Ok, next month I am eligible to terminate my crazy expensive lease so long as I move into another unit at a property managed by my current landlord.
I have found 2 good options that meet this criteria.
Apartment A: 7.5 miles from work, 3 miles from Caltrain, 3 miles from a Costco. I would move in with a guy that has a 2bd/2ba place at this complex. Google maps estimates bike commute to work is 40 minutes each way (several lights, expressway crossings, etc). $1000/mo.
Apartment B: 2.5 miles from work, 1.5 miles from Caltrain, 5 miles from a Costco. I have found another woman moving here next month who is willing to sign a lease on a 2bd/2ba at this place with me. 15 minute bike commute each way to work. $1300/mo.
I have a debt emergency and need to maximize cashflow over the next 6 months (selling house). I do not have a car, and currently bike 3 miles to work each day.
I have considerable anxiety about taking Apartment A, since it is in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and I would be committing myself to a longer bike commute. I also think that I would be more compatible with the roommate in Apt. B. But, I would save an additional $300/mo moving in to Apt. A. I have done a dry run of the bike commute from Apt A; it made me really tired, and there were some sections I'm still iffy on doing in the dark at rush hour. But, I suppose I would adapt to the commute in a few weeks. What do you all think?