The New York real estate market, you know, is definitely a separate world. New York is the only city in the world where those who buy an apartment can choose from three different types: Condo, Coop and even a hybrid of the first two, the Condop, but the peculiarities do not end here. Depending on the size of the apartment you can come across in English that are not always clear to decipher. Obviously everyone understands what a one, two or three bedroom is. But what will be a Classic 6 for example? The abbreviations are very used and loved by us brokers (mea culpa) so knowing deciphering is a must!
Then we start from the smallest size, that is the studio that in English is said Studio apartment. One Studio is an apartment where the room and living room (living room) are in the same room, but do not be unprepared: Sometimes Studios can be larger than one bedroom, so always check the size of the rooms!
That’s easy enough, isn’t it? Well, here’s the first test, you know what a Jr1 or Alcove study is? If you come across these words here is the reading… the two words are synonymous and in this case you always refer to a studio apartment, but that has an extra space, usually adjacent to the living room, used as a sleeping area. Most often the Alcove studios have a form similar to the letter L and therefore are also called L-shape study. They are definitely the most desirable because they offer some night privacy, but of course whether you buy them or rent them will be more expensive.
If you are looking for a One bedroom with more space then you will have to focus your research on a Flex (convertible) Two – in this case it is a One bedroom that has enough space usually in the living room to raise a temporary wall (pressurized wall) so you can enjoy a new room. The same applies if you are looking for a Two bedroom with more space: in this case you will look for a Convertible Three. The advantage of these types of spaces is that they cost less than a typical Two bedroom or Three bedroom, although the additional spaces are obviously smaller than a real second or third bedroom, but you know, the extra space costs especially in the city.
Another popular abbreviation from us brokers is the Junior 4 or Jr4. This is nothing but a One bedroom with an additional area in the living room, usually used as a dining area, not always this can be used as a bedroom.
And now we come to the most special theme, Classic 6. This type of apartment is located in Pre-war building, i.e. in historic and valuable houses built before the Second World War, very appreciated for high ceilings and airy rooms. This type of apartment consists of six rooms: a living room, a dining area, kitchen, two large bedrooms and a third bedroom that is usually called maid’s room because it was actually used (still now for example in the chic apartments of Park Avenue) as a room for servitude and is usually located adjacent to the kitchen. You can also come across Classic 7 or Classic 8 and these types offer additional rooms, three or four bedrooms depending on size.
Good Hunting!
L’articolo A simple guide to New York apartments come from IlNewyorkese.
