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Renting

Posted: Jan 6, 2010

Anyone having problems, major problems while renting? Thinking about renting an apartment instead of a house. All replies appreciated.

;

Bugs - Happy MT Robin

[ In Reply To ..]
About six months after I moved into my last apartment, someone new moved in upstairs and brought "friends" with them. Blech! Took forever to get rid of those little critters, too.

That and the noise from the other peoples stereos was the hardest for me to deal with.

I love being in a house and not having anyone on the other side of the wall.

I would have to say I agree with you - huh?

[ In Reply To ..]
Apartments are more difficult to deal with than houses.

I had one apartment that I lived in for several years that first was nice but ended in hell. The last 6 months I was there, I had problems ranging from bugs, people with barking dogs, and loud music being the understatement.

The apartment I moved to is much different, and quite peaceful. Really do your research before you sign any rental agreement/lease. You don't want to be stuck with something you are miserable in.

Apt. - vikefan

[ In Reply To ..]
Yeah, one apt. I lived in was nice when I moved in but someone brought in cockroaches and infested the entire place. Then people moved in above me and brought a hoard of elephants. When I found out someone on the second floor was selling crack outside their window, I got out. What used to be a really nice apt. complex has turned section 8 and has deteriorated.

I will never rent an apartment again - just me

[ In Reply To ..]
Lived in apartments for more years than I want to think about. Finally got moved to a house in 2000 and have moved several times since, but always to a house. Once we rented a TH (glorified name for an apartment) and it drove us wild. Cigarette smoke coming into our place, neighbors on the other side of the wall constantly fighting so loud we could hear every time they spewed the "f" word, and they were absolute pigs who would eat on their porch and leave the un-eaten food on the paper plates for days and we had flies, bugs, ants, etc. (and it stunk), shared laundry facility with people who were absolute pigs (bird feathers in a washing machine - luckily I checked first), nasty smells coming through. It was a horror. We will never ever go back to apt/condo/th. In a house we have privacy. Nobody on the other side of us, nice yard, etc. We have excellent landlords who leave us alone, except when I call for something to be fixed.

I will never go to an apartment ever again. Not to mention we now have too much stuff to fit in an apartment.

The good, the bad and the ugly - Apartment Dweller

[ In Reply To ..]
I've lived in various apartments over about the last 20 years, and I've pretty much seen it all.

I've lived in apartment complexes that seemed to be very nice and quiet, only to move in and find out every night at sundown was one gigantic frat house party, with noise and commotion and people going up and down stairs at all hours, and more than once the police arriving to break it up.

I've had upstairs neighbors who were as quiet as a mouse. Conversely, I've also had upstairs neighbors that sounded like a herd of elephants over my head 24/7 and I moved quite quickly. The worst ones were so noisy they literally shook the walls to the point where a couple of my pictures hanging on the wall fell off and even the bathroom ceiling light fixture loosened and fell, breaking into about 50 pieces. No amount of complaints to the managers took care of the problem; in fact, I believe it made it worse.

I've lived in beautiful complexes in two-story condos with only 1 common wall, and it was the equivalent of living in a house (the common walls were going up the staircase so noise was never an issue). I've lived in beautiful apartments where neighbors would think of ANY reason to complain or just be flat-out nosey and intrusive, making living there unbearable.

I've lived in darling little cottage-like apartments that were adorable...until the lights were turned off and cockroaches scattered in every direction (successful fumigation in an apartment complex can be very tricky).

I've had quiet, nice neighbors who mind their own business while at the same time being polite and courteous.

I've had neighbors who didn't think twice about looking into my kitchen window as they came upstairs to go to their apartment to ask what we were fixing for dinner (yeah, real joy there having to keep the kitchen blinds closed 24/7).

Honestly, I can't say having a house is better. I've been there, done that, and the extra expense of a gardener if one wasn't provided just didn't work for me. Plus, most of my adult life I lived alone and I really enjoyed having neighbors (well, SOME of the neighbors) close by in case of an emergency.

I really feel it all depends on the complex in which you rent. One HUGE tip though; make certain to go the complex at about 10 o'clock at night or even later and either park and walk around or if it's a large complex, drive through it. What looks peaceful and serene during the day can be a noise-ridden, gang-banging disaster once the sun sets. This would hold true with any house you were debating on renting as well. Hang out in the neighborhood a couple of nights after 10 p.m. and get a feel for what goes down. This is really most useful on the weekends, when most parties and activities occur.

Good luck whichever way you go. I think it's a matter of personal preference and finding the right "fit," whether it's in a house or an apartment.

EXCELLENT, true advice. I've had the same experiences! - Zircon

[ In Reply To ..]
I especially agree with checking place out at night. (Especially Fri. or Sat.)

RED FLAGS:
- Security screens and/or bars on doors and windows at complex, and/or throughout neighborhood.
- Glass from broken-into cars on the street or in the alley, or even in the parking garage.
- Little kids' toys, bikes, etc., absolutely everywhere around the grounds. Chances are, the place will NOT be quiet.
- Check out management's policy about noise, stereos, parties, etc. beforehand, if possible. Look for a place the runs a "tight ship". Otherwise, it'll be crawling with unsupervised rug-rats at the least, drug-dealers and gang-bangers at the worst.
- A liquor store on the nearest street corner is not good. A liquor store on all 4 corners is even WORSE. They attract crime like garbage draws flies.
- A building without a size-limit on pets, will absolutely, positively, be crawling with pit-bulls.

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