What would you do?

[MonorailMan]

Okay......this is just hypothetical.........sort of.

Imagine you're in a position where you need to find a new apartment, and you have two options before you:

Would you.....

A. Choose the apartment that is extremely affordable, but has no frills? The location is alright, but you'd have to drive 10-15 minutes to get to any of the shops/galleries/bars/restaurants you really enjoy and almost nothing is within walking distance. However, you'd have quite a bit of money to play around with at the end of each month, even after paying the bills, and you'd be only 5 minutes from work.

OR........
B. Choose one that was very nice with top of the line appliances and had a great view of the city and is in a great location? It's within walking distance to a lot of your favorite hot spots, but you would have a 15 minute drive to work. You'd still have cash left over every month, but you'd be forced to be a bit more thrifty with your spending. (Less dining out.....You'd have to save up for a while to be able to afford to go on vacations.......and there'd be very little impulse buying, etc.)

 

[ABOMIBOT]

Imagine the cumulative effect each of those environments will have on you over the term of the lease. It will feed your soul and embolden you to wake up every day in a nicer environment. And do the exact opposite in the other. My two cents.

 

[rpmdfw]

Option A. Definitely. Take some of that extra cash each month and set it aside and then in a year or two, trade up on housing.

 

[wallyb]

The one that gives you more "wiggle room" financially -
cause you never know.

Plus you may want a nice WDW trip or two in the future.

 

[mikelan6]

When it comes to real estate, the key words are always "Location, location, location." But in your case I'd choose the savings. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Go with the less expensive one. Splurge on some nice rugs, pillows, art, etc. to make your surroundings more inviting. The money you save will outpace having better appliances. It's not like the less expensive place doesn't HAVE appliances, KWIM?

 

[Sphyrna]

I'd go with Option A, myself. Granted it all depends on your current situation and other factors. I've lived in some not-so-pleasant places but at the time it worked for me. Financially, it was the best thing for me at that time. With me, as long as it's a decent place I'm fine with it. Plus I'd rather be closer to work since I'm going there 5 days/wk.

 

[C&G'sMama]

I'd think option A. I like the 5 minutes from work thing. and I'm with JEG, spend a little extra money to spruce it up to your liking.

 

[PghLybrt]

I am voting "A" too. That is the bean counter in me.

 

[MonorailMan]

You're boring!
All of ya'z!!

 

[C&G'sMama]

You're boring!
All of ya'z!!

Not boring, just cheap, with WDW on my mind. Think what you could do with the extra $$.
There's a reason I live in the city (less expensive here) and don't buy brand new cars. But while my friends are sitting at home in their fancy houses and brand new vans, I'm driving my program van to Disney World.

 

[rpmdfw]

You're boring!
All of ya'z!!

You just wanted our permission to make the less sensible choice, didn't you?

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I am voting "A" too. That is the bean counter in me.

My EXACT thoughts.

I'm really excited about the 1999 car I just bought with 70,000 miles.

 

[skiingfast]

I'd go A for two reasons.

You need to drive to work 5 times a weekfrom B, can't get around it. But from A you can go to the store and bar in the same trip and probably only do it 2 or 3 times a week.

Plus with the money you save on A you can have fancier vacations.

 

[rosiep]

I'm an "A" girl.

HEY!!! I heard that!!!

NO! THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME CHEAP!!!

sleeping with all the sailors does though!

 

[rpmdfw]

sleeping with all the sailors does though!

You WISH!

 

[Gypsybear]

Well, MM, think of it this way...

Do you want to give money to help someone else pay for something that you're not going to own?

OR

Do you want to give EVEN MORE MONEY to help someone else pay for something that you're not going to own?

It's your money....but my money would be on option A...

I'm just sayin'.....

And yes, Rosie, we know you're not cheap, but....<gonna edit myself>

 

[ConcKahuna]

If you have more money each month you can use it to buy more of the things that can make an apartment comfortable and snazzy.

After all, counter-tops and appliances aren't the only decor!

 

[rosiep]

Well, MM, think of it this way...

And yes, Rosie, we know you're not cheap, but....<gonna edit myself>

Smart man.

 

[MonorailMan]

I've just got a lot of decision-making to do, I guess. I don't really have the desire to own a home at this point in time. Home ownership just never really appealed to me. (It gives me the freedom to "get up and go" if I want to.)

And you might want to lay off Rosie. She will beat you senseless.