<< Back to all Blogs
Login or Create your own free blog
Layout:
Home > Saw 2 apartments I can afford! In Bronx :o. Which one would you choose?

Saw 2 apartments I can afford! In Bronx :o. Which one would you choose?

October 26th, 2009 at 02:19 pm

Both have issues.

One is lovely, good light, good condition, walkable to MetroNorth, facing park, good condition and layout. The problem? 2nd beroom and kitchen face a very busy highway that goes out of NYC (traffic never stops there) And you can hear it a little, even with a window closed. But the place is beautiful and we can definitely afford it.

Second one is quiet, 18th floor, and has a huge terrace with a gorgeous view of Hudson river and tree tops. Just breathtaking. However, it is a 1br dump. The "dump" part can be fixed. The seller will come down in price to cover the renovation. But it is not a type of 1 br that can be converted to 2. And if we have a baby (eventually) what will we do? I can't let a todler sleep in a living room with an access to the stove and a terrace 18 floors high....

But it would be a very cool place to entertain, to have breakfast on weekends, to sit with a laptop... Like a private retreat in the sky.

I am confused and don't know what to do!

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »

9 Responses to “Saw 2 apartments I can afford! In Bronx :o. Which one would you choose?”

  1. boomeyers Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 03:21 pm 1256570511
    1256570511

    Without seeing them it is hard to say. However, two bedrooms seems like something more important and unable to change, whereas you can still entertain in the first one. You did say it had a good view, despite the fact that it did'nt have the nice balcony. Frankly, if you are going to have children here, the balcony would definately frighten me!

  2. all4money Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 03:22 pm 1256570571
    1256570571

    If kids or guests staying over are in the cards at all, I would vote for choice one and go with the 2 bedroom. A little noise is nothing compared to having the second bedroom space and you would get used to it after while anyway. Pick up some heavy curtains or something to help absorb the noise.

    Now, if entertaining was your priority, then the second choice sounds like a great deal.

    I guess you'll have to really focus on your priorities now, in 5 years, in 10 years, etc, to really choose the one that right for you.

    Good luck!

  3. Maismom Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 03:48 pm 1256572106
    1256572106

    I would go with 2 bedroom, too. You may be able to do something to deal with the noise. (heavier insulation, better window, etc.) But there's not much you can do to add another room unless you have space for it.

  4. ceejay74 Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 03:50 pm 1256572253
    1256572253

    I get highway noise in my 18th floor condo. It's more distant, but it's a constant dull roar. I can say you get used to it really quickly; probably after a month I didn't notice it at all. You turn the TV or music a little louder if you have the windows open, but it's not like it interrupts conversation or anything.

    I agree if a baby is really in the cards, shoot for the 2BR. You could have an infant in the 1BR no problem, but eventually it'd need a real room.

  5. monkeymama Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 04:04 pm 1256573078
    1256573078

    Agreed with the others. I have always lived close to a freeway and/or airport. In our current home the house is SO peaceful simply due to good insulation. (Insulation/soundproofing is always an option). I've actually never lived so close to the airport, and it can get loud, but we don't even notice it.

    Granted, if you are too close, it can drive you nuts. Some of my neighbors are right up by the freeway and they don't care for it. I wouldn't get *that* close, though I still think you would probably just get used to it.

    The 1-bedroom is short-term thinking. I Wouldn't advise it.

  6. LuxLiving Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 05:48 pm 1256579311
    1256579311

    2 bedroom!

    I think it was Benj. Franklin who said "Three removes is as bad as a fire." Which I interpret to mean that the more often you move the greater the financial detriment.

  7. baselle Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 06:06 pm 1256580415
    1256580415

    Agree with the others on the 2 bedroom, but pursue them both if either one is an improvement on your current situation.

  8. whitestripe Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 11:30 pm 1256599821
    1256599821

    is it possible to replace the window with glass that is thicker and more sound resistant? that would solve the noise issue for the 2 bedroom place.

    i too would go for the 2 bedroom place. one thing to remember is that it is always a good point for entertaining when you have more room, as well.

  9. fern Says:
    October 27th, 2009 at 12:21 pm 1256646078
    1256646078

    Does it have to be one or the other? Neither sounds ideal, for reasons that you mentioned.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]