My apartment hunting experience

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 05:04 PM

So my lease is up at the end of May. My roommate is moving in with her boyfriend. So I was left with two options...

1) Sign another 12 month lease, entirely in my name (so I would be responsible for the entire rent for the 2 bedroom apartment if I didn't find another roommate by June 1).
2) Find a new apartment for just myself.

So I looked at several places in DC. The nicest neighborhoods, I could never even dream of being able to afford. For an efficiency/studio in a decent neighborhood, there was nothing less than $700...which was for about 350 square feet (meaing I would have to get rid of half of my not even a year old furniture) and didn't ******* parking (which ranges from $100-$200 extra per month) or utilities...and all of them were older and run down and didn't have air conditioning (or just had a tiny window unit)...and they all had dorm size fridges (not the normal kitchen size)...and they were all at least 3 blocks from the metro. And I only found a couple that were $700. Most were $850-$1100.

So I started looking in Arlington (which is basically part of DC). I found several great places in the Crystal City area (which is right by the Pentagon). Of course, much pricier. But, very, very ritzy and super nice. Average square footage was 650, central air, recently renovated, etc., etc. All utilities and parking *******d in the rent...mini-mart, fitness center, tanning salon, swimming pool, internet cafe, etc. all in the building...free DSL. I decided to take this one bedroom apartment at Crystal Houses, but when I went back to the leasing office (only an hour after looking at it) it had already been taken!!

So then I went to Crystal Towers. And know I am trying to decide between a studio at Crystal Towers for $1132 or a junior one bedroom (same square footage) at Crystal Houses for $1140. I think paying that much rent is insane. But, that is pretty much just how it is in this area (if I want to live by myself and be close to a metro stop and be just 5 minutes from DC). And here's the kicker...assuming that my ex (the guy I was worried about running into a couple of Fridays ago, if anyone remembers that thread) isn't moving at the end of May, he lives in Crystal Towers in apartment 510 N. I would be moving into apartment 507 N. :erm Obviously, that shouldn't be a deciding factor, but it is something I have in the back of my head.

So, do I take one of the super nice but expensive, by my standards, apartments? Or do I keep looking and risk losing one of those apartments? Anything else I find isn't going to be as convienent (there is a metro stop across the street, I would be within walking distance of 2 malls, post office next door, etc., etc.) or as nice. Ugh. I am just so sick of this whole apartment hunting process. And I just hate to think of paying that much each month. But, considering everything that I would get for that price, it does sorta seem worth it.

Umm, yeah, this was basically a rant and a thinking out loud post. I won't even bother getting into the horror stories surrounding the DC apartment hunting.

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 05:06 PM

That's a really long post.

And another thing about the apartments in DC... Most of the lower end ones (in the $700-$900) have income restrictions, where you can't make more than $40,000 a year (so I probably couldn't live there anyway).

shaniqua · 05-03-2003, 05:14 PM

yikes... and i thought toronto prices were astronomical. *sigh*

sickbadthing · 05-03-2003, 05:25 PM

You make more than $40,000 a year?

crescentfresh · 05-03-2003, 05:27 PM

Sounds like San Diego prices.

Hmm. if it's that important to you to live close to everything and it is nice, go for the Crystal Towers. It doesn't sound like you have a lot of time to check out all of your options.

YeehaJamesIha · 05-03-2003, 05:30 PM

Well, you can look at it this way, at least you don't live in San Francisco. Here $1100 would get you a closet-sized rat infested studio in the ghetto. I think you should just find a new roommate, if you're happy with the place you have. You have a whole month, it can't be that hard to find someone.

shaniqua · 05-03-2003, 05:40 PM

you know what i hate?

during the may - aug season, all the prime apartments are SUBLETS. jesus, if you have to run back to mommy and daddy for the summer, you don't deserve to keep the apartment. grr.

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by YeehaJamesIha
I think you should just find a new roommate, if you're happy with the place you have. You have a whole month, it can't be that hard to find someone.

But, I don't like where I am. The studio in Crystal Towers is practically bigger than this 2 bedroom. And this apartment is on the first floor, has no air conditioning, and is infested with ants. But yeah, it probably wouldn't be that hard to find someone in a month. But, if I don't find someone, there is no way I could afford to pay the entire rent for this place.

wounded · 05-03-2003, 05:46 PM

my friend is paying $550 for just a room in DC this summer.

i've had some of the same experiences. i'm off on my own for next semester. i found an effieciency pretty close to campus for $385 +electric and it's of descent size, 450sq feet. but i'm used to a two bedroom now, but i'll make it work.

lexington prices suck as well, they take advantage that a big portion of the city is college students that HAVE to have a place to stay. the closer to campus the shittier the apartments the higher the price

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sickbadthing
You make more than $40,000 a year?

Comes with having a master's degree.

sickbadthing · 05-03-2003, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueStar

Comes with having a master's degree.

Then you should have no problem paying $900 a month for an apartment. What is it? Debt?

mpp · 05-03-2003, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueStar

Comes with having a master's degree.

you're so rich

if i made $10,000, i could live like a fucking king

Junebug · 05-03-2003, 06:02 PM

the Crystal Towers place sounds really nice. Especially if you don't have that much time and don't like the place you're living in now. But I have no idea what I'm talking about so...yeah.

Quote:

Originally posted by mpp

you're so rich

if i made $10,000, i could live like a fucking king

dude no kidding. I feel like I'm going to be poor for the rest of my life. with 40k.... more easy for me EVER, man.

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sickbadthing

Then you should have no problem paying $900 a month for an apartment. What is it? Debt?

Yeah, I've got a lot of student loans I have to start paying back in June. So, I can afford it, but money will be a little tight.

wounded · 05-03-2003, 06:35 PM

what did you get your master in?

i don't feel like reading through the entire rant if you stated it in there.

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wounded
what did you get your master in?

Public Administration (MPA) (Just like an MBA, but for the public/government/nonprofit sector instead of the private sector.)

BlueStar · 05-03-2003, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueStar
And here's the kicker...assuming that my ex (the guy I was worried about running into a couple of Fridays ago, if anyone remembers that thread) isn't moving at the end of May, he lives in Crystal Towers in apartment 510 N. I would be moving into apartment 507 N. :erm Obviously, that shouldn't be a deciding factor, but it is something I have in the back of my head.

Yeah, I think I'm just going to take the studio apartment in Crystal Towers. But, I think it is a little fucked up that I am going to be living across the hall from this guy.

dishpan · 05-03-2003, 10:58 PM

do you have a car? if so, just move over here by GMU. you could live in a new place in manassas for half the price thats as nice as there, and its only like 30 mins straight down 66. gas is a lot cheaper the farther you get out of dc too =). if you really wanted to metro, the last orange line stop is 10 mins away.
dan

DeadSwan · 05-05-2003, 12:17 AM

good luck! i'm trying to find one in nyc by may 21st. fucking yikes. i've got a potentional place, $750 a month for a 3-month sublet, shared with another person. my friend jeff would move in, too, and we'd split the $750. it's newly remodeled, hardwood floors, roof access...i really liked it. fucking cheap as hell for nyc.

Blank · 05-05-2003, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueStar

Yeah, I think I'm just going to take the studio apartment in Crystal Towers. But, I think it is a little fucked up that I am going to be living across the hall from this guy.

I don't know what happened with the guy, but it sounds like that is going to be terrible. You will run into him all the time.

BlueStar · 05-05-2003, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dishpan
do you have a car? if so, just move over here by GMU. you could live in a new place in manassas for half the price thats as nice as there, and its only like 30 mins straight down 66. gas is a lot cheaper the farther you get out of dc too =). if you really wanted to metro, the last orange line stop is 10 mins away.

Yeah, but I don't want to live that far away from DC. And I think anything more than 1 metro stop away from being inside of DC is too far.

I filled out all the paperwork yesterday and gave them a check. So I am now all set to move in at the end of May. Or I can move in earlier if my landlord will give me back half of the May rent. The apartment I am moving into will be ready on May 10th, but I already paid for all of May for the place I am in now (and my roommate is planning on moving out of here on May 9th). So I'll try talking to my landlord, but he'll probably be an ass and not give us back part of May's rent (in which case I'll wait and not move until the end of May).

BlueStar · 05-05-2003, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blank

I don't know what happened with the guy, but it sounds like that is going to be terrible. You will run into him all the time.

I actually decided on another studio apartment in Crystal Towers. It is $20 more a month, but it is WAY nicer than the other one. And it is on the 4th floor. But, when I look out my window, I can see this guy's balcony on the 5th floor...which means that when he is outside on his balcony, he can look right down into my apartment.

But, since I will be on a different floor from him, maybe I won't run into him as often. And it is entirely possible that I will never run into him. But yeah, I don't think it'll be a really bad situation, but it won't be a fun situation either. But, I can't let the fact that he lives there (and, again, he may be moving at the end of the month when his lease is up) stop me from living there.

Skibber Bee Bye · 05-05-2003, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueStar

Yeah, I've got a lot of student loans I have to start paying back in June.

OMG GISH MONTH!!!

05-03-2003, 05:04 PM	#1
BlueStar Newly independent Location: Some state's capitol building Posts: 7,242	My apartment hunting experience So my lease is up at the end of May. My roommate is moving in with her boyfriend. So I was left with two options... 1) Sign another 12 month lease, entirely in my name (so I would be responsible for the entire rent for the 2 bedroom apartment if I didn't find another roommate by June 1). 2) Find a new apartment for just myself. So I looked at several places in DC. The nicest neighborhoods, I could never even dream of being able to afford. For an efficiency/studio in a decent neighborhood, there was nothing less than $700...which was for about 350 square feet (meaing I would have to get rid of half of my not even a year old furniture) and didn't ***** parking (which ranges from $100-$200 extra per month) or utilities...and all of them were older and run down and didn't have air conditioning (or just had a tiny window unit)...and they all had dorm size fridges (not the normal kitchen size)...and they were all at least 3 blocks from the metro. And I only found a couple that were $700. Most were $850-$1100. So I started looking in Arlington (which is basically part of DC). I found several great places in the Crystal City area (which is right by the Pentagon). Of course, much pricier. But, very, very ritzy and super nice. Average square footage was 650, central air, recently renovated, etc., etc. All utilities and parking ****d in the rent...mini-mart, fitness center, tanning salon, swimming pool, internet cafe, etc. all in the building...free DSL. I decided to take this one bedroom apartment at Crystal Houses, but when I went back to the leasing office (only an hour after looking at it) it had already been taken!! So then I went to Crystal Towers. And know I am trying to decide between a studio at Crystal Towers for $1132 or a junior one bedroom (same square footage) at Crystal Houses for $1140. I think paying that much rent is insane. But, that is pretty much just how it is in this area (if I want to live by myself and be close to a metro stop and be just 5 minutes from DC). And here's the kicker...assuming that my ex (the guy I was worried about running into a couple of Fridays ago, if anyone remembers that thread) isn't moving at the end of May, he lives in Crystal Towers in apartment 510 N. I would be moving into apartment 507 N. :erm Obviously, that shouldn't be a deciding factor, but it is something I have in the back of my head. So, do I take one of the super nice but expensive, by my standards, apartments? Or do I keep looking and risk losing one of those apartments? Anything else I find isn't going to be as convienent (there is a metro stop across the street, I would be within walking distance of 2 malls, post office next door, etc., etc.) or as nice. Ugh. I am just so sick of this whole apartment hunting process. And I just hate to think of paying that much each month. But, considering everything that I would get for that price, it does sorta seem worth it. Umm, yeah, this was basically a rant and a thinking out loud post. I won't even bother getting into the horror stories surrounding the DC apartment hunting. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

05-03-2003, 05:30 PM	#6
YeehaJamesIha Ownz Location: Miami Posts: 926	Well, you can look at it this way, at least you don't live in San Francisco. Here $1100 would get you a closet-sized rat infested studio in the ghetto. I think you should just find a new roommate, if you're happy with the place you have. You have a whole month, it can't be that hard to find someone. __________________ Suck it, trebek.

05-03-2003, 10:58 PM	#18
dishpan bestfriendless Location: Washington DC \| Dallas TX \| San Diego CA Posts: 1,712	sam do you have a car? if so, just move over here by GMU. you could live in a new place in manassas for half the price thats as nice as there, and its only like 30 mins straight down 66. gas is a lot cheaper the farther you get out of dc too =). if you really wanted to metro, the last orange line stop is 10 mins away. dan __________________ YOU ARE NOT YOUR FUCKING POST COUNT To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-03-2003, 05:06 PM	#2
BlueStar Newly independent Location: Some state's capitol building Posts: 7,242	That's a really long post. And another thing about the apartments in DC... Most of the lower end ones (in the $700-$900) have income restrictions, where you can't make more than $40,000 a year (so I probably couldn't live there anyway).

05-03-2003, 05:14 PM	#3
shaniqua Minion of Satan Location: that's my prerogative Posts: 7,420	yikes... and i thought toronto prices were astronomical. sigh

05-03-2003, 05:25 PM	#4
sickbadthing Out fart the hottie! Location: I have super gonorrhoea Posts: 24,316	You make more than $40,000 a year?

05-03-2003, 05:27 PM	#5
crescentfresh Minion of Satan Location: Diego Posts: 6,657	Sounds like San Diego prices. Hmm. if it's that important to you to live close to everything and it is nice, go for the Crystal Towers. It doesn't sound like you have a lot of time to check out all of your options.

05-03-2003, 05:40 PM	#7
shaniqua Minion of Satan Location: that's my prerogative Posts: 7,420	you know what i hate? during the may - aug season, all the prime apartments are SUBLETS. jesus, if you have to run back to mommy and daddy for the summer, you don't deserve to keep the apartment. grr.

05-03-2003, 05:46 PM	#9
wounded Apocalyptic Poster Posts: 3,773	my friend is paying $550 for just a room in DC this summer. i've had some of the same experiences. i'm off on my own for next semester. i found an effieciency pretty close to campus for $385 +electric and it's of descent size, 450sq feet. but i'm used to a two bedroom now, but i'll make it work. lexington prices suck as well, they take advantage that a big portion of the city is college students that HAVE to have a place to stay. the closer to campus the shittier the apartments the higher the price

05-03-2003, 06:35 PM	#15
wounded Apocalyptic Poster Posts: 3,773	what did you get your master in? i don't feel like reading through the entire rant if you stated it in there.

05-05-2003, 12:17 AM	#19
DeadSwan Socialphobic Location: GAZA STRIP MALL Posts: 10,828	good luck! i'm trying to find one in nyc by may 21st. fucking yikes. i've got a potentional place, $750 a month for a 3-month sublet, shared with another person. my friend jeff would move in, too, and we'd split the $750. it's newly remodeled, hardwood floors, roof access...i really liked it. fucking cheap as hell for nyc.