Unsure: Apartment (You be the judge)

[AmRivlin]

I found a place on Craigslist for 375 a month in Irvine (Park Place)

It was probably meant to be 600+ but when i arrived I learned why it is cheaper.

Some Negatives
A. I got 100 off cause they needed someone urgently
B. There is a parking problem, and few want to deal with it.
C. The room has no aircon, but is well shaded and cool
D. This 3 bedroom apartment has 5 tennants. 2 couples in 2 rooms, and mine.
E. Laundry is pay per use.

Some Positives
A. 6 Pools, Tennis, Spa, Gym
B. Fairly quiet
C. Regualar Ammenities
D. Good Location
E. Safe and Clean

Unsures
A. Roomates are normal enough, but I dont know them
B. I am paying more than my share if 5 people are living here


So is this Suckage, or Not So Suckage?

[hapoo]

sounds good to me, untill you find something better anyway.

[brainsmile]

if you want to buy my A/C unit that goes in a window let me know. Used one season.

[hapoo]

how much?

[ufcrusher]

I would say the room cost would be 1/3 the price of the apartment, if you have a private bathroom. If you dont, I would suggest that they deduct some more as that will become a MAJOR issue. This is for rent only though.

For all of the bills, it should be divided by the number of people...unless its only used by you. I.e. - electric bill for 7 should be divided by 7. Water bill for 7 should be divided by 7. Phone for apartment for 7 divided by 7, with each party responsible for own long distance. Cable* for apartment/7. Cable modem/DSL* for apt/7. * Unless you are the one installing it and the only one using it, then its on you.

I would make sure that everything is set in writing before moving in. Including mundane things such as Electrical/gas/water/cable/internet/phone/Long distance/Consumable issues^/etc. (^ by this I mean, if you go out and buy $50 worth of food and put it in the fridge/cuppard, you dont want Jack and Jill to help themselves if they dont share.)

Back when I was first in college, many moons ago, my roommates and I attempted to do collective food shopping/divide the bill. It was a failed experiment, as without fail somebody would eat/drink the entire package of something before the other 2 would even have a bite. What made it worse is the fact that it would be something that the person claimed they would never eat/try and didnt want us to buy. After 1 attempt, we gave up and put our names on everything we bought. It was a hands off agreement, which although occassionally violated, seemed to work the best. That was with people I knew, so imagine how much worse it would be with strangers.

[AmRivlin]

Well that is all good relavant advice, but it is just a temp thing I am doing till make some friends and find a real place that I like. I moved in not signing anything so that is the best way for me/ And so far no one has scrounged my food.

[nickel]

$375/month is about as cheap as it gets, no? sounds like an ok temp setup.
i wouldn't worry about the rent being divided perfectly. where else are you going to live for that amount?

[mcs328]

well as long as you're not left holding the bag if somehow the bills aren't being paid and all your roomies left. make sure you have the only key to the bedroom or change the locks and make sure you and the landlord have the only keys.

[Paymaster]

I hear what ufcrusher is saying, but IMO college roomate situations are light years aprat from situations where everyone has a job and a reasonable income. If all of your roomies have stable jobs, I would be a lot less worried about details.

[AlpineJay]

If it makes ya feel any better, I'm paying 650/month for a room with parking problems - 3 apartments and about 7 cars with a 3-car driveway - and pay-per-laundry. It sure as hell does not have a spa or a gym or whatever. It is in the Boston area so housing is naturally expensive but to put it all under perspective for ya it won't be so bad.

[Thesifer]

$375/month is about as cheap as it gets, no? sounds like an ok temp setup.
i wouldn't worry about the rent being divided perfectly. where else are you going to live for that amount?

I come close.. .. I rent out my Bedrooms for like 450$ All Bills Included.. (Internet.. Cable.. Electricity.. Etc. )

[brainsmile]

how much?

you talking to me?

[sizemic1]

I think I would rather stick a pencil in my eye than share an apartment with 5 people. It's hard to put a price on privacy and peace & quiet.

[avlena]

$375/month is about as cheap as it gets, no? sounds like an ok temp setup.
i wouldn't worry about the rent being divided perfectly. where else are you going to live for that amount?

it's irvine, the only place you'll get cheaper rent is from campus housing, and you'll be sharing a room. or if you happen to know someone who knows someone who knows a very generous landlord with a fabulous apt, but that's really rare. you're only going to be there for a few months anyways, so i don't think it's worth it to move to another place, but then i hate moving.

Some Negatives
A. I got 100 off cause they needed someone urgently

that's a negative?

B. There is a parking problem, and few want to deal with it.

welcome to So-Cal!

C. The room has no aircon, but is well shaded and cool

our dorms never had A/C, but with some fans it was okay

D. This 3 bedroom apartment has 5 tennants. 2 couples in 2 rooms, and mine.

if the apt is a-rockin'... are any of them into 3-somes?

E. Laundry is pay per use.

that's normal for that area. get lots of quarters from Albertson's when you get groceries. if you have W/D in the apt, then you're going to be paying a heckuva lot more then $375!!