The cost of quaint: $2,700 a month for a West Village one-bedroom
Few renters would describe a $2700-a-month one-bedroom as cheap, but we've found a pretty compelling reason to stretch the budget in the West Village: this one-bedroom in the Seville on Cornelia Street, which comes with exposed brick, a prime location, and access to the building's adorable courtyard.
The place has been on the market for close to a month, and while the price was recently reduced by $450, it's still no one's idea of a steal. For a lot of renters, though, this is a dream spot, and given prices in the area, it's also about as affordable an option as you'll find. So is it worth it? Our experts, including RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin as well as real estate bloggers and veteran NYC renters Julie Inzanti and Lambeth Hochwald, weigh in for this week’s Take It or Leave It.
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath
Location: 11 Cornelia Street (between Bleecker and West 4th)
Cost: $2,700/month
Flexible Layout: No
Days on the market: 26 days
Subway: 1 at Christopher St.; A, C, E, B, D, F, M at West 4th St.; PATH at 9th Street Station; C,E at Spring St.; F, M, L, 1, 2 ,3 at 14th Street
Pros and Cons:
"This tidy romantic hideaway offers just the right amount of West Village charm—love the sconces, exposed beam ceilings and white brick fireplace—and the view of a lovely shared courtyard that connects the Seville’s front carriage house with the rear building in which this apartment is located. On the downside, $2,700 is still a pricey monthly rent for a one-bedroom sans doorman." - Lambeth
"The location here is a definite perk. The West Village/Greenwich Village area is coveted and for good reason. There are great restaurants and shopping, but it is also quiet and redolent of Old New York. If you can snag a quaint apartment for under $3,000 a month, it's a good deal. And the Seville on Cornelia Street is a lovely building. The only drawback of this place is the size. It seems a little tiny. This apartment isn’t great for the long term, unless you want to use it as a writing studio; the surrounding neighborhood has always been lively and inspiring." - Julie
"This is a representative slice of the quaint, squished, old timey West Village. But it's old, oddly angled in places, and the kitchen and bathroom are very small." - Zeb
Who would this apartment be perfect for?
"A young ad exec with a solid paycheck and a flair for transforming interiors." - Lambeth
"This apartment would be great for a single person or a couple who want to experience living in the Village for a while. But if they plan on adding to their household size, they will need to upgrade. Could also be perfect for someone who needs a small space to work/sleep in a fun and interesting neighborhood." - Julie
"If you're dead set on living in the West Village, then you could do a lot worse. Living spaces are notoriously old and cramped around here, but the cafes and culture are top notch. If neighborhood and community are more important than your personal living space, this could be a winner for you." - Zeb
The Verdict(s):
LEAVE IT "But be sure to take regular strolls along this picturesque West Village street." - Labmeth
TAKE IT "At least for a year. Imagine having coffee in that cute little garden with a good book or the Sunday paper. " - Julie
TAKE IT "Try to meet the neighbors you'll be sharing the courtyard with first, and if you're happy, grab this little one-bedroom that was just reduced in price by $450 a month." - ZEB
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.
