202 Scholes St – Brooklyn, New York: A Decision Review for Student Housing
This review examines 202 Scholes St, a four-bedroom apartment building located at Brooklyn, NY 11206 (USA). It is listed on a global student-housing platform and targets students or short-term renters seeking a shared apartment in New York City. The analysis draws on the property’s specifications, resident reviews, pricing relative to the city’s baseline, room-type guidance, and booking timing considerations.
Who This Residence Suits
202 Scholes St is best suited for students or young professionals who need a flexible, short-to-medium-term rental (minimum lease 6 months) in Brooklyn, with the convenience of key amenities included. The apartment is a four-bedroom unit (unit type: “4b, apartment”), meaning you will share the space with three other residents. This arrangement works well for:
- Group renters – If you already have three flatmates, renting the entire apartment can be cost-effective compared to individual studios.
- Budget-conscious individuals – Even though the monthly price starts at $1,300–$1,850 per person, splitting a four-bedroom apartment can lower individual costs if you fill all rooms with known contacts.
- Short-term or interim stays – The minimum lease is 6 months, which fits students on exchange, summer interns, or those who haven’t yet secured a long-term lease.
- Those who prioritise connectivity and ready-to-use interiors – The unit comes with High Speed Wifi, Smart TV, and kitchenware, reducing the hassle of setting up utilities and buying cooking equipment immediately.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Based on resident feedback and the property’s Google rating of 3.3 (from 275 reviews), certain groups should be cautious:
- Renters expecting consistent guest-friendly policies – One reviewer (L S, rating 3) noted: “The hotel is ok but at least make 4 rooms available for overnight stay for people that’s from out of state looking for a place to stay real quick, you can only book 4 hrs.” This suggests that the property may operate partly as a short-stay hotel and may not allow longer overnight bookings even if you want to stay a full night. If you need a regular nightly rental, clarify with the operator.
- Solo renters wanting privacy – The only unit type listed is a four-bedroom apartment; there is no private studio or one-bedroom unit. You must share a common area and kitchen with other tenants.
- Those sensitive to smoking odors – The same reviewer added: “Please get rid of the smoke scent when new customers come into the room.” If you are a non-smoker, check with the operator about the building’s smoking policy and whether the unit has been thoroughly aired.
- Renters who value a stable, responsive management team – A sharp negative review (Mark Carreon, rating 1) states: “Horrible staff and manager, man in the front desk refused to give us a room and wouldn’t tell us the reason other than telling us to leave and never come back, then after minutes of tryna reason with him he told us that we overstayed our last booking. Mind u our last booking he called 20 minutes earlier than we were su”. This indicates potential inconsistency in front desk behaviour and booking enforcement. If you plan to interact with staff frequently (e.g., for check-in, maintenance, complaints), consider whether such risks are acceptable.
- People whose budget is near the city floor – New York City’s reference starting price for student housing is $850/month (city_from_price). 202 Scholes St starts at $1,300/month — nearly 53% higher than that baseline. For the lowest-cost options in Brooklyn, look at shared units near $850–$1,000. This property is positioned in the mid-to-upper range for a 4-bedroom shared apartment.
What Residents Actually Say (Quoted Reviews)
Three Google reviews are available (total 275 reviews; rating 3.3). The most informative comments:
- L S (3 stars): “The hotel is ok but at least make 4 rooms available for overnight stay for people that’s from out of state looking for a place to stay real quick, you can only book 4 hrs. Please get rid of the smoke scent when new customers come into the room, other than that the prices are cool and the workers are decent.”
- Rachel Lenihan (5 stars): “I love this place they let me borrow a shovel.” – A positive but short comment, suggesting helpful staff in specific situations.
- Mark Carreon (1 star): “Horrible staff and manager, man in the front desk refused to give us a room and wouldn’t tell us the reason other than telling us to leave and never come back, then after minutes of tryna reason with him he told us that we overstayed our last booking. Mind u our last booking he called 20 minutes earlier than we were su” (text truncated in source).
Key themes from reviews:
- Mixed experiences with front desk and management.
- Smoking smell in rooms upon arrival.
- Booking hour restrictions – only 4-hour blocks for non-residential stays.
- Some staff helpful (shovel story).
- Prices considered “cool” by one reviewer.
Price Positioning vs City From-Price
The reference price for all student housing in New York City is $850/month (city_from_price). 202 Scholes St has a monthly range of $1,300 – $1,850 per person (indicative — confirm with the operator). This pricing is 53%–118% above the city’s starting price. However, note that the city floor likely represents the cheapest shared room in outer boroughs or older buildings; 202 Scholes St may offer a newer or better-equipped space (Smart TV, High Speed Wifi, kitchenware). Still, it is not a budget option.
If you are cost-sensitive, you can find shared apartments in Brooklyn for as low $850–$1,100, but they may lack the listed amenities or be in less convenient locations. The property’s location on Scholes St is in the Bushwick/East Williamsburg area, which is popular among students and young professionals for its nightlife and transport (L train). The trade-off is paying more for that neighbourhood.
Room-Type Guidance
The only unit type listed is 4b (four-bedroom apartment). This typically means:
- Four private bedrooms (size varies; confirm with operator).
- Shared kitchen, living/dining area, and usually one or two bathrooms.
- The lease is for one room with shared common spaces (individual contracts or joint).
If you want a private studio, a 1-bedroom, or a 2-bedroom apartment, look elsewhere; this building only offers a 4-bedroom configuration.
Advice:
- If you have three friends, you can rent all four rooms together and keep the common areas exclusive.
- If you are a solo renter, be ready to live with three unknown housemates. Check if the operator matches flatmates or if you need to find your own.
- Ask about bathroom ratio: a 4-bedroom may have 1 or 2 bathrooms. One bathroom for four people can be tight at peak hours.
Booking Timing
Given the mixed reviews and potential management issues, book only after you have clarified all policies:
- Advance booking: For a September 2026 start, begin searching in March–April 2026. Four-bedroom shared apartments in New York can be in demand, especially near popular universities.
- Short-term flexibility: If you only need a few months (6–12), this property’s 6-month minimum fits. However, be aware that some tenants reported difficulty with front desk over booking extensions.
- Verify cancellation terms: Because of the negative review about staff refusing re-booking, ensure you understand what happens if you need to depart early or extend.
- In-person or video tour: Try to get a live video call to check for smoke odors and see the actual room size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 202 Scholes St a student dormitory or a hotel?
A: The property is listed on a student-housing platform as a “4b apartment”. However, reviews suggest it may operate in a hybrid manner (short-stay hotel rooms available only for 4-hour blocks). It is best to ask the operator directly whether the unit you book is a standard residential apartment or a time-limited hotel room. Clarify that you need a long-term rental of 6 months or more, not a transient booking.
Q: How does the price compare to other housing in Brooklyn?
A: Brooklyn’s student housing price range starts around $850 per month for the cheapest shared rooms. 202 Scholes St charges $1,300–$1,850 per person (indicative — confirm with the operator). This is 50%–120% above the floor. Mid-range shared apartments in Bushwick typically run $1,000–$1,400; this property sits at the upper end of that bracket for its amenities and location.
Q: What should I do if I encounter problems with staff as reported in the reviews?
A: First, read the negative reviews carefully. Document all communication with staff (emails, booking confirmations). If you experience a similar situation (refused check-in without explanation), escalate to the management company or the platform’s support team. Before booking, ask the operator for a written confirmation of check-in procedures, cancellation policy, and smoking policy. If possible, request a contact person who can handle issues during your stay.
Sources & Data Date
- Property data, reviews, and pricing sourced from the amber platform (record ID amber-267013).
- City from-price ($850) and property count (212) from same data set.
- All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
- Data last updated: July 2026.
For live availability, current pricing, and to clarify any specific policies (including booking hour restrictions and smoking), use the on-site assistant chat on the listing page.
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