Inside President Barack Obama's Former NYC Apartment (VIDEO)

By Krisanne Alcantara | Posted Aug 13th 2012 9:00AM

Updated Oct 1st 2012 11:36AM

Long before President Barack Obama lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, he lived in a beat-up two-bedroom apartment on the third floor of an Upper West Side walk-up. Like many struggling, cash-strapped college students (he was a junior at Columbia University in 1981), Obama grappled with scarce heat and hot water in the apartment, causing him and his roommate, Phil Boerner, to frequently seek warmth in diners and libraries.

Naturally, we had to take an "Inside Look" at our current president's former pad ourselves. (We even spoke to his old roomie!) Thankfully, the apartment, which is currently up for rent, has improved plenty since Obama's time -- though it's still a far cry from Obama's current digs! Speaking of, get a tour of the White House below.

Zak Kneider and Dalila Bella of Citi Habitats have the listing for Obama's old apartment.

Phil Boerner was interviewed at The Artisan at Uptown in Sacramento, Calif.

Got a tip for our Inside Look series? If you know of any exceptional or unusual property currently listed for sale that's video-worthy, please email krisanne.alcantara@huffingtonpost.com with your suggestions. (Due to the volume of response, we unfortunately are unable to reply to each submission.)

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Reader Comments (20)

by JUGL11 - August 14th 2012 @ 10:46PM

109th & Amsterdam. Walk 1 block west, turn right, & you'll get to the coffee shop from "Seinfeld".

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by louie - August 14th 2012 @ 2:37AM

Gee we can find his address some thirty years ago but can't seem to find his college transcripts from the same time period. lol

by mdcpbd - August 14th 2012 @ 8:02AM

What's the purpose of his transcript outside of cruelty and spite?

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by dabandit - August 14th 2012 @ 8:14AM

still looking for his medical records, Illinois legislative records, military records, Illinois travel records as well as anything else that would show what his actual relevancy was.

Just curious how in depth the interview with the former roommate was? Did they ask him about the drug dealing and pot smoking issues? Did they ask him how Obama managedto be able to fund his college days?

by Jennifer - August 14th 2012 @ 8:33AM

I think its awesome when a President comes from humble beginnings!

by Heidi - August 14th 2012 @ 10:15AM

Jennifer, I'd think more of it, if he actually gave a damn about American citizens. When I needed help and contacted the White House, they don't even pick up the line that American Citizens can call to get that help. I finally found a supervisor who told me that they don't answer the agency liaison office phone anymore. So much for open and accessible. If I was an illegal alien, they'd be knocking down my door with help. I'm single, no kids, got diagnosed with epilepsy and when it got really bad, had to stop working. I struggle to pay for my heat and had to sell my hair to pay bills. Get the freaking stars out of your eyes and see him for what he really is. An arrogant, non caring piece of crap. When I wrote as directed, marking the letter urgent, I heard back SIX MONTHS later. And even then, he did nothing. He's a useless piece of crap who is a legend in his own mind. The sad part is, I was so glad a black man got elected and felt sure Abraham Lincoln sat up in his coffin and applauded but he is nothing but a pathetic disappointment. He SUCKS.

by Lips - August 15th 2012 @ 12:33PM

Heidi, I am sorry for your problems and I agree 100% he sucks. And yet people still beleive in him. Our Country is going down hill fast then Speed Racer and it is because of this smug pompus butt. I don't want anything bad to happen to him I jsut want him to stop being our President and MAYE we can get someone in the office this time that won't continus e to rape this country.

I do hope things have gotten better for you Heidi...

by W. Marie - August 14th 2012 @ 9:10AM

WOW, and now we are paying for his government housing.

by Linda - August 14th 2012 @ 9:29AM

.......too many secrets....

by Larry Wilson - August 14th 2012 @ 9:42AM

Under WHAT NAME did he use back then

by louwalkermd - August 21st 2012 @ 6:50AM

Is it too much to hope he's moving BACK there? And soon?

by nancy vera - August 14th 2012 @ 9:58AM

About the only reason I see for this article at the present time, is to further demarcate the 'struggling poor' vs. 'rich'. I think it backfires because not many 20 yr olds can consider living in Manhattan. How exactly could he afford his rent?
Here's the beautiful thing about this Country, anyone has the capacity to rise into greatness.

by Jenna Williams - August 14th 2012 @ 10:11AM

This is excellent! Dont know what the fuss is about, this article is just looking at the Presidents old apartment. Cool piece that looks at where our Current President came from and used to live

by freedjo - August 14th 2012 @ 10:19AM

Clearly, the realtor would like to use this to rent the apartment, since it's currently available. Makes it more desirable. There's nothing wrong with promoting property that way, since realtors do it all the time.

That said, let's compare a little bit of our current president's college days with those of Romney, who has little idea of what the majority of people stuggle with on a daily basis. The comparison and implications are obvious, so I won't spell them out for you.

by Ray - August 14th 2012 @ 10:54AM

Help us send him back to this address come November! The man is any thing but transparent. WQants Romney to show former tax filings but want give us his college papers, true birth certificate, and a host of other things!

by Yar - August 15th 2012 @ 4:50PM

A "true birth certificate" implying that the one provided wasn't true? Or are you still waiting for these documents to change the nation of birth to somewhere out of the US (perhaps Kenya)? You're an inbred.

What are the host of other things?

And really, explain why Romney won't show his tax fillings on demand? Could they use a little bit of fixing up before releasing to the public which currently lacks money, seeing as there is evidence pointing towards off-shore accounts (something that goes against the problem affects the so-called 99%).

Stop being such a sheep and use your head to think things out before hoping on the bandwagon.

by Tony T. - August 14th 2012 @ 12:02PM

There's no way that two bedroom only costs $2800 today, in NYC. More like $3200 to maybe even $3500.

by Brent - August 14th 2012 @ 1:39PM

I see the Obama propaganda machine is working over time.

by Patrick Gaffney - August 14th 2012 @ 1:41PM

I spent most of my grade school and high school days living in Apartment 3R at this address many years ago. At this time, my parents paid $37.00 a month for rent. My Uncle was the Superintendent at the address so we always had heat and hot water and he kept the place really clean.

20 Comments / 1 Pages