Layout:
Home > Housing and other somewhat related questions

Housing and other somewhat related questions

April 27th, 2014 at 03:48 am

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. Smile 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. Smile

---
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?

===
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.

11 Responses to “Housing and other somewhat related questions”

  1. Kiki Says:
    1398569152

    I live in a small 700 sf apartment in Sacramento (and am jealous of the rent mentioned!). My gas and electric run about $60 a month combined for a high month (which is July and January because of heat/cold). Is there no laundry facilities at the apartment you are considering?

    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!

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1398569980

    Thanks Kiki!

    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.

    --
    Looking at the cards that way ... the 5% deal still seems like it'd be the better deal. I'm glad I asked!

  3. MonkeyMama Says:
    1398573575

    When I lived with roommates, they all had cable and I never partook. IT was never an issue. It was probably fairly obvious that I never watched cable and couldn't afford it. BUT, I never understand why it's assumed you have to pay for cable with roommates. I'd think it's something you could work out case by case. Heck, these days, people are probably more open to cheaper alternatives or just watching TV on computers. That said, I am sure it's wise to plan ahead and work up a worst case expense scenario. I'd keep it in mind, but just wouldn't assume that you have no other option.

    I wouldn't live in a sketchy area. But, it depends. Sometimes people's ideas of sketchy areas = Rolleyes 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.

  4. mamasita Says:
    1398601553

    I also wouldn't bother with the rough areas, not worth the risks just to save a little cash. If you want to live as cheaply as possible, I would go the roommate route.

  5. scfr Says:
    1398602237

    Regarding utility deposits, I've always had to pay them, and it doesn't matter what your history or credit score is. It's been a flat fee that everyone pays. Usually the deposit gets credited to your account after you have paid your bills on time for a certain period (usually 6 months or 1 year). The exception is my propane supplier keeps the deposit until we move or die - curses.

    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.

  6. MonkeyMama Says:
    1398604309

    Interesting scfr. I don't think I have ever paid a utility deposit. (I googled a bit to see if this is true. Or if I just don't remember. It seems to be true that all local utilities just require a decent credit score). I suppose it varies by region.

  7. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1398608438

    Thanks everyone!

    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.

  8. creditcardfree Says:
    1398609236

    I like the roommate plan over the sketchy area rental. I also think you can leave cable up to the roommate. That alone may tell you something about the roommate! Smile I have had to pay deposits to some utilities (and this utility required it of all first time users, it was refunded after 3 years), others the credit score is enough to avoid. I think it really depends on the utility.

  9. Kiki Says:
    1398615054

    I've never paid deposits on utilities either. Good credit scores meant I didn't have to?

  10. Looking Forward Says:
    1398615341

    The two bedroom w/a roommate (if it would be easy to get one) sounds like a good plan. I don't think you are going to need a bunch of letters - a good credit score and money in hand for the rent & deposit I think will be more than enough. Smile AND I'd think electric/gas will be lower than $100, but it is better to plan for higher. AND I wouldn't worry about getting cable just to attract a roommate.. but you might get a cheap new customer rate for yourself once you land a job. Smile

  11. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1398615906

    CCF - Heh! Yeah, whether they want to pay extra for cable or not probably would tell me something about them. Smile (Of course NE pays for cable - extended channels too....)

    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.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]