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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 18:14:48 GMT
DH and I have been tossing around the idea of moving. We live in an oldish apartment complex (built in the early 70s). There's a new 55+ place very close by...dh is 67 so we would qualify. We went to look today. OMG. It's so nice. They have a huge apartment with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, dining room, etc. It's about 400 square feet bigger than what we have. And its almost $700 a month more than what we pay  We could afford it but we'd have to make some big changes in our very comfortable lifestyle. I wish we hadn't looked!! |
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Post by disneypal on Apr 18, 2015 18:20:50 GMT
It sounds beautiful but that would be a BIG adjustment to get use to - Maybe you could find something just as nice but not quite as much as a strain on your budget!
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,710
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Apr 18, 2015 18:23:25 GMT
Are you currently renting your place?
Does the $ in the rent for the new place include extras like use of a pool, recreation room, covered parking, other items?
You must compare the 2 - pro/con list and then make the decision.
I made the decision to buy my condo unit (highrise style) because of the many different amenities and the location. Worth the difference in price.
Good luck! |
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Post by lancermom on Apr 18, 2015 18:27:33 GMT
What is included in the rent? Utilities? I manage a 55+ building. We inude all, but telephone. We also provide housecleaning, wifi and more, Figure out all of your expenses, in the end there may not be as big of a difference as you think.
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 18:28:18 GMT
The big difference is the extra square footage. It's also brand new. There is covered parking (under the building) for one car. Oh, it has in unit washers and dryers too. It's really really nice. Ugh. LOL.
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 18:29:14 GMT
What is included in the rent? Utilities? I manage a 55+ building. We inude all, but telephone. We also provide housecleaning, wifi and more, Figure out all of your expenses, in the end there may not be as big of a difference as you think. Nothing is included. There are also no leases. |
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 18:32:59 GMT
Are you currently renting your place?
Does the $ in the rent for the new place include extras like use of a pool, recreation room, covered parking, other items?
You must compare the 2 - pro/con list and then make the decision.
I made the decision to buy my condo unit (highrise style) because of the many different amenities and the location. Worth the difference in price.
Good luck! yes, we rent. We'll sit down later and do some more math. It would be the ultimate incentive for dh to quit smoking. You have to be 25 feet away from the buildings to smoke (and we'd save $225 or more a month there) |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Apr 18, 2015 18:54:10 GMT
This is why I don't like to go into model homes. I come home feeling like I live in the city dump...
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Post by papersilly on Apr 18, 2015 18:54:45 GMT
You had me at in-unit washer dryer.
Als, as you get older, will the space, layout and amenities be more beneficial for you? If so, it at be worth the extra money? Something to consider.
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 18:56:11 GMT
I forgot to mention the elevator, didn't I?
I tried to take a nap and couldn't sleep. DH and I are discussing what changes we can make now...
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Post by christine58 on Apr 18, 2015 18:57:56 GMT
GO for it.. tighten your belts. (LOL) After all you and your DH have been through..this place sounds like it has your names on it.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Apr 18, 2015 19:26:36 GMT
You will also save money if you don't have to pay to do laundry. Depending on how much you do, it could be substantial.
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 19:34:22 GMT
You will also save money if you don't have to pay to do laundry. Depending on how much you do, it could be substantial. DH said he only spends about $25 a month on laundry. I should sell the part where I could do it if it was in our apartment, right? We sat out on our balcony and talked and our downstairs neighbors came out. They are both retired and also went to see the new apartments...the wife went back twice she loved it so much. They're paying significantly more rent here (just moved in a few months ago) than we are. Now I wonder what our rent will be if we renew our lease. |
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Post by hop2 on Apr 18, 2015 19:37:25 GMT
Before you make the move look into other places as well. I'd look at more than one other complex before moving into $700 a month more. You may find a middle ground somewhere. There's certainly a huge range available around here.
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Post by lucyg on Apr 18, 2015 19:41:44 GMT
This is why I don't like to go into model homes. I come home feeling like I live in the city dump... I know, and I always want to move into every model home I look at. I used to dream about the model homes.  |
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,970 
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Post by Nanner on Apr 18, 2015 20:01:15 GMT
When is your lease up? It sounds like you will definitely be paying more if others in that building already are. So, it may be much less than a $700 difference.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 21, 2024 12:53:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2015 20:03:11 GMT
If something were to happen to one of you, would you still be able to afford the rent increase? If so, I'd go for it!!
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suzastampin
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,587
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Post by suzastampin on Apr 18, 2015 20:11:05 GMT
Also, heaven forbid, would you be at an age that you could stay if something happened to hubby?
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 18, 2015 21:33:50 GMT
Great points. I just turned 53, So I if anything happened to him in the next two years I'd be out.
We made up our minds...we like our life as it is now too much to make the big sacrifices necessary to move there.
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Post by christine58 on Apr 18, 2015 22:06:23 GMT
KelleeM Maybe there's others to look at???
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Apr 18, 2015 22:33:41 GMT
That's a tough decision but I wouldn't want to give up my lifestyle for an apartment.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
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Post by Rainbow on Apr 18, 2015 22:36:11 GMT
For that much money it ought to come with a maid and chauffeur.
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Post by annabella on Apr 18, 2015 22:42:31 GMT
Also remember that a new building like that is probably going to raise the rent yearly!
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Post by AussieMeg on Apr 18, 2015 23:03:31 GMT
I don't think it's a difficult decision at all. An extra $700 a month?  It would have to be Buckingham Palace with a live in maid and cook before I'd change my comfortable lifestyle for that. |
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Post by librarylady on Apr 18, 2015 23:21:57 GMT
Remember also, that you will need to afford it on retirement income, not working income.
I am so very glad we have our home paid for--we are retired and if we had to pay housing expenses each month, our life would be shockingly different.
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Post by mdpea on Apr 19, 2015 1:55:29 GMT
We just moved my elderly mother into a gated community for over 65's. She wishes she'd done it a long time ago & all her friends who visit wish they could afford it.
I say if you can afford it & you know you would enjoy it do it! You deserve it.
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Post by mdpea on Apr 19, 2015 2:00:17 GMT
I forgot to add, when we worked out all the expenses of running her house, this new apartment costs her far less to run.
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Post by mom on Apr 19, 2015 2:12:20 GMT
Are you currently renting your place?
Does the $ in the rent for the new place include extras like use of a pool, recreation room, covered parking, other items?
You must compare the 2 - pro/con list and then make the decision.
I made the decision to buy my condo unit (highrise style) because of the many different amenities and the location. Worth the difference in price.
Good luck! yes, we rent. We'll sit down later and do some more math. It would be the ultimate incentive for dh to quit smoking. You have to be 25 feet away from the buildings to smoke (and we'd save $225 or more a month there) Does DH want to quit smoking? Would he be so unhappy if he had to move AND quit smoking? |
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Post by heartcat on Apr 19, 2015 9:44:54 GMT
I see that you have already made up your mind, and can understand the choice you made. I think that especially if you would be renting, as opposed to buying and there being a chance for the more expensive place to gain more equity, that I would probably have made the same choice....lesser space/place but more money for other things. I do like the idea of looking around and seeing what else is available that would be a compromise, if you are able to afford more, and might be able to get something that would make your life easier or happier in some way (such as having laundry facilities right there, more space, newer building, etc.). Since you do not 'need' to move, and are in no rush, but there are some things that you might like to have, and could afford to have, you are in a good position. You can decide when and what it is you really want without feeling that you have no options. Not a lot of people can do that, and it's nice that you and dh have that ability.  |
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Post by KelleeM on Apr 19, 2015 10:14:47 GMT
I can't tell you how much I appreciate reading all of your posts.
We really are in a good position in that we can afford to live in a "better" place but are comfortable where we are now. We also don't have to move. Our lease runs until the end of July which is also another strike against us moving to this new place...it may very well be fully rented by then. A second strike against it is that they do not have leases. Tenants are at will and the rent can be raised with thirty days notice. Our neighbor told us that when they first started renting these units the rent was listed as $150 higher than it is now so who knows what they'll do once they're full and pretty much have people in a position where moving would be difficult. For almost $2000 a month I would really prefer to move closer to where my job and family are. I really dislike living where the housing costs are so high!!
I still have 15 years to work before I can retire so the retirement income wouldn't be an issue for quite some time.
As far as dh and the smoking...he says he wants to quit but when he quit three years ago he was a very unpleasant person (and this guy is usually the friendliest, kindest, most fun to be around guy) so there is that to consider. And being "forced" to quit by a move would not be a good thing for him at all.
DH really loves where we live and there are some great things about it. Our building is located on the edge of a state forest. We see all kinds of animals out our balcony window. It's also very quiet. For an apartment complex our building is small and our neighbors are pretty quiet and respectful of each other. We have enough room without it being too big. One downfall is that we don't have enough room to have anyone over for a meal. Our kitchen is tiny and the table can only seat four people...even then it's tight as someone is sitting right up against the refrigerator door.
We may look to see what else is available in our more modest price range but I'm guessing we'll probably stay where we are awhile longer.
Thanks so much for your posts!!
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We could afford it but we'd have to make some big changes in our very comfortable lifestyle. 
It would have to be Buckingham Palace with a live in maid and cook before I'd change my comfortable lifestyle for that. 
