SpaceQuest '09, Episode 3.whatever
Mom and I looked at some more apartments today. Finally got a look at the unit at the really nice complex I've been talking about in my previous entries, as well as two lesser-priced ones in the area. And I can honestly say I'm torn.
They all look very nice, and seem to be in about equally safe neighborhoods crime-wise, and are all conveniently located with lots of shopping/etc. in the area. All have nice pools, and all but #2 have clean-looking fitness areas, assuming I ever got off my ass enough to do any working out. #1 and #3 both have nice fireplaces.
Complex #1: Referred to in previous entries as "Complex #2." Most expensive of the places I looked at. Complex has lots of amenities, the most notable being: trash pickup, storm cellars, double-sized bathtubs. Unit was very clean even though management hadn't had time to go through it yet (which I'd hope speaks to the quality of the former tenants), tinier kitchen/bedroom and closet space than I expected (though still not bad). Nice balcony. Glass doors in front of the fireplace, which would make it much easier to keep Oz from climbing in there. :P Mom was iffy about the enclosed staircase leading to the apartment, worrying about me being able to get out during a fire. Vaulted ceiling in living room. 695 sq. feet. Only one of the 3 places I looked at that didn't have the option of renting a washer/dryer, though I'm semi-considering just buying my own. $500 pet deposit.
Complex #2: Older, but the model apartment looked nice. Much larger bedroom, a ceiling fan, a plant window in the kitchen. Manager was very nice, the gated entrance is actually secured and needs a code to get in, and maintenance either lives on site or within a couple of miles. Complex seemed quiet. Cheapest of the places we looked at today; rent about $100 a month less than complex #1. Can rent a washer/dryer for an additional $40 a month. 700 sq. feet. $300 pet deposit.
Complex #3. Very new units, and many of the same amenities as #1 (no storm cellars, though; not sure about trash pickup). I almost didn't look at this place - we'd gone to look at another property, and the lady working there admitted she didn't like that other property (managed by the same company) as much as #3, and even though they were technically closed she took the time to drive with us over to #3 and show us around. 800 sq. feet - very spacious kitchen and bathroom, and new appliances. Love the design/color scheme. Decent patio. By far my favorite layout of the places we looked at. Big problem: the walls/floors seem thin; it was all too easy for Mom and I to hear the people upstairs walking around. So, noise would be a potential problem. Rent about $60 a month less than the 700 sq. ft. at #1; can also rent a washer/dryer here for $30 a month. For $10 a month more I could get an upstairs apartment with vaulted ceilings, though I'm not wild about living on the third floor. $300 pet deposit.
At the moment I'm leaning ever so slightly towards #3, because I love the layout and extra space so much. (It'd be great to have the extra space for Oz to run around in, since he's an indoor kitty and only 500 sq ft. is driving him nuts, bless his heart.) Even if I rented a washer/dryer it'd still be a little less per month than complex #1, and with W/D it's only $25 a month more expensive than #2-with-washer/dryer. But I'm not thrilled about the prospect of potentially hearing everything my neighbors are up to.
I'm trying to decide this weekend, so I can get in my 30-day notice here at my current complex in ASAP.
They all look very nice, and seem to be in about equally safe neighborhoods crime-wise, and are all conveniently located with lots of shopping/etc. in the area. All have nice pools, and all but #2 have clean-looking fitness areas, assuming I ever got off my ass enough to do any working out. #1 and #3 both have nice fireplaces.
Complex #1: Referred to in previous entries as "Complex #2." Most expensive of the places I looked at. Complex has lots of amenities, the most notable being: trash pickup, storm cellars, double-sized bathtubs. Unit was very clean even though management hadn't had time to go through it yet (which I'd hope speaks to the quality of the former tenants), tinier kitchen/bedroom and closet space than I expected (though still not bad). Nice balcony. Glass doors in front of the fireplace, which would make it much easier to keep Oz from climbing in there. :P Mom was iffy about the enclosed staircase leading to the apartment, worrying about me being able to get out during a fire. Vaulted ceiling in living room. 695 sq. feet. Only one of the 3 places I looked at that didn't have the option of renting a washer/dryer, though I'm semi-considering just buying my own. $500 pet deposit.
Complex #2: Older, but the model apartment looked nice. Much larger bedroom, a ceiling fan, a plant window in the kitchen. Manager was very nice, the gated entrance is actually secured and needs a code to get in, and maintenance either lives on site or within a couple of miles. Complex seemed quiet. Cheapest of the places we looked at today; rent about $100 a month less than complex #1. Can rent a washer/dryer for an additional $40 a month. 700 sq. feet. $300 pet deposit.
Complex #3. Very new units, and many of the same amenities as #1 (no storm cellars, though; not sure about trash pickup). I almost didn't look at this place - we'd gone to look at another property, and the lady working there admitted she didn't like that other property (managed by the same company) as much as #3, and even though they were technically closed she took the time to drive with us over to #3 and show us around. 800 sq. feet - very spacious kitchen and bathroom, and new appliances. Love the design/color scheme. Decent patio. By far my favorite layout of the places we looked at. Big problem: the walls/floors seem thin; it was all too easy for Mom and I to hear the people upstairs walking around. So, noise would be a potential problem. Rent about $60 a month less than the 700 sq. ft. at #1; can also rent a washer/dryer here for $30 a month. For $10 a month more I could get an upstairs apartment with vaulted ceilings, though I'm not wild about living on the third floor. $300 pet deposit.
At the moment I'm leaning ever so slightly towards #3, because I love the layout and extra space so much. (It'd be great to have the extra space for Oz to run around in, since he's an indoor kitty and only 500 sq ft. is driving him nuts, bless his heart.) Even if I rented a washer/dryer it'd still be a little less per month than complex #1, and with W/D it's only $25 a month more expensive than #2-with-washer/dryer. But I'm not thrilled about the prospect of potentially hearing everything my neighbors are up to.
I'm trying to decide this weekend, so I can get in my 30-day notice here at my current complex in ASAP.