Back to the Dorm? .... No Thanks
It's the #1 most emailed New York Times article today, pushing "What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage" down into the #2 slot. (Say it isn't so!) The New York Observer is reporting on it. Curbed has a post on it. Me? I don't get it.
Why would anyone spend $700-$1,200 a month to live in a Harlem dormitory?
The story, "Out of College But Now Living In the Urban Dorms," doesn't pinpoint where these dorms are except that they are near "'big old Beaux-Arts buildings, built for wealthy families' ... from 145th to 155th Streets near the Hudson River." While they might be "slightly less of a gamble than a Craigslist share," isn't the notion of using a public shower every day terror-inducing enough to rustle up a friend or two and split the cost of a cheap two-bedroom?
People: according to the Real Deal, Harlem is the cheapest Manhattan neighborhood in which to rent - the median cost here is $1,500. So I'm unclear as to why a person would want to share their toilet with 59 strangers when they can have a little privacy to do business uptown.
Is it the lure of a possible late-night keg party? The hope of meeting a cute post-grad in the hallway and inviting him or her back to "your place?"
Whatever it is, I'm out. The mere thought of going back to the dorm makes me have to hole up in the bathroom for ahwile. I'm glad no one's around to disturb me.
posted by Rachel Natalie Klein at 8:18 AM
3 Comments:
My ex moved into one of those dorms earlier this month. He works in support services for a small school and his pay barely pays rent. The dorm saved his life though.
This place, I think, is 555 West 155th Street. I looked at it last summer and hated it. The woman takes you around and introduces you as if she's a den mother. It's more of a community than an apartment. They really play up the roof deck, and it's a bunch of slats placed on the roof with a couple of lawn chairs. For what they want in rent, it's not worth it. That being said, it's great for people who are new to New York and want to make friends. Already having friends, I choose a building closer to Riverside Park on 145/Broadway. So much better!
i'm stuck hunting for apartments now & i totally feel & understand the frustration mentally & financially that makes the dorm appleal. Plus for some people living in Manhattan is key so they wont venture to other boroughs where rent might be cheaper. Speaking of which, i think my apartment hunt might be over in 2 days...Nice blog, just stumbled on it, keep blogging
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