Which type of apartment should we choose? *WE MADE OUR CHOICE*

[iamwiz82]

My girlfriend and i are moving, again)). Our first apartment together was a year lease which was sort of a test to see if we could stay together all the time. Well, we passed and now are looking into moving into an apartment which is alittle more luxurious(read: cabinet drawers on wheels, not sliding on wood). Anyways, we have four choices at an apartment complex we like.

1. first floor no fireplace - $710/mo
2. first floor fireplace - $720/mo
3. second floor no fireplace vaulted ceilings - $730/mo
4. second floor fireplace vaulted ceilings - $740/mo

We looked at choices 1 and 4 personally. I REALLY like 4, it had a view onto a lake and everything. I also love the vaulted ceilings. My girlfriend loves the fireplace. Could i justify the extra $30/mo for a vaulted ceiling and fireplace?

BTW, each apt. has space for gardening outside(the gf likes this) and also a private entrance(i like this).

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
My girlfriend and i are moving, again)). Our first apartment together was a year lease which was sort of a test to see if we could stay together all the time. Well, we passed and now are looking into moving into an apartment which is alittle more luxurious(read: cabinet drawers on wheels, not sliding on wood). Anyways, we have four choices at an apartment complex we like.

1. first floor no fireplace - $710/mo
2. first floor fireplace - $720/mo
3. second floor no fireplace vaulted ceilings - $730/mo
4. second floor fireplace vaulted ceilings - $740/mo

We looked at choices 1 and 4 personally. I REALLY like 4, it had a view onto a lake and everything. I also love the vaulted ceilings. My girlfriend loves the fireplace. Could i justify the extra $30/mo for a vaulted ceiling and fireplace?

BTW, each apt. has space for gardening outside(the gf likes this) and also a private entrance(i like this).

Just remember, second floor = carrying furniture and other heavy sh!t up stairs with railings in the way :|

amish

 

[iamwiz82]

i know, but it also means i dont have to hear anyone above me

We are currently on a 3rd floor apt, btw. That was hell.

 

[vi edit]

#1.

It's the cheapest, it's on the first floor, and fireplaces make it a bitch to arrange furniture. Trust me. I've had two places now that had fireplaces. You effectively give up a wall to put a couch/entertainment center/chair against. They are useless, and are one extra thing to pay a natural gas bill for.

 

[Mill]

I am the second floor right now. I really wish I had ground level. That being said vaulted ceilings are very nice, but a fireplace just takes up space.

 

[vi edit]

In my experience, I've heard more crap from people BELOW me than above me.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
#1.

It's the cheapest, it's on the first floor, and fireplaces make it a bitch to arrange furniture. Trust me. I've had two places now that had fireplaces. You effectively give up a wall to put a couch/entertainment center/chair against. They are useless, and are one extra thing to pay a natural gas bill for.

...but they can get you laid/mega brownie points.

amish

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
In my experience, I've heard more crap from people BELOW me than above me.

The people above me are both about 450 pounds. All I ever hear above me is stomp stomp stomp.

 

[iamwiz82]

I dont have the sheet in front of me, or i would tell you what each one is looking. I know #4 is a lake, and one looks out into a forest, one overlooks wetlands, and i dont know about the other.

 

[GasX]

I agree that fireplaces can be a nuisance. They are nice to have, but if you want the focal point of the room to be the entertainment center, you will find it hard to arrange the furniture.

 

[nord1899]

Fireplaces are nice, if you have the room for them. That is, want to dedicate an area for it. If its in your living room, it will just take up space.

I have lived in 1st floor, 2nd and 3rd floor apartments (all three story buildings). That said, I prefer the first floor. Its so easy to move your furniture in and out, to leave the apartment, etc... Of course, if the apartment building has creaky floors, well then the 2nd floor is better so you don't hear people walking around all the time.

 

[notfred]

#4. $30/month is jack sh!t. it's an extra 4%. $1/day. Isn't your satisfaction w/ the palce you live worth $1/day?

 

[iamwiz82]

no, the floors are pretty solid. The whole place is relatively new and the best part about it is that Dart(the plate/cup/container maker) is the owner and the guy who toured us said that they really dont mind dropping money to fix any problems. It comes with a 24 hr. repair guarantee.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: notfred
#4. $30/month is jack sh!t. it's an extra 4%. $1/day. Isn't your satisfaction w/ the palce you live worth $1/day?

i could keep saying that up to $1000/mo, ya know? A line has to be drawn somewhere.

 

[iamwiz82]

i should mention that we will also receive $1000 off our rent over the year, we can split it however we want, as long as the first month is paid in full. I'll prob. do the $90.91 off per month.

 

[notfred]

ok, get the apartment w/ no view, no fireplace, noisy people above you, and low ceilings, then. After all, you'll be able to afford an extra can of coke or two every day.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: notfred
ok, get the apartment w/ no view, no fireplace, noisy people above you, and low ceilings, then. After all, you'll be able to afford an extra can of coke or two every day.

sounds like where i am now.

 

[toant103]

#4

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: notfred
#4. $30/month is jack sh!t. it's an extra 4%. $1/day. Isn't your satisfaction w/ the palce you live worth $1/day?

i could keep saying that up to $1000/mo, ya know? A line has to be drawn somewhere.

its a good point but i think we all can agree (except vi_edit) that $30 a month isnt a big deal to have a sense of satisfaction.

I'd say go with 4. a view of the lake sounds nice.

 

[RossMAN]

Unless it gets stinkin' hot where you are (does the place come with central air or at least a/c?) I would choose #4.

Top floor means no elephants up above and no peeping Tom's.

Where did you say the address is BTW?

<--- fetches his tall ladder and digicam.

 

[bunker]

#3

You'll rarely use the fireplace and you won't hear people stomping around above you. I've lived in about 9 apartments in my life and have experience with every arrangement you've suggested there.

Trust me on the fireplace thing, it's a novelty at first that becomes nothing but a pia. Plus, as was mentioned above, it screws you with the furniture arranging.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: notfred
ok, get the apartment w/ no view, no fireplace, noisy people above you, and low ceilings, then. After all, you'll be able to afford an extra can of coke or two every day.

sounds like where i am now.

Would you care to tell me again why you want to move?

BTW, me and my gf pay $740/mo for a place w/ vaulted cielings, second floor, no fireplace, and a view of some townhouses and the street.

 

[nord1899]

Okay, the money should not be an issue here since the difference is so small. $740 is a very little increase over $710.

So basically it narrows down to what you want:
1st Floor pros - Walk in/out of your apartment without stairs, moving furniture in/out is easier, patio/yard access is easier.
1st Floor cons - Can possibly hear the people upstairs walk around, if they have a loud stereo you will hear it more easily.
2nd Floor pros - Less likely to hear the people below you. Better view since you are higher up.
2nd Floor cons - Furniture is a pain. According to your profile, you are in Michigan, so you would have to deal with ice/snow on the stairs (unless they are enclosed).

The fireplace could be useful since you live in a cold climate. Just remember that it removes one wall from your living room (I assume thats where it is). Which makes it more difficult to plan out an entertainment center style living room. Don't know if its a real fire place (wood logs and all) or a fake (natural gas). The first one is a bit messy to clean, the other increases your gas bill.

Vaulted ceilings kick ass, period.

 

[GasX]

I am so jealous of this whole <$1000 / month rent thing...

I am moving to Hoboken after my house closes in September and will be speding a MINIMUM of $1200 w/o parking for a small apartment.

 

[vi edit]

its a good point but i think we all can agree (except vi_edit) that $30 a month isnt a big deal to have a sense of satisfaction.

It's not just about $30. It's about convenience. I hate moving crap up stairs, and fireplaces that are nothing more than esthetic props are useless IMHO. You get more space, and an easier place to move things in and out of, and you happen to save $360 a year as a bonus. That's a cable tv/cell phone/better net access payment for a year.