NYC apartment, which of the 3 bedrooms, would YOU want?

[Lookinagain]

A shot-gun house or apartment is long and thin the term originated because you could fire a shotgun in the front door and it would exit the back without hitting any walls in between
When indoor plumbing was added interior walls became a thing.

How they came about is rafts were sent down the river from the north and there was no way to get them back so they were cheap.
So you stood one up on each side and short raft or pieces to form the front and back walls.
Another raft was put on the top to act as a roof.
They were both single units and common walled apartments formed the same way.
A shotgun and a half is is a full raft on the bottom and 2 half rafts(or just short rafts) for an upper floor.
A double shotgun,, 2 shotguns sharing a wall connected with doors.
An over under shotgun house it 2 shotgun houses stacked on top of each other forming a 2 story house.
The stairs between them were often in the back of the building, sometimes outdoors.
Depending on area they were either dirt floor or another raft was used for the floor.
In modern times you see them all over the place on narrow lots.
My brother has a shotgun and a half in the Midwest built in the 60s.
I saw a modern over under shotgun being built a few months ago on a narrow lot.

That's more than you ever wanted to know about shotgun houses. :}

Actually, I find it very interesting. Thank you.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

the washing machine and dryer in the kitchen was the first NO ! from me
maybe ok for a young family ?

 

[kenny]

NYC is so desirable to so many that they're willing to make lots of compromises and spend big bucks to live there.

I would love the proximity to the best that NYC has to offer.
But for me the cons outweigh the pros.

 

[kenny]

the washing machine and dryer in the kitchen was the first NO ! from me
maybe ok for a young family ?

FWIW, I've noticed clothes washers in many European kitchens, but rarely a dryer.
They must put up portable drying racks.

 

[Calliecake]

Thank you @Karl_K. I learned something new today.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

The plumbing can’t take the water flow. New buildings have in unit washer dryers. My building has 2 washers and dryers on each floor and it is considered a luxury.

we had very very low water pressure on a rural water scheme, we still had a washing machinetoo

FWIW, I've noticed clothes washers in many European kitchens, but rarely a dryer.
They must put up portable drying racks.

bad they dont use the sun to dry their clothes like we do here
i mean we have a dryer but only use it a few months in the winter

 

[seafarm]

FWIW, I've noticed clothes washers in many European kitchens, but rarely a dryer.
They must put up portable drying racks.

Many companies make washer/dryer combos. Washing machine and clothes dryer in the same unit.

They have had them in the UK and Europe for decades…..we have them in Australia, so I’m sure the U.S. has them too?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Many companies make washer/dryer combos. Washing machine and clothes dryer in the same unit.

They have had them in the UK and Europe for decades…..we have them in Australia, so I’m sure the U.S. has them too?

mum had one in the late 70's, as we had an A-frame and the roof was low and we had limited space

 

[Tartansparkles]

The washing machine/dryer in the kitchen is the norm for the majority of houses in the UK. Some new builds/or older houses with more space might have a utility room for the washer/dryer and some people put them in the garage, but usually they are in the kitchen.

Drying clothes on a line outside (where available) is the most common way to dry clothes. In the winter you'd use a tumble dryer and/or a clothes horse next to a radiator or window. We don't have a tumble dryer so use the clothes horse Oct - Mar.

 

[missy]

Many companies make washer/dryer combos. Washing machine and clothes dryer in the same unit.

They have had them in the UK and Europe for decades…..we have them in Australia, so I’m sure the U.S. has them too?

Am I wrong in understanding that the combo washer dryer just never works as well as the separate units? At least that is what my friends overseas tell me

 

[Avondale]

Am I wrong in understanding that the combo washer dryer just never works as well as the separate units? At least that is what my friends overseas tell me

You are not wrong. However, some people still prefer to have a somewhat usable dryer crammed into their washing machine, compared to no dryer at all. In my experience using one that one time when I was visiting a friend, it just takes longer and the clothes will eventually come out dry.

FWIW, I've noticed clothes washers in many European kitchens, but rarely a dryer.
They must put up portable drying racks.

The washing machine is placed wherever you can get water to it, so it's either close to the kitchen pipes, or to the bathroom pipes. And we just air dry. As was already mentioned, if you have an outside clothes line, you use that. I live in an apartment, so I have a drying rack on the balcony.

 

[Matata]

However, some people still prefer to have a somewhat usable dryer crammed into their washing machine, compared to no dryer at all. In my experience using one that one time when I was visiting a friend, it just takes longer and the clothes will eventually come out dry.

This reminds me of one of our trips to Scotland where it rained or misted the entire time we were there. The day we were leaving our B&B we asked if we could do 2 loads of laundry which would have been one load in the US but the washer there didn't hold much more than 3 pair of slacks and some undies. The owner said sure and we could hang the clothes outside to dry. It's raining said I; oh they'll dry said she, not a chance thought I . I then offered to pay whatever estimated increase in her utility bill she thought would accrue in order to keep the dryer on long enough to dry to the load. After an hour the load was still very damp so we decided to lay the clothes out in the back of the car, cranked up the heat, and drove to our next destination.

 

[Avondale]

After an hour the load was still very damp

I probably should've elaborated that in my case the load stayed inside for an extra maybe 3 hours, or even a bit more. The appliance had a setting where it would continue drying even after the program you set it on had ended until it detected the clothes to be dry. We were busy doing other stuff so we just let it run. I'm sure if I had taken the clothes out after just an hour, they would've been damp still.

 

[jaysonsmom]

I probably should've elaborated that in my case the load stayed inside for an extra maybe 3 hours, or even a bit more. The appliance had a setting where it would continue drying even after the program you set it on had ended until it detected the clothes to be dry. We were busy doing other stuff so we just let it run. I'm sure if I had taken the clothes out after just an hour, they would've been damp still.

Sorry for digressing….This reminds me of our trip to Switzerland this past summer, my SIL did laundry 24/7 because there were 8 of us total living at their house for 2 weeks and the “energy efficient” washer and dryers were small and didn’t fully dry the clothes after 2-3 hours of drying. I finally asked if she ever cleaned out her lint trap….i love cleaning out lint traps, to which she said No……she didn’t know that made a difference! Boy when I took the lint out it was the size of a small cat, and the dryer became 3x more efficient drying each load in about 30-40 minutes. How in the world a 50 year old lawyer not know that cleaning out the lint trap was the trick! She was living with semi wet clothing hanging around everywhere inside and outside her house for years!

And as to the original question, I would take the first room, because I like to wake up each morning and spend some alone time in the kitchen with my cup of coffee and perhaps do a couple loads of laundry, and cook some breakfast without waking the rest of the roommates!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Sorry for digressing….This reminds me of our trip to Switzerland this past summer, my SIL did laundry 24/7 because there were 8 of us total living at their house for 2 weeks and the “energy efficient” washer and dryers were small and didn’t fully dry the clothes after 2-3 hours of drying. I finally asked if she ever cleaned out her lint trap….i love cleaning out lint traps, to which she said No……she didn’t know that made a difference! Boy when I took the lint out it was the size of a small cat, and the dryer became 3x more efficient drying each load in about 30-40 minutes. How in the world a 50 year old lawyer not know that cleaning out the lint trap was the trick! She was living with semi wet clothing hanging around everywhere inside and outside her house for years!

And as to the original question, I would take the first room, because I like to wake up each morning and spend some alone time in the kitchen with my cup of coffee and perhaps do a couple loads of laundry, and cook some breakfast without waking the rest of the roommates!

isnt it a fire risk not to clean out the lint?
i do it every time i have used the dryer and always check it when a new load goes in
we manly use it in winter to finish off things from the line or if i forgot to wash a work shirt in time
we have a modern dryer with a sensor, i find it does not dry as quickly as our 30 plus year old dryer that you just turned a knob on

i have found the addition of a dry towel speeds up drying time and it does not get fluff on your clothes

 

[Tartansparkles]

This reminds me of one of our trips to Scotland. It's raining said I; oh they'll dry said she, not a chance thought I .

Hanging the washing out in the rain sounds about right - if it's windy enough it'll dry even when it's drizzling. Unless of course the rain is of the variety known as the "really wet stuff"

 

[Lookinagain]

I remember that as a child we had a clothes line and my mom would hang the laundry out there to dry even though we had a dryer in the utility room. I grew up in Florida as that may have had something to do with it, but I've NEVER seen a clothes line where I live, in New England. And I've been here over 40 years.

 

[Lookinagain]

isnt it a fire risk not to clean out the lint?

Yes, it is

 

[Matata]

I remember that as a child we had a clothes line and my mom would hang the laundry out there to dry even though we had a dryer in the utility room. I grew up in Florida as that may have had something to do with it, but I've NEVER seen a clothes line where I live, in New England. And I've been here over 40 years.

I remember that too. My grandmother had the clothesline strung over the entire yard. Our CC&Rs forbid clotheslines which I don't understand because only 2 of the backyards are visible from the street. I suppose they don't want anyone subjected to people's undies flapping in the breeze. I bought something similar to the picture because I love the fresh smell of clothes dried outside and no one can see my side patio which is where I hang the clothes.

 

[Lookinagain]

I remember that too. My grandmother had the clothesline strung over the entire yard. Our CC&Rs forbid clotheslines which I don't understand because only 2 of the backyards are visible from the street. I suppose they don't want anyone subjected to people's undies flapping in the breeze. I bought something similar to the picture because I love the fresh smell of clothes dried outside and no one can see my side patio which is where I hang the clothes.

I have something similar (maybe smaller) that I put in the basement for things that can't go in the dryer. I guess I could put it on my deck to dry things outdoors assuming I clipped them down somehow.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I remember that as a child we had a clothes line and my mom would hang the laundry out there to dry even though we had a dryer in the utility room. I grew up in Florida as that may have had something to do with it, but I've NEVER seen a clothes line where I live, in New England. And I've been here over 40 years.

everyone is missing out on that sunshine smell on their sheets and towels
plus in this day of sustainability and such like, the sun is free

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I remember that too. My grandmother had the clothesline strung over the entire yard. Our CC&Rs forbid clotheslines which I don't understand because only 2 of the backyards are visible from the street. I suppose they don't want anyone subjected to people's undies flapping in the breeze. I bought something similar to the picture because I love the fresh smell of clothes dried outside and no one can see my side patio which is where I hang the clothes.

best thing ever invented in Australia although i dont think they are made in Adelaide any longer
you peg your your 'smalls' on the inside
i wish i had one, they are brilliant
you can get ones that lift out of the ground when not in use

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Growing up--most houses had clothes lines outside--but that accompanied indoor appliances. Although my friends Mom put clothes out in the winter on the line, most people did not. Too much extra work, unthawing clothes that then also required ironing. Fresh yes, laborious yes. My Grandma had a mangle.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Lookinagain]

best thing ever invented in Australia although i dont think they are made in Adelaide any longer
you peg your your 'smalls' on the inside
i wish i had one, they are brilliant
you can get ones that lift out of the ground when not in use

Believe it or not I think there is one of those in the far reaches of my basement behind the oil tank. It was here when I bought the house. The house was built in 1953 so it was probably from back then. I'v just left it there as I didn't know what it was and had no way to get rid of it. It's pretty big. Isn't that funny. Now I know.

 

[Calliecake]

I remember that as a child we had a clothes line and my mom would hang the laundry out there to dry even though we had a dryer in the utility room. I grew up in Florida as that may have had something to do with it, but I've NEVER seen a clothes line where I live, in New England. And I've been here over 40 years.

Most mom’s hung their sheets and laundry out to dry on the clothes line in the midwest when I was a child. It was only done during the late spring and summer months. Everyone had dryers in their homes. I haven’t seen a clothes line in over 20 years but remember the ones in the picture @Daisys and Diamonds posted.

My MIL had a fit when they moved into a new home and the homeowners association sent her a letter notifying her that she would be fined if she hung her clothes and sheets outside to dry.

 

[Calliecake]

@Daisys and Diamonds, Are the towels hard and stiff if they are dried this way?

 

[Avondale]

My MIL had a fit when they moved into a new home and the homeowners association sent her a letter notifying her that she would be fined if she hung her clothes and sheets outside to dry.

You know, sometimes Americans invent great big things that improve the lives of everyone around the world, like chocolate chip cookies.

And sometimes they invent stuff like HOAs and leave the rest of us in stupor.

 

[CMN]

@Daisys and Diamonds, Are the towels hard and stiff if they are dried this way?

I wouldn’t describe it as hard but more stiff, but not in an unpleasant way. I much prefer laundry lined dried than from a dryer, it feels crisp and it smells better.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Believe it or not I think there is one of those in the far reaches of my basement behind the oil tank. It was here when I bought the house. The house was built in 1953 so it was probably from back then. I'v just left it there as I didn't know what it was and had no way to get rid of it. It's pretty big. Isn't that funny. Now I know.

if i could come and get it i would
especially if its the older galvanised type

 

[Lookinagain]

if i could come and get it i would
especially if its the older galvanised type

Well, it's definitely metal. I wish you could come and get it as it's been relegated to behind the oil tank since at least 1988 and probably before that.