Jazz Musician Couple Finds Harmony in New South Bronx Home

Altin and Marina Sencalar, originally from Texas, embarked on their New York adventure with optimism and a love for jazz guiding their path. Altin, a dedicated jazz trombonist, saw New York as the zenith for jazz performance and education. Compelled by this dream, the couple enthusiastically leased their first New York apartment in Washington Heights without seeing it in person, a leap of faith for many newcomers to the city.

The Ups and Downs of their First NYC Home

The Sencalars' timing was far from perfect. On his very first day in the city, Altin received an offer to tour with Michael Bublé, which left their new $2,350-a-month three-bedroom abode vacant and relegated to a costly storage space as Marina stayed behind in Texas. When Altin returned from his tour, the couple, along with their two dogs, settled into the apartment, only to face the volatile twists and turns of life in the big city.

Despite Altin finding a supportive jazz community and work through his Michigan State alumni network, their domestic situation was less harmonious. The apartment's kitchen was barely functional with one working outlet, and unsettling events in their building, including evictions and an upstairs neighbor's arrest, painted a grim picture of their living conditions. Altin recounted the ordeal of dealing with daily leaks that persisted from autumn through to spring, epitomizing the 'first apartment in New York' stereotype.

A Fresh Start in Mott Haven

Yearning for a better living experience, the Sencalars decided to venture into the South Bronx, where they carefully selected a new place to call home, this time ensuring they saw the apartment with their own eyes. This refreshing change of scenery in Mott Haven has provided them a much-needed respite and a perfect backdrop to continue their life, filled with jazz, education, and the company of their beloved dogs, JJ and Navy. With their eyes now wide open, the couple steps into a new chapter with hope and the excitement of making new memories.

renting, jazz, Bronx