Why I Decided to Stay in My Studio Apartment
Last year, when the management company for my apartment building raised my rent, I really thought I'd be outta here this fall. My 400 sq foot studio is currently $840/mo including heat in Lakeview. I went searching for a one-bedroom apartment in July. I had a price range and a half-square mile area of Chicago in mind. I saw 12 apartments from Craigslist, the Reader, and an apartment service. One was close (but no cigar); the rest were depressing.
I wasn't giving up, but I did want to see what the management company offered me this year. The economy and rental market worsened, which turned out to be to my advantage, because the management company offered me a rent freeze. That's exactly what I asked for last year. Staying in my studio means I could bank my raise of $100/mo take home pay, and save the additional $100/mo for a bigger apartment. Given the $200/mo savings and the incomparable condition of my studio, I decided to stay another year.
To refresh the apartment, I did a few little updates as you've seen from recent posts, and got a lot of bang for very little buck.
I wasn't giving up, but I did want to see what the management company offered me this year. The economy and rental market worsened, which turned out to be to my advantage, because the management company offered me a rent freeze. That's exactly what I asked for last year. Staying in my studio means I could bank my raise of $100/mo take home pay, and save the additional $100/mo for a bigger apartment. Given the $200/mo savings and the incomparable condition of my studio, I decided to stay another year.
To refresh the apartment, I did a few little updates as you've seen from recent posts, and got a lot of bang for very little buck.
I lived in a studio apartment in college, and I loved it. It was cozy and easy to clean up. However, it was a pain doing laundry every week. The laundromat in a college town is always crowded!
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