Rent or Rent?

[alm99]

I am currently in a situation of indecision. Before me my wife and I have two options:

1. Stay in the current two bedroom apt where we are in a prime location for our jobs, stores, entertainment and such. Rent is $805/mo utilities not included, 3rd floor only people below us. To get to work it takes about 10-15 minutes in Atlanta

2. Move to a 3 bedroom home, fenced in yard for our dog, privacy, two car garage although we have oly one at the moment. Rent would be $700/mo without utilities, the property is shaded. Location is not the greatest, its kinda out away from things. Drive to work would take 20-25 minutes.

Any thoughts, comments, concerns?

EDIT: A kid on the way in November

 

[notfred]

I say rent.

 

[Looney]

#2 personally.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: notfred
I say rent.

thanks

 

[EvilYoda]

I'd say it depends on your lifestyles...doesn't sound like you have any children, so you probably still have ample time to hit up the shows and whatnot. And are you happy in the apartment? Would the added space of a house be something you would look forward to? "Location location location" they say...

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'd say as long as its not in a Dangerous part of town ... the 3 bedroom home sounds pretty good ... I don't think either one is a bad option ... but IMO, #2 looks like a more attractive option.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I'd say it depends on your lifestyles...doesn't sound like you have any children, so you probably still have ample time to hit up the shows and whatnot. And are you happy in the apartment? Would the added space of a house be something you would look forward to? "Location location location" they say...

A kid on the way in November

 

[Cyberian]

Drive to work would take 20-25 minutes.

I would have killed for a 20 minute commute when I was working!

 

[HappyPuppy]

A 20 minute drive is nothing. I've never in my life had a job that was less than an hour from home on a good day.

I can't stand apartments, so you can guess what my recommendation would be.

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: notfred
I say rent.

That's what i would go with.

 

[notfred]

Really, I'd take the house. What's an extra 10 minutes in the car? I mean you're already driving anyway.

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: notfred
Really, I'd take the house. What's an extra 10 minutes in the car? I mean you're already driving anyway.

That's what i would go with.

 

[Yax]

Why don't you just buy a house, pay $400-$500 more at most, and get that money back in the form of tax returns at the end of the year which ultimately ends up costing you less thatn $700/month.

Then when you save enough money to buy a bigger home, you can sell that one and use the equity as a down payment on the new, bigger and better home.

or wait, someone has to pay the landlord I guess.

Edit - A word from your landlord: your rent will go up next year and the year after that, and the year after that and...

 

[DerwenArtos12]

2

 

[PunDogg]

u might be happier with #2 later on, also which has better police and less crime rate and such, so when the kid grows up. Good luck

Dogg

 

[PTCvette]

#2 for sure... We lived in an apartment Peachtee City (Amli at Kedron, a really nice one) and both work in Fayetteville. Got tired of the apartment living after about 6 years of it so we bought a house in Newnan... It added about 20 minutes to our drive each way, but it was well worth it! I say go for the house!

Jeff

 

[alm99]

I think thats what we will do, but I am not sure though the landlord lives in Texas while the house is in Woodstock, GA. She says she has multiple properties and we are tired of living in the apartment complex. We are no where near being able to be in a position to buy a home. I wish we were, but sadly that will most likely be 5-10 years down the road.

 

[Isla]

The safety/community health of the neighborhood is really the most important thing.

Also, you want to be near a support system... do you have friends/family close to where you are now?

The kid is not going to care THAT much about bigger yard, garage, etc.

This is what I would do:

Think long term. If you save, where can you be in 4 years? Where do you want your child to go to kindergarten, grow up, etc? Your kid won't remember a whole lot before age 5 anyway.

Best Wishes!

 

[Christoph]

Originally posted by: notfred
Really, I'd take the house. What's an extra 10 minutes in the car? I mean you're already driving anyway.

10 minutes each way for him and the wife, say 20 days a month = 13 extra hours in the car

I'd stay put unless you're buying the house or are really sick of apartment life.