So as I'm getting closer and closer to my move to NE, I have been looking harder at housing. I'll be staying with NE until I find a place of my own, and I'm assuming that means that I'll need to find a job and probably have at least one paycheck before I'll be considered.
I let go of a lot of my furniture, etc. before starting grad school 5 years ago, and will be letting go of more furniture/stuff prior to moving. So that means I could go with something really small easily.
I haven't paid rent for 3 years and I haven't paid utilities (other than Internet) for 8? years. I'm planning on asking my principal and the mobile home park manager to write some kind of letter of reference/explanation for the 3 years of no rent, and then ask the woman I stayed with for 4 months and my mom who I rented a room from for 9 or so months to also write letters of reference.
As for the utilities ... I'm guessing that I'm going to have to pay security deposits since it has been so long since I've had a utility account. Anyone know if a near 800 credit score would allay that possibility??
In looking on Craigslist for the town I'm moving to, I found some places for $330 - 360 that are around 4 - 500 sqft. I asked NE about the addresses/location of these places, and he let me know that they are not in very safe/decent areas.
So I checked out the various apartment rental sites, and the cheapest place I could find (that allows pets) has a 1 bedroom for $430 and includes high-speed Internet (as well as water/garbage.) I'm guessing that electric/gas will add $100/month. So, I'm looking at $530/month for housing. (A 2 bedroom goes for $450/month at the same place. NE thinks it's silly to do the 1 bedroom when it's only a difference of $20. Maybe I could do the 2 bedroom and get a roommate?? If I had a roommate, then I'd probably have to have cable, right?)
The place I'm looking at is across the street from NEs apartment complex - he says he doesn't have a problem with me being so close by. That would mean I'd be within biking distance of a great park for walking/biking.
I have thought about trying to see if I could just rent a room in someones home (then get rid of a lot more of my stuff too ... ) but Kari (my cat) complicates that idea a lot. Plus I'm not sure it'd be that much less expensive.
One thing I'm going to really really really miss about my place here is having a washer/dryer/laundry room.
$530 would be about 38% of my current take home. So if the job I eventually find pays the same or less, AND doesn't have health insurance ... That'd be a huge bite.
Then there's the question of how long to take a lease for. I was figuring a year ... but NE and I were talking the other night and he was asking me about what I'd been finding. Then he mentioned that he thinks the management company for the complexes in his neighborhood offer 6 month leases.... I've made it clear that I'm not interested in living together without being married. I'm guessing a 6 month lease might be more expensive than a 1 year lease?
What do you all think? Risk living in a sketchy area (according to NE druggies hang out in this area, lots of car break ins, etc.) for $300-$350/month. Or rent a place in the complex across the street from NE -- 1 bedroom for $420/mo --- or a 2 bedroom for $450/mo ... then maybe have a roommate (add basic cable) and charge $250/month?
I know I still have time to figure this all out, but it's going through my head now, so thought I'd ask and see what ya'll think.
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Other question. I'm not a math person, so am wondering if those of you who are can help me out with this.
I have a cc that pays me 5% cash back on gas/gas station spending.
I have another cc that pays 2% cash back on gas/gas station spending -- but if you have your rewards deposited into a checking/savings account at a particular bank, they give you a bonus 10% (I'm guessing on the total rewards earned that month or perhaps on the amount being transferred?)
Am I right in thinking that the second cc is the better cash back deal for gas?
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It snowed here today! It's been so nice the past week, and then it got super windy today (the dust was so bad in big G it made visibility really bad.) Then the wind quieted and I thought it had started to rain ... but looked out the window and saw it had snowed!! We sure need the moisture.
Housing and other somewhat related questions
April 27th, 2014 at 03:48 am
April 27th, 2014 at 04:25 am 1398569152
I looked at the offers only for my complex for leases: it only has a $15 difference between the 6 and 9 month leases. The 12 month lease is $21 higher than the 6 month lease. Month to month is $185 higher then the 12 month lease.
ATT has been running a promotion for cable for $19.99 a month for two years. Huge savings (about 75% off regular prices to be honest) so cable won't be expensive if you choose to have a room mate. And if you choose to get a roommate and don't want cable, the room mate gets it, sets it up and pays for it on their own.
I think that the two bedroom idea sounds good. You could rent a room and split 50/50 the costs of the apartment. Means your living expenses go from estimated 550 to maybe 275. Pretty good deal!
Live in the safe place. It is not worth ricking your life, your car, your kitty for a cheaper place to live. The peace of mind is relaxing and important with the move you are facing. I would guess you also know the area better by his apartment?
As for the credit cards:
say your spending is $100 a month.
Card A 5%: $5.
card B 2%: $2.
Need to determine what the 10% bonus is on/for? The way the description is worded I would think 10% on the amount being deposited. In this example it would be 20 cents.
I would call both cards and give them the exact same scenario: $100 in spending what does the cash back reward amount to?
Hope some of this helps, ignore what doesn't. I am excited for this new experience for you!
April 27th, 2014 at 04:39 am 1398569980
I'm thinking that way too - that the cheaper rent isn't worth the possible risks. If I do the roommate route, then I think I'd need the 1 year lease, because I'd hope to get a college student, so they'd need a place for two semesters. (by college student, I'm thinking one from the local college affiliated with the SDA church .. so I would have greater chance of having aligned values.)
There is laundry facilities at the complex -- coin operated though. Right now I have my own washer/dryer/laundry room that I can use as much as I want for free.
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Looking at the cards that way ... the 5% deal still seems like it'd be the better deal. I'm glad I asked!
April 27th, 2014 at 05:39 am 1398573575
I wouldn't live in a sketchy area. But, it depends. Sometimes people's ideas of sketchy areas = BUT, since it is not an area you are familiar with, all you can do is rely on NE's advice. & I think the pricing probably says a lot, too.
April 27th, 2014 at 01:25 pm 1398601553
April 27th, 2014 at 01:37 pm 1398602237
Regarding lease length and rent, generally speaking the shorter the lease the higher the monthly rent. But it depends. Apartment complexes keep a very close eye on their local rental market. If rents are trending up rapidly, they may offer a "deal" for a shorter lease thinking that when the lease is up rents will be much higher and they'll come out ahead in the long run. But unless you're moving to a red-hot market (like Austin has been in recent years), you'll probably pay lower rent for a longer lease.
April 27th, 2014 at 02:11 pm 1398604309
April 27th, 2014 at 03:20 pm 1398608438
SCFR - I only remember paying utility deposits in my first apartment (back in 97 ...) After that I didn't have to pay deposits. Maybe the difference was between CA (first apartment) and TX (all subsequent places)?
MM - Almost all the ads I see on Craigslist make it a selling point to say that cable is included in the monthly rent. I do like the idea of just leaving it up to the person to get it and pay for it themselves.
April 27th, 2014 at 03:33 pm 1398609236
April 27th, 2014 at 05:10 pm 1398615054
April 27th, 2014 at 05:15 pm 1398615341
April 27th, 2014 at 05:25 pm 1398615906
LF - Just have to get a job. I have gotten a place before without a job - but paid 6 months of rent in advance. I really don't want to do that this time. I don't want to stay at NEs place too long, but I'll stay as long as it takes me to get a job to satisfy the employment requirements to get an apartment.