[breakfree]

Hello all,
I searched the forum first, but couldn't find anything recent related to my question. I have been renting and living in Manchester for about 6 months in a private condo unit near the East Hartford border, and while the place is okay for the rent I pay, I'm looking to move to a "nicer" place.

I want to move mainly because the place I live in is OLD. There is no central AC and the window AC units I have are really old, loud and totally ineffective. Most days (particularly now in the summer) I come back home, turn the AC on and go out, and come back later at night just to avoid my HOT apartment. There are other problems like the shower with no water pressure, the dishwasher that doesn't drain randomly, etc. I have tried talking to my landlord about it, and while he is a genuinely nice person and is very flexible with the lease, he basically said that I actually have newer appliances compared to other units in the complex and that there's not much to be done.

I'm paying $800 for rent now (includes heat and hot water) for a one bedroom apartment. I live by myself and would prefer to continue to do so. I am ready to pay a bit more to live in a place with central AC and a responsive management. I have looked at apartments in Manchester and the nicer ones like Aspen Woods, Waterford Commons and Pavilions are way over my budget for a one bedroom apartment (>$1100). A lot of other places (Centennial, Manchester Gardens, etc.,) are within my price range but don't have central AC and I'd probably be better off staying where I am now.

I've narrowed my choices down to Velvet/Clocktower Mills - the rent is $850 but does not include heat and hot water. I heard that the electricity bill comes up to about $150 a month on average. Velvet Mills is pretty nice - great location, comes with a garage and has central AC, but my monthly expense for rent + utilities would go over $1000. I'd really like to keep it between $900-$950. I'm not particular about living in Manchester, however - Vernon and nearby towns are okay too. I work in Glastonbury and wouldn't mind a few additional miles to my daily commute.

Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by breakfree

Hello all,

I want to move mainly because the place I live in is OLD. There is no central AC and the window AC units I have are really old, loud and totally ineffective. Most days (particularly now in the summer) I come back home, turn the AC on and go out, and come back later at night just to avoid my HOT apartment. There are other problems like the shower with no water pressure, the dishwasher that doesn't drain randomly, etc.

I'm paying $800 for rent now (includes heat and hot water) for a one bedroom apartment.

I have looked at apartments in Manchester and the nicer ones like Aspen Woods, Waterford Commons and Pavilions are way over my budget for a one bedroom apartment (>$1100).

I'd really like to keep it between $900-$950.

Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

If the place where you are is fine with the exception of the AC/Dishwasher/Showerhead, i think you're better off trying to resolve the issues yourself. 2 Portable AC units, a portable dishwasher, and a new showerhead will cost you less than moving to somewhere else, IMHO.

[breakfree]

Thank you for that advice. However, if I were to move anyway (because I don't want to extend my lease for the next year), what would you recommend?

[UmpYours]

I am not overly familiar with the area, but Wethersfield is near Glastonbury and should be a bit cheaper than Manchester. I am always anti-lengthening commute unless really worth it.

[JayCT]

You might want to consider Vernon for rentals. It should be less expensive than Manchester. I am not sure Wethersfield is less than Manchester though. Jay

[goodfella24]

Glastonbury is where I grew up its very nice but pricey, it may of gone down. Wethersfield and rocky hill are on the nice side and probably more affordable. A town thats alittle farther out but nice and not as expensive as glastonbury is colchester.

[vvcronosvv]

Wethersfield and Rocky Hill are very close by and are very nice towns. It's a lot more quiet in those towns. Rocky hill is the land of condos and apartments so I don't think it would be hard to find something for about the same price. I haven't lived in either of those towns, but I work in them every day, and I would easily pick Rocky Hill or Wethersfield over Manchester