I lived in NYC during 2009-2010 and looked at a number of rental 1BRs under $2000 in Chelsea/Flatiron/Murray Hill & that area around Gramercy that isn't really

I lived in NYC during 2009-2010 and looked at a number of rental 1BRs under $2000 in Chelsea/Flatiron/Murray Hill & that area around Gramercy that isn't really Gramercy. I wouldn't say the buildings were falling apart but they did have dated architecture, and not dated enough to be classic. (think 70s/80s). Likewise, I thought it would be a good time to buy, and there are a lot of 1BR < $600K in those same areas. Also, Upper East Side towards the river had similar "deals." Oddly enough, I feel Morningside Heights is overpriced, probably because there were so many TimeOut NYC style articles about how it's great for gentrifiers. Maintenance fees were indeed always too expensive, but was more around $600. Your prices do apply, but more to brand new buildings, or buildings in "hot" neighborhoods.