Apartment Advice Needed

Since you seem to have a budget, I'd go with the most expensive one, because there's not a lot of "up in the air" concerns, like the second one without a lot of info. You could always check it out, but it's a bit bothersome.

Here's the thing - there's expensive and then there's frivolous. If this is a big apartment building, that safe, Secure, and nice, and you get everything included, what's bad with that? That's smart.....it just might cost a bit more.

 

I'd say the first thing to do is fill in the info you don't know about. There should be some way to get in touch with the person or company renting these out. Ask questions.

You could also tour them to get an impression. You should at least see what you will be renting before signing any papers. (And papers are another consideration. For example, are you locked into a lease? If so, how long?)

One point to seriously consider about these places: how gay friendly/tolerant they are. Not an issue if you are in the closet, and plan to stay there. On the other hand, if you have or think you might have a boyfriend who'll be over a lot, that should be considered.

 

What BMC77 said. When I was apartment shopping recently I looked for a bunch of HRC (the equals sign) bumper stickers on the cars in the parking lot.

Just an aside, you sold the 2nd one to us the most. Is that the one you're leaning toward?

Ditto especially on you should probably visit all 3 of them in person instead of getting them site unseen. Also lease length, although 1 year is pretty standard everywhere.

 

One thing you should also do is run ALL the numbers--rent, probable utitilies, etc. This seems obvious, it seems to get lost on many people. I'm looking at relocating at one point, and one person older than me had trouble comprehending my insistence of looking at the TOTAL cost, not just rent...

Sometimes an expensive apartment that includes everything could actually be cheaper than a econo budget model that includes nothing. Particularly if that econo place costs a fortune to heat in winter. Not that it ever gets cold where your profile says you live...

---------- Post added 25th May 2013 at 11:17 PM ----------

And when I talk about adding up costs, also include details like laundry. It may not seem like a lot a few quarter here and there...but they really add up. When I was banished to Laundromat Hell for a year, I found out just how painfully those quarters added up!

Admittedly, this is relatively small...but there is truth in being nickel and dimed to death.

 

Cost of Internet is also something to factor in. It's something I'll consider when I move again, because my current provider has limited coverage area. Their main competitor's cheapest deal runs twenty more a month for slower service.

One possibility for you since you'll be a student is not having Internet and just using free wi-fi or kiosks. But that is hugely inconvenient, and free wi-fi generally has security issues... But it's something to consider if you need to stretch the dollar so hard George Washington screams in pain.

One trick for cutting laundry costs is air drying. You can get racks at exotic shopping destinations like Target.

You can also get your own little apartment size washer and dryer that connect to a kitchen sink...but that's probably more of an investment than you like. Plus I've heard some places don't permit them. But if they are OK where you move, and you stumble across a really good deal at a yard sale...

 

I think it's good that you want to be out and about, just be really smart about all the extras and expensives of living on your own. You could live on the floor and not have any furniture and you could eat grass...but is that the life you want? I just am trying to say that quality of life is also an important thing to consider.

 

You're welcome! I'm glad it's of use.

Drying racks can be used inside when weather is bad. It's a little iffy for me in winter, possibly due to a damp climate. Also the place I live has made a difference--some places have worked better.

One note: if you haven't had experience with air drying, clothes will be stiffer and more prone to wrinkles (particularly things like shirts) than from a dryer. This may or may not make a difference to you. Of course, it's not an either/or thing. At one point, I regularly had things that needed to look good, and I was too lazy to iron. So I dried those in the dryer, but other things on my wood rack. (Recently, I've found that hanging the wet shirt on a plastic hanger, and hanging off a rail--like in a shower--can work decently for casual wear.)

As for getting your own washer/dryer, you should wait until you have the apartment, and know if it's possible and OK with the rules of the place.

Also if you can do it, make sure whatever place you rent does have laundry facilities of some sort available. A trek to a laundry room is a lot less of a pain than driving across town to use a Laundromat. When I was condemned ot Laundromat Hell, I had about 20 mile round trip drive to get ot it...and that could be a huge pain sometimes.

 

I would probably go with the second one, and definitely not the first. Privacy is a very good thing to have. The third one sounds amazing, but think of all the money you'll be saving... Let us know how you like the apartments when you go see them!

 

A few random thoughts...

One concern over the first one, if electricity is not included and it's baseboard electric heat you're not going to like the bills once winter comes around in Minnesota.
Second location is either vaguely described to hide problems, or just poorly marketed. One more thing to consider, since you have car payments I suppose you need a parking spot as well, double-check if one is available, what kind and if there are extra costs associated. Will you need to shovel your car out before driving to work or school? Or drive around the block until you find an empty spot?

If you haven't done yet, it's a good idea to google streetview the locations and look around, does the area look like well taken care of properties or run-down? Pop the addresses in crimereports.com as well to see if there are issues with break-ins, violence, noise complaints, etc...

In your "extra expenses" you may want (it may actually be required to sign a lease, check your local state regulations etc) to consider "tenant insurance" for your belongings (computer etc) as well as liability (you leave faucet running, sink backs up and floods your and neighbor's units).

Finally one concern you mention is privacy - one thing to consider is if you only have one or two neighbors you may feel like someone's constantly listening, especially when you're having quality time with a special someone . There often is "anonymity in numbers"...

Being on your own for the first time is lots of fun, and a bit stressful at the same time - have fun with it and good luck.

 

I currently live on my own, so I can prolly give some help. (even though I'm struggling lol)

Electricity- I've been paying around 20-30 a month in the summer, and 40ish in the winter. Summer would be more expensive, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna use the air conditioner. It'd rock up the prices and it makes terrifying sounds and reminds me of "The Brave Little Toaster". Keeping apliances unplugged when not in use makes a huge difference. Not just off, but unplugged.

Internet- I'm stuck paying 100 or so a month for phone and web use. I occasionally don't pay it because I'm poor and stupid. Research internet thouroghly before purchase. I assume you are moving to a bigger city, but in WI there are huge swaths of areas that don't have broadband, and many areas cost a LOT.

Car- Garages do not normaly come with apartment usage, and in my experience average out at around 45 extra a month. Not only wil it keep your car safe from the elements, but it will deter thieves. Apartments are notorious for car break-ins.

Gay/Antigay- I've noticed when I'm over there, attitudes vary widely among age and town. Avoid the bars, WI bars are full of crazy people. Don't be suprised if they end up refering to you as "the gay guy" even if they are ok with you, at least in the smaller towns. I've been walking through random areas wearing clothes that are scrubbish at best, not even remotely fashionable, and I've had people call me a faggot. The small towns over there suck ass. I hear great things about the bigger cities though, but I've never been. I don't mean to harsh anyone in WI, these are just my experiences.

Privacy- is awesome. Ask for details about the second one, IMO. Square footage or crappiness doesn't compare to the feeling of being safe in your own home in a strange location.

Inventory- Upon lease signage, if they haven't made you do it yet, go through your entire unit and nitpick everything. If you don't have a documented list of prior damages (cracked panel on cabinet, chipped paint, nicked window, nail in wall, etc) they will devour your security deposit.

Laundry- Don't sweat it when it comes to sharing a laundry space. The vast majority of people do not want to rifle through your dirty clothes. The worst you should come across will be some jerk that leaves their underwear in all the machines for days, then wigs out when you place it nicely somewhere else. Don't be that guy.

Random things- Ask for bus line info if available, so you have a backup plan if your car breaks down. Find the nearest 24hour store. Be nice to your neighbors. Don't be all stompy. Putting something stupid yet friendly on your door will make neighbors less hateful of the new guy. Become best friends with the manager or maintenance crew and they will be super awesome if you goof something. Do not talk shit about the Packers ever ever ever; people will constantly jibe you about the Vikings, regardless of your interest in football. Learn to do bachelor things, like cooking hotdogs or ramen in your coffee machine. Twenty ounce bottles make amazingly cheap reusable cups. Lastly, showerbeer. A single beer in the shower is amazing after a bad day.

I realize that most of what I've written may be considered weird.

 

All I have to say is I wished I lived where you did. At those prices I'd be sharing a one bedroom with three other people.

 

If you haven’t already try using one of the dating websites we can’t mention here to chat to other gay guys in the area to determine if you’re chosen area is gay friendly or otherwise.

---------- Post added 29th May 2013 at 10:43 AM ----------

One other thought; I used to live in an all-inclusive and quite expensive “Business Apartment” when I worked in Belgium. The only thing that bugged me about it was I had no control over the hot water tank inside the apartment. It heated up overnight and that was it, enough for a shower in the morning and to do dishes in the evening but if I wanted 2 showers a day then I had to be very careful about hot water rationing. This would have been very awkward if I had friends staying over.

When you do move in take photos of any defects and get them signed and dated by the landlord.

Also have you checked if you are required to leave a deposit to cover damages etc. I know quite often it can be difficult to get the deposit back when you leave the apartment so half expect having to write that off when you budget.

Check also if the landlord has the right to make unannounced maintenance visits. I was having a lie-in one mid-week morning when I heard someone trying to get into my apartment, it was the window cleaner. Just imagine how embarrassing that could be if you were “entertaining” a guest.