961 Washington ave - To rent or not to rent

I'm looking at a place in this building, across from the BBG. It's almost too good to be true, the deal I'm getting. Has anyone lived here or know anyone who has lived here?

- When the Super renovates the place, will it come out all shoddy or do they hire actual contractors who know what they're doing?

- Do you ever have a problem with the heat coming on in the early autumn months, or other times during the Winter?

- How about electrical integrity... do your lightbulbs seem to die quicker that you think they should?

- I play music a lot, will I get any complaints?

If all goes according to plan, I will sign the lease in a few days. So any input from the locals would be key. I already live in the area, so I am familiar with that already. I'm just asking about the building.

Maybe check the bedbug registry? Maybe that's why it's such a good deal?

Hey good idea! My mind is going in so many directions.

...seems there are two buildings on that block with reports, but they are about a half-block's distance from my building. hmmmm...

The "electrical integrity" has nothing to do with the light bulbs dieing quickly. If you have too much vibration from the ceiling or other vibrations (too much bass vibrating everything) it breaks the filament in the bulbs.

Filaments are soooo last century. Excessive voltage delivery is one example which I actually experienced in renovated apartments like this; I didn't want to confuse our audience. It's easy to tell when there's a pattern in your whole place or if just one incandescent blows. When you run as much electrical equipment in your home as I do (and a good amount of it is audio) you want clean juice.

Let's get back on topic.... anyone have any PERSONAL or second-hand experience with this building address?

My friend has lived there for over 6 years, doesn't complain about lack of heat, no complaints about the work done by inside or outside construction personnel. He never had bedbugs but I never asked or overheard anything on the subject. May be worth checking the registry that other people have suggested.

Light bulbs are a terrible indicator of"electrical integrity". The manufac process and materials are meant to provide inexpensive light not a piece of test equipment. The incoming service from the street is an issue as well as the subpanels and distribution within the building.The surges that can effect your electronics can come from one or a variety of causes(Friday nite after work AC turn on in mass,ect)Using a 20cent light bulb is a poor replacement for an ammeter or script chart recorder or software equiv. Unless you have some super high end audio equipment the voltage variation within a modern structure will have no effect. Most really good stuff can operate on 95-135VAC as part of the input transformer.

If you think/know or anticipate playing loud music you should move to a smaller building, that will limited the people who want you out. I hope your question was asked directly to the agent you worked with."I play really loud music, often, will that be a problem?". We can all guess the answer. Loud music equal stand alone structure/single family home/other like minded people.

My friend has lived there for over 6 years, doesn't complain about lack of heat, no complaints about the work done by inside or outside construction personnel. He never had bedbugs but I never asked or overheard anything on the subject. May be worth checking the registry that other people have suggested.

Light bulbs are a terrible indicator of"electrical integrity". The manufac process and materials are meant to provide inexpensive light not a piece of test equipment. The incoming service from the street is an issue as well as the subpanels and distribution within the building.The surges that can effect your electronics can come from one or a variety of causes(Friday nite after work AC turn on in mass,ect)Using a 20cent light bulb is a poor replacement for an ammeter or script chart recorder or software equiv. Unless you have some super high end audio equipment the voltage variation within a modern structure will have no effect. Most really good stuff can operate on 95-135VAC as part of the input transformer.

If you think/know or anticipate playing loud music you should move to a smaller building, that will limited the people who want you out. I hope your question was asked directly to the agent you worked with."I play really loud music, often, will that be a problem?". We can all guess the answer. Loud music equal stand alone structure/single family home/other like minded people.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You found a PREMO apartment in a PREMO location. If you hesitate too long, someone will make that decision for you.

Catwalker- thanks for your input on the building. I talked to a few people there while looking at the place. They all had nice things to say about it. I like to get as many opinions as possible.

landL- I already submitted and have been approved for the application. Once I sign the lease I am in. But this is the point where I can still back out if I see something screwy. You know what they say: if it seems to good to be true, it usually is.

And for everyone out there who can't get past the light bulbs.... not everyone has a multi-meter in their place, let alone an ammeter, a time-domain reflector or a STRIP Chart Recorder (as it is Actually called). Everyone however, DOES own a few light bulbs and have probably seen them flicker or maybe even burn out a few days after changing them. That sh!t happens. Microwaves and hair dryers blow out circuits, too. And all I'm looking for is some personal experience... not your two cents on how I should measure it. I do own high-end audio equipment and I run it through a power conditioner. You can never be too safe.

So unless you are a licensed electrician or engineer, you probably know less about electrical engineering than I do. Using big words won't win you any points. I will ignore any further comments on the subject.

tony here is a link or two that may help you

www.servoscript.co.uk

www.dataq.com

the term strip/script/log/roll recorder are all used interchangeably depending on where and when you went to school.

ww.goldensoftware.com

these people make awesome shit, take a look.

ww.bulbtown.com/130_VOLT_s/371.html

this may also come in handy