I signed a two-year lease for a studio apartment in the 600 building and I have decided not renew. This is the most awful living arrangement I have ever experienced, and here's why:

1. The elevators are disgraceful. They crawl at a snail's pace. I usually wait over 5 minutes (sometimes more than 10 minutes) for an elevator. Then it takes another 5 - 10 minutes to get down to the first floor (or up to my apartment). Nor do I live at the top of the building - add more time the higher you live in the building. In other words, you have to add an extra 10-15 minutes to your travel time EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE, OR RETURN TO, YOUR APARTMENT! Want to get a coffee and a newspaper in the morning from the coffee shop on the ground level' Give yourself half an hour. Gateway is currently in the process of supposedly fixing them. The process will take NINE MONTHS (9 weeks per elevator). The Empire State Building was built in 12 months. During this time, the elevator currently under repair is out of service, thus exacerbating the delays. The Management posted memoranda in the building requesting that tenants "minimize" their coming to and from their own apartment. That's right: the management actually expects residents to hole up inside their apartments for a nine month period. This is indicative of the ignorant attitude that the management display toward their tenants.

2. Noise: the wall between me and my neighbor was so thin it was like we were living as roommates in the same apartment. I could hear him cough, talk, brush his teeth, etc. My neighbor was a very considerate person. The problem was not him but the paper-mache thin wall. I've heard that the walls are thicker in other apartments, and that this is only a problem with the studio apartments. But for a supposedly "luxury" rental building, this type of shoddy workmanship is just unacceptable.

3. Hot water. On numerous occasions I have had to take showers with cool water, even with the shower dial turned all the way to "hot."

4. Electricity bills. Be prepared to pay 10-15% of your rental amount in electricity each month in the summer and winter months.

5. Completely rude and ignorant doormen. Not all of them. But many of them. You'll be amazed as you struggle to open the door with your hands full as they watch TV or read the newspaper. Also, there's absolutely no security except after midnight. Anyone can - and does - walk into the building. I don't have kids, but if I did, this would concern me. Not to mention that there's nothing between my personal possessions and the outside world except for the front door to my apartment.

6. Living in BPC. This is one of the most bland, soulless neighborhoods in the city. There are very few decent restaurants in the area, and a complete lack of nightlife or artistic / cultural venues. BPC is psychologically and physically isolating for anyone seeking the New York urban-living experience. The subways are a 10-15 minute walk away (add the 10-15 minutes for the elevator, and you need to plan a 30 minute trip just to get to the subway). Perhaps you are looking for a suburban community and like the family oriented lifestyle that BPC has to offer. Do yourself a favor and move to the suburbs (or at least don't move into Gateway Plaza) - you'll get a lot more value for your money, and a lot less hassle, than living here.

User Responses
From: tamarah	Date: 06/11/2006
Sounds to me like you are a miserable and unattractive person who needs to move to another "artisitc" neighborhood where you can meet a man...or woman...You are just a complainer and I am very happy to see you go !! GOODBYE !!

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