From Smith College but not to Smith Street
Two Avid Readers Seek a Rental on the Lower East Side
Carla and Marla met as undergraduates at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. As devoted readers and budding writers, both enrolled in Heather Abel’s English Language and Literature course.
Marla came to Smith with a particular affection for Abel. In high school, she’d read The Optimistic Decade, a novel that shaped her political viewpoints and convinced her that bucolic Northampton was where she wanted to be. Carla had never read the book, but after fate sat her next to Marla, the two became the best of friends.
Fast forward to the present day, the two are young professionals in Manhattan and roommates in Washington Heights. They have few complaints about their neighborhood, but they do have some about their apartment — despite the fact that it’s in a reasonably nice, reasonably new building.
The first is location.
While Carla, who turned her love for books into work as an editor at Penguin Random House, commutes a mere 120 blocks to Midtown, Marla has a longer schlep. She treks down to University Neighborhood High School on Monroe Street on the Lower East Side. As an English teacher who loves teaching, Marla catches the local 1 train to Columbus Circle, then hops the B or D to Grand Street, then Citibikes to Cherry Street, parks and walks to school.
The roundtrip costs nearly two hours per day — which is great for an avid reader — but it’s also a grating slog, especially when the trains are finicky.
The second is the apartment itself.
Carla, the more outgoing one, claimed the “better” bedroom first, which came with a balcony. Marla, on the other hand, lives in a converted living room. It’s private, but the inequity has led to some simmering and unwanted resentment. Putting to work some of the conflict resolution skills she learned dealing with her high schooler pupils, Marla hatched a plan: On a weekend outing to the Lower East Side with Carla, she would propose they move to 10002.
While the location would obviously benefit her immensely, she sold Carla not on the like-for-like commute — this offering was table stakes — but on the plethora of bookstores on the Lower East Side. (Yes, El Guapo, I know what a plethora is.) Here are three (which do not, unto themselves, constitute a plethora):
The two are able to find first edition prints of The Daughter of Time, Signs Preceding the End of the World, The Eyre Affair, and Cold Comfort Farm, before evening entertainment at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where Carla swaps smiles with a poet named Liandro.
The two find first edition prints of The Daughter of Time, Signs Preceding the End of the World, The Eyre Affair, and Cold Comfort Farm, before evening entertainment at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where Carla swaps smiles with a poet named Liandro.
She is sold. But what can they rent?
They are seeking a true two-bedroom with two full baths on the Lower East Side, close to the F train, under $7,000/month. Here are their options:
Monthly Rent: $6,995
Bedrooms / Bathrooms: 2 BR / 2 BA
Status: Came onto the market on 6/9; Available 7/7
Details: This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom rental unit features floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, central air conditioning, a dishwasher, and an in-unit washer and dryer. The unit sits within a 7-story, 28-unit rental building built in 2015 equipped with an elevator, virtual doorman, bike room, garage parking, gym, and a shared roof deck.
Commentary: This looks like a strong fit for Carla and Marla. The apartment is available now, includes in-unit laundry, and features heated floors — a welcome luxury during New York winters, especially with tile floors. Its location on the northern side of Attorney Street, near Houston Street, puts them closer to many of the cultural destinations they enjoy, including the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
While the lack of a floor plan makes it difficult to assess bedroom dimensions, the photos suggest both rooms offer a comfortable amount of space. Plus, there’s a shared roof deck!
Monthly Rent: $5,600
Bedrooms / Bathrooms: 2 BR / 2 BA
Status: Came onto the market on 6/9; Available 7/1
Details: This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom duplex rental unit includes two private balconies, central air conditioning, hardwood floors, a dishwasher, and a marble bathroom. The building itself is known as The Rivington House, a 7-story, 23-unit rental building built in 2003. It features an elevator, doorman, virtual security, laundry room, live-in superintendent, shared garden, and a roof deck; pet-friendly and guarantors accepted.
Commentary: This may be the best value of the group. Anchored by a striking spiral staircase, the duplex is memorable and offers a thoughtful layout, hardwood floors, private balconies off both bedrooms, and access to a roof deck. The bedroom split appears relatively balanced, which is ideal for roommates.
The tradeoffs are significant, however. Laundry is shared rather than in-unit, and while Ridge Street offers easy access to nightlife and downtown amenities, this particular strip is a little gritty — especially for two young women who may be walking home at night. That said, both the design and accessible price point make this an attractive option.
Monthly Rent: $6,900
Bedrooms / Bathrooms: 2 BR / 2 BA
Status: Temporarily off market 6/10; Available TBD
Details: This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo unit features a split-bedroom layout, Western exposure, 9-foot ceilings, triple-pane windows, European oak flooring, an open kitchen with Miele appliances, a walk-in closet, and an in-unit Miele washer and dryer. It sits within a 12-story, 85-unit condo built in 2021, and features a 24-hour doorman, concierge, fitness center, pet spa, resident lounges, package room, storage space, bike room, laundry room, courtyard, garden, and a roof deck.
Commentary: Although the apartment has recently gone off market — a reminder of how quickly inventory can disappear or shift — it remains discussion-worthy. The unit appears cozy, well-maintained, and includes the always-appreciated convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer.
The primary drawback is the floor plan. Much like Carla and Marla’s current arrangement, the bedrooms are not entirely equal. One bedroom benefits from an ensuite bathroom, while the other relies on a second full bathroom accessed through the kitchen. While not necessarily a deal breaker, it does create an imbalance that could become problematic over time.
Given the options, I would probably lean toward 164 Attorney Street #601. If you were Carla and Marla, which would you choose?
