Buddy, if the one you have 'in the bag' is around 35% of your income and the other costs more, it sounds like this is the best choice, unless I'm missing something. The economy still isn't good enough to take getting a job for granted and 1350 should still suite 2 people adequately. We are living in less space than that right now and only going to a large home because it's more convenient to work and a school with a 4x4 block schedule and it's barely affordable because they are going to pay utilities and trash pipckup. Still, we plan to keep almost half the rooms closed off - we simply won't need them. The only things I insist on these days are 2 bedrooms big enough for queen beds, a dishwasher in the kitchen, and more than 1 bathroom. 1 1/2 will suffice if we couldn't have gotten 2 fulls. I do like some amenities though-- a fenced area for the dogs and a fireplace.
Oh I agree! It is plenty of space for us, the space has not been as much of an issue as the physical set up. We have 1600 here but the way we are set up (our townhome is above one bedroom units so he can pound on the floor etc...) and people on either side, but the walls are so thin I hear our neighbor snoring every night, for six years. I dont mind, but it is about Q bothering others. Where we are was designed for rental space so the construction is not good, nice appeal, poor bone structure, lol. The new places are individually owned. Most of the residents are resident owners. the contstruction is much better, so we would have still three neighbors touching our home....on the sides and back, but the units are staggered so really it is half a wall for the two on the sides and even the decks (again a big deal, the deck is large and above the garage--he can't run off) is not touching anyone elses...the front door entries are between each deck/garage so it spaces them and they are pushed forward or backward on each side...not directly side by side.
Those types of issues are what helps. Being able to go into a garage (I dont care if it is one car or two....love that it is a two but didn't matter) close the door then unlock q....no public space for him to escalate things. Both places had that. Both only have one door other than the garage exit and both will let me put in double keyed locks so I have to unlock things. The one I like better is a quad so all of them are corner units and the unit I applied for has a deck that is not directly even across from anyone, but does share a side wall with the one behind us. IT i s tall and private visually but not sound wise I imagine.
My decision is based on first stress/management of behaviors/preventing issues and a near second is cost. I have to figure if 100 dollars (which is a lot for me but not impossible, esp with the reduction in bills-water-sewer-trash included which I pay now) will reduce costs too....at my current home I have no cheaper options for TV but in both of the others I will.
After meeting with our home psychiatric too...the one I did get would be great for now, but both of the other two...having 3/4 baths and finished space for Q alone could be made into an apartment training situation where I'd not even have to see the Integrated Listening Systems (ILS) workers, they could show up and guide him in independent living skills etc. Esp. the Third one which is a split level so they could come in the front door, not the garage. I guess I could give them a garage door opener so they can pull in and close the door to let him out like I will. HMM, will have to consider that method for us now too! Maybe I can go back to not having to run around to meet them places before and after Integrated Listening Systems (ILS) times.
Didn't hear from anyone Friday, not worried though. I have faith it will sort out. (famous last words)
