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[–] tippyc 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

Consider how you live, and what you find important. For me, it was worth a lot to have a washer and dryer in the apartment, so i don't have to stress about laundry in a public laundry room or spend a bunch of time going to a laundromat. I feel like the amount of money i save on the convenience of having this makes up for the fact that it costs a little more. I'm also reasonably close to work, which is nice. Some complexes also have perks like pools, tennis courts, workout rooms, barbecues, public computers, etc that you can use if you live there. On the other hand, neighbors suck everywhere, there's always going to be homeless people digging through the dumpsters for your aluminum cans, and the gate at the entrance is just there to make you feel good.

It helps to be in a decent neighborhood. You really get what you pay for, but only up to a point. In my area (greater Sacramento), apartments can be found as low as $700-ish per month, but that's going to be a shitty apartment and it's definitely not going to be in a neighborhood where you want to live. At the other end of the spectrum, a 1-bedroom apartment in Roseville can run you upwards of $2,000 per month. Those actual apartments aren't really much nicer than a $1,500 apartment, though. They're just in an upscale area.

Also, be prepared for the costs that aren't advertised. sure, they say $1,100 per month for that apartment. What they don't mention up front is the $60 a month for electric, $60 for water/sewer/trash, $60 for internet (fucking comcast is the only broadband available at the complex, but surewest has faster, cheaper fiber optic in the neighborhood across the street). There's also the move-in deposit, which no matter what anybody tells you, you're not going to get it back when you move out. Additionally, consider things like most complexes don't allow you to do maintenance on your own car on the property.

Hope this helps.

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[–] 5402864? [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

It's good you mentioned that last part... I'm not going to be paying $1000/year extra in oil changes and shit just because they won't let me work on my car in the parking lot.