Hmmm where to live next year

[Deeko]

So my lease is up in March, I've been apartment hunting. Right now I live in downtown Seattle (Belltown). My apartment is nice, but not really worth what I pay. Its a 750 sq ft 1 bedroom + den.

I found a place about 5 blocks away, technically a new neighborhood (Queen Anne). Its slightly more expensive, but the same ballpark - MUCH nicer. 950 square foot loft, 1st floor is all hardwood floors, brand new, granite counters, really nice kitchen appliances, private entrance (key since I have a dog), carpeted upstairs. I also found a place out in the first suburb outside the city - Mercer Island. Its a little bit nicer than the place I'm in now, also bigger (910 sq ft), but not as nice as the one in Queen Anne. Its considerably cheaper though. But, I work in the city, both of my gyms are in the city, my friends are in the city, and at 24 I don't know if I want to live in the 'rich person suburb' that may not even have a bar.

So...do I want to save money, or live in a ridiculously nice apartment? I'm not stretched for money at all - I can easily afford the nicer one. But that doesn't mean I couldn't stand to save the money.

 

[Apathetic]

I guess you have to find out how long the commute from Mercer Island would be and how bad is the traffic when you commute to/from work. Also, do you go to the gym straight from work or do you go home first and then drive back into the city?

Figure out how much of your free time it will cost you and compare it to the savings in rent.

Dave

 

[K1052]

I vote for the slightly more expensive and much larger/nicer place in the city.

Move to the burbs after you get married, have kids, etc.

 

[CountZero]

Queen Anne if you can easily afford it, which you said you could.

But that's me, I put a shorter commute very high on my list of things I want in an apt. and avoiding having to commute over I90 everyday is a definite plus.

 

[Farang]

I would not want to commute from Mercer Island, especially if the place isn't even nicer. What is the point?

 

[ScottyB]

Why do you go to two gyms?