Going through Divorce: Looking for apartment/small condo/town house for ~ $90k in triad (Greensboro: rent)

[Kenny H]

I'm going through a divorce so I'm in the market for a small condo/townhouse in the triad. I work on Piedmont Parkway in Greensboro (right off 68/East Chester) so the closer I am to work, the better. I'm not against living in Winston, Kernersville, High Point (which is where I live now) or anywhere else within 25 minutes of my job. I'm open to ideas!!

I may be better off getting an apartment first being as this market is so crazy but if a great condo/townhouse deal came along, I would jump on it.

I'm coming from a 2500' house so I know this move is going to suck but it is what it is. I'm 32 and I need to turn the page and I know my standard of living is not going to be what it has been. In other words, I don't have unrealistic expectations that I'm going to find a 1600' apartment for $600 a month.

I'd like 2 bedrooms & 2 baths if possible. I'd also really prefer a garage. I don't think I'll be able to find a condo/town house with a garage for ~ $90k but maybe someone out there has some ideas.

As far as an apartment goes, I'd like something no smaller than 850 sq feet and again I'd like a garage. If I'm going to be in an apartment I'd like to keep my monthly housing expenses including all utilities, phone, cable/internet, etc to ~ 900/ month. Is that possible? I realize if I opt for an apartment I will have to pay approx $90 month for a garage so I'm thinking I need to find something with a monthly rent in the $650 range. I'm in the dark in terms of what I should expect to pay for everything else in an apartment, all I know is it should be much less than I'm paying now in our house.

Also, I do not mind going to a laundry mat to do laundry. I get most of my clothes dry cleaned so going to a laundry mat once a week to do a couple loads is not an issue to me. That being said, what do most complexes charges for a washer/dryer and is it really worth it for a single guy? I'm thinking its something I'd skimp on for now but again I'm far from an apartment-living expert.

Any tips/ideas anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

[yourhometriad]

I would suggest not getting a townhouse or a condo unless you a) plan on keeping it for a while, and I mean a while, or b) don't want to make any money when you sell it. There are lots of places near Piedmont Parkway that are popping up nearby but the resale isn't great, and lots of them are over $120k if they have a garage.

Good luck!