minutes from Union Sq (on a weekday), you're pretty far from a cool bar, restaurants, any park (excluding the cemeteries), and the space is just ok." — Zeb

"If Sunnyside’s been calling you name, it might be worth taking a peek at this spacious two-bed in a solid brick building that dates to the late 1930s. Hopefully you’ll find the abundance of stained glass and mirrored closet in one of the rooms to your liking. On the flip side, the kitchen—while equipped with brand-new appliances—looks compact and I can’t seem to find the second bathroom on the floor plan." — Lambeth​

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"Assuming the building's okay with it, I think roommates are best for this space. Otherwise maybe a couple with a baby that's looking for a two-bedroom on a budget." — Lucy

"This spot is good for roommates who already have friends in Sunnyside, and who can stomach a longer commute instead of higher rent for a smaller space." —Zeb

"A young family eager to check out this ‘hood who don’t mind that the closest subway (the 7 train) is a few blocks away on 40th Street."— Lambeth

The Verdict(s):

LEAVE IT "There's more to a deal than a good price."— Lucy

LEAVE IT "The photos tell a different story than the description, including  one bath (not two), a very narrow kitchen, and cheap tile flooring through much of the apartment. " — Zeb

TAKE IT "The bonus office space is an added plus for a work-from-home parent."— Lambeth

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