MetaChat - Dear MetaChat, do I want this apartment?

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15 August 2007

Dear MetaChat, do I want this apartment? Let me tell you the pros and cons.→[More:]

Ok, I only have a few days while the landlord processes my lease application to decide if I really want it.

Pros:
- they didn't turn me down. I've been rejected for a lot of apartments because this is a competitive time of year to find one.

- on the cheap side of the cost spectrum

- genuinely close to a subway station
(although EVERY apartment claims to be)

- near my old neighborhood, I know it's a safe and quiet area

- short distance from grocery stores (unlike my current downtown sublet, where I have to "market shop"

- a bachelor apartment that isn't a dark, damp basement (a rarity in Toronto, yay sunlight) - lots of windows

- It's near-ish to my YMCA so I can keep my membership (actually closer than my old apt was).

Cons:
- It has no oven. I don't bake a lot but I like the the option to do so. It has a fridge, two stove burners and will have a (large) toaster oven. I can certainly make do with this set up, meal-wise, but what happens when I want to play Martha and make a bundt cake?

- No A/C (I'd move in Sept 1). I did this last year and it wasn't an issue once the dead of summer ended. But when hot, it's gross.

- Not a big space by any stretch. I'm not sure of the dimensions, and I've seen smaller, but it will be cozy (maybe this is a pro?)

- it's pretty shabby considering the price vs. location

- it's a pretty boring neighborhood that's working class drifting towards middle class. Lots of dollar stores and random sketchy pubs, almost no useful shops/restaurants other than the big sprawl mall where groceries/wal-mart is.

Thoughts, comments, advice, anecdotes?

post by: SassHat at: 22:14 | 10 comments

For me, I could deal (or am dealing) with all the cons, except the no oven thing. That's really weird. I don't think I would feel like I had a proper home if the place didn't have an oven.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 15 August | 22:54

This sounds like you might want it. Lots of pros regarding location so that is good.How often are you home? A lot? That makes a difference to the a/c, size and shabbiness. Can a coat of paint make it better? Boring neighbourhood is okay because it is also safe, but the apt price should reflect its boringness.

Speaking as a landlord type, I think the rental market is in favour of the renter at the moment in Toronto. If you are not completely sold it's only the middle of the month, and you still have time.

Counter type ovens can be purchased for about $149 at bix box stores. They work great, even for chickens and even pies.

posted by typewriter 15 August | 22:58

Typewriter (and anyone else who has an opinion) do you think there's really still time to find another place? I feel panicky like if I don't take this one, that's going to be it for me, you know?

I also remembered another con - the property manager (who set me up to meet with the owner some time in the next few days) wouldn't give me her last name....sketchtown, yes?

posted by SassHat 15 August | 23:24

Re: latest con - Do you have the owner's real name?

I do honestly think you still have time. BUT - I don't know why you are being turned down for other apartments. So it depends. The rental market is not good for landlords in Toronto right now. People are looking for reliable renters who might stay at least a year to replace all the people that bought tiny condos. What are your pros and cons as a renter? My email's in profile if you want to take it there.

posted by typewriter 15 August | 23:37

No last name? That is bizarre.
One reason to take it, IMO, is that apartments (here at least) often advertise just after the tenants put their 30 day notice in, so they're rented before they even empty.
So, if you're on a timeline that's strict, you could find yourself unable to get a place you can move right into.

posted by kellydamnit 15 August | 23:57

Yes, I have landlord's info, just not the property manager, the person who will be taking care of all of my future issues as a tenant...

As a tenant, I can say that I don't make a ton of money. I can afford this and every other apartment I've applied for though. I work in the arts, so maybe they see me as unreliable for that reason? Overall I'm getting turned because someone else gets the place first, and makes more money, and has probably lived in the city longer?

posted by SassHat 16 August | 00:51

Given the risk of being turned down, I think I'd take it, personally. Being without housing sucks much more than having sucky housing.

This just has some drawbacks, though. Every place has drawbacks except the mythical perfect place that somebody rented five minutes before you called. ;-)

Only you can really decide whether things like "cozy" are right or not. I can be happy just about anywhere, and where the apartment is would be more important to me than the specifics of itself.

posted by stilicho 16 August | 02:01

I've lived with only a toaster oven for two years, and did fine. WOK baby! That's where you'll get your coooking fun. Cakes only make you fat anyway. ;) Plus you can do weird things like grilled eggplant stuffed with mushrooms in those toaster ovens.

posted by dabitch 16 August | 03:42

The bad news: i've been having horrible dreams about having to move, moving, living, possibly on the sly, in urban settings and slums, literal holes in the wall, having to pack and run--

The good news: none of this, i awoke to realize a few hours ago, has to do with my frequent moves during adulthood.

Some of those toaster ovens are the ossem, and much more versatile, so unless you make a lot of roasts or the course of a year, it might not only not suck but be better, foodwise. Quick broiling opens up a world of food options and much easier nachos.

posted by ethylene 16 August | 06:28

If you afford the apartment, then that's all a decent landlord cares about. I still personally think you have time. I'm wondering where you are getting your listings since you are new to the city?

On the other hand - I don't think your last con of not getting the property manager's last name is a big deal. Not if you have the complete info on the landlord. That is who is ultimately responsible. The property manager has probably had a bad experience in the past. If this is in your price range and has lots of other things going for it (location, safe, not a basement) and you can live with the other cons, then that is you should weigh your decision.

Good luck!

posted by typewriter 16 August | 07:23

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