Who This Residence Suits and Who It Does Not
W 139th St is a five‑bedroom apartment (classified as a 5b unit, effectively a shared apartment) located in Upper Manhattan, New York City. Its monthly price ranges from USD 1,200 to USD 1,600 (indicative — confirm with the operator), which places it above the city’s lowest reported monthly rate of USD 850 among the 212 student‑housing properties listed in New York. The property is available from 1 September 2026, with a minimum lease term of six months.
Who it suits:
- Residents who need a dedicated workspace. The unit tags include “Dedicated Workspace,” which aligns with the positive feedback from a former tenant who noted that “the office space was a big plus and made working from home much easier.”
- People who value social interaction without pressure. The same review mentions “community events for residents, so it felt social but never forced.”
- Those looking for an all‑inclusive package. A five‑star review says “you get a lot for what you pay, especially with all the amenities included.” The unit comes with kitchenware and a smart TV, and the building provides cleaning and internet (rated 4.8 and 3.5 respectively on the internal rating dimensions).
- Renters who prefer a shorter lease. The six‑month minimum is flexible for exchange students or temporary assignments in New York.
Who it does not suit:
- People who expect a private apartment. W 139th St is a shared unit with five bedrooms; you will share common areas with other residents.
- Anyone who requires perfect cleanliness or flawless management. The cleaning dimension scores only 3.5 out of 5, and one review describes “the most horrendous stay I have ever endured,” citing poor responsiveness and unannounced entries. While this is a single (1‑star) review, it signals that management consistency can be an issue.
- Budget‑conscious renters who want the absolute lowest monthly cost. At USD 1,200–1,600, this property is 41%–88% higher than the city’s minimum of USD 850 (indicative — confirm with the operator). Cheaper shared rooms exist elsewhere, especially in outer boroughs.
- Those who need a high level of staff responsiveness. The staff rating is strong (4.6), but the same 1‑star review claims “they don’t respond unless you threaten them legally.” The two positive reviews praise the team, so experience may vary.
What Residents Actually Say
Three reviews from Google (overall rating 4.2 out of 5, based on 5 reviews) give a mixed but largely positive picture. I quote them verbatim:
Mireille Cousineau (5 stars):
“I lived here for about six and a half months and overall had a good experience. The office space was a big plus and made working from home much easier. I also liked that there were community events for residents, so it felt social but never forced. The house was generally clean, which made everyday life more comfortabl”
Skylan Lawson (1 star):
“The most horrendous stay I have ever endured in my life!!! If you are thinking about staying with them, please turn the other way! This company is extremely greedy. They don’t respond unless you threaten them legally or you withhold the rent. Nothing is a priority to them. They constantly just walk in the apartment. No”
Susan Aubert (5 stars):
“Living here the past 8 months has been really positive. You get a lot for what you pay, especially with all the amenities included. The atmosphere is friendly and different from anywhere else I’ve lived. The team is helpful and makes settling in easy. If things stay this way, I’d be happy to stick around!”
Key takeaways from what residents actually say:
- The workspace and community events are valued by long‑term tenants.
- Value for money is acknowledged (“you get a lot for what you pay”).
- On the negative side, management responsiveness and boundary issues are flagged. The 1‑star review is a strong warning that the experience can be poor for some residents.
- Cleanliness is rated 3.5 internally, but the 5‑star tenant said the house was “generally clean.” It may depend on housemates as well.
Price Positioning vs. the City’s From‑Price
New York City’s student‑housing listings (212 properties) start at USD 850 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). W 139th St’s range of USD 1,200–1,600 places it in the mid‑to‑upper tier for shared apartments. To contextualise:
- The cheapest rooms in the city are often in older buildings or farther from Manhattan (e.g., parts of Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx).
- W 139th St is in Upper Manhattan (near 139th Street), which offers relative proximity to Columbia University and several subway lines, but is not as central as Midtown or the Village.
- The price includes shared facilities, a dedicated workspace, kitchenware, smart TV, and community events. Many cheaper options do not include these extras.
- The “value for money” internal rating is 4.6, which aligns with the positive review comment about feeling you get a lot for what you pay.
Bottom line: If your budget is below USD 1,200 per month for a shared room, you will need to look at lower‑priced listings. If you can stretch to USD 1,200–1,600 and prioritise a workspace and social atmosphere, the price is reasonable within its segment.
Room‑Type Guidance
The property is listed as a “5b” unit, meaning it is an apartment with five bedrooms. The exact layout is not detailed, but typical configurations include a shared kitchen, living area, and bathroom(s). The tags confirm the presence of:
- Dedicated Workspace – each bedroom likely has a desk or a separate work area.
- Kitchenware – pots, pans, utensils are provided.
- Smart TV – in the common area or possibly in each bedroom? Likely common area.
What to consider when choosing a room:
- If you are a light sleeper, ask the operator about noise levels and the location of your room relative to the street or common areas.
- The 1‑star review mentions unannounced entry; confirm the policy on maintenance and inspections before signing.
- With a six‑month minimum, you can leave after half a year — good for semester‑exchange students or short‑term work assignments.
- The unit is shared, so you will have housemates. No information on gender breakdown or age range is provided; request this from the operator if important to you.
Booking Timing
The property becomes available on 1 September 2026. Given New York’s competitive housing market, especially for September (fall semester), early booking is advisable.
- Recommended window: June–August 2026. Although the property is available from 1 September, many operators allow booking several months in advance.
- Lease length: Minimum 6 months, so you could stay until early March 2027 or renew/extend.
- Price variability: The range USD 1,200–1,600 is indicative — confirm with the operator. Rates may fluctuate based on demand, length of stay, and room size.
- Refund policy: Not stated. Ask the operator about cancellation terms before paying a deposit.
Because the property has a small number of reviews (5 total on Google) and mixed feedback, it is wise to contact the operator to clarify management responsiveness and cleaning schedules before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is W 139th St safe and in a good location?
The location rating on the internal dimensions is 4.6 out of 5, and the Google review average is 4.2. The address is 139th Street in Manhattan, an area that is generally considered safe but can vary block by block. The property is within walking distance of subway stations (A, B, C, D lines on nearby 135th or 145th Street). You should check the precise cross street and walk around the area via Google Street View. No crime data is provided in the source data.
Can I request a specific bedroom?
The operator does not specify whether bed assignments are negotiable. When booking, ask if you can choose a room away from noise sources (e.g., street side). The dedicated workspace is included in all bedrooms based on the tag, but request confirmation. The unit has five bedrooms, so you will share with up to four other residents.
What happens if I need to move out before the lease ends?
The minimum lease is six months. Early termination policies are not disclosed in the data. You must clarify with the operator whether there is a buy‑out option, subletting allowed, or a penalty. The 1‑star review suggests the company is not flexible, so get everything in writing.
Sources & Data Date
The information in this article is based on data collected in July 2026. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are quoted verbatim from Google (5 reviews total, average 4.2). Internal rating dimensions (staff, social, cleaning, internet, location, amenities, value for money) are from the property listing. City from‑price (USD 850) and property count (212) are sourced from the same platform database.
For current availability, real‑time room options, and any updates to pricing or lease terms, you are welcome to use the on‑site live chat assistant.
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