Is this UWS studio too much like a dorm room to warrant its price tag?

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | June 30, 2015 - 3:59PM

If you read here often enough, you've probably noticed that we have a thing for townhouse apartments—they're so quaint and are much more interesting than so many of the cookie-cutter modern apartments we see so often. We're also suckers for sleeping lofts, which open up the space underneath and, if done well, look so much better than a bunk bed.

That's why we were drawn to this $2,150 townhouse studio with a well-designed lofted bed and plenty of built-in bookshelves (we're suckers for those too). Apparently, we're not the only ones who appreciate it. The apartment went into contract this morning.

But should you consider sleeping on a loft for this price? 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: Studio, one-bath
Location: 156 West 94th Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues)
Cost: $2,150
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 3
Subway: 1,2,3 to 96th Street; B,C to 96th Street

Pros and cons:

"This apartment is in a picturesque townhouse a couple of blocks from Central Park and the 2 and 3 trains. It's got old-world details like a fireplace and exposed brick, and is $250 less than the area median for studios (that probably has something to do with the fact that it's a walkup). The kitchen is tiny, though, and I'm not seeing much closet space (despite the fact that the listing says it's "good"). And it's a third floor walk-up." — Lucy

"This is an average-priced studio apartment high on the Upper West Side with a dishwasher. The fireplace doesn't work, and you have to climb up to sleep in a loft." — Zeb

"This place takes compact living to new heights—literally—with a loft that feels a bit too close to a kids’ bedroom for my taste. Then again, the wall of built-in shelving and expansive windows facing a nice tree-lined street off Amsterdam Avenue make this place a bit more palatable. Whether this is worth $2,150 sans any amenities (besides basement laundry) is a whole other story, however." — Lambeth

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"A single person who just graduated from college and would appreciate this step up from dorm life." — Lucy

"This may be nice for someone attending Columbia, or someone looking to live near family in the area. Bonus for dog owners." —Zeb

" A young (and spry) new grad who doesn’t mind the three story walkup and steep pricetag."— Lambeth

The verdict(s):

TAKE IT "As long as you're in shape, and can keep your belongings to a minimum."— Lucy

LEAVE IT "I may be getting old, but I'm a stickler for a bed you don't have to climb into. " — Zeb

LEAVE IT "Unless you can’t kick your addiction to the chicken at Pio Pio located right on the corner. We can’t blame you if that’s the case—this place is a pretty major neighborhood fave."— Lambeth

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