Prioritizing - Details

The central question in terms of features is: What makes you insanely happy? Decide on the one, two or three features crucial to your happiness. When you move in to your new apartment, these should be a daily source of pleasure. Compromise on the rest.

Here in brief are key features or criteria to ponder:

1) Square Footage – is there enough?

2) Do you like the floor plan? Is there a sense of spaciousness? Is it open and flowing? Do the rooms have an appealing sense of proportion? Must the living room, dining area, kitchen and master bedroom have a minimum size and feel before you would seriously consider buying an apartment? Would you say that the space is effectively used?

Do you prefer an entry hall or foyer of some type, rather than entering directly into a living or dining room? Do you care if bedrooms or bathrooms are directly off the living room? Should they be down the hall or in a separate wing of the apartment?

Are 1 ½ or 2 bathrooms a must?

Do you need a second bedroom, den, office, media or game room? Will one of these be an "indulgent retreat" – and therefore a must have?

Your furniture has to fit. Can you get the King bed or extra large sofa in the elevator? Through the various halls and doors? Are the rooms big enough?

How many feet of hangar space do you need in the closets? Go measure what you currently use, as a point of reference. A good rule of thumb: if you have 40 articles to hang up, you need 40 inches of rod in the closet. Are there enough closets, then? Got shoes?--how much extra storage is required? Is there need for a pantry? Linen closet? Bicycle storage?

3) Do you want the architectural charm of a Prewar vs. modern amenities of a Postwar?

4) Location. All criteria are highly personal, but this may top the list. Hopefully the descriptions in the neighborhood links were helpful. You're after a certain quality of life that includes the feeling, reputation, amenities, and services of a community. Some areas of the city are elegant, refined, sophisticated and, some might say, a bit homogenized and pretentious. Some have a youthful, energetic, artistic or hip feeling. Some are near the East or Hudson Rivers, and water soothes the soul. Some have a residential or family feel. Some areas might be termed "grittier" than others, yet feel genuine, honest and "real". This is all highly subjective, of course. Each person decides on the quality of life a given community offers, and whether it’s right for them.

Convenience to the Subway is often a priority.

5) Building amenities, architecture and services. Is a walk up OK? Do you want an elevator? A doorman? Both a doorman and concierge? Are amenities such as a business center, gym, pool, community room, roof terrace or garage important? Is the building in good repair? Are the aesthetics appealing to you?

6) Most NY apartments don't allow washers and dryers in the unit. Is this important?

7) Importance of Views, Sunlight, Terrace or Deck?

Large Kitchens, Lots of Counter Space, Walk-in closets?

Big bathrooms, Jacuzzi?

Type of Air Conditioning (window, thru wall or central)?

Fireplace, hardwood floors, high ceilings?

8) Proximity to Starbucks, library, schools, parks, museums, cafes, restaurants, deli, galleries, bookstore, drugstore, dry cleaner, gym, medical center?

Note: do you care if the unit you buy is near an elevator or the garbage chute? They can be noisy, especially in the evening hours when you probably want quiet.

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