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Hello -- I was active on another thread about relocating to NYC for a job, but now that the plan is shaping more into reality, I've been actually contacting brokers and people about apartments in Manhattan....So, of course, I came across the whole doorman vs no-doorman building thing....
Exactly, what are the benefits of living in a doorman building? The area i'm looking at is Flatiron/Union Sq as I'll be working in FiDi...and the broker made it almost sounds like "no doorman & no elevator = ghetto".
Hello -- I was active on another thread about relocating to NYC for a job, but now that the plan is shaping more into reality, I've been actually contacting brokers and people about apartments in Manhattan....So, of course, I came across the whole doorman vs no-doorman building thing....
Exactly, what are the benefits of living in a doorman building? The area i'm looking at is Flatiron/Union Sq as I'll be working in FiDi...and the broker made it almost sounds like "no doorman & no elevator = ghetto".
Thoughts?
It indeed provides security to have a live person around to keep an eye on things in addition to other amenities. Way more secure when coming home late (Esp if Drunk) and having a friendly face to greet you.
There are plenty of nice buildings, No doorman that are clean and not ghetto. As a Brooklynite and NY'er, A "Ghetto" or (Bad area in general) building would have a broken door with easy access by outsiders, People hanging out in the hallways, Trash piling up and general grubbiness. Also being mugged while doing laundry is a sign.(!) There are quite a few well cared after buildings that do not have door staff.
Benefits: someone opening the door for you, and someone accepting UPS/Fed Ex packages and that's pretty much it.
Other Perks:
If you're married and have lots of ladies friends, your doorman might gossip.
If you're single and don't bring any ladies friends, your doorman might gossip.
If you don't tip during the holiday season, your doorman might be slow to open the door and forgot to accept packages, etc.
If you're not a friendly person (eg; like to greet people in the AM, say thank you to someone who open a door to you, etc) then you might want to skip the doorman building.
A doorman = salary, health benefits, 401K, etc. Expect an annual increase in rent.
I would rather live in a non-doorman, concierge building. I like my privacy.
I have friends without doormen who go through a NIGHTMARE whenever some large UPS or FED-EX delivery is expected. Having someone receive and store your packages is a godsend.
There is a big safety element involved too. You don't have that scenario where you open your front door and someone pushed in after you and causes you grief.
I know most thieves can outwit a doorman and get in anyways but most would choose the building down the block WITHOUT doormen.
I've had a doorman for the last 24 years and would be hard pressed to do without.
I look at houses in the suburbs and ask myself repeatedly "What deters burglars?"
PROS:
Security - entry to your apartment, fire/police alarms alerted immediately to front desk if your apartment goes off
Brings value to the building - "luxurious"
Signs for packages (Great since I order everything on Amazon)
Will help you if you need it (holding door, getting cart trolley)
Keeps building more organized
CONS:
No privacy between the outside world and your apartment (think escorts)
Saying hi-bye everyday gets mundane
Smoke alarm = doorman rings your intercom to make sure you're OK - can be annoying
Overall, it's a GREAT THING TO HAVE, almost like a personal assistant depending on what kind of building you live in
More and more new buildings are using lobby attendants instead of doormen. Door will automatically open and close. No one will miss packages.
Has any one ever seen a door women?
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