I’ve struggled with a format for this feature over the years, and have decided that apartment hunters are best served by a highlighting and analysis of the absolute cheapest apartments available. These are the ones most likely to be unlivable due both to poor condition and terrible location. Hopefully, by picking the cheapest apartments (based on their size), I can give more detail on the location and based on photos, give some opinion on the condition. I’d also like to “open the floor” for people to ask for price and location advice — paste in any apartment listing link as a comment and I’ll gladly give you my opinion on whatever your concern is.

And so this week I present all apartments under $1000.

$875 — 1br: I put this on top of the list because of it’s combination of price and condition — location, not so much. This is not to say the area is terrible, but business is sparse, though at least it’s a block from the train, express during rush hour on reprieve from MTA cuts. Original details remain, with some moldings and bay windows, but mostly it’s been renovated — new kitchenette, bath, and parquet floors.
Gates and Bushwick | street view | Gates J

$975 — studio: Jump in price? Yes, but the location is pretty prime, quick walking distance to nearly everything convenient and cool. Basic okay apartment, nothing your good taste can’t remedy — I’d ask the landlord to take up the carpet.
DeKalb and Wilson | street view | DeKalb L/Central M

$800 — 1br: At first glance, freakishly cheap — ah, but it’s in a basement. Which is not always the dungeon it may seem. This place is acceptable, with newish kitchen and bath, and even has a couple of tiny windows. There is apparently a half-month fee — not sure that’s worth it, maybe you can bargain. The location is leafier and quieter than most of Bushwick and is still convenient to a lot of food, shopping, and the subway.
Himrod and Cypress | street view | DeKalb L

$949 — 1br: Rather basic, this one-bedroom, but it has some nice old details and wood floors, and seems to be on at least the third floor. The location is good if you have a kid or a dog — just feet from recently renovated Irving Square Park, and a café is coming eventually about a block away.
CATS OK | Halsey and Knickerbocker | street view | Halsey L

$900 — studio: Nice studio in a nondescript area, one of those places someone saw fit to leave out the bedroom but still have a separate kitchen/dining area. A bit far from the train.
PETS OK | Bleecker and Evergreen | street view | Kosciuszko J