Don't mind the bed - studio apartment decore

[Knucklehead]

The problem with murphy beds is that people tend to leave them down.

This is my dream apartment in crack central. The building has a pool and sweet views of downtown, too. This upsets me a lot because I want it, yet my dates would be afraid to visit:

http://www.torontorentals.com/191Sherbourne/jr1bdrm/houseTour.html

Check out the girl to the left sitting on the church steps. I think she's doing rock. Google Street View Link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...=IIhOBK0Q2p83UAyVA2eGCg&cbp=12,114.08,,0,6.77

The tall grey / brown towers are the ones I'm considering. Beside it, the church serves the homeless. Just at that corner, there's community housing. In front of the apartment complex is an incredibly destitute run-down victorian rooming house that should be condemned.

At night, one can't go past the intersection to the North without being offered crack.

I don't know what the girl on the Church stoop is doing.She might be praying for all I know..Listen though,the bottom line is you should feel safe where you live.

Personally,if that's the worst of your crack neighborhoods,I'd say you guys got off pretty good.I just look at it from a different point of view.

I grew up in Brooklyn during the 80's when the crack epidemic first started destoying N.Y.C..The crackheads devestated what was left of already shitty neighborhoods and turned them into war zones.To me, that neighborhood you linked to looks downright pleasant..But,again,I'm not the one thinking of living there.It's up to you,and I'm sure you know the area much better than I do..

If you feel unsafe there and have another option,go with the other option.

 

[BoiOnFire]

If I was in your situation I would find a roommate and get a decent apartment. Studio's are great if your never home much but spending any amount of time other than sleeping in one tends to make you crazy...lol...I speak from experience.

 

[Paws]

This upsets me a lot because I want it, yet my dates would be afraid to visit:

See it that way: if you move in and more non-druggies visit that area, the more revaluated it will be.

My apartment is so small, I can't even put a room divider next to the bed :/ If I had a double bed, that is.

 

[Lefty]

Bud, the studio.

Crack central and you can't leave your place.
Crack central you might come home and find
a guest "Borrowing" your shit.
Crack central and you are gonna swim? How
many times a year will you be in that crack pisser?

Studio..dining area = bd...how often do you DINE?
Studio....some view.....night lights? work days EH?
Studio....neighbors are??

You decide......btw, IKEA sells some hella nice screens.

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

You decide......btw, IKEA sells some hella nice screens.

IKEA is the crack cocaine of furniture.

 

[3nipples]

You need to feel safe walking home from the subway or neighbourhood store/restaurant/bar at any time day or night. Personally I think your friends are exaggerating the badness of the 1bd area and but you're the one who has to decide. Having a separate bedroom is a big plus, though.

I lived in a studio that had a similar layout to the one you depicted except that it was a bit larger at 280ft2. I was only there for a few months while my apartment was being renovated and it was ok as a temporary solution, but it really did feel small.

If you end up deciding for the studio, I would get a comfortable, real bed with a space underneath to stow the duvet and pillows and dress it up during the day with a cover and cushions. A sofa bed is a never as comfortable for sleeping and a poor compromise for sleeping every night, besides the drag of having to do and undo it every day.

Keep in mind that most of the entertaining you do there will be focused on the bed anyways ;-).

 

[Lefty]

Mr. Harke,

When not serving as the Dutch representative for the International division
of Smith and Noble Windowear. His qualifications and eminence in the fields
for 'nose candy' and its consumption are on record world-wide.

Being a crack artisan and multi faceted taste maven of the world leaves one
preathless with the excitement of him possibly coming to these shores and
taking a crack an American interiors.

Or is that having Americans sniff his crack and do a line on his interior?





22JAN....triple G is seven------teeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Beachguyj]

Go with the better neighborhood. Being afraid to walk to your car at night (or in the day) is a terrible feeling.

 

[erobert]

Those studios in the first picture are nice. And prove you can make a studio look nice.

I would opt for a small apartment in a nice area than a nice apartment in bad area. Of course you pay more for less space but you're safer than living in a bad area.

Take a look at Apartment Therapy and see how others decorate small spaces. Use the headboard as a space divider. You don't need a lot of furniture which will save you money and lighting can really add some nice design accents too.

 

[The_Bennu_Bird]

There are lots of cool new options out there.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvK45MNX-e8[/ame]

 

[Beachguyj]

There are lots of cool new options out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvK45MNX-e8

Those are cute. I like the sofa with the bed behind it the best.

 

[PreTTy PeTe]

The tall grey / brown towers are the ones I'm considering. Beside it, the church serves the homeless. Just at that corner, there's community housing. In front of the apartment complex is an incredibly destitute run-down victorian rooming house that should be condemned.

At night, one can't go past the intersection to the North without being offered crack.

and right down the street is the Maxwell Meighen Shelter, not a very nice place

Take the studio and stay away from the Dundas and Sherbourne area.

you will be happier

 

[Snuffy]

So... I took a look at the place in crack central this afternoon, and it so happens they have my dream apartment, for $150 more ($1050). I took a picture of the view from the balcony overlooking the financial district.

It's just that one intersection that's the problem, possibly the worst in the city, but it's surrounded by great areas. Condos and St. Lawrence Market are to the South, and The Gay Village is to the North. Everything I want is within 1 km.

I think I may just risk it (ok I feel silly asking for advice and going against the majority here, lol)

When I was there, it didn't seem that bad. There were a few hotties around and I got cruised! Ok, sure, one person was completely strung out by the Dollarama, and others could work on style, but the area seems to be a mix of families, students, queers, and destitute drug addicts.

I asked a few tenants about the place, and the only complaint I heard is that in the morning it's quicker to take the stairs than wait for the elevator.

 

[Beachguyj]

I bet the worst part of Toronto is like the worst part of Beverly Hills

 

[Lefty]

Snuffy,

You literally CRACK ME UP.

You check the drug enthused, crime infused neighborhood

in the afternoon? What about after dark? Or is that not safe?

Did you interview the neighbors on Sunday on the steps after

mass too?

Where do you park your car....do you/did you have one?

Grocery Store, First Aid Station, Methadone Clinic, Police Station,

other Essential Services are located where?


nothing personal, just practical.

 

[bankside]

Mkay I've never been to toronto however i have heard you're supposed to avoid somewhere called "jane and finch." And I would.

But is that info outdated?

Anyway, I'd take a studio and use room dividers to save money but avoid scum. Save more now. Live better later.

 

[just_mills]

How long is your lease? I hope you're happy whilst you're there, and enjoy your new home. Every city has its good spots, and bad spots. I don't think where you're moving to is that bad of a neighbourhood, to be honest.. There's a lot worse downtown, that's for sure!

 

[Snuffy]

Mkay I've never been to toronto however i have heard you're supposed to avoid somewhere called "jane and finch." And I would.

But is that info outdated?

Anyway, I'd take a studio and use room dividers to save money but avoid scum. Save more now. Live better later.

Jane and Finch is in the suburbs up North. The neighbourhood has come around, apparently. But it's not the violence that scares me about the area. The true horror is the suburban landscape of malls, highways, and nothingness.

Here's some kids with guns pretending to be superstars in the area:

 

[just_mills]

Hahaha!! ^ Bless.

They should go and play in Regent Park at night.

 

[Snuffy]

Snuffy,

You literally CRACK ME UP.

You check the drug enthused, crime infused neighborhood

in the afternoon? What about after dark? Or is that not safe?

Did you interview the neighbors on Sunday on the steps after

mass too?

Where do you park your car....do you/did you have one?

Grocery Store, First Aid Station, Methadone Clinic, Police Station,

other Essential Services are located where?


nothing personal, just practical.

Fortunately, the area is well served. My old apartment burnt down a few blocks away in Cabbagetown, and firemen were there within minutes. In fact, a draw to this place is that 1 km South is perhaps the best food market in this city. Within a 7-10 minute walk, there's more choice here than being in The Gay Village.

It's the one intersection that is the problem... there's a gauntlet of crack dealers at night. I passed through late by accident one evening and I was offered crack several times. Even when I lived up a few blocks, I did get mugged, somewhat.

The guy grabbed my shoulder and told me to give me all my money or he'd kill me. Being a poor student at the time, I emptied my pockets to show I was broke, and then he apologized and left!

How long is your lease? I hope you're happy whilst you're there, and enjoy your new home. Every city has its good spots, and bad spots. I don't think where you're moving to is that bad of a neighbourhood, to be honest.. There's a lot worse downtown, that's for sure!

Haven't signed a lease yet. My move out day is April 1, so I have a long time to decide. I'm trying to see if a coop has an open unit without a waiting list, first. I doubt this building will not have a vacancy when the school semester ends so there's time.