Looking at apartments for my FT start in the summer (non-NYC) and I've come across a dilemma. I know I will be working 60-80 hours every week and every minute of free time is precious so I'm not sure what to do about apartments.
I am choosing between three options.
1. 2 minute walk to work, great amenities, walking distance to all bars/clubs, $300/month more in rent than #2
2. Need to take bus to work, solid amenities, taxi/bus to most bars and clubs or long walk back
3. Drive to work (15 min commute), solid amenities, long taxi to bars or risk DUI most nights out, $200/month cheaper than #2
What would you guys do?
3 but it's about what you would do.
1, hands-down.
Save the cheaper or more remote place for when you aren't brand new to the team. When you're first starting, you want to prove yourself. This means long hours and hard work, a grueling prospect. On top of that, any social opportunity is precious and needs to be capitalized upon. You don't want to have to worry about how you're getting back to your place after a night out.
Your language is also pretty telling. You said the amenities were great. To me, that's worth the premium in rent alone. Then again, I place a premium on home and comfort. Still, you're saving on a commute, getting better amenities, and are more conveniently located both for work and for fun.
Pull the trigger.
2 seems like your best bet.
1 sounds great but not $500 / mo great in comparison to 3 and assuming you're young and not making truck loads of money.
Depending on how long the booze commute is, maybe suck it up and do #3 for a year or two. You say its $200 cheaper than #2 but does that factor in car payments, insurance, gas, parking, tolls, wear and tear etc?
I'm with you. If it's a 15 minute drive, probably a 20-30 minute bus ride. That's a good amount of time to get yourself woken up in the morning and maybe catch up on some emails/news if necessary. Browse reddit on your phone on the way home to clear your head.
Is the area decently safe or we talking Brooklyn?
1 easily. $300 a month is nothing. You'd pay that much for those extra 15 minutes of sleep per day alone.
I say #1.
But I also hope "risking DUI" is not and never will be a remotely viable option.
I assume it's a low stress commute if it's just 15 minutes and there is free parking?
If so, I'd go that route. Coming from DC and commuting over 30-60 minutes+ each way, 15 for me is very convenient! It's $500 a month cheaper and working 60-80 hours a week, how often will you be going out to bars and clubs? I also don't see a 15 minute cab ride as particular long.
For me, I like having a bit of separation from home and work or school. I want a mental break and physical barrier between the two, but that's me.
Having lived in all 3, 1 is far and away the most amazing thing ever. Spending money on quality of life will make you a happier person. Its very rare to regret buying something you can afford, but getting stuck in a place where the benefits of the other place is slapping you in the face every morning is rough.
I agree with this just as much as I agree with what Cookies said. The only thing is, if it's going to strain his finances a lot (ie- racking up credit card debt, unable to pay bills, unable to actually take advantage of the surrounding nightlife) it's worth it to spend a little less on living space.
1.
2 just has nothing to offer, you can burn through $300/month pretty quick on taxi rides after all. #3, if you're driving to work you'll probably have to pay to park. Again, the difference is not worth it.
Without knowing the actual rent figures its pretty hard to say. 300 bucks relative to what? You said you arent in NYC so it could matter a great deal. The difference between 600 and 900/1000 a month is pretty minimal if you're making a good base salary.
I appreciate all the inputs. Luckily I will come out of college debt free and will be living in a low COL area (think Charlotte, Atlanta, Florida) so option #1's monthly rent and utility is only 1/50 of my base before taxes.
Definitely 1.
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