10 Pros And Cons Of Living In A NYC Doorman Building

When it comes to the idea of living in a doorman building—especially in New York City—people generally love or hate the idea, but rarely is anyone indifferent about it. Without a doubt, there are many advantages and disadvantages, most of which can really only be learned with first-hand experience.

Regardless of your current opinion on doorman buildings—or even if you don’t have a current opinion yet—here are 10 pros and cons for you to consider before packing your bags and moving in (or out) of your current place of residence:

Pros Of Living In A NYC Doorman Building

1. Safety

Safety is always a plus, and a doorman is good at keeping strangers and unwanted guests at bay. See someone loitering outside your building?—the doorman will take care of it. Want the peace of mind that you’re never totally alone at night in your building?—rest easy. The doorman is at the front desk, and he has everything under control. Even just the presence of a watchful doorman is good at keeping unwanted or illegal activity to a minimum. A good doorman pays attention to who is coming and going and generally has a good sense when something isn’t right. They are also beneficial to let your apartment cleaner come in when you are not home.

2. Luxury

Without a doubt, having someone waiting in your building who will open the door for you or greet you as you enter is seen—at least by the general public—as a luxury. And having a doorman can certainly give a good first impression to family members who visit you or people who stop by your building for a visit. If your doorman also serves as a concierge of sorts—or if you have a separate concierge service in your building—pat yourself on the back. You are one of the lucky few who gets to live in a full-service building. Not too shabby! The doorman himself is perceived as a value add—let alone the actual value he brings in the services he provides.

3. Deliveries

With online shopping in the U.S. at an all-time high, having a doorman who is always available to accept deliveries—and then to keep an eye on those deliveries during the day—is a great bonus. You’ll never have to worry about the pesky neighborhood kid taking off with one of your packages from the front steps. Nor will you need to rearrange your schedule for your FreshDirect delivery or to meet the FedEx guy. If you need someone to sign for something, your doorman will be able to handle that.

4. Assistance

Living in NYC can require juggling acts to get from the front door of your building to the taxi waiting for you on the curb (and vice versa). Carrying groceries or balancing an armload of packages can be tricky at times. And luggage?—that can feel nearly impossible. A good doorman will take note of your troubles and try to help, which can be very, very handy.

5. Gatekeeper

If you live in a doorman building, you now have someone to whom you can direct your complaints or concerns. If the neighbor is playing his music too loudly (again!) you can call the doorman. If the front lobby looks like a herd of elephants came marching through after a mudwrestling tournament, you can tell the doorman. If you’re even concerned that you may have forgotten to shut off your stove before leaving for work, you can call the doorman. Bottom line: Your doorman is there to help you.

Cons Of Living In A NYC Doorman Building

1. Privacy

While it is good to know that the doorman is always there and is paying attention to who is coming and going, it can also feel like a violation of privacy that the doorman is always there and is paying attention to who is coming and going. His omnipresence can feel like a pro and a con, depending on the day and the situation. Some people don’t like feeling like every guest must first be trotted past the ever-present doorman, and some feel like they must explain why someone is coming for a visit and why he or she stayed the night. No deliveries or activities escape his notice. The doorman basically knows everything, and that can make some people feel uncomfortable.

2. Cost

A full-time doorman means a full-time salary (and generally benefits are included as well), and the cost of the doorman is typically added to the rent of everyone who lives in the building. So depending on how many units there are or aren’t can make a world of difference in how much you need to pay every month for the benefit of having a doorman. According to a Wall Street Journal article, those who live in luxury condos in NYC pay as much as 65% more per square foot in buildings with doormen. Which, depending on how valuable or not their services are to you could be worth it. On the flipside, buildings with doormen typically have a higher resale value than those without. So the investment is not without its potential reward. If you live with a tighter budget or you’re looking to save money month to month, living in a doorman building may not be your best use of funds.

3. Gossip

Let’s be honest. Most human beings are naturally nosey, and doormen are no exception. While it isn’t always the case, doormen have been known to gossip on occasion. And why not? They’ve seen and heard a lot on the job. Unfortunately, some doormen are known to talk amongst themselves—or to others in the building—about the things they’ve seen or heard. And if you have nosey neighbors who are happy to compare notes with the doormen, the combination can feel intrusive. If you’re a private person, living in a doorman building may not be right for you.

4. Chitchat

In reality, this one may actually fit in the “pro” category depending on your personality and preferences. If you like seeing a familiar face on your way in and out of your building and don’t mind the occasional chat about your day or your plans, then a doorman building may be a perfect opportunity for you. On the other hand, if you’d rather get from the curb to your leather or fabric couch as quickly as possible without so much as a “hello” to your neighbor, than you may not want to live where a doorman will always greet you. By the nature of their work, doormen can be pretty chatty.

5. Tips

As if the cost of having a doorman is not already high enough, it is typically expected that the doorman receives tips, especially during the holiday season. On average, the holiday tips run between $25 and $150 on average. A very small percentage of tenants don’t tip their doormen, and it is known to have a negative effect on them.

Doorman In NYC Overview

NYC is truly a city with endless opportunity, and whether or not to rent or own a place that comes with a doorman is one of the many exciting possibilities available to you. Your best bet is to make a list of your own priorities and determine whether or not the pros outweigh the cons.