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WWYD... apartment choices
We're planning to move during the summer (before my ILs come in the winter), so I've begun researching what's available in the right locations in our price range.
Our "must haves" are basically a 2 bedroom apartment, at least 800 square feet, within a reasonable distance from DH's office, and some amenities. After looking at listings I've found that we will probably have to choose between some of the following:
washer/dryer
parking (we have 2 cars. This kind of depends on location, because some places we could park on the street)
2 bathrooms
decent kitchen
location (some towns here don't have good shops or aren't as close to the freeway, and so cost less)
hardwood floors (I have allergies)
climate control (central heating, AC is out of our budget)
size (we're talking a 800-1000 range)
well-maintained building
individually/family owned (most places in our area are managed by a company, so this is very likely something we cannot have)
So out of these things, what would you choose (or give up) and why? Or would you suck it up and raise the budget another 25%?
Re: WWYD... apartment choices
We did a little of both. We wanted an apartment for around what we're paying now. We went up in rent $60 a month. Not a huge deal in the end.
I would keep: hardwood floors (since you have an allergy), well-maintained building, size, and parking. The rest are really more luxuries than necessities (except the decent kitchen. We have a crappy kitchen right now until we move and I hate it).
Books read in 2012: 21/50
I think you just have to decide on what three or four criteria are most important to you and stand firm on those. If I were you, I'd for sure look for the hardwoods (like PP said, b/c of the allergy).
If I were shopping for H and myself, I wouldn't compromise on in-unit laundry (I don't have it now and will never again live somewhere that I don't have it) and decent parking, but the others would all be kind of negotiable.
Hmmm...well, I wouldn't want to give up most of these if I were you.
Must haves for me would be: parking (or make sure there's street parking), decent kitchen, hardwood floors, location (can't emphasize enough how much this will make your living situation easier and more...well, liveable!), well-maintained.
Who the apartment is owned by isn't that big of a deal, as long as it's well-maintained. Having 2 bathrooms is nice, but not necessary, especially since it's mostly just you and H unless family/friends are staying over, right? I think it's an easy sacrifice to have them use your bathroom while over in order to get all the other things you want in an apartment. Also, size is nice...but you can make do with 800 sq ft.
Good luck!!
Married 11/6/10
Are your inlaws going to be living with you or just visiting?
If it was me, I wouldn't compromise on the washer/dryer and parking (kitchen would be the other big one). If in laws are only visiting I would be fine with the 1 bathroom since most of the time it would be just the two of us (we have a house that's a two bedroom with one bathroom and it's been fine).
Depending on the inlaw answer, have you thought about getting a one bedroom and den? If it's a decent size den, you might be able to turn it into a small bedroom that would be adequate for people visiting for short periods of time (full size bed and bureau). In my old building, some one bedroom + dens were actually a little bigger (in terms of actual living space but excluding the extra bathroom in the 2 bedroom) then the two bedroom listings, but because it wasn't a two bedroom it ended up being a little cheaper.
I think the things I would put on a must have list would be:
- hardwood floors (since that would make you really miserable otherwise)
- parking (I imagine that parking near you must be difficult at times)
- decent kitchen
- washer/dryer (I don't have an in-unit one and I really wish I did, but then again it's mostly when it snows or rains when I need to do wash. Or that they are taken when I have to use them.)
Raising the budget would be a last option, unless of course you really want that second bathroom and more space so as to have that "buffer" from your in-laws when they visit. From what you've said about them, maybe it's worth it depending on how long they plan on staying...
So everyone values the things their apartment doesn't have lol!
My ILs will probably stay for 6 weeks annually, so while they won't be living with us, it's long enough to really feel the extra people. DH is going for containment with the second bedroom. I think it will work but maybe only a little. I think we could handle one bathroom, but DH really wants a second. I'm leaning even more towards hardwood floors since seeing all your replies.
I'd really rather not increase our budget. I feel at a certain point it will be close to the amount of a mortgage and then we shouldn't put that into rent. Still a few months to think about it!
First of all, where oh where is this mythical place where AC is optional? I need to live there.
Second: How necessary is the 2nd bathroom? If you can stand sharing with your husband. I can't.
Washer and dryer in unit could go either way as well. Laundry sucks regardless.
Keep the hardwood/tile/cement/whathaveyou. It sounds more like a necessity.
Individuals are more willing/able to negotiate.
Honestly, if the 25% budget fudge is doable, then just go for it. This is where you have to LIVE after all.
Big, big like the moon...
haha, you wanna move up to rainy and miserable Seattle?? No one owns air conditioning here. Probably the same in most of Oregon... The pacific northwest in general rarely gets hot and humid enough to justify having one.
Married 11/6/10