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I've lived in studios when I've wanted to minimize my expenses. Typically, you do have to find ways to maximize the space, and if you're lucky enough to find a studio that has greater square footage, it's all the better. The smaller the furnishings, the better because it makes the space appear larger. A plus for me in living in a studio was that it was easier to keep clean and less cluttered.
When I was looking at apartments I noticed the rent was about the same for studios and 1-bedrooms, except the studios usually had utilities included. The thing is, how much can utilities really run for a 1-bedroom? I ended up finding a 2-bedroom in my price-range and haven't got a utility bill yet, but 6 years ago when I was renting a 1-bedroom my utilities ran around $90 a month with no intentional conservation.
If the neighborhoods and rents are comparable I'd choose the 1-bedroom any day.
I'm trying to decide between a studio or a 1-bedroom, and cannot seem to weigh the pros and cos because I know little about studios.
1. Are they comfortable? I would assume I'd get agitated living in such a small unit. It's like, no matter where you go..you're in the same room.
2. Do they get messy? I imagine living in such a small unit, you have to keep possessions to a minimum.
I'm not even sure if this is the right forum for this type of question.
I personally don't mind them and have stayed in one before, the unit wasn't the problem it was of course the "neighbors" luckily it was only temporary. Of course it depends on you if you don't like staying in "one room" look elsewhere.
Any place can get messy if you don't clean. I actually found it easier to clean because everything was in "one room" lol
It depends a lot on your lifestyle. There were points were I have lived in a studio and been perfectly happy with it. Before, when I was pet free and rarely home a studio was perfect; cheaper rent, cheaper to furnish, less space to clean, and keeps your belongings to a minimum. Now, I have a dog and work from home so a studio would not be ideal. I like to cook and have friends over, something that was harder to do in a studio.
A studio was easier to keep clean for me. Now, I can set my laundry down on the futon in my office and forget about it for days, while in a studio everything had to be put away promptly or I was forced to look at the mess. Some studios are set up in a far superior way than others. If you do get a studio, make sure it has adequate storage space (think about where you will put thinks like a vacuum cleaner, trashcan, appliances, etc). I looked at a couple that had a separate kitchen area and I liked this option because it keeps kitchen grease and smells out of the living area a bit.
If you are not excited about living in the studio or willing to make sacrifices for a goal (say saving money) I'd recommend the 1 bedroom.
Back when we were young, broke college kids, I shared a studio apartment with my girlfriend. It was okay. Certainly small, but its better than living in a cardboard box under the bridge.
They're okay if you're not expecting much company. There were some little things that I didn't really consider... for example, my fridge would kick on and startle me awake in the middle of the night since I was only 10 feet away from it. But it's worth it if there's a significant savings.
I think it depends what your needs are. I like my 1 bedroom because it's easier to have guests over. And my family lives on the other side of the country, so I like when my parents come to stay I can give them my room and I can sleep on the sofa couch and everyone still has a little bit of privacy. Plus I have a dog so the extra space is nice for him. But a studio isn't awful. If it's a lot cheaper it's definitely doable for awhile.
They're okay if you're not expecting much company. There were some little things that I didn't really consider... for example, my fridge would kick on and startle me awake in the middle of the night since I was only 10 feet away from it. But it's worth it if there's a significant savings.
LOL...really thought that was just me, but my biggest peeve was that I could lay in bed and hear the refrigerator. Living in a studio was ok, but I prefer the one bedroom I have now and would not live in a studio again.
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