Weighing Housing Options
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:04 pm
Lately I've been thinking of moving, but I can't seem to value the pros and cons accurately enough to make a decision.
In either case, I would be renting as I think the real estate market in my area is approaching a bubble at the moment. I have access to relatively cheap public housing (cheap compared to the town being HCOL), so I'm taking advantage of those options.
Currently, my rent is $778 + utilities. The apartment is in a decent area just outside of town giving me a commute of ~35 minutes. As I value nature, I like that there's access to both lakes and beaches within a few kilometres. I also like that it's a quiet area, as I don't enjoy living in very urban areas. I ride the bus to work, as it's the cheapest option.
Now, the offer that might be available to me costs $694 + utilities and it's much closer to the center of town. My commute would be cut down to ~15-20 minutes by bike, which is a decent plus, so I'd save on bus tickets and get exercise to boot. Additionally, I would have easy access to much more shopping options (not that I'm much of a shopper, but it would allow for easier bargain hunting). Unfortunately, I would become an urban dweller and that's not really how I prefer to live.
There's an additional twist: If I stay in my current apartment, I will most likely have an offer on hand for a small house in the current area as soon as someone vacates. This option would be even cheaper at $647 + utilities and I could see myself living in those houses for a really long time. The trouble is there's no telling when anyone moves out, it might take years or even a decade.
Anything I've failed to consider?
In either case, I would be renting as I think the real estate market in my area is approaching a bubble at the moment. I have access to relatively cheap public housing (cheap compared to the town being HCOL), so I'm taking advantage of those options.
Currently, my rent is $778 + utilities. The apartment is in a decent area just outside of town giving me a commute of ~35 minutes. As I value nature, I like that there's access to both lakes and beaches within a few kilometres. I also like that it's a quiet area, as I don't enjoy living in very urban areas. I ride the bus to work, as it's the cheapest option.
Now, the offer that might be available to me costs $694 + utilities and it's much closer to the center of town. My commute would be cut down to ~15-20 minutes by bike, which is a decent plus, so I'd save on bus tickets and get exercise to boot. Additionally, I would have easy access to much more shopping options (not that I'm much of a shopper, but it would allow for easier bargain hunting). Unfortunately, I would become an urban dweller and that's not really how I prefer to live.
There's an additional twist: If I stay in my current apartment, I will most likely have an offer on hand for a small house in the current area as soon as someone vacates. This option would be even cheaper at $647 + utilities and I could see myself living in those houses for a really long time. The trouble is there's no telling when anyone moves out, it might take years or even a decade.
Anything I've failed to consider?