I have to move out of my current place by July 1.
I work in downtown St. Louis, not the nicest area. There are alot of loft apartments that are within 3-4 city blocks of my workplace, and I'm planning on moving down here. I spend about $300+ each month in gas, most of which is driving to work. So I decided I'd rather spend $300 more in rent and live right next to work in a nicer apartment than I would have in my home town, for $400 per month + $300 gas. Plus I can have a 5 minute walk to work instead of a 35-40 minute drive in rushhour.
I'm trying to decide how I want to spend my money.
I found an apartment that was just rehabbed in a really nice building, with nice clientele and 2 blocks from where I work and the parking garage I park my car at. It has brand new appliances, nice hardwood floors, tall cielings, and washer and dryer in the unit (just for me). Everything is inclusive except for electric. Rent is $850+Electric and parking.
Downside is that there is no window or view. It has a balcony, but its an atrium balcony that just faces the open center. But when you walk outside, its all nice clubs, restaruants, bars, very nice. I could just walk outside and find a party.
I also found another apartment a few blocks in the other direction. I can get an apartment almost 40% bigger, but its not as nice. The apartment complex owners are in bankruptcy and the clientele isn't as nice. There's a homeless shelter a block away and the park next door is known for having homeless people sleep in it. It got some pretty bad reviews in regards to how management treats its clientele too. Even a review that said the elevators were out of service for almost a month just a few months ago. But I can get a 1 bedroom with parking in a secure garage for $650. I'm looking at $950 for the other place. I talked to the leasing agent and she said they'd put new carpet in and paint it. If that was the case, I would be comfortable in the room, and it would have more space. It also has a balcony that has a great view of the city. The bathroom isn't nearly as nice as the other place (older tile, old fashion). And it doesn't have a washer and dryer either (no hookups), so I'd have to use the community washer and dryer.
both places have adequate fitness areas.
Cliffs
A: Cheap Apartment link to cheap apartment
$650 per month with garage parking
Kinda slummy
Not very updated
Great balcony view
bad management
close to work
no laundry in room
laundry facility in complex is questionable
two pools, but I wouldnt swim in them
acceptible excercise facility (treadmills/free weights)
immediate neighborhood is ghetto
B: Not so cheap "loft" Apartment link to better apartment
$950 per month with garage parking
In an updated, elegant building
Updated kitchen, new appliances
hardwood floors
brand new washer in dryer in apartment (private use)
really nice rooftop pool
very nice excercise facility
elegant city life neighborhood
C: Middle line Loft apartment.
http://www.forrent.com/apartme...profile/1000000775.php
$860 per month with garage parking
In an updated, elegant building
Updated kitchen, new appliances
hardwood floors
2 x washer and dryer on each floor, new, clean units, $1.50 per load
small nice rooftop pool
small but nice excercise facility
elegant city life neighborhood
one side of the living room wall is all windows looking over the city, (but only on the 5th floor and surrounded by taller buildings, not much more than a view of the street)
What are your opinions? I could use cash I'd save going with the cheaper place, but it wouldn't kill me to go with the more expensive place either.
The savings is almost $3,000 per year. Both locations are about the same walking distance.
Third location is about $100 cheaper per month than the better loft, just about as nice, has a better view, but doesn't have in unit washer and dryer, and the bedroom is about 25% smaller than the nicer loft.
I work in downtown St. Louis, not the nicest area. There are alot of loft apartments that are within 3-4 city blocks of my workplace, and I'm planning on moving down here. I spend about $300+ each month in gas, most of which is driving to work. So I decided I'd rather spend $300 more in rent and live right next to work in a nicer apartment than I would have in my home town, for $400 per month + $300 gas. Plus I can have a 5 minute walk to work instead of a 35-40 minute drive in rushhour.
I'm trying to decide how I want to spend my money.
I found an apartment that was just rehabbed in a really nice building, with nice clientele and 2 blocks from where I work and the parking garage I park my car at. It has brand new appliances, nice hardwood floors, tall cielings, and washer and dryer in the unit (just for me). Everything is inclusive except for electric. Rent is $850+Electric and parking.
Downside is that there is no window or view. It has a balcony, but its an atrium balcony that just faces the open center. But when you walk outside, its all nice clubs, restaruants, bars, very nice. I could just walk outside and find a party.
I also found another apartment a few blocks in the other direction. I can get an apartment almost 40% bigger, but its not as nice. The apartment complex owners are in bankruptcy and the clientele isn't as nice. There's a homeless shelter a block away and the park next door is known for having homeless people sleep in it. It got some pretty bad reviews in regards to how management treats its clientele too. Even a review that said the elevators were out of service for almost a month just a few months ago. But I can get a 1 bedroom with parking in a secure garage for $650. I'm looking at $950 for the other place. I talked to the leasing agent and she said they'd put new carpet in and paint it. If that was the case, I would be comfortable in the room, and it would have more space. It also has a balcony that has a great view of the city. The bathroom isn't nearly as nice as the other place (older tile, old fashion). And it doesn't have a washer and dryer either (no hookups), so I'd have to use the community washer and dryer.
both places have adequate fitness areas.
Cliffs
A: Cheap Apartment link to cheap apartment
$650 per month with garage parking
Kinda slummy
Not very updated
Great balcony view
bad management
close to work
no laundry in room
laundry facility in complex is questionable
two pools, but I wouldnt swim in them
acceptible excercise facility (treadmills/free weights)
immediate neighborhood is ghetto
B: Not so cheap "loft" Apartment link to better apartment
$950 per month with garage parking
In an updated, elegant building
Updated kitchen, new appliances
hardwood floors
brand new washer in dryer in apartment (private use)
really nice rooftop pool
very nice excercise facility
elegant city life neighborhood
C: Middle line Loft apartment.
http://www.forrent.com/apartme...profile/1000000775.php
$860 per month with garage parking
In an updated, elegant building
Updated kitchen, new appliances
hardwood floors
2 x washer and dryer on each floor, new, clean units, $1.50 per load
small nice rooftop pool
small but nice excercise facility
elegant city life neighborhood
one side of the living room wall is all windows looking over the city, (but only on the 5th floor and surrounded by taller buildings, not much more than a view of the street)
What are your opinions? I could use cash I'd save going with the cheaper place, but it wouldn't kill me to go with the more expensive place either.
The savings is almost $3,000 per year. Both locations are about the same walking distance.
Third location is about $100 cheaper per month than the better loft, just about as nice, has a better view, but doesn't have in unit washer and dryer, and the bedroom is about 25% smaller than the nicer loft.
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