Housing Sitch

03 Jul 2004 By

I’ve been fretting over my need to find new housing in the near future. My roommate’s going back to Michigan for b-school. It’s his house I’m living in. I know he’s planning on renting it out. He waited way too long to decide if he wanted to put it on the market. He said he’s moving out by August 1. And he’s going to Europe for two weeks before he moves out.


What I really really want is to have my own apartment. He has soured me on the whole living with people thing. I’ve had great roommates in the past, but I’m in a leave me the fuck alone reclusive period now.

The cheapest way to do this is to get some crap studio in either uptown or downtown Minneapolis, or somewhere nearby or in between. You can’t find apartments that cheap out in the ‘burbs. The location would be great. I don’t even have more than one large-ish room’s worth of of stuff. But it would be a pretty crappy studio, not even a nice one. Not to mention once you add utilities in, it would be a real financial stretch, even if I did pick up a second job. I’m supposed to be trying to get ahead on money, not continuing to break even or be slightly behind. Add to that that I’m not super positive I’d pass the credit check. I have no way of knowing until I try, but I think I’ve all but wrecked my credit. I should really look into that.

Anyway, my other option is to find a roommate. Either get a room in some stranger’s apartment or get a room in some stranger’s house. I don’t relish this idea. But if it was a room in a house where I’d have a little more space than in an apartment, I think I could handle it. Especially if it’s a location (uptown or downtown) that I have places to escape to in easy walking or biking distance.

I could also just stay where I am. I don’t love the location, but I loathe the idea of moving. I could stay in my downstairs rooms, and the other renter would have the master bedroom and bathroom and office to themselves. I think that along with the fact that the place is furnished means my roommate can charge a good chunk for rent. Thing is, combining that with the amount he’s currently charging me won’t quite make up the amount he had hoped to charge. But I saw his mortgage coupon and he’s already doing pretty well even charging me as little as he does, so when I ask him if it’s cool if I stay, I’m not gonna offer to pay more. Although if he asks more, I’ll pay it (up to a point). Besides, he should be happy to have someone he knows keeping an eye on the place. I have no idea if he’s already got renters lined up or not.

But I do need to ask him if it’s okay if I stay in the first place. If he approves that, I could even take over the process of finding a roommate. I don’t know how he’s gonna do it if he’s out of the country. And I’d be the one to have to live with them. I don’t think he’s opposed to the concept, but I’m not sure if he’s got a cash flow target he’s trying to meet that he can’t reach as long as he’s charging me the “friend” rate.

I really need to just talk to him. But he needs to come home from the girlfriend’s place. Without the girlfriend.

  • http://www.mysocalledblog.com Lachlan

    Ick… I see why you’re concerned over all this.

    Research to the nth power- and network. If you’re meant to move, the more you can find out the better.

    Hang in there!

  • http://www.dawnpennington.com dawn

    I think it’s clear that you should arrange with the dude to stay in his house for the next couple of months so that you can plot your escape. I’m sure you will enjoy it way more without his girlfriend coming around. :) Especially if you’re still thinking about moving to a different city, I’d play the pity card and promise to be out by the end of summer.

    I had my very first apartment (sans roomie) at 26, but I had to take a roomie again at 28. It sucked. Royally. I think it’s also clear that you need to experience life by yourself. And if you have to take a roomie for a year in the future, like I did, you at least had the taste of going out on your own and know what to aspire for again.

    When I got my recent apartment, it wasn’t advertised. I had asked anyone and everyone I knew where they lived and what kind of rent specials were being offered. And I got a great one-bedroom that is bigger and even cheaper than what a studio normally goes for in my city, all because I asked around — I was planning on paying $200 a month more for a tinier (advertised) place, and believe me, I can barely afford the one I ended up with!

    I’m not sure what your real estate market goes for, but around here, if you sign a year lease, your security deposit is like $300 (granted, it’s non-refundable, but it’s better than coming up with a full month’s rent as a security deposit in addition to the first month’s rent!).

    If there are two things I am versed in, it’s dealing with crappy jobs and in moving. Wish I could go find you a great place to live, but even if you don’t fall in love with a new place right away, after a few weeks of being in it all by yourself, I guarantee you will fall in love with it when you realize that the only messes you have to clean up, at YOUR convenience, are the ones YOU made. Ain’t nobody drinkin’ your diet cokes with lime but you!!!

    Best of luck!