Trying to move back from out of state: frustrated, seeking advice (Atlanta: apartments, rental)

[ncoflin]

Hello all,

Long story short with the details. My fiancé and I are looking to move back to the Atlanta area from out of state. We are trying to find an apartment for ~850 a month with washer + dryer hookups. This is proving to be a bit of a nightmare. I would like to have my fiancé move ahead of me prior to me locating work back in Atlanta.

- I have enough saved up to easily pay 6 months rent in advance (minimum)
- My fiancé does have an embezzlement misdemeanor from 2009 that tends to still be a hiccup
- I make enough on my own to qualify for the 3x the rent stipulation most apartments require, he will be looking for work upon moving
- We both have excellent rental history + no pets
- My credit score is in the 800s, fiancé is in the 650s

Trying to move from out of state is proving to be just a hassle. I am almost tempted to try to buy something from out of state to see if that is easier. I feel like I am in a "shut up and take my money" situation. We looked at some places in late December, applied at one but they seem to be dragging their feet on the application. In retrospect we should not have put all our eggs in one basket but with the admin fees all apartments seem to be charging these days in addition to the application fees, I didn't want to apply at multiple to waste hundreds of dollars. We really don't have any family or friends to stay with in the area as we continue to search. So really trying to snag a place from a few states away is just proving to be harder than I thought it would be.

Any advice or suggestions?

[Tarzanman]

Leave your fiance off of rental applications for now and add him/her a few months after you move in.
850/month is going to be the real challenge depending on where you want to live, but there are 2 bedrooms around for that price. What part of town are you looking in? Have you considered a private rental or a townhome/house?

Check zillow, I see a good bit in that price range

[ncoflin]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

Leave your fiance off of rental applications for now and add him/her a few months after you move in.
850/month is going to be the real challenge depending on where you want to live, but there are 2 bedrooms around for that price. What part of town are you looking in? Have you considered a private rental or a townhome/house?

Check zillow, I see a good bit in that price range

I am not too picky about the area. Somewhere within ~30 mins of Atlanta. I really hate having to leave the fiance off the applications and be underhanded about it. We are a quiet couple that doesn't pose any issues, of course they have no way of knowing that I guess. Besides our good rental history.

All the income restricted apartments that I make too much for (make 40k a year). I feel like I am stuck in that middle zone where I make too much for income restricted but not so much that 1000+ a month feels super affordable. I'll try to Zillow tip. A one bedroom is all that we would need.

[fieldm]

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