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Where I used to live in Socal, there were a lot of McMancions which people found to be too expensive. As the economny dropped the lists of rooms to rent mushroomed. A great majority of those who make little money live in rented rooms in socal. Its not perfect. You have to deal with other renters/landord and how well you get along is a factor. But it is the only alternative.
The apartment I rented before I moved was a bit over 400 sf. There was a bedroom but it was simply dividing the space. But the rent was going to 900 a month, which was low for the area. But I was happy to have my own door.
I'm sure if there were studios available for something reasonable (near the rented room price) I"m sure more people would be happy to rent them. But as was said, the assumption is they will not be rented for any length of time. Even smaller and cheaper one bedroom apts are becoming scarce. If you want 1200 a month for a one bedroom apt it better be an impressive one.
Maybe its time for the Rooming house to be reborn. Meals provided, someone around to coordinate distutes between renters and lots of overblown houses available and ready to rent out.
Hmmmm.... I lived in a good sized studio for $365 a month (utilities included, water, electricity, heat, sewer, trash, parking, and EVEN INTERNET.... but you have to pay for phone and cable TV (if you really wanted it).... It will be available in June of this year but it goes up to $460 per month... unless I sublet it to someone then it stays at $365 (for some strange reason it never goes up in rent as long as I renew it every year)... its in Columbus, OH though.... I am not planning on renewing it so the rent is going to jump for the next tenant which is too bad... I guess I could sublet it but I am too lazy to find someone.... hahaha.... and I am not exactly going to risk my credit in subletting it...
Where I used to live in Socal, there were a lot of McMancions which people found to be too expensive. As the economny dropped the lists of rooms to rent mushroomed. A great majority of those who make little money live in rented rooms in socal. Its not perfect. You have to deal with other renters/landord and how well you get along is a factor. But it is the only alternative.
The apartment I rented before I moved was a bit over 400 sf. There was a bedroom but it was simply dividing the space. But the rent was going to 900 a month, which was low for the area. But I was happy to have my own door.
I'm sure if there were studios available for something reasonable (near the rented room price) I"m sure more people would be happy to rent them. But as was said, the assumption is they will not be rented for any length of time. Even smaller and cheaper one bedroom apts are becoming scarce. If you want 1200 a month for a one bedroom apt it better be an impressive one.
Maybe its time for the Rooming house to be reborn. Meals provided, someone around to coordinate distutes between renters and lots of overblown houses available and ready to rent out.
You know what though... I looked at several different cities in various states for "room" rentals and I notice that you are basically paying 1/3 to 1/2 of their mortgage.... that seems like a ripoff to me.... often times its pretty close or even MORE expensive than renting an 1-2 bedroom apartment.... I don't know what these people are thinking? I would rather have the privacy of a 1-bedroom apartment than pay more just to share my bathroom with you... weird people...
You know what though... I looked at several different cities in various states for "room" rentals and I notice that you are basically paying 1/3 to 1/2 of their mortgage.... that seems like a ripoff to me.... often times its pretty close or even MORE expensive than renting an 1-2 bedroom apartment.... I don't know what these people are thinking? I would rather have the privacy of a 1-bedroom apartment than pay more just to share my bathroom with you... weird people...
I think most people who rent studios do not want a roommate and don't have overnight guests except on the rare occasion. Personally, a studio means less cleaning and lower energy bills for me.
You know what though... I looked at several different cities in various states for "room" rentals and I notice that you are basically paying 1/3 to 1/2 of their mortgage.... that seems like a ripoff to me.... often times its pretty close or even MORE expensive than renting an 1-2 bedroom apartment.... I don't know what these people are thinking? I would rather have the privacy of a 1-bedroom apartment than pay more just to share my bathroom with you... weird people...
With some you do have your own bathroom and ourside access, but pay for it. I think the amounts are so high because the morgages are as well. Or were. How many of those inflated zero down ones are not sitting empty now is unknown.
The other added part to this is that to rent an apartment you need first and last month rent, a deposit and sometimes a seperate cleaning deposit. And if you have pets there is a per pet charge. (which I did not get back when I moved from mine, not even mentioned on the paperwork)
When you add all this up its very difficult for most people to be able to rent. And the credit standards unless you have a co-signer are very strict. Lots of people with little money either have no credit or have dings on it from pervious problems which is why they are low income. Thus getting into an apartment is the problem. The usual formula is the rent much be 1/3 if your income which is why I had to have a co-signer to get into mine.
I'm not sure which is the fairest, adding utilities into the rent or splitting the actual bill. I suppose it depends on how they are used. But in some cases the extra amounts are to pay your portion of utilities.
The other option is to find an apartment to split with a friend. Just don't do it with someone you would feel bad about losing as a friend since its a good way to do it.
We need to find a way where those who need a place to live and have only a little have them, be it rooming houses or studios or reasonable rooms. With a stable place to live its a lot easier to improve your finances.
Location: Pittsburgh but I'm ready to relocate......
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In Pittsburgh theres alot these Studio Apartments.........In fact my first place was a studio back in 96.....I paid $250 a month. But now you could find a nice studio in pittsburgh for 300-450....If I was you I'd rent a storage room for $99 a month and just live in it.....
Location: Pittsburgh but I'm ready to relocate......
727 posts, read 1,891,342 times
Reputation: 403
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaye02
I think most people who rent studios do not want a roommate and don't have overnight guests except on the rare occasion. Personally, a studio means less cleaning and lower energy bills for me.
Funny thing,I moved into my first apartment with my gf. The apartment was a decent sized studio. My GF invited her sister and two nephews to live with us for a little while. AWKWARD.....me and my Gf had a bed and then we bought a cot and already had a couch. So her sister and the baby slept on the couch.....her nephew slept on the cot. One little bathroom that we alllllllll had to share and one small tv we all shared. I stayed there probably for three months......and left and found my own apartment......They couldn't handle $250 a month between the two of em so they got evicted....lol
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