Why are so few apartment buildings in NYC (or maybe just Manhtn) equiped with w/d? It seems most moderate sized buildings in DC have them in the basement if not in the units. My tiny condo (just under 500 sq feet) even has them in the unit. Is there a reason for this? Or just old construction?
Washers and driers are a relatively new invention and many buildings in NYC are quite old. In addition, space is at a premium. You can cram a family of 19 Armenian immigrants in the space wasted by a washing machine.
Newer buildings all have laundry rooms in the basements. Otherwise you go to the laundromat or use a pick-up service. Having your own washer and drier in an apartment is a luxury.
That’s the answer that I of course thought of (minus the slam on Armenians). However, are buildings in NYC really that much older than those in “old” DC? Maybe DC buildings are just more likely to have been renovated.
Half of the renter-occupied housing units in New York City were built between 1950 and the present.
Renter-occupied housing units in New York City, in 2000:
Built 1999 to March 2000: 0.5%
Built 1995 to 1998: 1.6%
Built 1990 to 1994: 1.9%
Built 1980 to 1989: 4.9%
Built 1970 to 1979: 9.6%
Built 1960 to 1969: 15.1%
Built 1950 to 1959: 15.6%
Built 1940 to 1949: 16.0%
Built 1939 or earlier: 34.9%
Median in 2000: 1949
Owner-occupied housing units, New York City, in 2000:
Built 1999 to March 2000: 0.5%
Built 1995 to 1998: 1.6%
Built 1990 to 1994: 2.0%
Built 1980 to 1989: 4.9%
Built 1970 to 1979: 6.5%
Built 1960 to 1969: 15.3%
Built 1950 to 1959: 16.6%
Built 1940 to 1949: 14.0%
Built 1939 or earlier: 38.5%
Renter-occupied housing units, District of Columbia, in 2000:
Built 1999 to March 2000: 0.3%
Built 1995 to 1998: 1.0%
Built 1990 to 1994: 1.5%
Built 1980 to 1989: 6.3%
Built 1970 to 1979: 11.7%
Built 1960 to 1969: 19.2%
Built 1950 to 1959: 19.2%
Built 1940 to 1949: 15.7%
Built 1939 or earlier: 25.2%
Median in 2000: 1955
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 3.