Bedford 391: A Social Shared-Living Option in Brooklyn
This review covers Bedford 391, a shared apartment building located in Brooklyn, New York (NY 11233). The property is operated by a collective housing provider and offers rooms in 3‑bedroom and 8‑bedroom units, as well as standard apartments. Below we examine the experience, pricing, room types, and booking timing based on publicly available data and verified resident reviews.
Who this residence suits
Students and young professionals looking for an built‑in social network
The three Google reviews submitted for this property all highlight the social atmosphere. Residents repeatedly mention making “lifelong friendships” and being greeted by people who make the city feel like home. The building includes shared amenities such as a basement cinema room, a rooftop, a living room, and a gym — spaces designed to encourage interaction. If you are new to New York City and want to avoid the isolation that can come with renting a private studio, Bedford 391’s set‑up offers a structured way to meet people.
Residents who value organised events and curated communities
One review specifically notes that the operator “takes time and consideration to curate people of a similar vibe, and hosts events across the different houses to further curate friendships.” This suggests that the building (and possibly the broader network of houses run by the same operator) puts effort into matching personalities and planning gatherings. For someone who prefers a ready‑made community over random roommate selection, this approach can be appealing.
Short‑term tenants with a minimum three‑month commitment
The minimum lease term is three months, which is shorter than many traditional New York leases (often 12 months). This flexibility suits exchange students, interns, or professionals on temporary assignments who need furnished accommodation without a year‑long contract.
People who want in‑building fitness and entertainment
On‑site facilities include a gym and a cinema room — not common in many Brooklyn shared houses. If you enjoy having a workout space and a movie room within the same building, these amenities add convenience.
Who might look elsewhere
Anyone who needs a private studio or one‑bedroom apartment
The available unit types are 3‑bedroom, 8‑bedroom, and general apartments (likely multi‑room). There is no indication of single‑occupancy units. If you prefer living alone or with only one other person, this property is not suitable.
Budget‑conscious renters seeking the lowest possible monthly cost
The city’s from‑price for student housing in New York City is $850 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). Bedford 391’s monthly rent is not publicly listed; the only figure provided is a deposit of $1,536 (indicative — confirm with the operator). Deposits in New York are typically one month’s rent or less. If the deposit reflects one month’s rent, the monthly cost here would be well above the city’s base line. Even if the deposit is a flat amount, monthly rent for this kind of curated shared housing tends to be above market average for a standard room. Budget‑focused renters should compare multiple options.
Those who dislike large communal living
Eight‑bedroom units mean sharing common spaces with many people. Noise, differing schedules, and varying cleanliness standards are inherent. The reviews are uniformly positive, but the sample size (three Google reviews) is small. Larger living arrangements are not for everyone.
People who need immediate availability
The property’s tags include “not_available,” and the “available_from” field is blank. This flag indicates that the property may currently be sold out or not accepting new bookings. Prospective tenants should confirm actual availability directly with the operator.
What residents actually say
Three Google reviewers gave the property a perfect 5‑star rating. The overall Google rating is 4.8 out of 5 based on 81 reviews. Below are verbatim excerpts:
Martha Biss (5 stars):
“I have just moved out of Cohabs in NYC and I only have positive things to say! The facilities such as the basement/cinema room, the living room, and the rooftop make it a really sociable and fun place to hang out. I also really liked having a gym downstairs. Living here was definitely a top highlight of my 10 months in”
Arya Anand (5 stars):
“Living at Cohabs was the best part of NYC for me! I’ve made some lifelong friendships and am constantly greeted with people who make living in the city feel like a home. Cohabs takes time and consideration to curate people of a similar vibe, and hosts events across the different houses to further curate friendships. Wh”
Ryder Klein (5 stars):
“Being in Cohabs has made my transition to living New York so much easier and the amount of friends that I’ve made has been nothing short of remarkable. I’ve been in New York since late September and to build lifelong connections so quick has been absolutely amazing. I definitely recommend cohabs if you want to meet som”
All three reviews mention the social aspect as a key positive. The mention of “Cohabs” indicates the building is part of a network of shared houses operated under that brand. However, no official website or brand endorsement is implied here — the reviewer statements are reproduced as‑is.
Price positioning versus the city’s from‑price
New York City has one of the highest student‑housing cost baselines in the United States. The city’s from‑price (the lowest advertised monthly rent across all listed properties on the platform) is $850 (indicative — confirm with the operator). Bedford 391 does not display a monthly rent publicly. The only financial figure is a deposit of $1,536 (indicative — confirm with the operator).
- If the deposit equals one month’s rent, the monthly rent would be around $1,536, which is roughly 80% above the city from‑price.
- If the deposit is a fixed amount that does not equal one month’s rent, the actual rent could be higher or lower.
Given that this property offers curated social events, a cinema room, a gym, and a rooftop, a higher rent than the absolute minimum in the city is expected. The value proposition is not about low cost but about community and amenities.
Room‑type guidance
Three unit types are listed: 3‑bedroom, 8‑bedroom, and apartment (the latter likely refers to a standard apartment layout, possibly a studio or one‑bedroom, but the description is not specific).
- 3‑bedroom units: Likely share a kitchen and living area with two other people.
- 8‑bedroom units: High‑density shared living. Each resident usually has a private bedroom but shares multiple bathrooms, a kitchen, and common areas. The large number of flatmates means more social interaction but also less privacy.
- Apartment: Without further detail, it is unclear whether this is a single‑occupancy unit or a multi‑room flat. Prospective tenants should ask the operator for the exact configuration.
When booking, confirm whether the room is furnished and what utilities are included.
Booking timing
The property is tagged as “not_available,” and the “available_from” field is empty. This could mean that all rooms are currently taken or that the listing is paused. If you are interested in a future move‑in (for example, for the 2026–2027 academic year), contact the operator early. The minimum lease of three months suggests that rooms become available throughout the year as short‑term tenants cycle out.
Because supply in New York City student housing is limited (212 properties listed on the platform), desirable shared‑living buildings like Bedford 391 often fill up weeks or months ahead. For a planned move‑in around August or September 2026, begin inquiries no later than spring 2026. For a January 2027 start, start looking in autumn 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact monthly rent?
The monthly rent is not public. The only published financial figure is a deposit of $1,536 (indicative — confirm with the operator). You must contact the operator to get the current monthly rate for your preferred room type.
Is the property currently accepting new tenants?
The listing includes the tag “not_available,” which suggests that no rooms are currently open for booking. However, this may change. Check the platform’s live availability or reach out to the operator directly to confirm.
Can I book for just one semester (e.g., 4–5 months)?
The minimum lease is three months, so short semesters (often 4–5 months) are possible. Confirm the exact move‑in and move‑out dates with the operator, as lease start and end dates may be fixed.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
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