Trying to find cheap rent in a safe area... (apartment, credit, budget)

[RunD1987]

Fiancé and I are starting to look at places to rent after we're married. Many say we should buy, but after 3 to 4 year's we're leaving this state ha. Also we're both in college so rent adds less pressure than buying into something.

Now my fiancé makes about $3200 a month and myself about $2000 to $2500. We figure $200 set aside for cable trying to talk my fiancé out of not using cable Trying to also find a place that has baseboard heat. Planning to only pay for electricity and internet/cell phone services.

Then trying to get our weekly grocery bill $80 or below.

Anywho the struggle is finding a place $900 or under. Average rent in the state is $1000 or more. Think a $1000 be stretching our budget?

Appreciate the feedback.

[reenzz]

You both make approx. $5200 a month. Unless your drowning in debt, $1000 a month rent is hardly "stretching" it.

If you want cheap, don't expect safe.

If you want safe, don't expect cheap.

[Shira_k]

where are you looking (what state/city)?

[griffon652]

At $1,000 you are not even close to stretching it. This is coming from someone who is very frugal. Don't skimp on safety. If something serious ever happens because you chose to live in a "not so safe place," you won't have the luxury of regretting it or making a change.

[RunD1987]

Well between fiancé and I we have a grand each in other bills we pay. Between loans, car payments, insurance, gas, taking the train to work, and phone bills. We try to save $1,000 a month. So we're really making about $2,000 a month.

We found a place hoping to rent it if it is available when married.

Currently living in Waterbury CT. Fiancé works in Bethel area and I work in Bridgeport.

[Okey Dokie]

Instead of saving $1,000 a month I'd save $500 and use the other to get rid of some of that debt. If a big chunk is a car loan, I'd look into getting something cheaper.

[RunD1987]

I pay $330 a month for a car. I know crazy, but my credit was shot when I was on unemployment. Now consolidated my loans hope to pay it off before officially in a program. Go from $6000 to $2000 in debt in 2 years. Fiancé debt is mostly college loan's and now she is bak in school trying to be a nurse to hopefully make more money to eliminate those loans.

We like to save up where $500 goes to our debt, $400 to emergency funds, and $100 month for personal use.

[Serious Conversation]

You really need to figure out where you want to go first.

If you want to be in San Francisco, you can't find anything for that. Where I'm in Indianapolis, that will get you a nice apartment or home if you go farther out.

[RunD1987]

Think 1200 a month utilities included a good deal? Found 3 other places, but not available at the moment. One is great at $750 1 bdrm heat and hot water included. The location is great 30 minutes for my fiancé and I to work. 15 minutes for my fiancé where she is on school and 30 to where her clinicals are. 30 minutes for me to school. The other one maybe shaves 5 minutes off our work commute without much change to the rest. Second one is a bit more costly at $850 no utilities included.

I think that price range work the best just a waiting game now. We contacted the two complexes and they'll let us know when a place becomes available. Everything else is over $1000 in the area.

[CptnRn]

I think you will find these websites useful:

HD TV with an Antenna (Disable my Cable): DisableMyCable - Station Finder

Map based apartment locator: https://www.padmapper.com/

Crime Heat Map: Trulia: Real Estate Listings, Homes For Sale, Housing Data