Teri Karush Rogers

Q.  I live in an 850 sq ft one-bedroom co-op in the West Village.    The building has steam heat and apartments are individually metered for electricity.

My half-size dishwasher, which I don't use every day, is fairly new, as is my smaller than normal 10 cubic ft refrigerator.  Apart from the refrigerator and energy-star rated computer nothing else is on 24/7.  

So why are my Con Ed bills sky-high even in the winter....$174 for February??

Q.  I’m thinking of buying a new condo.  What are the biggest construction quality problems these days? What should I worry about inside my apartment in terms of finishes, appliances, soundproofing, etc.? How can I keep from getting suckered?

 A.  Our experts agree that you’re wise to keep a sharp eye out for potential problems—starting with the windows.

Every NYC block is its own village, which is why it can be risky to slap a label of any kind on an entire neighborhood. AmNewYork tries it anyway in a recent round-up of slumber-friendly neighborhoods.

Just as a hearty assortment of restaurants that deliver is an important neighborhood amenity for apartment hunters to consider, the bodega/corner deli situation can also impact your day-to-day quality of life, especially if you're farther than a couple of blocks from a grocery or drug store or one of those fancy new hybrid Duane Reades. 

So what makes a good bodega? Funny you should ask.