Tenant Reviews for 250 W 50TH ST

Great leasing office staff. Very close to subway lines, convenience stores, and restaurants. Pretty clean common areas: hallways, elevators. Lots of young people in the lounges. Ventilation in swimming pool is not great. Too hot and humid in there.

The apartment is loud and there is a terrible smell that happens often. It is so bad it makes me sick. Management has sketchy short-term leases, so the lobby often looks like a hotel, not a long-term apartment building. The only redeeming factor is the front door staff. They are great.

The apartment is luxurious and spacious. Rent is also reasonable for the amenities and location. The doormen are very attentive and were very helpful while I was moving in. The leasing staff was also very accommodating and helpful.

I've spent over 5 years in this building, with an unfortunate 11 month stint in another Avalon Property (the Avalon Clinton, which I DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES recommend). Avalon MT West has a good deal of pros (and some negatives that have become more noticeable over the past few years). PROS: A solid choice for living in MT West/ HK. Great location. E Train in the building. Quick commute to JFK if you fly often. Actual apartments are very nice. Building staff is generally excellent, especially the doormen and concierges. Security is excellent with full-time guards at the door. Reasonable for a luxury apartment as far as prices on the INITIAL leases (*see negatives for lease renewal song and dance that is customary for Avalon) NEGATIVES: Building is beginning to show signs of aging (carpeting in hallways is worn; very dated wallpaper; hallways somewhat embarrassing for the price charged). Dated appliances and fake granite counter tops in apartments. Last several years an influx of young, annoying young professional types have moved in (inconsiderate neighbors; leaving trash bags in hallways; violating the building's very clear non-smoking policy; loud parties late at night). My first 4 years in the building were all quite good, so perhaps there's just been a recent influx of undesirably annoying people. BIGGEST NEGATIVE: 15-20% markup on market rent at the time of lease renewal causes a yearly anguish for loyal tenants. I believe they must pay their staff a good commission to churn apartments and drive out longtime tenants, so do your homework and be aware of the REAL market rates in the neighborhood before renewing a lease.

Good apartments, good location and great front door staff, but I wouldn't recommend renting here if you move around for work, or if you're interested in a long stay (annual rent increases are large, and 2-year leases are discouraged by making monthly rent close to double that of a 1-yr lease). When our lease came up for renewal (after we had stayed there a year), we knew we had to leave the city within the next 3 months. However even with an offer of a firm move out date before renewal-lease signing, the community was unwilling to renew without a huge lease breakage penalty when we moved out. The lease would have actually ended at the start of the summer making it easier to lease at a higher rent, yet the management preferred a lose-lose outcome, claiming that rent stabilization rules did not allow short-term leases. Note that this was a renewal, and they were willing to offer a lease rider to end the lease in 3 months, but only with a large breakage penalty. Also you pay extra for everything. Swimming pool? Extra $90 per month. Family event at the social lounge? Pay $80 per hour to use it.