Difficult Decision

[Riggidig]

Hey guys. This is more of a personal matter, but I'm really battling making a decision. It's regarding me moving out. Up until last week I had no luck in finding a place to stay, and told myself I'd place an ad in the paper at the beginning of this month if I didn't find anything in the local newspaper (which comes out every week Thursday). Lo and behold, I found not one, but TWO places. Now though, I cannot decide which one would be better. I think, if I may, I'd like to post the pros and cons of each place:

PLACE A

Pros:

• In town and closest of the two places to where I work (about 2 km compared to the 15 km I stay at the moment)
• Cheaper than the other place
• Already furnished (although we DO have extra furniture in storage I can use, so not THAT big a deal)
• Bit bigger than the other place
• Parking behind security gate
• Water and electricity included

Cons:

• Owner isn't as warm as the other place's owner (comes across as a bit of an authority figure)
• Flat is underneath house and I'll probably wake them if I come/go late
• Parking is under a cover, but not closed off
• Old neighbours next door who don't like noise
• Main house is For Sale, so I'm not sure what will happen in the future when it is sold (whether I can still rent there or not)
• No direct sun in flat (place feels quite cold, especially now in winter)
• Guests will have to come in through the main gate and will have to contact me directly on my cellphone as there is only one buzzer that goes off in the main house
• Owner wants someone to move in by next week, which is a bit of a rush for me, and wants an answer ASAP

PLACE B

Pros:

• Car has its own garage, behind security gate
• Owner is really friendly (got a nice, warm vibe both times I've been there so far)
• Owner is willing to give me her spare fridge (because it's the only thing we DON'T have in storage)
• Owner says her housekeeper can help with washing/cleaning (at an extra fee of course)
• I can come and go more privately as the owner's main bedroom is at the back of the house
• I have my own separate buzzer, so guests won't disturb the owner when they come and go
• Owner is only looking for someone to move in from the end of this month, which is better for me as it gives me more time to prepare
• Water and electricity also included

Cons:

• There are two dogs that might wake me (although I really like their dispositions)
• Main house's living room and my living room are right next door to each other (although its fairly sound proof)
• Little smaller than the other place
• More expensive than the other place
• Bit further away from town than the other place (about 3 km)

So yeah, I'm really confused and am not sure what to do

[Xeno]

Personally I'd take Place B. Even the cons listed seem like pros when compared to the cons from Place A. That's just me though.

[K. Ayato]

I'm with Xeno. Place B sounds like a much better choice. And like he said, those cons you listed under Place B don't sound like too much of a big deal and you can easily adjust to them.

[TheMewster]

If you have the money for Place B, I would suggest that. But definitely pray about it.

[Hiryu]

Although both of them share similarities, I'd think Place B would be the better option of the two because of the enviroment.

[Atria35]

I'd also be going with Place B, especially since you have a fairly secure knowledge that you can rent it for a long period of time. If Place A sells and you have to move in two months, then that makes moving there rather pointless, doesn't it?

[Popyman]

Place B. Even distance wise it isn't that much farther away than the other one. Price seems like it would be the only issue to me. Place A just has a LOT of cons.

[Xeno]

Also want to note that when I originally posted there were some monetary figures posted, and I believe I did my conversions from South African currency to USD right. I don't know how much you're making, who else is contributing to the rent, or exactly how far $1 USD will go in South Africa, but the figure I calculated as the increase between the two places wasn't really that much.

Of course if you're on an incredibly tight budget and $50 USD* can feed someone for a month in South Africa going to restaurants every day, well then this suddenly changes the story.

*This was not the converted figure I came up with, it's an arbitrary number I just pulled out of the air that wouldn't last that long in the US.

[acgifford]

I personally think that B sounds like a more friendly environment. I think you would be happier there.

[Riggidig]

Hey guys. Thanks to everyone who commented so far. I've decided to go with Place B. Called the lady tonight and will hopefully start moving in at the end of this month. Wish me luck by the way. It will be my first time moving out.

Oh, and about the finances: I asked my boss for some advice and she said she'd give me a raise to help out with the monthly rent :-D

[Atria35]

^ Your boss is awesomesauce! Good luck at the new place!

[ashfire]

Sounds like just weeks ago my niece was trying to find a place to live after her brother and her had problems because they shared a townhouse.
She looked all over her town for a good place. Then ended up moving three towns down the interstate highway which runs through the area. She has to drive 40 mintues to work on the interstate.
The place she move into is the same apartment building her brother lived in a few years ago. Her Dad lives just a few minutes away in thye same town.
The other thing is that she is a member of the volunteer rescue squad where she was living. She has to pull squad duty so she has to drive back to town and stay for the hours on duty.
Her regular job is working for a private ambulance service as a dispatcher.

[acgifford]

thats awesome Rig. congrats.