https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:54:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-177257 Sun, 03 Jun 2012 03:36:03 +0000 looch 177257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live on the third floor of an apt building, and I have a 17 month old. I hate moving more than I hate stairs, so for me, it's not a deal breaker. Laundry facilities are though, I can't not have a washer and dryer in the apartment, and heck, I also need a dishwasher. It's just too much to keep up with!</p> <p>I used to live in both NYC (5th floor walkup) and Hoboken (garden apt) with no laundry and it was brutal. I mean, I could occasionally get the drop off service for laundry, but it's not always practical. I always had AC window units, they're sufficient for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-177223 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 22:24:34 +0000 skibobrown 177223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would need laundry in my apartment. An elevator would be *really* nice, but not a complete dealbreaker for me. As for AC, I've lived w/ window units for years, and I've never had central AC, so that's not something that I would require. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-177211 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 21:54:40 +0000 SleepyMonkey 177211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In NYC, I don't think the laundry or the lack of central AC should be deal breakers. It is very rare for a building to have central air unless it is a brand new build and unless it is a condo. The reason is because the ducts for central air take up so much space in the bldg and would make the livable space that much smaller in already small apartments. As for laundry, I totally agree with other posters that if there is a laundromat nearby that does drop off/pick up service, that would work well. Some do same day drop off and pick up. Only thing to be careful of is that they can use harsh detergents and industrial strength machines so holes pop up in clothing much faster and if your baby has sensitive skin, that could be a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-177201 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 21:36:56 +0000 cyndistar3 177201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Laundry would be the only deal breaker for me! I could deal with walking up and down stairs and not having central air but not being able to wash clothes whenever would reallllly suck with children of any age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-177161 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 20:40:16 +0000 mrsjyw 177161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Where I stand today (pregnant with first), stairs wouldn't be a deal breaker, but most def a/c and laundry!</p> <p>I'd ask @mr.bee about your area! I'm sure he and @mrs. bee probably have a lot of knowledge in Brooklyn real estate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176956 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 11:14:47 +0000 mrs. bird 176956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think laundry depends on access &amp; affordability of a laundry service. If you can afford for it to be sent out, AWESOME! I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time at a laundromat, but some people don't mind it. AC, you could put a window unit in &amp; chances are you aren't looking at a huge place with a ton of sq footage to cool, so you'd probably only need one &amp; a fan. Stairs can be a PITA. I live on a 3rd floor that is 4flights up because we come in under the first floor. I hate carrying shopping bag up! Can't imagine doing it while carrying a baby too, but if your DH will be around all the time it might not be an issue for you (I try to go grocery shopping when he's on his way home so I don't have to make multiple trips up from our garage). There are lots of ways to make a space work for you, you just have to find a place that you like enough so you're willing to make compromises. Happy home hunting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176941 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:23:01 +0000 hilsy85 176941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: We're in brooklyn heights! We love love love the area...so cozy and charming, and it feels like a small town, yet everything in NYC is just minutes away. You'll love it here :) Cobble Hill is also super pretty (the trains over there just didn't work for DH to get to work). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176923 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:02:29 +0000 sorrycharlie 176923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>as far as the a/c, if you can use window units you're fine. we live in a huge duplex (2 stories) and only have a window unit in our bedroom and one in the dining room for the entire downstairs and we survive just fine. yes, central ac would be great, but we survive..and it's plenty cool, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176920 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:00:10 +0000 hummusgirl 176920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all! This is reassuring. I know everyone has different needs/priorities but I'm feeling like we can make it work even if there are some inconveniences. We're from the South, and when our friends come to visit they are politely horrified when they see the size of our current place, the noise, the expense, no car, etc., but we wouldn't have it any other way! </p> <p>@hilsy85: We've fallen in love with the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill area but are also open to Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope so there's more to choose from. Where are you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176905 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:48:49 +0000 autumnlove 176905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved into our place when I was 5 months pregnant and we wanted and found a place with central AC, washer and dryer, ground floor, 2 assigned parking passes, dishwasher, 2 bedrooms/2 bath with a bathtub. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176903 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:46:53 +0000 rachiecakes 176903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't give up anything to live outside the city :) I'm SUCH a city girl.<br /> Yeah the laundry is annoying but we make a 'date night' out of it and get dinner with LO. I have three flights of stairs that are helping me lose the baby weight. And with our AC our place stays really cool in the summer heat.<br /> Unless you don't love the area, none of those would be deal breakers for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176894 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:36:11 +0000 heffalump 176894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty spoiled. When looking for our house we said no stairs, and laundry and central air are all common here so those weren't an issue. But I feel like plenty of people live without that stuff so it has to be doable.</p> <p>My sister is in Park Slope, she has a teeny tiny studio (400 sq feet) that has a washer and dryer. No kids though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176891 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:28:59 +0000 hilsy85 176891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: Yay Brooklyn! We just moved here about two months ago and so far we love it :) What area are you guys looking at? </p> <p>We were living in a 4th floor walk up with no laundry in the building before, and those two things (elevator and laundry in the building) were musts on our list for our next apartment. I remember when we lived in our walk up, it was so annoying to have to bring stuff up and down the stairs, and it made it so that once I got home, I didn't really want to leave again, because I knew I'd have to walk up the stairs. I couldn't imagine having to deal with a stroller/carseat plus any shopping bags. So to me, an elevator, or a 1st or 2nd floor apartment was a must. </p> <p>As for the laundry, in NYC there are SO many places that you can send laundry out to that I think that's less of a deal breaker...yes it's expensive to send it out, and it's annoying to have to schedule time to be home for them to deliver it. But I think you can make that work. But then again, our LO isn't here yet so I don't know how important laundry will be to us in a few months!</p> <p>And as for central air, that had no bearing on our apt search...we've lived with window units for years and been fine. Our new building does happen to have central air, but if it didn't, it wouldn't have mattered to us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176886 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:23:17 +0000 Andrea 176886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the thing that is absolutely essential is laundry. You will be doing so much laundry that I can't imagine going outside to do that. But, my mom did tell me that she did all of my laundry by hand every night so it is not impossible ... but it doesn't sound very appealing to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176882 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:07:32 +0000 plaidpants 176882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, I had no idea I was roughing it! We live in a third floor walk up with no central air. My LO is 5 months old and so far she seems fine. It's worth it for us to be within walking distance of museums, shops, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176877 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Mrs. Pen 176877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The stairs definitely would not be a dealbreaker for me. If I found an apartment I loved but had to walk stairs with my baby - I'd take it! You butt will look goood ;) lol<br /> just be sure to get a stroller that's not too heavy!</p> <p>the laundry might be though, I could probably deal if it was in the building - but I do a load of laundry pretty much everyday between the three of us now. However, I do cloth diaper, so it could be reduced to two FULL days of laundry a week if i didn't have those and committed to one day of laundry instead of every day. </p> <p>As for air, if you can get a good window unit I think it'd be okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176867 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:45:31 +0000 BSB 176867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think someone here or on WB lived in an apartment that was on the second floor. They said their arms were super strong from carrying the baby or stroller. So I guess there are ways to make do with what you have or can get.</p> <p>I admit that when we started thinking about starting a family we said we wanted to move into a larger 3 bedroom apartment. Well, it's significantly more expensive and we are actually going to make our two bedroom/ 2 bath apartment work. </p> <p>I also live about 40 minutes away from the city so we could have more space at an affordable price. </p> <p>I don't know if I can give you any advice because living in the city makes you reprioritize what important for you and what is financially worth it. </p> <p>I personally have always lived in the surburbs where I would need 2-3 bedroom, 2 baths, garage, washer/dryer in the unit and at least two parking spaces. Oh, and it has to be pet friendly. As for AC, we don't need it here in Seattle. But if I were to move back to the east coast, I will definitely require it. Oh, a pool and fitness center is nice, too. </p> <p>I know there are a few users on here that live in NYC and they hopefully will be able to help you out. </p> <p>Best of luck to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176864 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:38:06 +0000 Foodnerd81 176864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can get good window units for ac, I think that would be enough. It's what I have always had until this current apartment, and while I was just saying I could never go back to non-central air, in reality, having a window unit if the rooms you use a lot is doable. Is the apartment in the shade? That will actually make a big different. </p> <p>The the stairs and the laundry, though, that's tough. The stairs I could deal with if I could leave a stroller in the foyer, but I don't see how you could carry a baby and a stroller up the stairs. Babywearing would help but I know in NYC sometimes you need the stroller. </p> <p>And on the laundry, if you decide you can live without it in the building, look where the nearest ones are in the neighborhood and check them out. In my old NYC apartment, the nearest laundramat was pretty far away and closed at 6:30, so I would have to leave work early to get a load in on time. But there was a much closer wash and fold place that we used instead-- drop your laundry off in the morning, pick it up on the way home and the are clean and folded. I don't know how convenient or annoying that would be with an infant though, since they tend to make surprise messes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176861 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:33:07 +0000 BoogieBea 176861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest hang up for me with a newborn would be laundry. I do laundry so often because of the kids. If no laundry access then being on the first floor will probably be more convenient. But you're right, lots of people make do with no amenities. My mom did all our laundry in laundromats when my sister and I were growing up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176860 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:28:50 +0000 photojane 176860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i don't have a baby yet, but nannying and being an auntie to four beautiful children - i could deal with the walk up, but the laundry and a/c would be non-negotiables for me. not only do children make a lot of laundry, but they get cranky when they're really hot. but, plenty of women all over the world deal with living in huts with babies, so i guess it's workable..? i'm spoiled and couldn't hack it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176858 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:24:03 +0000 chopsuey 176858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Central air and in unit washer/dryers are must haves for me. </p> <p>An elevator would be nice and convenient, and lots of stairs can be a serious pain in the butt, but wouldn't be a deal breaker. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apartment-dealbreakers#post-176855 Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:07:09 +0000 hummusgirl 176855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi there- I've been lurking for a while but this is my first post. Would love some advice from you wise people. I'm 22 weeks pregnant (first time) and our apartment lease is up at the end of June. We live in an insanely tiny place (like 300 sq ft) in Manhattan but are looking to move to Brooklyn for more space and a slower pace. </p> <p>The area we like has charming brownstones on adorable tree-lined streets. However, we're finding that many of these have what could be dealbreakers with a newborn: </p> <p>1. Many are walk-ups, like two long flights of stairs, and we wouldn't be allowed to keep a stroller in the foyer<br /> 2. Most don't have laundry in the building, much less in the unit<br /> 3. Hardly any have central air</p> <p>How much of a dealbreaker should these kinds of things be? Should we limit our search to first-floor or elevator apartments? As a non-parent, I wouldn't hesitate to rent something lacking these amenities, but is it going to be horribly annoying with an infant/toddler? I keep thinking that people have been raising kids for millions of years without the benefit of all these creature comforts so it's doable, but I don't want to be miserable either just for the sake of a charming neighborhood. It's hard for me to predict what day-to-day life will be like with a baby, this is all so new to me.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>