Should I rent apartment that provides heat? (Chicago, Normal: to live in, bill)

[It'sAutomatic]

$200 is a high estimate, and I don't understand how it would matter if you're paying $2500 for a 2-bed (extremely expensive)

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

$200 is a high estimate, and I don't understand how it would matter if you're paying $2500 for a 2-bed (extremely expensive)

Yep, this is what is perplexing to us, OP. Normally people who get $2500 apartments in Chicago have a lot of extra money to throw around. If you're concerned about the cost of heating, why not get a very nice apartment for $1500-1800, heat it to your little heart's content, and still have hundreds left over?

Not trying to tell you how to spend your money, but your concern over a benjamin or two for a whole month of heat seems inconsistent with your easily shelling out thousands on rent.

[thirtysomethingtransplant]

Not really-- I come from a place where I spend almost zero on heat, so a few hundred dollars above that is a change.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by thirtysomethingtransplant

Not really-- I come from a place where I spend almost zero on heat, so a few hundred dollars above that is a change.

I think you may not be sufficiently adjusting your cost-of-living expectations downward. Rents in Chicago aren't merely lower than LA, they're way lower than LA. You can get a very nice 2-bedroom unit in the best neighborhoods in the city for a grand a month less than what you're budgeting, and that's why people think you're unduly concerned about the cost of utilities in units where they're not included.

[Plzeň]

Originally Posted by thirtysomethingtransplant

Not really-- I come from a place where I spend almost zero on heat, so a few hundred dollars above that is a change.

You're also coming from a place where housing costs twice as much as it does here. Heating costs should be insignificant by comparison. If they're not, you're looking in the wrong price range for Chicago.

[It'sAutomatic]

Originally Posted by thirtysomethingtransplant

Not really-- I come from a place where I spend almost zero on heat, so a few hundred dollars above that is a change.

If you look at the big picture, i.e. rent and utilities combined (and many other expenses in general if you feel like it), you'd have to try hard to not come out saving money in the move.

[thirtysomethingtransplant]

Good points. Remember, I've never lived in Chi-town before

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Plzeň

You're also coming from a place where housing costs twice as much as it does here. Heating costs should be insignificant by comparison. If they're not, you're looking in the wrong price range for Chicago.

Yep. Anything over $2000 for a 1 bedroom outside of downtown is pretty much absurd except a few places maybe. I would never spend that much outside of downtown though (and would barely even pay that downtown actually). $2500 would probably be my limit for a 2 bedroom outside of downtown right now in my life too.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

$200 is a high estimate, and I don't understand how it would matter if you're paying $2500 for a 2-bed (extremely expensive)

I agree, a 2-BD apartment with a gas bill of $200 would have to be one of the coldest winters on record with the heat set high constantly.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I agree, a 2-BD apartment with a gas bill of $200 would have to be one of the coldest winters on record with the heat set high constantly.

Or it's a very large 2-bedroom pocked with rectangular sieves thinly disguised as windows, sitting atop an unheated basement with no insulation between the basement and floor. Been there done that.