need advice

**wulong32** · 12-16-2007, 12:50 PM

Ive been going back and forth and back and forth in my head about this and I cant make a decision, Im hoping you guys can help. Here goes....

My one year lease will be up on my apt Feb. 28. I really want to buy a house or condo, but I know it will be at least another year before I can come up with a sufficient down payment. Im also still working on paying off my credit cards, which, if I bite the bullet, I think I can do next month. After that, I have $2000 left on a personal car loan, which I can probably pay off by February. After all that is payed off, I will focus my attention on saving for a home downpayment.

My dilemma is: We really hate the place we're renting now. Its not in the best area of town as far as crime goes, theres a problem with roaches during the hot season( which in Vegas is half the year), and if anyone remembers me posting about it a couple months ago, my dog was attacked by another dog on property( they live above me) and nothing was really done about it.

Ive been thinking about renting another apt in a better part of town. Everything Ive been looking at has been about 200-300 more a month than what Im paying now. I know we can afford it, I was just hoping that I could pay everything off beforehand. It will also be more of a commute for me, right now Im only 1 mile from my work.

If we were to move out at the end of our lease, I would have to stop paying on my debts and save that towards moving costs. I figure with a uhaul, deposits, etcetera, I will need at least $2000 to move.

So my question is, what would you do? Would you tough it out and sign another one year lease, and hopefully buy something at that time? Would you sign a six month lease, pay off your debts, then move? Another possibility would be to stay in this place on a month to month basis, which would cost a couple hundred more a month. That way as soon as I am able I can move out, I wont have to worry about a contractual lease.

The main thing that would make me want to sign another lease is that if I were to, they said they wouldnt raise my rent at all due to the whole dog fiasco.

What would you do?

**AmyMCGS** · 12-16-2007, 02:43 PM

If it was me, I'd stay there another six months and get things paid off. You're so close- February is just around the corner. It would be great to get that debt paid off and start fresh with a mortgage or new lease.

**latierra84** · 12-16-2007, 02:52 PM

i was in a very similar situation and decided to wait and resign. i hated the place i was living but those extra couple hundred dollars a month were very useful when it came time to move into the house we're now in. granted.. i also dont like the house we're in right now but.. its better than our previous apartment. - i wish i would have focused on paying off my personal loans before i moved out the apt. when we were there it was only the rent and electric that we were responsible for, i really had much more opportunities to save than i do now. now i have mortgage, electric, water, gas, property taxes and prop upkeep costs.

**latierra84** · 12-16-2007, 02:53 PM

but the other hand.. you dont want to dread coming home everyday either ya know. i know that feeling too. we lived on the second floor and below us was an eff. with 8 men living in it, drinking outside on the stairs every day all day. i hated it, broken glass on the sidewalk. ugh..

**PrairieRose** · 12-16-2007, 03:08 PM

To qualify what I'm about to say I have to first say; We just helped our youngest dd move again. It was the second time in 2 years. Ok now, I would STAY PUT. Omg, moving is my least fave thing to do.... . You can't move without it costing you majorly so just bite the bullet, stay there, pay your debts off, start saving and then buy something that you'll stay in for a very long time.

Seriously, I'd stay there. As long as you know it's not forever you should be able to cope with it and make the best out of a bad situation. A little delayed gratification is good for the soul

**caradana** · 12-16-2007, 04:22 PM

As long as you're not afraid for your safety, I'd stay put for 6 more months, and then move. Staying put will be a tremendous emotional motivator to save money.

It'll also put you in a position to pay for your move with cash, which you will feel really good about. I think it's a short-term sacrifice for a medium-term gain.

Another thought: Feb 28 to July 28 ... you'll miss the last two months of summer in that apt - so you'll be able to kiss the roaches goodbye just one-third of the way through the summer.

(playing)

**Dancing Lotus** · 12-16-2007, 04:27 PM

I would stay also

**PAVallygrl** · 12-16-2007, 04:32 PM

I would stay as well and pay off the bills. Just make sure when you do move that you shake everything out or the little "pets" will be moving with you! YUCK!

**Daisygirl** · 12-16-2007, 04:40 PM

I think dealing with the 6 more months makes a lot of sense if you can handle it. I know how awful it is to live somewhere you hate, but you will be putting off your goals for a year or more if you move to another neighborhood temporarily.

**dcompton** · 12-16-2007, 06:55 PM

I would say it depends on just how badly you hate it where you are now. I know we all push to accomplish goals as quickly as possible, but quality of life should be considered too. It is expensive to move -- I've just done it this month and could write a book -- but I suddenly had such horrible neighbors I even bought out the lease to get away. Not frugal, but I am much, much happier where I am now. Also, just how unsafe do you feel it is? I agree with someone that it is terrible to dread going home. If it's that bad, perhaps it would be better to put the dream on hold for a bit and make your present life more tolerable. But yes, I agree that if you can stand it, it definitely makes financial sense to stick it out for a while, at least six months if not a whole year.

**bumplett** · 12-16-2007, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by PrairieRose

To qualify what I'm about to say I have to first say; We just helped our youngest dd move again. It was the second time in 2 years. Ok now, I would STAY PUT. Omg, moving is my least fave thing to do.... . You can't move without it costing you majorly so just bite the bullet, stay there, pay your debts off, start saving and then buy something that you'll stay in for a very long time.

Seriously, I'd stay there. As long as you know it's not forever you should be able to cope with it and make the best out of a bad situation. A little delayed gratification is good for the soul

I agree with PrairieRose.