Author Topic: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting  (Read 3502 times)

scholarmage

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Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« on: August 26, 2015, 08:00:30 PM »
I am pretty new here, so thanks in advance :) I have a problem I was wanting some advice on. I am very much an introvert and prefer to have an apartment of my own. But since I am single and do not make a large income, even studio apartments near my work in a small city are more expensive than I feel comfortable with. The quality of life with being near work (I can walk in about 10 minutes) is great, but the studio I am currently in has its issues (loud college students, no dishwasher, expensive laundry downstairs in the basement, etc.). I know I should likely get roommates if I want a better place, but I really do not want to (I am in my 30s and am done with the whole random roommate thing). Any ideas or perspectives I have not considered? I am also wondering if having a dishwasher and slightly nicer kitchen would make me cook more at home (I currently do cook at home a fair amount, but seeing piles of dishes after is not very fun!)

Kaikou

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2015, 08:18:55 PM »
I can't get behind the dishwasher idea, especially since you live alone. Sounds lazy.

firewalker

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2015, 08:29:18 PM »
I prefer peace and quiet over convenience. So, no dishwasher here and no on-site laundry. Shop around for another place. Maybe a different town and job.

Kwill

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2015, 08:36:42 PM »
I live in a city where roommates are pretty much the norm unless you are married or have a really fancy job. I've had the best luck finding roommates via church networks, but Craigslist is decent assuming you do a good job of interviewing the people.

But if everything's basically fine except for the noisy neighbors, the lack of dishwasher, and the expensive laundry, then I would suggest earplugs, a bigger dish rack so you can rinse your dishes and then do a bunch at once, and hand washing some things in your sink so that you don't have to pay for laundry as often.

If you live with roommates, then you'll have to look at their dishes and/or squabble over who is leaving the piles in the sink. If you have a dishwasher with roommates, you'll probably fight over whether or not to wash the dishes before putting them in, how to load and unload the dishwasher, etc. It's just as much trouble to wash them by hand in your own sink.

K-ice

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2015, 08:47:40 PM »
I am not sure. Your desires are not unreasonable but restrictive.

Maybe since you are a bit older and responsible you may be able to do some long term house sitting.
I basically knew a retired nanny/cleaning lady who got an entire house for free for years. You are not that old, or good at cleaning ;), but maybe something will come up.

I knew someone who rented a cheap small basement suite. But he short-term house sitted a lot to at least get a break in a nicer place. Probably made some cash too. (But these options may be too far from work.)

Maybe you could be an apartment caretaker and that will get you into a bigger place for less rent if any.

All of these options require extra responsibility but not extra cash. 

It may be time to save up and buy a place. But I do not know how rent vs buy is in your area.

Maybe someone else has some tiny home or trailer ideas.

Just trying to throw some unusual ideas out there.

As for the dishes issue. Box up everything but one mug, glass, bowl, plate etc. (Or put it really high.) Then they can't pile up and always wash dishes befor bed. Even with a dishwasher you usually still need to rinse & then wash all the pots & pans so don't think your bad habits will magically change. :)

scholarmage

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2015, 09:02:39 PM »
Thanks for the quick responses, folks :) Yeah, the dishes are not *that* much of an issue, except for Thursdays, when I have friends over for a late dinner, which means I am usually too tired to wash dishes after. I generally dry my clothes on a rack as well (if nothing else, they last longer!) I'd love a tiny house, actually, but finding a place to put one long-term is a problem (from what I can see), especially in the city. While I love rural areas, I do not drive, since I was in a really bad car accident about a year ago. I've also considered trying to buy a place, but lack the savings right now for that to be feasible, mostly due to rent being so high relative to my income. I definitely plan to look for some alternate living situations like K-ice mentioned when my lease is up, but I suppose my wanting peace and quiet is important too. It did not help that I recently moved to the city for a new job, and so was kinda rushed with apartment hunting in the first place. I've learned my lesson on that front, the next place I move to, I'll spend more time looking for. Patience, I suppose, is what I really need, not a dishwasher :)

Noodle

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2015, 09:14:38 PM »
I would definitely work on "putting the word" out. A lot of times, the best rentals come through word of mouth. My first apartment was in a great building where the grad students in my program basically "handed down" apartments as they moved out. The landlord loved us because we were quiet and on a guaranteed stipend so easy renters.

Also, you might have to make a priority list--when I bought my new place, my top three wants were two bedrooms, short commute and washer/dryer in the unit. Pretty soon I realized two out of three was feasible, but not three out of three. If it had dropped to one out of three, I probably would have kept renting. What do you care about most?

I get the dishwasher issue. I hate washing dishes and would definitely cook less if I had to wash more than the knives and the big pans. For the short term, you could think about the compostable disposable tablewares on "dinner guest" night. Not mustachian, but sometimes we need workarounds.

K-ice

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2015, 09:22:09 PM »

++ to the post above. They read my mind. Especially since you admit to not taking the time to find your current place.

I don't know how hard it would be to get out of your lease but you could at least put the word out now. When I rented it was in a high demand area with rent control and the best places were found by word of mouth.

The rules differ greatly in different cities but in some cases a landlord cannot refuse you if your friend wants to assign their lease to you. (Unless proof of bad credit.)

At least start talking to people & don't be shy to ask what they pay if you like their place. Then you will get some perspective.

KarefulKactus15

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2015, 09:26:09 PM »
I can't help you lol,  But I must say I'm envious of your situation. I would give up so much to be a 10 minute walk from work.

PMG

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Re: Wanting some advice regarding apartment renting
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2015, 09:48:21 PM »
Interesting convo.

Similar situation here. I love living alone and am so much healthier and happier without a roommate. I just settled on a tiny efficiency with some flaws. It's worth it to me.


In my experience dishwashers  take up a lot of space and rarely clean well. There are portable ones available. Portable clothes washers as well.  The Haier brand looks good, but haven't bought yet.