President Barack Obama (in college known as Barry) attended Columbia University in the early 1980s in his 20’s. He lived in various places around Manhattan, but one of the buildings was 142 West 109 th Street, an easy walk to Columbia’s campus, located between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues. Recently an available apartment was advertised by real estate brokers in the same building and the news was in the local media. “LIVE IN OBAMA’S OLD APARTMENT BUILDING” said the announcement, even though the advertised apartment was Apt. 2E and Obama’s apartment was 3E, one floor up. Both apartments were advertised as “very large” two bedroom apartments with bedrooms large enough for queen-size beds. The listed rent is currently $2,400 per month. In 1981 Obama and his roommate split the $720 rent upstairs and each paid $360. The ad says the apartment is “convenient” to all major transportation: 1,2,3, C trains and city buses. Renters who moved into the building, reportedly get a framed pictur...