So the girlfriend and I have been apartment hunting lately and we've narrowed it down to two places. I'd like to get your opinions on which to choose.

Apartment 1
Location: South Hadley, MA
Price: $1200
Rooms: 2 bedroom
Pros: Built in 2004. This apartment has a 1 car garage. Central air and gas heat. Brand new stainless steel appliances. Has a deck in the backyard. Area is good.
Cons: 30 minutes from work, possibly more with traffic. $275 more per month than the other apartment.



Apartment 2
Location: West Springfield, MA
Price: $925
Rooms: 2
Pros: $275 less than the other apartment. 10 minutes from work. Area is good. Refinished basement, essentially making it a 3 bedroom. Has a deck in the backyard. Dead end street for security Close to lots of things. Brand new fridge.
Cons: No dishwasher. No garage. "Older" feel to apartment. Electric baseboard heating.



So that's basically where I stand. Thoughts? I'm stumped on which to choose.

 

Apartment 1 = garage

/endthread

 

The one without a dishwasher; does it have a garbage disposal? Therein lies your answer.

 

gas heat will be a lot more efficient in the winter then electric heat. Besides, the first one has a garage, clear winner here.

 

How long you looking to stay in the new place? $300/month + savings from the shorter commute is a decent chunk of extra loot to invest or play with every month.

 

We're probably only going to be in the new place for a year or two. We want to relocate to Florida once she's done with her doctorate program. Otherwise, we would be looking to buy a house up here.

 

I'd say live as modestly as you can until she has income again. In an ideal world I'd say the one with the garage has bette resale appeal - but you're just renting!

Go cheap, but inquire as to the monthly electric costs to determine if any big differences exist between operating costs of the two places.

In all likelihood I'd pick the cheaper place as you'll be there for a relatively shorter period of time.

 

Oh she already works full time. Her program is at night.

 

For one year? I'd go cheap, you can eat off paper plates and plastic utensils for a year and never miss a dishwasher for that $3,600 savings. Even buying disposable utensils and electric heating won't net anywhere close to the extra $300/mo. For $1200/mo, you should be making a mortgage payment, not paying rent. Maybe tell the more expensive place that you will rent it for $900/mo, and see if they agree.

 

not to mention the time and fuel savings