Move or Not - I Need Opinions

[FrugalSensei]

I am currently living in a 2-BR apartment but I'm single. I don't need the room and really don't want a roommate. A 1-BR apartment just opened up next door but the rent is only $100 less. The prices for the 2-BR and 1-BR are competitive with the lower end options in the area. The complex I am living in is made up of very old 4-plexes (a bunch of 4-unit buildings). I am friends with the landlord from way back - before he became a landlord. The nearest competitively priced apartments are just across the street. They are a lot newer but the complex is made up of blocks of multiple apartments sandwiched next to each other.

My dilemma is that the rent is only a difference of $100. At least the 2-BR provides the option to find a roommate if things get tough financially (always a possibility). The other dilemma is that, if I decide a 1-BR is better, the place across the street is in much better condition because it's not nearly as old. The price is virtually the same but it's a matter of living in a 4-plex versus living in a typical close-quarters apartment complex. It's also a matter of having a landlord I am friends with versus a landlord who doesn't know or care to know me from Joe Blow walking down the street.

On one hand, it's just $100 difference, otoh, it's $100 difference. I can't decide.

[shaggy]

I find moving really stressful, and it would take more than $100 a month to get me to move.

[disneysteve]

If the $100 isn't an issue - you can comfortably afford it - I would keep the larger place. I lived alone in a 2-br apartment through 4 years of med school and residency. I liked having the space. I made the 2nd br an office with my desk and computer as well as an N-gauge train layout. So I wouldn't move unless the money really made a big difference.

[FrugalSensei]

Thanks Shaggy and DisneySteve. I guess what I needed to hear was that I was not being irrational in thinking $100 per month was not a lot. I am not doing real well, but even if I were poor I cannot see how $100 per month could be so life changing that a move would be deemed worthy.

[cardtrick]

Have you looked into possibly renting out your extra room on airbnb? Depends on where you live, but it could be a good way to make a few extra dollars a month without a long-term commitment.

[snafu]

Even if the move is just next door, it involves a lot of work emptying every cupboard and drawer, containerizing and pushing/pulling it next door having to find a suitable site to put it all back. If you pay electric or any utilities, they charge a disconnect - reconnect fee. Does everything work in your current apt? Oddly, often old construction is better built than newer apartments. What do you see as the advantages of moving other than the $ 100. price differential?

[FrugalSensei]

Have you looked into possibly renting out your extra room on airbnb? Depends on where you live, but it could be a good way to make a few extra dollars a month without a long-term commitment.

What is "airbnb"?

Even if the move is just next door, it involves a lot of work emptying every cupboard and drawer, containerizing and pushing/pulling it next door having to find a suitable site to put it all back. If you pay electric or any utilities, they charge a disconnect - reconnect fee. Does everything work in your current apt? Oddly, often old construction is better built than newer apartments. What do you see as the advantages of moving other than the $ 100. price differential?

I agree, moving is no fun at all, no matter the distance. The only discon/recon charge I will be facing is for internet access and everything works in my current apt.

The only difference I can see is just the $100 but I am worried that maybe I am too easily dismissing $100 as nothing big. I'm not rich by any stretch and life is actually kind of precarious right now but I just can't see $100 a month as being a big game changer, but maybe my aversion to the task of moving is clouding my judgement. Imho, even if you are struggling, $100 a month just isn't going to be what you pushes you over the edge or saves you from disaster but maybe I'm being financially ignorant and/or arrogant with this viewpoint.

I am totally open to opinions and ideas on renting that extra room out for more money but I have had some real nightmare roommates in my past which makes me feel like I'd rather cut other expenses before resorting to a roommate. If anyone has alternative ideas to renting the room or knows how I can increase my chances of getting a decent roommate then I'm all ears. But I'm also open to the idea of re-evaluating the idea of moving to save $100/month.

[bigdaddybus]

I think I would consider moving if $100 is more than 5% of your monthly income. So if you make less than $2000 a month I would seriously consider the opportunity cost that you are giving up with the $100 a month.

1. Would you prefer the 2 bedroom apartment over 3 nice meals out per month? ($33 each)
2. Is your emergency fund in good shape? if not, wouldnt $100 a month help build it?
3. Got a hobby or interest that $100 a month would help with? Would you rather have a bigger appartment than that?

These are the things I ask myself in these situations. Hope it helps.

[scfr]

The advantages to staying where you are having been laid out pretty well.

Some possible advantages to moving that haven't been mentioned are:
- Your gas and/or electric expense may decrease because you would be cooling/heating a smaller space.
- When going through the process of packing up, you may come across some items that you no longer need that you could sell to raise some extra cash

If you decide to stay where you are, is there any chance that you could pick up some work around the complex (cleaning, yard work, etc) to earn $100 a month or a rent reduction? That would make staying where you are a wash as far as rent goes. The place you are now sounds nice; it would be cool if you could stay there but not have to pay any more than you would if you move

[annibe11e]

I would move for $100 a month. I could pay of my credit cards in a year. That would be SWEEEET! But that's me...

[FrugalSensei]

Thanks all, you've given me many valid things to consider.