Renting An Apartment/condo

[p-no]

I had a look at a possible new apartment/condo yesterday and love it. It has two rooms, a fairly big kitchen, a balcony, a bathroom with a bath-tub, all fairly new (2010), nicely located near a train stop, quiet area, near two huge parks...

Bad part: It's 100 € more than I am paying for my current one. 500 € (this includes heating) is a normal rent for an apartment in Berlin, one that you'd like to live in actually. So, 600 € for more than 15 square meters more than now and heating included is great!

But: I don't make a lot of money... Those 600 € is a little more than 100 € more than 1/3 of my net salary.

Would you pay this amount for a nice apartment? What I like most about it is that everything is perfect (but the price) and I felt at peace there. Totally at peace.

What do I do? They'd give it to me, the agent says. He's not the landlord though, so you never know. But what do I do?

 

[Deleted member 10686]

Right now I am paying exactly 1/2 of my monthly income for rent. In my situation, it was a matter of peace of mind, not having to live with others to keep whats left of my sanity, and really having no other option. I am pretty broke after paying rent, and it is difficult but it is worth it to me.

I think that if 1/2 is possible to live off of, then 1/3 of your income should be possible as well, although I don't know the cost of living out there. I think that if you really love the place, you can make it happen :)

 

[Deleted member 12723]

You can do this. You love the place. Mabe it is more than you wanted but it provides many good assests. I say go for it. You will love being there. It will improve the quality of your life. It will work out for you. Wishing you the best in what ever you choose. Good luck.

 

[Red Feather]

Go for it! I think I would rather tell you to stay more central, but that is only because I am being selfish...! :p Sounds like a nice place. I remember you telling me you wanted to move closer to your work. By the way, too bad our meetings havent started yet. :bored:

 

[PTSD and Me]

I would say ask for the lower rate (all they can do is say no), then if you still feel at peace there, go for it. Peace of mind is something I would pay a lot more than $150 (US) for on some days. If I could buy it, I would hock everything I own and bathe in it!! I am faced with a similar decision if I get a job in a certain city and I think I'm just going to spend the money and learn to love peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. I want to live somewhere I'm happy and feel good about myself. Maybe if I start with the four walls around me, I can internalize that into feeling good about myself inside my body.

Best of luck to you!

 

[p-no]

Thank you all very much!

I forgot to mention that I'm paying of my student loan -- that's around 240 EUR per month! So, this will get me to have more than 50% of my salary into fixed costs. But I'd be very happy! :) And thanks to Public Service, my salary will be increased regularly.

We'll see. I'll apply for it. Had a look at other apartments and found another nice one at around the same price, but only a so-called French balcony, which really is no balcony but just like a balcony door that you can open -- oh, I can't explain, here's a pic:

I'd be paying very little for heating since all around me there are elderly people who heat up their place! ;)

Plus, I never go abroad much to travel: I like staying home, and I felt really happy there. My home is my castle.

Will send pics if I get to move in. :)

Nadia, consider youself invited over already if I get it!

 

[p-no]

Thanks, PTSD and Me. I did ask for them letting me pay a rent less for me taking care of the kitchen floor, but they said no. Still, I really like the place. :)

We'll see if it'll turn out so that I'll get it. I had a look at two other places today, so I'll find something nice, that's for sure. :)

 

[Red Feather]

My home is my castle too. Homes are sooooo important. I'm glad whatever choice you make! :D

 

[JustBe]

I like staying home, and I felt really happy there. My home is my castle.

There's no place like home! I rented all my life. Just bought this Condo 7 years ago (well, the bank owns it, I bought a mortgage!) I haven't ever felt so safe at home as I do here.

I say take the plunge!

 

[Estacia]

You should take the plunge but you might want to look around to see if you could find what you are looking for at a slightly cheaper rate.