Apartments

[natashaspy]

Have never rented an apartment but I would think that if you are retired, there should be some income based housing you could look at?

[1imaginarygirl]

My current rent is $1200 for a small 1 bedroom apartment. Going to be moving soon to a slightly bigger apartment for $1600. I could never live on my own again at these rates.

[mrisha]

I knew that when renting you have to put  2 months for rent, but that is ridiculous.

[mrsmere]

I always heard of 1st months rent and a security deposit of the same amount.  It seems like those people don't want anyone living there.  Continue to check around and maybe take suggestions from the other posts because the rent will increase each year.

[PGS28]

It's the same where I live.  I'll be renting out investment property within the next couple of years and I still don't understand that rule; it' doesn't take that much to be able to pay rent.  And making that much money doesn't guarantee responsibility- a person could still decide not to pay their rent.

[PGS28]

Do you have enough saved to pay at least half the contract (6 months' rent) up front?  This may be an option.

[PGS28]

Is there suitable housing specifically for retired citizens?  We have a couple communities here and I must say, they are nice.

[countrygirl12]

I recently looked into getting into an apartment.  I found that to get the type of apartment I need and want, I will have to pay approximately $700 per month.  However, the biggest issue is that most of them want you to be able to demonstrate monthly income three times the amount of your rent.  Obviously, if you find an apartment for $700, you have to show that you have $2100 per month of income.  Being retired, that's an issue!  Are you familiar with it being the same where you live?

That is stupid.  WHY would you need to make 3 times the monthly rent?  I rented a couple of times in my starting out days and I never, that I remember, even had to show income period.  I had a job and that was good enough.

I have never heard of that.  In these parts they will ask for first and last months rent and a security deposit.  All I ever had to pay was first month rent and a deposit.  Which you will never get back no matter how good you leave the place.

[countrygirl12]

   I do not like apartments.
   For the same price live in an extended hotel room-
   the same price as an apartment and get free housekeeping.

Why would you do that?  A hotel room is one room with two beds and a bathroom.  Who would want to live there?  And who would want a person coming in their room every day snooping around.  I guess it could be a good deal if you have no stuff.  You get tv, internet, electric, and a swimming pool for how ever much a weeks rent is. lol.  But you have no kitchen, no laundry, and no privacy.

[countrygirl12]

Apartments where I live are chopped up homes made into apartments. They advertise for $500-$800 a month and include everything but electric. They're NO PETS ALLOWED. There are some townhouses but they charge over $1000 for a 2 bedroom place. NO PETS ALLOWED and you pay all the utilities. Houses also go for $800-$1200 (for the fancy ones) and you pay all the utilities.

All thees rentals want 1 month rent and 1 month security deposit up front.  Rental prices are crazy when you can get a decent (not fancy) home for a mortgage of the same prices and same items you pay for rental homes and/or some apartments. Plus you can have pets. But you're responsible for the lawn and all utilities.

The area I live in most people's house payment (I know mine is) is lower than people want for rent.  And that is rent for a dumpy junky trash hole place.  But if you can't save up a down payment, and that is hard to do when you make min wage or work part time, then you do what you have to do.

[countrygirl12]

I always heard of 1st months rent and a security deposit of the same amount.  It seems like those people don't want anyone living there.  Continue to check around and maybe take suggestions from the other posts because the rent will increase each year.

They want people living there.  They want the money.  I guess they want to make sure you have the means to pay for it.  If people move in and don't pay it is hard to get people out.  And you don't want someone living in your home or property you own and not paying you anything.  Some people will do that.  And then tear stuff up when you make them leave.

[countrygirl12]

Is there suitable housing specifically for retired citizens?  We have a couple communities here and I must say, they are nice.

I guess it depends on where you live in the country.  Where I live there is nothing at all like that.

[alice44]

I haven't looked into apartments, but understand they are extremely expensive these days.  And I understand having to show income 3 times the rent, would be difficult for someone on a fixed retirement income.

[JaniceSW]

Here's the deal for me and for the vicinity where I live.  I would really like a 2 bedroom so I don't have to get rid of most everything I own.  So...they cost more.  I may have to re-consider as time goes on.  As far as Section 8, you must have next to no savings.  I do have some and am not about to spend down to qualify for Section 8.  Many people there are fine people; some not so fine.  Some Section 8 apartments around here are okay; some not so okay as far as how they are kept up.  Retirement communities cost a great deal if they are not income subsidized.  The ones around here are fairly nice, but they are teeny-tiny, and frankly, they have the atmosphere of a nursing home in a lot of instances.  I'm not there yet!
I also want an apartment with a washer/dryer.  This also narrows down the choices and seems to increase the price somewhat.  I will soon be too old to be toting laundry in and out and/or up and down stairs or to laundromats. I don't want to be apartment poor...meaning paying too much on my apartment so I have little left to do much else. I'm still working on the decision to stay put in my house (lawn work/snow removal/needing a good amount of upkeep), getting an apartment, or buying a mobile home. I guess time will tell.
Thanks to all for their input.  Further information on your situation and your community very welcome.

[sbenkoski]

Here's the deal for me and for the vicinity where I live.  I would really like a 2 bedroom so I don't have to get rid of most everything I own.  So...they cost more.  I may have to re-consider as time goes on.  As far as Section 8, you must have next to no savings.  I do have some and am not about to spend down to qualify for Section 8.  Many people there are fine people; some not so fine.  Some Section 8 apartments around here are okay; some not so okay as far as how they are kept up.  Retirement communities cost a great deal if they are not income subsidized.  The ones around here are fairly nice, but they are teeny-tiny, and frankly, they have the atmosphere of a nursing home in a lot of instances.  I'm not there yet!
I also want an apartment with a washer/dryer.  This also narrows down the choices and seems to increase the price somewhat.  I will soon be too old to be toting laundry in and out and/or up and down stairs or to laundromats. I don't want to be apartment poor...meaning paying too much on my apartment so I have little left to do much else. I'm still working on the decision to stay put in my house (lawn work/snow removal/needing a good amount of upkeep), getting an apartment, or buying a mobile home. I guess time will tell.
Thanks to all for their input.  Further information on your situation and your community very welcome.

How about a relocate , to a area less costly ?  Different town but still close to friends and family !