I think its a combination of Jersey taint, location, transportation that holds JC back...people want access to Manhattan. It's a shame that JC hasn't done more to regularize those jitneys - they provide a crucial service yet the City and State seem to do all they can do to thwart them

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And yet, there are so many vacant buildings in The Heights! Jersey City is in the orbit of a world class city with an acute affordable housing shortage, yet apartments that are accessible to people of modest means (you could share a reasonable apartment in The Heights for $600/each) remain vacant and a visual blight on our streets. Why is that? Lacking in inspired leadership, to confront the zoning and transportation challenges that hold the Heights back, or other issues?

people are desparate for space

http://therealdeal.com/blog/2014/01/2 ... of-illegal-chinatown-sro/

When I first moved into the city after graduating from college in 1986, I knew a lot of people who lived in worse apartments with shared bathrooms in various neighborhoods. I lived in Harlem in 1987 in a large one bedroom with a private bathroom and my place was a dump and it was really scary up there then. So from my prospective this place looks great and I think it's a great deal.

10+ years ago fresh out of college, new to the city and working 90 hours a week I lived in something smaller then this with a shared bathroom on the upper west side. It wasn't ideal but it served the purpose and when I made more money I upgraded.

Affordable housing at it's best. Can Greenville be far behind ?

I think its a great concept. The idea of hiking down the hall for the bathroom seems awful to me at this point - or being exposed to unknown people's bathroom habits - eeek.

It seems like a very nice bridge from dorm life to real life - and what you get for $1400 seems reasonable.

The only question I have - does the exterior of the apartment door come with a white board so I know when my friends stopped by for a visit?

I guess for a recent college grad used to a dorm room, who has just landed their first "real" job and can squeak by paying this kind of rent, it sort of makes sense? Or for someone on a short term business assignment, like a 2 month contract, similar to an efficiency hotel room. Otherwise that just strikes me as a shitty quality of life for the price.

Yeah, it's crappy, but it's In New York!!! You can get that highly sought-after 646 area code on your phone.

Jeez & I felt guilty about renting 300 sq ft, private house, bath, entrance & all utilities for $700.

(PS - I got a sweetheart for a tenant)

It's a 12"x16" room with Ikea furniture and a shared bath. Not a good deal.

I take that back, I did not realize the bathroom had to be shared. That is disgusting.

That $1400 is an interesting price point. For about the same amount I rent out a 500 sq ft studio in Dixon Mills. Also for the same amount I rent out a 750 sq foot 2 BR (small bedrooms) near JSQ. Or you could probably go out to Warren County or somewhere more removed and get a whole house.

the sad thing is, there are plenty of rubes out there that will jump at this opportunity.

If the furniture is included then I say its a sweet deal. Even though the furniture probably wont last for more than six months if you like to have after hour parties at your spot like I do Ha! The furniture looks cheap, but $1,400 a month in the city is very affordable and will keep folks away from JC.

Maybe this should be under Real Estate - more on the 'micro unit' trend: http://nymag.com/homedesign/features/ ... mw=Y&f=most-emailed-24h10

This was a former SRO. Nicely renovated, yes. I'll be curious to see how well these rent. I guess some people will do anything to stay on the island of Manhattan!