Apartment Dilemma

[Hitoshura]

My roommate finished up this semester and is moving out. I put in the 30 day notice and started to look for my own place. Found a some very nice studios near an am/pm, very good grocery store, cell phone provider, hydroponics, everything.

The problem is my choices.

$350 sounds like a great price, the only thing is that it's on the top floor, older carpet, fridge, stove, but nice back patio for smoking, drinking, BBQ, etc.

$395 for the other but it's on the bottom floor in a very nice, hidden, isolated area. New carpet, new stove and new fridge, a back area sorta like the top one, slightly bigger, shared with other apartments though.

The only thing that I am really worried about is the 46" Sony HDTV I will be lugging in there. Are people less prone to attempt to steal from a top floor? I am going to take pictures on Monday so you can see more or less why it's so hard to choose, the extra $45 you pay really shines. I realize BG isn't an lj, but I figure a lot of you probably live on your own too, so any opinions and suggestions are appreciated.

[Mertron]

The fuck do you live where housing is that cheap

or is this university housing

Edit: To answer your question, visibility is the key to crime. If you live on the ground floor but can have the TV out of view of say windows or whatnot, then you should be fine. Otherwise yeah, the top floor is the better bet. Unless the bottom floor is that much better.

[Pikarya]

$395 for the other but it's on the bottom floor in a very nice, hidden, isolated area. New carpet, new stove and new fridge, a back area sorta like the top one, slightly bigger, shared with other apartments though.

Never get a bottom floor apartment. Unless the apartment complex has a newer/more modern blueprint, along with soundproofing built into the insulation.

[Null]

Was just about to ask the same. Seriously I wish to move there. Even the shittiest places here are $700

I've never worried about thieves though, is it really in a bad area? Always had lower level apartments.

[Pringles]

I'd personally go for the nicer apt with newer appliances. Bottom floors are always my favorite for in case of emergency you can get out faster (ie fire). In the end for theft,if someone wants it bad enough they'll take it. Just get renters insurance on your shit. And man I'd kill for 395 studios where I live

[Hitoshura]

It's actually a nice neighborhood with a lot of stores, restaurants, hotels around. Deeper down the road though there are some sketchy looking areas but this place is well taken care of.

When I pulled out of the complex I did notice some guy with kids living directly above the bottom floor apartment. I am pretty sure they jump around a lot and can probably hear all of that shit..

Edit: Found a really crappy image they provided on the ad.

http://i49.tinypic.com/2jeh5d.jpg

The ones on the top right side would be where I would probably move into.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2h5v961.jpg

Even have a "sparkling" pool.

[Mertron]

Seriously, I'm looking at those prices and I sigh. Fucking hate NJ.

[Hitoshura]

I guess central cal ain't too bad.

[Mertron]

Oh. If the guy who would be above you has kids that are gonna make a shitload of noise, itll affect you if youre above or below, but being above is better because the rattling wont be as bad.

Idk, higher apartment would be better for me, mostly because appliances dont bother me much and the patio-ish area isn't shared according to what you posted, fuck neighbors.

Friend has a ground level patio with a shared yard space, he shares it with a single mother of 3 and the kids do nothing but leave trash in the yard and expect the trash fairy to pick it up (or the wind to blow it away).

[Cephius]

Seriously, I'm looking at those prices and I sigh. Fucking hate NJ.

Fucking seconded. Can't find anything decent upstate for less than 1k.

[Akucaen]

Never get a bottom floor apartment. Unless the apartment complex has a newer/more modern blueprint, along with soundproofing built into the insulation.

This a thousand times over. My building is 10 years old and I honestly don't believe much, if any, specialized sound insulation exists. I can hear (esp. upstairs) all my neighbors sinks, conversations (murmurs, not the actual words) games, music, everything. Always get an upstairs place.

[Hitoshura]

Oh. If the guy who would be above you has kids that are gonna make a shitload of noise, itll affect you if youre above or below, but being above is better because the rattling wont be as bad.

Idk, higher apartment would be better for me, mostly because appliances dont bother me much and the patio-ish area isn't shared according to what you posted, fuck neighbors.

Friend has a ground level patio with a shared yard space, he shares it with a single mother of 3 and the kids do nothing but leave trash in the yard and expect the trash fairy to pick it up (or the wind to blow it away).

Yeah the patio is completely isolated and has it's own little security gate around it, weird thing is there is a house directly behind it and you can see the back yard and pretty much anyone who would happen to go out there lol. I am probably safer off smoking inside.

[Chun Liroy]

Seriously, I'm looking at those prices and I sigh. Fucking hate NJ.

My parents rent out a house on the beach for 1500 a week (in the summer) ... and that's low compared to around us <_<;;; Shit's small as fuck too

[Hitoshura]

The pathetic thing is, that studio is bigger than this entire 2 bedroom apartment I am still living in. Place was made for fucking molemen.

[Pikarya]

Seriously, I'm looking at those prices and I sigh. Fucking hate NJ.

Fucking seconded. Can't find anything decent upstate for less than 1k.

And this is why I left NJ. Screw 1.4k/mo. just to not live by trash.

[Haiko]

I guess central cal ain't too bad.

wtf are you talking about? I live at Modesto and apartments here are 550+ and most of these are shitty condition..

[SephYuyX]

All the 'thats inexpensive' comments >.> I thought it was expensive for a studio lol. Can rent a new two bed, two bath for that much here.

[Tythera]

All the 'thats inexpensive' comments >.> I thought it was expensive for a studio lol. Can rent a new two bed, two bath for that much here.

Nobody wants to live in Ohio

Edit: I pay $935 for a 1100 square foot one bedroom apartment, this town is either expensive or college kid slums, shit sucks

[Chun Liroy]

Nobody wants to live in Ohio

Says the person from Indiana.

[Tythera]

Sure beats the fuck out of most of the Midwest, though get me transferred somewhere warmer and I'm outta here