u/toucansamba

Hi, I am new to the area and would like to hear your opinions on housing. I will be attending Columbia University and currently deciding between renting with the Sagamore (W 89th) and Avalon Morningside (W 110th).

Both of these apartments look great. Avalon is offering a 1bedroom with an in-unit W/D for the same price as the Sagamore's studio with a building W/D, so the Avalon apartment is better. Avalon is also only a 10 minute walk from campus, while the Sagamore is a 30 minute walk.

However, from my very brief tour of the area, the neighborhood in W 89th appears much nicer. Avalon's immediate area at 110th seems rather dead, with it being tucked in the corner of Morningside park, Central park and the Cathedreal. W 89th street looks like it has a lot more going on and would be more enjoyable to live in. I've only been here twice, so my impressions are likely inaccurate.

Does anyone have experience living in these areas? I would love to hear any general opinions or advice if you were in my situation, thank you!

I got into both. I accepted the UPenn offer and rejected Columbia, since it accepted me very late. However, I am having second thoughts about UPenn as I do not like the area as much as I had previously thought. Does anyone have some advice? Would it be worth it to transfer from the upenn program to columbia (if that even is a thing)?

Great seller, trade was super smooth and user is kind 10/10