Apologies up front for the simplistic words of "bad"/"great". Would you rather live in a really nice home (apartment, condo or house even!) that's renovated or new, has all sorts of great features and roomy in a sketchy area OR an old, shabby and small place in a good neighborhood? Both homes, in this situation, would be the same cost/rent.
I've been wondering this question for awhile. I currently live in a one bedroom in a really nice neighborhood that has overall low crime (violent and otherwise), great schools, amazing grocery stores (apparently in nice neighborhoods in my city, grocery prices are low and there's a large variety), very walkable, has lots of friendly neighbors, active civic association, nice parks, etc. However, my apartment itself is pretty old and in need of renovation. It's also small, for what I pay for.
On the other side of town, for the same monthly rent I am currently paying, I could be living in a larger renovated space with nicer appliances. I could actually have space to have guests over and not feel super crowded! However, it would be in an area that has more break-ins, scarcity of grocery stores (considered a food desert), be faraway from my favorite restaurants and I wouldn't feel safe walking around at night.
Sometimes, when I look around my current apartment and think about fancier places that could technically cost the same amount of money, I wonder this question. What would you all do in this situation? I'm not in any hurry at all, just contemplating about my values and priorities for the next couple of years....thank you!
November 22, 2018 at 05:10AM
